Life Change: Starting an Adventure Travel Company

Steve Silberberg's father died at 54. When he hit his mid-forties, Silberberg resolved to change my life. "I had worked at an investment firm for 15 years. Every day I'd show up at my cube and want to stick a fork in my head," he says. "I resolved that my life would be more meaningful – or at least more self-indulgent." Silberberg quit his job and launched a company, Fitpacking, that takes people on backpacking vacations to get fit and lose weight.

"I've always loved backpacking. My stress level goes down immediately, and when I get home I'm happier and I weigh less." Silberberg's own trips were good training for his new venture, but he had to put some other elements in place. "You need wilderness first response medical training, a certified food handler, insurance, park permits. You have to be logistically astute," Silberberg says. Logistics is a strong suit for this MIT-trained engineer. He learned a lot from rangers, park managers and discussion boards on backpacking websites.

Proving the Concept: Backpack and You'll Lose Weight

Fitpacking's first outing was a two-week trip in the Superstition Wilderness near Phoenix. When people came back thinner, leaner and more muscular, Silberberg knew his concept worked. He also discovered that he had the patience to be a good guide.

Now, his company hosts 15 to 20 trips a year, with about eight guests per trip. Carrying 40 to 50-pound packs, they often lose about five pounds of fat in a week. To promote his business, Silberberg does internet marketing, writes press releases and exhibits at trade shows. "Marketing is this continual evil that has to go on," he says. Repeat business is high, which is A-okay with him: "The people are on board with the program and know what to expect. They've become my friends."

Silberberg is on the road every couple of weeks, but he doesn't guide every trip. "I realized very early on that if I'm on trips all the time, I can't run a business. I try to pioneer the new routes and have other guides do the established itineraries." He has a couple of part-time employees – an assistant who lives in Florida and a trip planner in Denver – and a network of guides he can call on who live all over the country.

Scaling Mount Katadhin, Soaking in Hot Springs

This season, he's particularly excited about a Maine trip that hikes 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, summitting Mount Katadhin. "The lakes are swimmable in August and it's blueberry season." He has one of just five permits issued to hike Washington's Mt. Ranier. "And Hot Springs, Arkansas is new for us. It's cool to hike all day then dip into the hot springs."

Silberberg relishes his new life. "Working in an office is good in some ways. It's intellectually stimulating. You get paid better. You have nicer stuff. The insurance is great. But I look forward to what I'm doing every day. I'm a lot happier."