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Did you know I’m a journalist? I mean, you probably do because I mention it in the intro of many episodes of Humans Outside. But you probably didn’t know I’m launching a local nonprofit newspaper.
It’s an all-consuming project, and going outside has been key to helping me get it off the ground.
Going outside daily has also been key to helping me understand how to manage my time, how to prioritize what’s important to me, how to make all of it happen in one day.
But it’s also taught me that the world is full of natural beginnings and endings as a part of the seasons.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
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Some of the good stuff:
[:36] A fun fact about me
[:54] In which I wax reminiscent about days of yore
[1:52] Why local news is so, so important
[2:35] My new local news project
[3:14] What outdoors continues to mean to me
[4:05] But I can’t do everything
[5:23] And so it comes down to this
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Do you have one person whose work you’ve looked to for inspiration? For me, that’s Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project, and it’s why I was so excited to get her on Humans Outside for a sit-down.
It was such a fun conversation that I want to make sure you get to hear it in this best of humans outside episode. I hope you love this interesting and inspirational conversation with Gretchen Rubin.
Connect with this episode:
Read Life in 5 Senses (affiliate link)
Visit Gretchen’s website
Follow Gretchen on Instagram
Follow Gretchen on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:05] Gretchen Rubin’s favorite outdoor space
[4:10] How Gretchen became someone who likes to go outside
[6:35] The problem of things taking effort
[8:47] Why Gretchen started her Life in 5 Senses project
[11:33] Does she still go to this place every day?
[11:38] How that practice is like a sit spot
[14:40] The freedom (and challenge) of doing something every day
[18:28] Gretchen’s favorite sense and how her experiment impacted it
[19:41] What do we lose when we ignore our senses?
[22:27] All about Gretchen’s daily outdoor project
[24:15] The difference between a chore and recess outside
[27:00] Why the freedom to choose your own rules is important (and hard)
[30:13] The inspiration for Gretchen’s project
[33:17] How her five sense are influencing her outdoor project
[36:19] Personal habits that make her outdoor time better
[40:21] Gretchen’s favorite outdoor moment
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What happens if you say "yes" to just one adventure or step out of your comfort zone? Maybe you'll create a single unforgettable experience. Or maybe that "yes" will lead you down a path where you encounter more interesting (and maybe a little scary) ideas and opportunities.
That's what today's guest, author and physician Mimi Zieman, found when she stepped out of her comfort zone in New York City to try something new. From the streets of the city to the base camp of Mt. Everest, Mimi discovered how saying yes to ideas and taking up space in the world can lead to a lifetime of growth.
In this episode, Mimi takes us on her journey from "yes" to Everest and gives us tips for finding our own space by following the power of that one word. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[2:42 ] - Mimi Zieman’s favorite outdoor space
[04:22] - How Mimi went from city to nature
[06:27] - The challenges Mimi found up at Rocky Mountain Biological Lab.
[09:25] - How Mimi ended up in Nepal
[15:10] - The wild challenges on Everest
[21:45] - Here’s how that Everest experience impacted Mimi.
[28:59] - Why you have to take up space in the world
[31:11] - Mimi’s best advice for those wanting to say yes to more adventures
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There are a lot of reasons to spend time in nature, but as I reflect back on all of the things I’ve learned by heading outside every day for more than 2,500 days in a row, some takeaways stick out more than others.
The biggest thing I’ve learned by spending time outside is also both my favorite lesson and the thing I least expected.
What is it? Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on InstagramFollow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[00:45] The start of my outdoor challenge
[01:39] There were some benefits I expected
[02:21] And then there is one big benefit I didnt see coming
[03:33] I realized while doing this unpredictable thing
[04:15] 2016 Amy would NEVER
[05:08] It’s time to face the change
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There’s something both comforting and amazing about the way nature takes the reigns no matter what happens. During a recent walk in the woods, I saw startling new growth on top of recent harm, and it was just the reminder I needed about nature’s power to reclaim itself and me.
Maybe it’s a reminder you need, too.
Listen now!Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[00:23] Here’s what I did outside this week
[00:35] Nature just out there healing its own self
[01:37] Here’s where I face the music
[02:32] And here’s what I saw when I did
[04:03] Oh yeah, nature heals people, too
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No matter how you define “hard,” heading outside offers plenty of chances to tackle it. Many people who choose to tackle hard stuff outside are pushed to do so to honor some kind of “why.”
For some of us, that “why” is health or to push our own personal boundaries. For others, the “why” is on behalf of someone else.
