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The 12-Hour Walk

Invest One Day, Conquer Your Mind, and Unlock Your Best Life

About The Book

“A master class in athleticism, resilience, and human potential.” —Hoda Kotb, Today

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Impossible First, an inspiring blend of riveting adventure stories and life-changing wisdom that teaches us how to embark on a transformative one-day journey that will unlock our best lives.

Millions of people dream of living a more fulfilling life, yet many settle for a life of comfortable complacency, allowing excuses and negative thoughts to invade their minds. I don’t have enough time…I don’t have enough money…I’m afraid to fail...I don’t have what it takes—we allow these limiting beliefs to control us.

Now, The 12-Hour Walk provides the inspiration—and catalyst—for getting unstuck and realizing your full potential. Featuring life lessons from explorer, endurance athlete, and entrepreneur Colin O’Brady—whose adventures in such extreme places as Antarctica and the perilous Drake Passage and on the peaks of Mount Everest and K2 have seen him establish ten world records—this book’s vivid narrative and powerful insight will show you how you can embark on your own life-changing journey.

With Colin as your guide, The 12-Hour Walk asks you to invest one day in yourself. By walking alone, unplugging, listening to the voice within, and rewriting the limiting beliefs etched into your psyche, you can break free of the patterns holding you back and learn how to cultivate a “Possible Mindset”—an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities. The reward: being the hero of your own destiny.

About The Author

Steve Olpin

Colin O’Brady is a ten-time world record breaking explorer, New York Times bestselling author of The Impossible First, speaker, entrepreneur, and expert on mindset. His mission: sharing his hard-earned wisdom to empower others to conquer their minds and unlock their best lives. Colin’s highly publicized expeditions have been followed by millions and his work has been featured in the The New York Times and Forbes and on The Tonight Show, the BBC, The Joe Rogan Experience, and NBC’s Today. His feats include the world’s first solo, unsupported, and fully human-powered crossing of Antarctica, speed records for the Explorers Grand Slam and the Seven Summits, and the first human-powered ocean row across Drake Passage. He regularly speaks on mindset and high performance at Fortune 100 companies such as Nike, Google, and Amazon and at top universities including Harvard, Yale, and UPenn. His TEDx talk has nearly 3 million views. He’s also the cofounder of 29029 Everesting. Native to the Pacific Northwest, he now lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with his wife, Jenna Besaw, and their dog, Jack. Engage with Colin and his work @ColinOBrady or at ColinOBrady.com. Visit 12HourWalk.com and Instagram @12HourWalk, and download the 12HourWalk app to join the movement!

Product Details

  • Publisher: Scribner (September 14, 2023)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781982133177

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Raves and Reviews

“What explains Colin O’Brady’s superhuman accomplishments?  In replaying some of his most harrowing moments, The 12-Hour Walk provides intriguing answers.  What’s more, it’s full of insights and inspiration that can help you unlock your own best self.” 
—Mark Parker, Executive Chairman of Nike Inc. and former CEO 

“Colin O’Brady is a fountain of inspiration. The 12-Hour Walk reminds us that every great achievement starts with a strong mindset. When we spend time alone, we can access our intuition and our deepest thoughts. Those thoughts are the fuel that tell us we can go the distance. We just have to listen.” 
—Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, Selected as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People 

“Colin’s inspiring book is a powerful reminder that by believing in ourselves and changing our mindset we’re capable of achieving anything we set our mind to.” 
—Kayla Itsines, co-creator of workout app Sweat  

“A must read…If you’re looking for mental clarity, add The 12-Hour Walk to your tool kit…Take the Walk and you’ll be on your way toward vibrant health.” 
—Dr. Mark Hyman, author of fourteen New York Times bestsellers 

For The Impossible First:

“An incredibly engaging and well-written account of one man’s quest to cross the world’s harshest and most barren continent unassisted . . . you care as much about the man as the mission.” 
The Wall Street Journal

“O'Brady is a confident, crafty storyteller…This inner saga works hand in hand with the physical challenges to make for a full tapestry of remarkable experience. A brutally sublime tale of derring-do that transports as well as teaches.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Harrowing… An unforgettable memoir of perseverance, survival, daring to dream big, and showing the world how to make the impossible possible.”
Booklist (Starred Review)

“A jaw-dropping tale of passion and perseverance…If your dreams sometimes seem beset by doubts in equal measure, read this book. It will tip the balance.”
—Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

“Colin O’Brady’s amazing adventure is well-written and a fast read. But hang on to it after you finish. On down days go back to the book. It will pick up your spirits dramatically.”
—Phil Knight, founder of Nike, Inc., and author of Shoe Dog

“Suspenseful, soul-searching, and at times metaphysical as O’Brady endures an endless sheet of white and ice…The book is a testament to the human soul and the amazing feats we can accomplish with training, willpower, and the singular resilience of the mind. You will learn from and be inspired by it.”
—Buzz Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights

“A page-turning story of adventure that goes so much deeper. Colin’s relationship with his wife, Jenna, is explored through a powerfully vulnerable and honest lens. Anyone looking for a story of both grit and love will find it here.”
—Rachel Hollis, author of Girl, Wash Your Face

“Impossible to put down. Fans of adventure narratives will love this astounding, triumphant journey. O’Brady's story deserves a place in the annals of human endurance and survival.”
—Doug Stanton, author of In Harm’s Way and Horse Soldiers

“O’Brady delivers a master class in overcoming the unthinkable, demonstrating the critical role that presence, gratitude, and relationships play in making any dream a reality.”
—Rich Roll, author of Finding Ultra

“An irresistible read, The Impossible First asks one urgent question: With the right mindset, what is each of us capable of?”
—Wim Hof, creator of the Wim Hof Method

“Thrilling. Moving. Astonishing. The Impossible First takes you past the limits of what’s possible, revealing the inner potential in all of us. Colin shows us that greatness isn’t about the achievements of life, it’s about how you get there and with who. This isn’t simply an adventure story, it’s a story about the human experience.” 
—Lewis Howes, author of The School of Greatness

“The body-breaking physical trials Colin endured and his mind-expanding, spiritual experiences are described here in an epic tale of adventure and discovery.”
—Paul Simon, Grammy Award-winning songwriter

“Colin O’Brady’s world-first accomplishment in solo crossing Antarctica is a triumph of lasting importance, and The Impossible First, his narrative of how it all unfolded, is an adventure classic…Colin’s voice and vulnerability are bound to spark a connection in anyone who picks up this phenomenal book.”
—Aron Ralston, author of Between a Rock and a Hard Place

“As an entrepreneur and mother, I am so inspired by Colin’s story. His strength, fortitude, and perseverance are a lesson not just for adventure seekers, but for everyone. This is a page-turning story about the resilience of the human spirit, relevant to anyone with big goals and dreams.”
—Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx

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