Reaching the summit of Humphreys Peak taught me that real growth often comes with discomfort. I used to see this hike as out of my reach, too high, too hard, too far from what I believed I was capable of.But step by step, I proved myself wrong. The …
I could easily say that what I’m most thankful for is time spent outdoors, surrounded by nature’s beauty. How nature and the trail are where my soul feels most alive. How I find balance and grounding in nature. And how hiking has heale…
There’s nothing that fills my heart more than the empathy and compassion of my crew, lifting each other up as we wander the wild together. Being surrounded by fellow nature enthusiasts is pure magic—you can feel it when we pause to geek …
"Tlazocamati nochi nochampoyouaj: tlali, tlitl, atl uan ajakatl tlen techmakaj totlakayo; uan ika nopa tlapialmej uan xiuitl tlen tech tiochijtokej ika yejyektsi tlaiknelijkayotl, pajtli uan tlakuali." Which translates to "Thank you to all my r…
My story is about the power of reinvention and rediscovering my true north. Prior to 2017, which is when my hiking + outdoor journey began, I really was nothing outdoorsy whatsoever. I came from the dance world, the hip hop/breaking community wher…
Last year, I thought I was grateful for all the solo adventures I was having. I was pushing my limits, chasing peaks, and doing it all on my own. It was about proving to myself I could do it. I was grateful for the solitude, for the moments when i…
Back at that time when I attended my first group hike in February of last year, I had only been a solo hiker. I had a loyal and supportive online following, but I had never met any of them in person. Going on gallivants always brought me joy, but …
When I think back to my childhood, some of my most cherished memories are of being outside. Running around with my dad’s animals, climbing the mulberry tree in our front yard, and making endless mud pies—there was never a moment I shie…
Having met many hikers, I can confidently say that most of us turn to hiking as an escape, seeking peace to enhance our lives. It’s where we flourish, feeling most alive and happy. For me, exploring started as a child—it was just what …
When I was 4 years old, my parents went through a tumultuous divorce which lasted many years, with my sister and going back and forth like ping pong balls, always stuck in the middle of their battle with each other. I was little, but still have me…
My love for the great outdoors started when I was a child visiting my grandparents in Mexico. They lived in a small rural ranch near a mountain range where you could easily go to the river and hike quite a distance to reach these beautiful waterfa…
My whole adult life I've struggled with some rare health issues. When I was 21, I was diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumor (acromegaly) that caused all kinds of crazy side effects and greatly affected my everyday life. Once I was diagnosed, I ha…
In a world that can often feel isolating and overwhelming, it can be easy to forget the importance of community. However, for those who enjoy spending time outdoors, there is a special kind of community that exists both online and in person.&…
When I was trying to sit down and think of what I was grateful for, it was hard to come up with something that didn’t sound either braggy or pretentious. Yes I’m grateful for my disposable income which allows me to travel (within reaso…
I learned a lot about gratitude in the most unexpected place, from inside the walls of a hospital. Over the course of a year, I watched my young, vibrant, and athletic daughter become virtually lifeless, living in the shell of a body that wa…
I always wondered what my soulmate would be like. It was something I’d been thinking about since I was 5 years old. Would he be tall? Handsome? Funny? Smart? In March of 2017, I was walking down in the Gaslamp district in San Diego with my t…
As I reflect on the many blessings in my life, my heart fills with gratitude for the love and family I’ve created with my husband, the joy my children bring into my life, and a journey that has shaped my very essence. This journey of gratitu…
There are so many moments in my life where I have been completely overwhelmed by gratitude. I have always been a glass half full type person, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is that times of struggle really make you appreciate when…
What are we most grateful for? By definition, gratitude is a strong feeling of appreciation for someone or something. With that in mind, nothing has impacted our lives more positively than the birth of our first son. He introduced us to the world …
Throughout my life, I've had multiple people ask me the same question: Why am I so positive all the time? It's a fair question. After all, life can be tough at times and we may encounter some obstacles along the way. I recognize that it's hard to …