Name: Brian McCormick, aka – “Trail Daddy”
Position: Personal Trainer/Adventure Coach
Company: Thrive Life Fitness Co. in Portland, OR
How long have you been helping people become better?
I’ve been helping people get stronger, healthier, and more confident for over a decade. It started in outdoor education, moved into the gym, and grew into nutrition coaching and building queer-centered fitness and hiking communities. My work has always been about helping people feel capable in their bodies and connected to others.
Why is it important for people to focus on themselves and become better?
Because nobody thrives on autopilot. When you invest in yourself (your health, your confidence, your relationships) you show up better for your life and your community. Becoming better starts with paying attention: watching your habits and choosing the ones that help you feel solid and alive in your own skin.
What do you believe are the top three things a person can do to be happier?
- Move your body regularly. Daily motion changes mood.
- Build real community. People who feel seen and supported are simply happier.
- Create moments of awe or joy. Nature, hobbies, play. Whatever makes you feel connected to something bigger than yourself.
What do you think are the top three things for a person to do to be healthier?
- Strength train. Strong muscles make everything else in life easier.
- Prioritize sleep and recovery. Health doesn’t happen without rest.
- Eat like you care about your future self. Focus on simple food, enough protein, and consistency over perfection.
How have you found your core values and stayed true to them?
Mine came from years of guiding groups outside and coaching people through change. You learn quickly what matters: belonging, honesty, mindfulness, and joy. Staying true to them means checking in often and asking: “Does this choice line up with the person I want to be? Does it leave people and places better than I found them?” If not, it’s a no.
From your perspective, how can someone start making little steps to be better?
Start embarrassingly small. One glass of water. Five minutes of movement. One walk. One healthier meal. One boundary. One honest check-in. Big change is just small change done consistently.
What advice do you have for people who struggle to make time for themselves?
Be kind to yourself, and treat yourself like someone you’re responsible for. You keep appointments with other people; now keep them with yourself. Block time for caring about the only thing you really have control over. Protect it and don’t apologize for it. Self-kindness isn’t letting yourself off the hook. On the contrary, it’s taking responsibility for the person you are and the person you want to be.
What are some of the things you do for yourself to be better?
I overcome my fear of sucking at something and I learn new skills. I strength train and spend a ton of time outdoors. I build community instead of going it alone. I take rest seriously and prioritize mastery over perfection. I understand that mastery requires thousands of reps and many unsuccessful attempts. Finally, I check in with myself physically, emotionally, and socially to make sure I’m steering toward the life I want, not just drifting.
What advice do you have for those who falter or become uninspired?
Normalize it. Everybody loses momentum. The trick is not waiting to “feel motivated” again. Do the smallest next step. Ask for help. Reconnect with your people. Progress isn’t linear, and you don’t need a comeback story; you just need a restart. Each choice in a day is an opportunity to make things 1% better.
Any other tips for becoming a more holistically better person?
Build your environment to support you. Choose communities that help you grow. Make strength, both physical and emotional, a lifelong practice. And take adventure seriously. We grow when we explore. If you want to feel better, live better, and be better, start with one small step and surround yourself with people who will take those steps with you.
