Environmental advocate Truphena Muthoni has shared her experience of hugging a tree for 72 hours, providing a first-hand account of the physical and mental endurance required during the world-record attempt.
Muthoni said that despite the lengthy duration of the challenge, her arms did not get tired while holding onto the tree.
She explained that preparation and practice played a key role in managing the physical demands of the attempt.
“I was feeling some cold when it started raining, but I was able to manage it because I had already practised for that as well. There was a time I was rained on during practice,” Muthoni said.
She described how, on the first day of the attempt, any rain that fell dried up on its own, allowing her to continue without disruption.
On the second day, when the rain was heavier, she had heaters around her to cope with the cold.
“You can’t do that without people around you,” she added, explaining that managing equipment and comfort required careful planning.
Muthoni also spoke about the importance of mental focus during the challenge. She said that interacting with others helped her keep her mind active.
“So I invited some people to talk to me all the time because that made my mind active. I would have shut down,” she confessed.
This approach, she said, allowed her to remain alert and maintain concentration throughout the 72 hours.
Her account highlights both the physical endurance and mental resilience needed to complete such an extraordinary feat.
By sharing these details, Muthoni gives a rare glimpse into the challenges faced by activists attempting highly visible symbolic acts to raise awareness about environmental issues.
Muthoni’s preparation, including prior practice under similar conditions, demonstrates that achieving such feats requires deliberate planning.
She emphasized that enduring long periods while exposed to natural elements, such as rain and cold, is manageable with training and proper support.
Equally notable is Muthoni’s approach to mental stamina.
