Desire. A desire for the pinnacle. The kind of desire to summit, to constantly climb the endless ladder with the vision of achieving something—yet that something is never clearly defined. It’s always just... something. Something great. Something to improve another something. Something that grows into something else in order to achieve yet another something. And this "something" is tied to only one major entity: myself.
My name is Finn Gerhardt. I’m an overly organized, poetic, anxious, empathetic, studious-yet-messy, pasta-with-red-sauce-loving guy. My journey has taken me all over the place, but through it all, it’s landed me right here. Today, I stand grounded by a steady structure of roots built on a desire for growth.
These roots have always been there—sometimes subconscious, sometimes hidden deep within my soul—but this past summer, they grew to a point of visibility. In June, I participated in a volunteer opportunity with the Idaho Conservation Corps, a program that educates workers about the conservation of public lands, invasive species, and professional work ethic. My group primarily focused on tree mulching, a process based on the idea that trees “breathe” better when a shallow ring is dug around their base and filled with bark, allowing for more direct airflow to their roots.
We worked long hours in the 90-degree heat, dressed in long-sleeved clothing, digging and hauling heavy wheelbarrows to dump sod into trailers. Needless to say, the work was strenuous. Yet, amid all of this, I realized something important. Each night, I would come home exhausted and sore, but I also felt astonishingly good.
This was confusing to me. Physically, I was drained. But mentally, I was thriving. I felt grit and strength that dazzled me, leaving me wanting to do more. After some reflection, I realized the reason: I was putting in my full effort and seeing the tangible results of my work right in front of me. The tedious, underwhelming tree rings became something polished and complete. The immense feeling of success that came from accomplishing such a difficult task was deeply satisfying.
Because of this, I found myself returning each day with even more determination. My desire to work harder and push myself grew with every passing day. Soon, I watched this newfound energy spill over into other areas of my life. It was astounding. Motivation, a desire for success, confidence in myself, and the natural dopamine of achievement all unfolded before my eyes.
Procrastination began to fade away, and the visibility of my potential slowly emerged from the thick fog. One of the most impactful things One Stone has done for me is provide support throughout this journey while also reinforcing my growth. Whether encouraging me to take risks or helping me develop attainable goals, this experience has taught me how to ignite the initial spark that fuels the fire.
That fire is the feeling of accomplishment—a reward so often greater than the energy it takes to achieve it.
Now, as I reflect, I see an opportunity in front of me. An opportunity for mentorship: to inspire others with the knowledge I’ve gained from my own experiences. It would be an honor.
