John McKinney’s Talks, Programs and Seminars

When John McKinney says “Take a hike,” people do.

Willingly. With smiles on their faces.

John, aka The Trailmaster, empowers individuals and organizations to discover the multiple benefits of getting out-of-doors and into nature.

The Trailmaster’s unique insights, gained from the natural world and the “real world,” teach, inspire and entertain.

His first-hand knowledge about going from feeling stressed to feeling blessed is validated by cutting-edge scientific research that proves even a short hike in nature is beneficial for mind, body, soul—and productivity. The Trailmaster has solutions and cures for the alarming rate of “Nature Deficit Disorder” that affects so many kids and adults.

Along with suggesting we all “take a hike” (in the most positive and encouraging way of course!), John McKinney shares how to get on the trail to better health and leads the way to:

• Improved leadership skills
• Greater self-confidence
• Sharper focus and concentration
• Better communication

If your organization and its membership is looking for a simple way to “go green” and wants to find new ways to improve individual and group focus and productivity, then The Trailmaster John McKinney is the perfect choice to speak at your next event.

Although he’s spoken to a variety of nonprofit, government and corporate groups and to a variety of audience sizes, the organizations that most regularly seek The Trailmaster’s expert help include:

• Continuing Education: Corporations, Nonprofits, Schools, Associations
• Health
• Conservation, Outdoors, Parks & Recreation
• Faith-based

About The Trailmaster John McKinney

John McKinney, aka The Trailmaster, is a leading expert on where to hike, how to hike, and even “Why hike?” He’s written 25 books and more than one thousand articles about hiking.

For 17 years, John served as the Los Angeles Times Hiking Columnist. A professional speaker and experienced consultant for hiking products, publications and tours, The Trailmaster is a recognized authority on the subjects of hiking for health and fitness, hiker safety, hiking with children, hiking trails and the traveling hiker.

John’s acclaimed book The Hiker’s Way: Hike Smart. Live Well. Go Green is becoming a “must read” for hikers and anyone looking to go green and reconnect to nature. John is also the author of books for children, including Let’s Go Hiking! and Let’s Go Geocaching!

John is one of only two people to visit all 278 California state parks and shares his parks expertise with the California Department of Parks and Recreation and California State Parks Foundation. John also walked the length of the state and wrote a highly praised narrative of his adventure, A Walk Along Land’s End: Dispatches from the Edge of California on a 1,600-mile hike from Mexico to Oregon.

Earlier in his career, John founded and directed the California Coastal Trails Foundation that pioneered and helped establish the California Coastal Trail. John also served as a board member of the Washington, D.C.-based American Hiking Society.

The Trailmaster’s Talks

John has spent much of his career studying and gaining an understanding of the benefits of hiking—on and off the trail—as well as what motivates and inspires hikers and would-be hikers. John’s time on the trail, meeting park rangers and hikers from all over the world, as well as research for his many books have combined to enable him to educate people on our crucial need to connect with nature.

Serving the needs of a diverse community of hikers has enabled John to create and offer innovative solutions and achieve maximum effect in his sessions. Audiences come away with practical takeaways they can implement immediately.

In his talks, John expands on The Trailmaster’s special system outlined in his book, The Hiker’s Way: Hike Smart. Live Well. Go Green. As an outgrowth of that system, John has developed “The Trailmaster’s Ten Essentials,” a simple and effective method that communicates the essence of hiking and helps people connect with nature. Another Trailmaster System, “The Trailmaster’s Ten Point Plan for Children,” is designed to get kids—and their parents and teachers—back on the nature trail.

Many people—hikers and not—credit John’s talks, articles, books, blogs and web site, TV and radio appearances with inspiring them to hit the trail to a better life, reconnecting with nature and making positive and lasting changes in their lives.

Trailmaster John McKinney has been featured or interviewed in major publications and media from the Los Angeles Times to NPR, and appeared on numerous regional talk shows and news programs.

As John explains it, “I’ve walked a lot of life trails—happy and sad, easy and challenging and, frankly, more than one path to nowhere. What I’ve learned I want to share so that others can benefit from the many blessings of nature and the great outdoors.”

Adds The Trailmaster: “If I’m able to help the world be a little better place by helping people receive the many blessings of nature, then all those long trails I’ve trekked, good or bad, have been worth it.”

The Trailmaster’s Most Popular Programs include:

“The Hiker’s Way” (Keynote, adjustable length)
A fast-paced and dynamic program in which John reveals “Three Trails to a Better Life”—and how time in nature can benefit us in body, mind and soul, as well strengthen us in our most important relationships. Audiences also learn why we resist getting outdoors and The Trailmaster’s four-step process for overcoming what’s holding us back on the long and winding trail we call life. A key deliverable is The Trailmaster’s “Ten Essentials for Hikers,” inner qualities and directions that help us on the trail and off.

“Getting Kids Back on the Nature Trail” (Keynote, adjustable length)
John outlines the high cost of Nature Deficit Disorder and shares the essential strategies and techniques to motivate, inspire, and empower everyone, adults and children alike, to combat it. Participants enjoy John’s tales from the trail while learning “The Trailmaster’s Ten Point Plan for Children” and how to implement it.

The Trailmaster’s Hike Leader Training (Seminar)
A superb introductory course that covers all the basics. John has led hiking groups of all ages, served as a pro guide for a hiking tour company and trained hike leaders. The Trailmaster’s half-day and all-day programs include classroom instruction, workbooks and time on the trail. Contact The Trailmaster for more details.

Contact The Trailmaster today.

Meeting planners love working with John because he’s professional, dependable, and always engages his audiences with the right mix of inspiration, information, humor and real-world insight. (Plus they get kudos for booking The Trailmaster to speak to their organizations!)

Ask about The Trailmaster’s discounts on books and publications for your members. We can help you stretch your Continuing Education learning materials budget.

Isn’t it time you booked the speaker you—and your audience!—deserve? Contact us online or give us a call at 805-965-7200 to book John for your next event.