Life coach takes a walk – for 3,000 miles

Last week, Andrew "Ranger" Kielak added Clovis to the list of cities he's trekked through as he attempts to walk across the U.S.

It's a journey that started in March in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and will span 3,000 miles, ending in Southern California.

And along those 3,000 miles he'll unearth wisdom, have life changing experiences – he completed The Big Texan's 72-ounce steak challenge in Amarillo – and raise thousands for three different non-profits: Future Farmers of America, Bigger Than The Trail and the Hospice Promise.

"My mission for the walk is to highlight, learn from and work with people in the USA that are making a real impact in their community," Kielak posted to his website. 

Kielak has been planning the trip since 2022. It required him to save money collected from his time as a county agricultural inspector. His trip may cost around $10,000.

He had to budget so he could join a new gym and hire a nutrition coach and yoga instructor. A key part was ensuring his body could handle the physical toll of walking upward of 20 miles a day. Being sidelined by an injury like stress fractures or shin splints could add time or even lead him to not completing it. 

Then comes the actual journey. And that means always looking for host families so he doesn't have to splurge on hotels, paying attention to traffic while walking along highways, cranking out social media content and even fixing his cart. 

"The first cart that I had the tire exploded to the point that all the spokes were falling out," said Kielak, who had to spend roughly $700 on a new one. 

He's created a steady stream of social media followers through his podcast, daily Facebook updates and coverage from a slew of local media outlets. Not to mention, the dozens of curious people who see his cart with posters saying "Ranger's walk across America" and ask him about his adventures.

One recent Facebook post even mentioned how he's been stopped by "state troopers, highway patrol, cops, and even a few detectives in Texas." Nothing serious, just "checking on him" after responding to calls that "someone is walking down the highway with a wheelchair." 

Kielak expects to finish in the Los Angeles area around September.

And then? Kielak said that question is not too intimidating. He said there's a purpose beyond reaching the finish line and beyond raising money. He wants to use his experiences to enhance his budding career as a life coach. A self-help junkie, Kielak wants to help people reach their maximum potential in business and life. He wants this experience to help him write a book and become a keynote speaker, too. 

Just like the semi trucks whizzing by him, this walk across America shall pass. But there's still more for him to explore. 

"I can't see myself ever not doing big things," Kielak said.