Happy New Year, happy Tuesday, and happy Positive DONUT Day!

Whether you’re in the chilly Northeast like me, sunbathing in LA, or somewhere else in the world entirely, I hope today’s newsletter brings a little joy to your day. Have feedback for me or a certain story that really hit home? Just hit reply to get in touch.

Have a fantastic week!

–Kailyn

Ready, Set, Go: Today’s newsletter should be a ~3.15 minute read (838 words).

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I welcome all of the blessings today has to bring.

At 80 years old, Betty “Legend” Kellenberger recently became the oldest woman to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, covering roughly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. And while the record is impressive, it wasn’t the point.

💭 A dream decades in the making…Kellenberger first dreamed of hiking the AT as a child, back when the trail itself was still young. Decades later, she finally set out, only to be knocked off course repeatedly by injuries, illness, and bad luck. Her first attempt ended with Lyme disease and a concussion. A later try was cut short by a fall. Another came after knee replacement surgery. At several points, quitting would’ve made perfect sense.

• But Kellenberger kept returning to the trail, motivated in part by a promise she made to her late hiking partner, Joe “Tracks” Cox, a Navy veteran who encouraged her to finish even when he no longer could.
• When Hurricane Helene disrupted large sections of the AT in 2024, trail officials adjusted the rules, allowing hikers like Kellenberger to complete the journey in stages—giving her one last, real shot.

She took it.

🏔️ A living legend…By September 2025, Kellenberger had completed every mile, earning the trail name “Legend,” first given to her by a Boy Scout troop she met along the way. She didn’t adopt it until she really felt she’d earned it, which, by New Hampshire’s White Mountains, she had.

Ask her what made the experience special, and she doesn’t say the views. She says the people: fellow hikers, trail angels, shuttle drivers, and strangers who showed generosity without expecting anything back.

Her advice to others—especially older women—is simple: stay active, start where you are, and don’t let anyone else decide what you’re capable of.

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Nothing complicated, just results and an easy routine to stick to.

Almost 5,000 people waded into Birch Bay in Washington in an attempt to claim the world record for largest Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day. 

• While not officially confirmed by the record books (yet), it seems the small town bested the previous record by 1,000+ participants. That’s a lot of people who started 2025 with zero feeling in their toes.

💸 After her high school once stepped in to help her afford college, a Philly alum returned the favor years later by paying for the senior trip, senior brunch, yearbooks, etc. for hundreds of students. That’s kindness with compound interest.

❤️ Reasons to Be Cheerful has rounded up almost 100 ways the world got better in 2025. From successful animal conservation efforts, to powerful demonstrations of community in the midst of natural disasters, check out their full list here.

🏢 See the “underwater hotels” for miniscule deep sea creatures off the coast of Guam. Positioned between 180-330 feet deep, the latest expedition led to the collection of ~2,000 specimens, with 20 entirely new species.

Whether you’re into writing resolutions or not, January can be a great time of year to take stock of your personal goals and check in with yourself. Grab your journal (or the notes app in your phone) and jot down your answers to these questions when you have a spare few minutes.

🗓️ January Check-in:

1. What lessons did last year teach me—about myself, my relationships, and my work?
2. When I imagine the year ahead, how do I want it to feel?
3. What fears or doubts might this year ask me to move through?
4. How can I care for my body, mind, and spirit more this year?
5. What promise do I want to make to myself for the year ahead?

(Creative juices flowing and interested in more prompts? Check out the full article from See Jane Write here.)

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Because What’s Your Win is here. Welcome to the section of the newsletter where we celebrate all of the good news happening right here in our Positive DONUT community.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love sharing positivity from around the globe – but there’s something extra special about hyping you all up each week.

Check out this week’s win!

❤️ Bryant M from Charlotte, NC is thankful for his village…

• “I had back surgery and my first stay in a hospital. One night of observation turned into almost a week in the hospital due to a complication. But I was amazed by the care I received, from one nurse in particular to the custodian at 5 in the morning. Every text from a friend. My wife’s just-in-time calls or visits. I’m very independent and it was humbling how all these people collectively took care of me during a painful time. I’m taking a win for everyone who supported me! A huge blessing, I will never take for granted anyone who is sick, has surgery or is hospitalized”

Even if you've been celebrated before, we'd love to keep receiving good news from you, so please don't hesitate to participate!

✍️ Got the journaling bug? What if I told you committing to it for just five minutes/day could change your life? More gratitude, deeper mindfulness, higher self awareness… meet the 5 Minute Journal. ✨

🫧 ‘Tis the season for colds and flu… Stay on top of house germs with Mrs.Meyer’s natural cleaning products. They’re a no-brainer in my house! ✨

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Today’s trivia is food & drink themed. How many can you get?

1. Which country produces the most coffee in the world?
2. Which European nation invented hot dogs?
3. Which popular soft drink was originally created as a medicine in the 19th century?
4. What is the common name for dried plums?

(Keep scrolling for the answers)

Big or small, there's always something to celebrate. And who knows? Sharing your day-to-day wins just may inspire someone else to notice theirs🥰. 

Let us know what you're grateful for... Feel free to brag about yourself in the best way; we promise to be your biggest hype-people. We may even break out a little dance like Danny Zuko😎👆.

Submit a win here.

1. Brazil
2. We'll accept either Germany (Frankfurt) or Austria (Vienna), since both cities claim the title.
3. Coca-Cola
4. Prunes

Advertise with us: Want to reach other optimistic and engaged readers like you? Become a DONUT partner here.