Reclaiming Wildness in Motherhood: A Story of Identity, Fear & Freedom
Live from Donner Lake with Julie Bacon, founder of The Mothership Collective.
🎧 Check out the full episode ⬇️
From PR to postpartum, bikepacking to baby bottles, Julie Bacon is rewriting the rules of what motherhood looks like in the outdoors.
In this lakeside episode, I sat down in person with Julie Bacon, marketer, mountain biker, new mom, and founder of the Mothership Collective, to talk about identity, fear, community, and what it means to stay wild after becoming a parent.
We recorded this episode dockside at Donner Lake in Truckee, CA (yep, you might hear boats and breeze in the background), and it’s one of the most honest and expansive conversations yet. Whether you’re a mom, a maybe-someday, a cosmic auntie, or just figuring out who the hell you are in this phase of life, there’s something here for you.
Finding Freedom Beyond the Fear
Julie didn’t always see herself as a mom. In fact, the idea scared her. But after bikepacking the Great Divide, dancing at Boot Tan Fest while newly pregnant, and navigating postpartum with curiosity and community, she created the Mothership Collective, a space for moms and women to stay connected to the things that light them up.
“Your identity changes, no question. But it doesn’t have to disappear. It expands.”
We talked about resentment, recovery, and how hard it can be to let go of who you were while still honoring all the versions of yourself. From mountain biking at 37 weeks pregnant to dancing in the kitchen with her daughter Rae, Julie is proof that adventure doesn’t stop after motherhood, it just looks different.
A Community for Moms, Aunties & Everyone In Between
The Mothership Collective was born out of Julie’s own need for connection. There wasn’t a space for the messy middle, where you’re still a dirtbag at heart but also packing snacks for a toddler. So she built it.
“Sometimes you question—are people getting the mission? Are they understanding it?”
“To get those responses is just so exciting.”
The first Cosmic Campout brought together families for a weekend of riding, dancing, and real conversations. And the response? Huge. DMs flooded in. Moms asked for more. Raft guides reached out to plan future collabs. The signal was clear: this isn’t just a vibe, it’s a movement.
Why You’ll Want to Hit Play
âś… Raw talk on identity shifts, relationship strain & postpartum
✅ What it’s really like riding bikes while pregnant
âś… Creating a collective for women who want to stay wild
âś… The power of community through big life transitions
âś… Some solid Irish step dancing energy
Mentioned in This Episode đź’«
🚴‍♀️ Our first-ever merch drop is ALMOST here. By joining the Pre-Ride Pass List, you’ll get early access and directly support the Road to Roam campaign + the Tarin It Up podcast, making space for real stories, real women, and a wilder ride for all.
@the.mothership.collective – Julie's community for wild moms
Locals Creative – Creator of the Mothership logo & Tarin It Up branding
Ride Force – Jerseys from our Road to Roam drop
Roam Fest - The biggest femme mtb party there is!
Boot Tan Fest – Naked skiing & next-level empowerment
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