It began with simple hikes as an injury left Greg Sakowicz "way out of shape," but he was able to overcome his reluctance and hesitations and hit the trail. He started the blog FatManLittleTrail to chronicle his hiking journeys, which have taken place in several states.

"What I learned was that if you are tired and out of breath, you might as well look around and enjoy the moment, especially if you can’t enjoy breathing right then," Sakowicz wrote on his blog. 

He has now chronicled his hikes in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming. On his blog, Sakowicz rates the difficulty levels of various trails he has completed and he also posts many spectacular stunning photos of the scenery. 

Sakowicz details his struggles on his blog and does so with humor and honesty. In a piece titled, "Screw It, I'm Trying," he outlined "the 5 stages of hiking (or exercise) for the out-of-shape person." The five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Aside from the trails, Sakowicz also blogs about local restaurants and eateries he discovered while on his adventures. 

In an interview with Kinute, Sakowicz explains his blog, his decision to give hiking a try, his favorite state to hike in, and how hiking has impacted his life. during the course of his adventures.

Greg Sakowicz explores the trails of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Photo provided by Greg Sakowicz

Q: When you decided to make a change in your lifestyle, what made you choose to give hiking a try?  

A: I started hiking, and eventually the website, back in March/April of 2020. The pandemic had just started and I live in a small apartment downtown Denver. Great when all the shops and restaurants are open but when everything is closed it gets a little claustrophobic. The only thing that was still open were the trails and open spaces. We have a ton of those so I figured I would give it a shot. I hit the trails and never really looked back.

Peaks trail is a 6.9-mile, point-to-point hike between Breckenridge and Frisco, Colorado. Photo provided by Greg Sakowicz

How did you decide on the name of your blog?  

I was on one of my first hikes, or at least very early in the process. I was hiking up this hill that at the time I thought was the steepest hill in the world. Today, I call it a small hill. But back then it was steep for me. I was doing my best but huffing and puffing and I had to stop and take some breaks. Well one of the breaks I had to take I was really struggling. In my mind this was the hardest hill ever and then I look over and see these two kids. They were running up the hill, laughing. They were wearing crocs and drinking some Capri Suns without a care in the world. Meantime, I’m struggling to stand back up from a tree stump I was sitting on still trying to catch my breath. I saw the kids, laughed and said tell myself, “Well Greg, you’re just a Fat Man on this Little Trail." The name kind of stuck in my head the rest of the hike and when I got home I texted my cousin and asked her about it and if I should start a website and I could almost hear her laugh through the text message so figured it was a good idea.

Sakowicz is all smiles as he reaches the viewpoint beneath the Grand Canyon rim after a rugged hike. Photo provided by Greg Sakowicz

You've hiked in Arizona, Colorado, Tennessee, and many other states. Do you have a favorite state for hiking?

I would have to say that my favorite state to hike in is Colorado but that might be because I live here. There are so many amazing trails that I have found here and there is so much open space. Some of the county trails, not even state parks, are bigger than state parks in other states, which gives a lot of options.

Arizona really surprised me with its beauty, especially in the Sedona and Flagstaff areas and the Grand Canyon is stunning. I thought it would be a desert but I actually ran into some snow in Arizona! Utah is also a beautiful place to hike but it is getting so crowded especially down by the National Parks in Southern Utah. There are so many amazing features in Utah though that my mouth was always on the floor at the beauty.

The Royal Arch, located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Photo provided by Greg Sakowicz

Tennessee will always be special to me because I got to hike with mom for the first time when I was back visiting.

But overall, I will stick with Colorado because of the home field advantage

Is there a particular trail or park that stands out to you?

I don’t think you can go wrong with Rocky Mountain National Park. It has some of the most beautiful land in the country in that park. You also have a chance to see some amazing wildlife. What I like about Rocky Mountain is that there are trails for beginners, a few Accessible trails, and goes all the way up to really advanced and challenging trails. A little something for everyone. (Little side note: Check out my friend Amanda’s website NationalParkCapable.com. She lists the trails and parks that have Handicap accessible trails which is a great project!)

The Rocky Mountains in Colorado are full of glorious trails that span the Continental Divide. Photo provided by Greg Sakowicz 

What states/trails are still on your bucket list? 

I have been lucky to see some amazing parts of the country but I still have a few to go. I really want to get to Grand Teton National Park. I was at Yellowstone as a kid but don’t remember much so that one is high up on the list as well. I am also fascinated by the idea of Sequoia National Park. I think it would be quite humbling to walk amongst those giant trees. Those three make up my most current bucket list.

Sometimes all that's needed is a fresh air and a view. Photo provided by Greg Sakowicz 

How has your hiking experience shaped your understanding of health and fitness?  

I think that I began the journey thinking about my physical fitness. I wanted to be more active and challenge myself a bit. The more miles I walked, the more I realized the benefits to my mental health. While physically it is pretty easy to feel the results sometimes, the mental side is a bit more subtle. Waking up and being excited to hit the trail. Or not having a few drinks the night before so you are better prepared to hike the next day. The more I hiked the more confident and comfortable I felt within my own body. I was coming off a rough time and 2020 was hard on most people. Nature didn’t care about what was going on in the world. It welcomed me with open arms…or tree branches as it was. I could spend the day doom scrolling social media about the problems of the pandemic or I could find myself in a place of true beauty and peace with no cell service. I began to choose beauty more and more and it did remarkable things for my mind and spirit.

Amidst the pandemic and all the anxiety that came with it, Sakowicz found peace in his solo hikes. Photo provided by Greg Sakowicz

In "Hiking Alone is Not Lonely Hiking," you describe the positive, peaceful experiences you've had as a solo hiker. Is there any advice or encouragement you can offer someone who wants to start hiking but is nervous to go alone?  

There are different levels of hiking alone. There are some trails where you will see someone every 100 yards. So while “alone” you aren’t really alone. That is a good place to start if you are a little nervous. That way you can see how you do by yourself. There are also safety concerns. If you get hurt or lost on a solo hike there might not be someone to help for a long time. So I wouldn’t recommend a brand new hiker to try a long solo hike. Make sure you have plenty of food and water and extra layers of clothes. Also, make sure someone knows where you are going and what time to expect you back.

But If you are comfortable with doing a longer, more remote hike from a safety standpoint, one of the most important aspects is you have to be comfortable with yourself. You will have a long time alone with your thoughts. That can be scary for some people. When you start to get comfortable in your own mind then the thoughts can kind of drift away and you can enjoy the time. If you have a lot going on, a long hike alone can be a good way to clear the head as well but don’t expect it to be as enjoyable. When I started hiking, I had a bunch of problems I tried to think through in my head but the more time I spent hiking solo I had solved most of the problems  and it turned into almost like a Zen-like state of just enjoying the sounds of the wind, the smells of the blooming flowers or new grass, the views. It can be very special. 

Sakowicz is joined by his mom for an adventure. Photo provided by Greg Sakowicz

You've chronicled tons of restaurants and local eateries that you've found while on your adventures. What is your idea of the perfect post-hike meal?

I love to spend time at the local restaurants in the small towns I hike in. It is the best way to get to know an area. If it says Cafe, Diner, or Grandma’s I’m there! The perfect post hike meal for me is probably a big burger of some kind. They help replenish the protein and carbs that I just burnt off on the hike. If it is the summer, and a long hot hike, I’m definitely looking for a nice milkshake to top it all off as well! But the food always tastes better at a locally owned place where you can talk to the owners or patrons and get a little taste of the local culture as well!