Quick & Dirty Life Update: Trails, Trade Shows & Tears on the Climb
Some weeks, the universe hands you a beautifully prepared, color-coded plan. Other weeks, you’re recording a podcast on a Saturday because you’ve been driving across three states, breathing through big feelings on a desert trail, graduating from a leadership program, wandering a trade show floor, juggling freelance stress, and trying to outrun winter in an off-grid home with a dying heater. This week was the latter.
This solo episode was never meant to exist…but here we are. And honestly, I’m glad it does.
🎧 Listen to the Episode
Staying Consistent When Life Isn’t
“I love showing up every Thursday. But this week, I had absolutely nothing left in the tank.”
The episode opens with me admitting I almost skipped this week entirely. Not because I didn’t want to be here — but because I was unprepared, exhausted, and knee-deep in the mental gymnastics of:
Do I take a break? Am I failing if I miss a week? Will anyone notice? Does anyone care?
Four years into podcasting, consistency has become a point of pride. But it’s also a pressure cooker. This episode is a reminder that the line between discipline and burnout is razor-thin.
The past ten days were a whirlwind
Before diving into back-to-back work trips, I made a quick stop in Moab. I had to break up the drive to Durango a bit, and though Moab is still a 12 hour drive, it was nice to have a break and actually be able to bike in there since we didn’t get to on the way to/from Roam Fest. It was a tough ride for me because my breathing is giving me issues again, but I was grateful to be out there and moving at my own pace.
Next Up, Outdoor Media Summit, Durango, cO
Next up was Outdoor Media Summit in Durango — three days of learning, networking, and reconnecting with so many familiar faces in the outdoor media space. I even got to tour Osprey’s headquarters (gear-nerd heaven) and meet up with fellow Futurist Project alums.
The biggest takeaway? Building something meaningful takes consistency — and it’s okay to want your passion to pay you back.
“We can’t always pour endless time into something that doesn’t support itself — and that’s not shameful, it’s honest.”
Grassroots Connect, Kansas City
A few days later, I was in Kansas City for GOA, surrounded by some of the best humans and brands in the outdoor world. From catching up with Wild Rye, Kula Cloth, and Alpine Fit, to hanging with Dovetail Workwear and NoSo Patches, it reminded me how community-driven this industry really is.
NoSo’s Flair Bar setup especially stuck with me — not just about repair, but self-expression. (Hint: you might see a Flair Bar popping up at one of our Women Owning Winter events soon 👀).
Futurist Project Wrap-Up
GOA also marked the end of my seven-month Futurist Project journey — a leadership program for outdoor professionals. My group’s capstone presentation won, and I was shocked (and honored) to be named a runner-up Valedictorian. For a solo creator in a sea of brand teams, it was a reminder that my perspective does matter.
What’s Next
Women Owning Winter: An Event Series
✨ November 14 – Ladies’ Avalanche Awareness Night (Truckee Brewing Co.)
With Tasha Thomas of Sierra Avalanche Center
Raffle prizes include:
Ortovox transceiver
Coalition Snowboard
Garmin inReach Mini
Snow bike rental
Alpinistas swag bag
…and more
✨ November 15 – Women’s Sled Mechanics Afternoon
3 PM at Truckee Brewing
Bring your own sled this year. Hands-on, daylight, real learning!
✨ December 11 – Tits Deep Film Night
Raffle + community + hopefully a NoSo Flair Bar
✨ January TBD – On-Snow Meetups
Backcountry ski day, sled ride day — not instruction, just community connection.
My goal: drop the imposter syndrome and meet women who want to ride at a similar pace without pressure.