October 8, 2025

At 68 years old, Rand Timmerman looked in the mirror and thought his life was over. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and successful attorney, he had been undone by alcoholism and the quiet toll of PTSD. Yet what seemed like the end became the beginning of a new path.

Now more than a decade sober, Rand shares how recovery gave him the strength to take on an extraordinary challenge with his brother: hiking the Appalachian Trail in their seventies. Along the way, they faced storms, solitude, and moments of reckoning that reshaped how Rand understands resilience, purpose, and second chances.

We discussed:

• How Rand faced down alcoholism after decades of success in his career 
• The hidden weight of PTSD and how it shaped his story 
• What it was like to hike more than 1,400 miles of the Appalachian Trail in his seventies 
• The role of grit, faith, and humor in getting through difficult seasons 
• How recovery and service to others gave Rand a renewed sense of purpose

Resources:

Visit: Rand Timmerman’s website
Email Rand: rand.timmerman@gmail.com

More on Rand:

Born in 1946, Rand R. Timmerman grew up in Adams, New York. In March 1966 he enlisted in the USMC and served 5 years, including a tour with 1st Marines in Vietnam. In 1970 he attended Syracuse University: acquired his BA degree and law degree, summa cum laude in 1975.

He was a self-employed attorney, retired in 2012, and has written numerous short stories and books, including A Spiritual Passage about hiking the Appalachian Trail with his brother Ron in their early 70s. The author is married with four daughters and seven grandchildren and lives in Syracuse, New York.