Ultrarunner Emily Halnon’s “why” has everything to do with her mom, who died from an aggressive form of cancer in early 2020. To honor her she headed out to tackle a major challenge running on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It’s a story she’s now shared in her new book “To The Gorge.”
Through her journey, she learned the power of moving through hard stuff. In this episode you’ll hear Emily share the things she’s learned through that journey and how you can make yourself do hard things outside, too.
Connect with this episode:
Read Emily Halnon’s new book, To The Gorge (affiliate link)
Visit Emily’s website
Follow Emily on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[4:06] Emily Halnon’s favorite outdoor space
[5:36] How Emily became someone who likes to go outside
[7:05] How Emily’s mom inspired her running career
[10:29] All about Andrea Halnon’s adventurous life
[15:27] The grief and grit in running across Oregon
[22:37] How to get mentally tough to prepare for a mega run
[30:01] Why hard stuff outside helps us prepare for life's challenges.
[33:04] The internal dialogue of pushing through the tough stuff
[35:07] Why it’s not a bad thing to feel a little scared
[36:39] Emily’s favorite outdoor moment
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There’s something special about the way spring sounds in Alaska.
Maybe it’s how dramatic the experience is as compared to the sounds of winter. Maybe it’s that they’re happy sounds that I can hear through my windows. Maybe it’s that the weather is so much nicer than it had been, that I’m outside more to hear sounds at all.
Whatever the reason, I love the outdoor symphony. Here’s what I’ve been noticing.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[00:35] I’m feeling really grateful for my ears
[00:52] Here’s the source of my leaning into my senses challenge
[01:46] The sounds of spring are basically the best
[02:02] Here’s a few examples
[02:26] Birds, birds, birds.
[03:31] Not birds but still souds
[04:04] OK, winter has sounds, too -
I do it to myself and over and over again. That feeling of overwhelm sneaks right in, and it’s entirely because of my own poor choices.
(You would think I’d learn my lesson, but I have not.)
So when the going gets crowed, what do I do? I think you’re probably going to guess. But the wild thing is just how much adding more of it to my schedule helps.
Listen now.Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[00:23] Yeah, OK I do this to myself
[01:17] We know the signs -- truly
[01:32] Maybe I could do this before
[02:25] This is the part where we come up with a solution
[02:43] When, in fact, the real solution is this one that doesn’t make any sense.
[03:33] The reason it helps? Priorities.
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Florence Williams has learned a thing or two about making the most of what you have right outside your door and the tools you already possess to do so. Since Florence, author of “The Nature Fix,” literally wrote the book on how going outside creates positive impacts on our mental health and wellbeing, that’s really saying something.
I learned about Florence before we even started going outside every day. It was her book, published shortly before we knew we were looking for it, that gave us the 20 minute daily goal. We are so honored that she gave some of her time to share her latest lessons in exactly how you can harness the power of nature for your health, happiness and mental well-being.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:05] Florence William’s favorite outdoor space
[3:14] Why she started writing about outdoor benefits
[5:16] Why going outside makes us feel good
[8:01] Why going outside is good for your brain
[10:26] Why going outside helps trauma
[16:36] Why finding what speaks to you is important
[19:05] Why tuning in matters
[21:24] The difference between “seeking” and “available”
[23:48] Why many doctors love drugs and ignore nature
[25:49] How to find awe in what’s right outside your door
[35:30] Florence’s favorite and most essential gear
[36:47] Florence’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Read (or listen to) The Nature Fix, by Florence Williams
Listen to The 3-Day Effect on Audible
Read Florence William’s website
Follow Florence Williams on Instagram
Like Florence William’s Facebook author page
Follow Florence Williams on Twitter
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I used to hear friends talk about the crazy wonderful things they were spotting outside and wonder how it was I was missing out. Why didn’t I see that stuff? Were they trying harder? Going places I didn’t want to go? Getting up in tbe middle of the night to do it?
It’s not that hard It doesn’t take any extra work It does take intention
And then one day I stumbled upon their secret by accident. And now that I’ve figured out the trick to seeing wonders outside, I just can’t stop.Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[00:35] Yes, I’m an early riser[01:32] This morning experience changed my perspective
[02:12] All I had to do was take this step
[02:31] Yes, I missed stuff
[03:03] But now I see this stuff, too
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When was the last time you thought about the way learning to notice and navigate changing seasons affects how you view your indoor life?
One of the best things about spending a lot of time outdoors is how it prompts you to pause and see how the world is shifting day by day. Are you ready for it? Are you taking it as it comes?
