How Backpacking Changed My Life: Kelly Hays | Off-Trail With Dixie

Kelly "9 Lives" Hays is a long-distance thru-hiker, content creator, and endurance athlete who turned a college basketball injury into a life of adventure. Kelly has documented thousands of miles on trail, including thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail (2021), Florida Trail (2023) and the Continental Divide Trail (2024). Some of her other content includes van life, camping, kayaking and fixing up a remote cabin. Follow Kelly's Next Adventure: YouTube: ‪@kellyhays23‬ Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellyhays23 Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellyhays23 Website: www.KellyHays23.com 00:00 Kelly's Ultra-running Journey 04:08 Pelvic Floor Issues 08:26 Being a Full-Time Creator 10:00 How Kelly Got Into Thru-hiking After a Knee Injury Ended Her Basketball Career 17:20 Dixie's Experience On The Arizona Trail With A Baby 19:32 Kelly's Different YouTube Adventures 26:35 Kelly's Emergency Surgery On The Appalachian Trail 40:00 Kelly's Remote Cabin 57:02 Florida Trail 01:03:08 Some Crazy Folks Out There 01:08:42 Drawbacks of Being A Content Creator 01:19:17 Kelly's Possible Arizona Trail Thru-hike 01:28:12 Rescuing Dogs on the Pinhoti Trail Music: Tangled by Evelynn Ray    • Tangled   Intro by Aaron Mattox