From Breakin’ to Trekkin’

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 where I produced street dance competitions, managed dance talent, and also battled and performed with my dance crews all over the US. When I stopped dancing and being active in that community, it left a major void inside of me which led to a deep depression. At that point in my life, I felt uninspired and lost, reached a career ceiling at the job I was currently at, and filled that void with partying and toxic people. I needed to learn to shed off the old skin like a snakes does, and grow into a new version of myself. 

It was back in April 2017 when I completed my first treks in Malibu in the Santa Monica mountains that would change my life. That month I did Corral Canyon, Point Dume, Murphy’s ranch, and then discovered the majestic Sandstone Peak (tallest mountain in the Santa Monica mountains at 3,014 feet) via the Modern Hiker blog. I ventured out there with a longtime family friend and we did it accidentally for sunset since we arrived so late in the afternoon. When I reached the top of Sandstone Peak, I felt a stillness and peace come over me that I hadn’t felt in so long. On that day, I felt like I had literally climbed out of my depression. The surreal sunset views, glowing rock formations, and infinite mountain layers that lay before my eyes had such a powerful impact on my entire being. It was on that day that I felt I discovered something new, something that I would learn to love deeply like just like when I first found dance. I get emotional even when I type this, reminiscing on the powerful feeling of that moment. A grand epiphany and spiritual cleanings of sorts happened on that day.