No matter how you approach the shift in seasons, one thing is certain: getting used to changes outdoors can teach you a thing or two about changes indoors.
Getting okay with growth Noticing when it's coming Embracing what it bringsListen to this episode of Humans Outside now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[00:35] Here’s a highly philosophical observation about the sun[01:28] We’ve got some signs of spring up in here
[02:31] Let’s get aware of seasons
[03:11] No solar eclipse here, but we do have seasons changing
[03:29] There’s sun and I’m not mad about it
[04:00] Just over here learning from nature for my inside life, once again
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Ready for solo adventure? Feeling safe?
Getting out there by yourself can feel like a real safety risk. I absolutely love going out alone, but I know it comes with pros and cons.
But it doesn't mean I don't go. It just means I go empowered.
Nicole Snell, a safety expert and owner of Girls Fight Back who specializes in self-defense in the outdoors, has a different idea. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks to empower you to get into nature solo while also staying safe.
Hear Nicole talk about staying stafe outside in this "best of" episode.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Nicole Snell’s website
Visit Nicole’s Girls Fight Back website
Watch Nicole’s Outdoor Defense YouTube series (it’s really good!)
Book a one-on-one session with Nicole
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn
Follow Nicole and Girls Fight Back on Facebook
Follow Nicole on Instagram
Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[4:06] Nicole Snell’s favorite outdoor space
[4:52] How Nicole became someone who likes to go outside
[7:16] How she got into self-defense
[14:05] Why people (often women) feel unsafe alone outside
[20:12] What self-defense tools should people use?
[26:54] What we mean when we say “use your words.”
[28:55] Why she didn't say “I’m sorry”
[31:57] The role of intuition
[37:41] How to make the outdoors more safe for everyone
[41:10] Top three tips for self-defense in nature
[44:41] Nicole’s favorite outdoor memory
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When did you last hug a tree? I mean literally, actually hug a tree?
Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but hang with me, because this silly thing has been recharging and reshaping how I feel about heading outside.Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Listen to Alastair Humphrey’s episode on Humans Outside
Listen to my episode about my scary Grand Canyon trip
Some of the good stuff:
[00:35] Tree Hugging as Gratitude
[01:20] Grounding Experience of Tree Hugging
[01:41] Winter Contrast and Appreciation in Seattle
[02:49] Monthly Sit Spot Reflection
[03:08] Observations and Gratitude for Trees
[04:36] Emotional and Sensory Connection with Nature
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The changing of seasons is the perfect time to look around for signs of changing life outside.
But what if instead of just seeing the signs, you looked at them as encouragement for your day? What if you saw them as symbols of hope that you can take with you or find whenever you need a little push through your day?
What would you choose?
How would it help you?Learn about my chosen symbol in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Signs of spring and easter
[1:19] Here’s where I see new life in nature
[1:58] Excuse me winter, please leave permanently
[2:21] Here’s some personal symbols I see
[2:48] Why I look to the birds
[4:12] And why you should find your own symbols
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If you’ve ever spent time living in a major city, you know finding nature takes a lot more intentionality than if you spend all of your time in a rural environment. You might even think about experiencing nature in a city as happening in spite of the concrete jungle, not because of it.
But what if you flipped that on its head? What if you learned ways to appreciate nature because of the city it’s in?
That’s something today’s guest, Brittany Gowan, has become good at as part of her work coaching organizations and executives. With an industrial and organizational psychology master's degree, she works with her clients to lean on nature in and out of the city, a concept also shares in her new book “Turn to the Sun.”In this episode of Humans Outside Brittany talks about:
Finding nature wherever you are The gifts of an outdoor habit in an urban environment How noticing nature can raise awareness for other thingsListen now!
Connect with this episode:
Visit Brittany Gowan’s website
Read Brittany’s book “Turn to the Sun” (affiliate link)
Follow Brittany on Facebook
Follow Brittany on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on FacebookSome of the good stuff:
[2:17] Brittany Gowan’s favorite outdoor space
[4:02] How Brittany became someone who likes to go outside
[4:57] How do people react to the idea of nearby nature?
[6:02] Ways to find natures in the city
[8:23] Why birds are cool for this
[10:59] How to build awareness for nature in a city
[13:06] How to create space for nature
[15:03] The art of nature visualization
[22:53] Do houseplants move you towards nature?
