
My Trip into Hellhole Canyon: A piece about goal setting for ultimate success
From A Functional Approach with Dr. Jim Chialtas by Jim Chialtas, DACM, L.Ac.
March 16, 2026 · 17 min · Episode 157
About this episode
In this episode, Jim Chialtas shares a personal story of survival and the importance of mindful goal setting during a challenging experience in Hell Hole Canyon.
In this 157th episode, I recount a harrowing experience of survival, persistence, calm rational thinking, and realistic goal setting - all in the face of very real danger. My trip into and out of Hell Hole Canyon in Anza Borrego State Park, a literal desert paradise here in Southern California, started out as a lovely solo backpack and quickly turned into something much more important. It was a test of will, a humbling, and an expression of true freedom. Listen in and consider how goals, no matter how big, can be looked at and worked through mindfully. And in so doing... An approach like this can offer success, where failure often lurks around every corner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park
People in this episode
Host: Jim Chialtas
Topics covered
- goal setting
- survival
- persistence
- mindfulness
- freedom
- success
Keywords
- goal setting
- survival
- persistence
- mindfulness
- freedom
- success
- desert
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Hell Hole Canyon, Anza Borrego State Park, Southern California
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