From 505 Pounds to Summiting Kilimanjaro | DonWitt | Founder of Hiking With the Bear
From 505 Pounds to Summiting Kilimanjaro | DonWitt | Founder of Hiking With the Bear  
Podcast: Hikes and Mics Podcast
Published On: Mon Oct 06 2025
Description: Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Don Witt — founder of Hiking with the Bear — joins us for one of the most powerful comeback stories we've shared on this show. At 505 pounds, walking a block felt impossible. After gastric bypass surgery, hiking became his way of taking his life back one mile at a time — and it eventually carried him all the way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.Don talks through his rough-and-tumble start in backpacking (a 75-pound pack on his very first trip with the Gombe hiking group), the anxiety-filled night before summiting Kilimanjaro's Lava Tower, and the emotional summit moment at Stella Point, where he carried a flag honoring Pine Forge Academy — one of only two remaining all-Black boarding schools in the country. We also get into his "push to inspire" motto, the origin story behind the Hiking with the Bear name, breaking down barriers for plus-size hikers in the outdoors, and a full round of season "this or that" questions — switchbacks or straight up, tablets or powder, sunrise or sunset.An honest, funny, and deeply moving conversation about transformation, community, and proving the outdoors is for everyone.Episode Links:DonWitt on InstagramDonWitt on FacebookHiking With The Bear on YouTubeThis episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeysFollow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier.Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership!Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.