[28:00] The top thing Brittany has learned through her outdoor practice
[34:01] Brittany’s favorite outdoor moment
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You know the photos don’t tell the whole story: doing something cool outdoors or going on an epic adventure takes work.
And I don’t just mean deciding where to go and then peeling yourself out of your house. I mean:
Sacrificing other things you want/need to do Living with the discomfort of flexibility Preparation and visionBut is it worth it? Yes.
Listen to this episode to hear more now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Just a little introvert dilemma
[1:06] Answering the call of adventure despite inconvenience
[2:56] You’re going to have to make some sacrifices
[3:40] Some of them will be related to flexibility
[5:07] Regrets? None so far.
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You’d think after all of these days outside over years of keeping my outdoor habit, I’d have figured out that after feeling some kind of way in the winter, I am an entirely new person when the daylight comes back.
But no.
So this is a letter from current me to future me, based on the experience of past me. And I bet these me-s can you help you, too.
Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Dear all the Amys: listen up
[:48] This is a letter about the power of sunshine
[1:52] Remember back like two weeks ago when you thought you were done for?
[2:22] It’s all about powering through to the light
[3:27] Will I ever get the memo?
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
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Remember my rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon that became a dangerous disaster after another member of the group put us all at risk? Yeah, that wasn’t great. But when I shared that story, I immediately received a parade of messages from Humans Outside followers and podcast fans with their own stories of outdoor misadventures caused by someone else’s poor choices.
There’s some comfort in knowing my experience wasn’t unique. But it also made me think maybe there’s a lesson there on what we can all do better next time. If so many of us have had a similar problem, maybe we need someone to help us avoid it happening again.
Enter: Luc Mehl and Sarah Histand, adventure experts who happen to be married to each other.
You’ve probably heard Sarah here before, bringing insight on adventuring in ways that feel safe. Luc is a trip planning expert who has done major expeditions in Alaska and teaches courses on heading into the wilderness while having fun and not dying. Together they’re the perfect pair to help us with this problem.
In this episode hear:
Luc’s advice for building a solid adventure group What to do if you’re stuck on adventure with someone who is falling apart How to be kind to yourself (and others) while deal with the whole thing.Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Check out coaching with Sarah on Mind & Mountain
Take one of Luc’s cool adventure courses
Follow Sarah on Instagram
Follow Luc on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:33] Sarah’s favorite outdoor space
[4:04] But wait, Luc has a different favorite
[4:50] Luc and Sarah’s outdoor stories (plus, how they met)
[8:05] What is risk management and why is it important?
[11:04] It sounds harsh, but are there simply people who shouldn’t be invited on adventures?
[12:20] How to figure out who is the right fit for your trip
[13:45] What to do when you thought your had it figured out, but actually you did not
[17:41] The role of people picking in trip planning
[20:24] What to do when you get into the adventure and now you’ve got real problems
[26:45] The fear of offending someone
[29:29] Think about it as “carrying pride”
[32:28] So you’re in a bad situation. Here’s what to do next.
[37:50] The rumors are true: don’t leave a buddy (or frienemy) behind
[41:40] How to avoid an emotional stress injury
[45:16] Luc and Sarah’s favorite outdoor moments
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There are just certain outdoor things that drive me absolutely bonkers. They make my nerves feel like tattered edges, especially if they’ve been going on for awhile.
And that’s a problem, because I am committed to getting outside every single day, no matter what. … and that “no matter what” includes stuff I don’t like, and even stuff I hate.
So what do I do when this happens? I take these three steps.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] I’m betting you have some outdoor thing you hate. Don’t be a hero about this.
[1:01] Here are some really good examples
[1:55] And here’s the thing I hate, thank you.
[2:04] I need you to hang on while I get this off my chest.
[4:06] Obviously, it’s not going to keep me inside
[4:34] Which means I have to take a few steps to move through it
[6:54] Here’s a fun fact about Amy in March
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They clear-cut part of my backyard trails and I’m devastated (Outdoor Diary)
When I heard the saws, I should’ve known it was not a good thing, not just a trail crew clearing wood downed on the trail.
I never guessed the loss those sounds were bringing. And when I saw it, I stood in disbelief.
I guess that’s the risk brought by loving something. When it’s taken away, a piece of you feels gone, too.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Man-made destruction without warning
[1:45] I assumed it wasn’t major. Boy was I wrong.
[2:55] Only Treebeard has the words for this
[3:45] These trees were my friends
[4:50] It feels like a heavy loss
[5:12] My bad for trusting anyone on the internet
[6:22] But I do think this is a universal experience
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