Hiking Thru Life

In this episode, we talk with Christine Reed otherwise known on the trail as Lady Unicorn. Her book Alone in Wonderland was released earlier this year. This is a memoir that shares her journey on the Wonderland Trail. We dive into a very raw conversation about her thru-hike cut short due to her mother’s death and how that experience leads up to shaping her path.  We also talk about the balanc...

In this episode, we talk with Caitlin Iseler one of the co-founders of Happyly.  Caitlin spent 15 years working in the technology industry and now uses that talent to bring value to families at their fingertips!  Happyly is an app that connects families to the outdoors and beyond with activities that are reviewed and suggested by like-minded parents and caretakers.  We dive into Cai...

In this episode, we talk with Bernie Kuprionas. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Bernie spent his younger years in the Appalachian Mountains. His adult years have been a collection of many section hikes including the Appalachian Trail, North Country Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Border Route Trail, and Colorado Trail.  We dive into some of his experience camping on the Su...

In this episode, we are joined by Erin Jones the host and senior producer of the HumaNature Podcast .  We talk about the journey of podcasting and how the connection with nature has an influence on storytelling.  We dive into places that Erin has connected with nature like the Colorado Trail which she attempted to thru-hike.  She realized during that hike it's not all about conqueri...

It has been a couple of weeks since our last episode. Things have been moving fast for us and exciting change is coming.  Listen to this short update to find out what's been consuming us lately! Check out the show notes for links and items mentioned in this episode!

In this episode, we talk with Frank, known on social media as speakingquitefrankly .  After one night of solo camping at a State Park in Texas, he was motivated to lead an adventurous lifestyle.  We talk about converting his hatchback into a camper and traveling across the USA.  He shares his tips on how to live a lifestyle of travel and wanderlust while holding a job and being fina...

In this episode, we talk with Ryne and Justin, two members of the founding team at Rippled Leaf Farms.  We talk about how 4 close friends dropped out of college to start this hemp farming business and their life living in a farmhouse together on 80 acres of land.  We also talk about the uses of hemp, the history, and some of the misconceptions society has around hemp.  If you have h...

In this episode, we talk with Doug Sands.  We dive into how he was seeking something more outside of his hometown of Eau Claire, WI.  The adventure was the stepping stone to what his business Anywhere Hypnosis grew from.  He shares his story of living in different areas around the country to living in a van during peak COVID times.  He shares an experience of a hike in New Hamp...

In this episode, we talk to Bruce McGlenn the founder of Human Nature Hunting.  Hunting has been a way of life for him since the beginning and is a family tradition passed down from his father.  With 35 years of hunting experience in the Pacific Northwest, Bruce started Human Nature Hunting to connect humans back to nature through the hunting experience.  We talk about his story of...

In this episode, your host Sarah reflects on what it is like going back to work after having a baby.  Our lives greatly shifted when we became parents this fall and there are many hurdles to overcome and tackle. Sarah explores the challenges and adjustments of work-life balance. From breastfeeding/pumping to switching between teaching mode and mommy mode, we dive into all the emotional hurdle...

In this episode, we talk with Lizzie Brister of Jollyville Radio .  Lizzie has had a love for hiking since she was a child.  She’s had the opportunity to travel to many international countries including Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, and the Philippines.  We dive into a conversation about international travel, favorite places, and top hikes to hit up in some of th...

In this episode, we talk with Dan Riordan an entrepreneur, speaker, involved in multiple businesses, and is living a life filled with healthy practices.  7 years ago he started optimizing his lifestyle.  He is the author of the book Signals: How Questioning Assumptions Produces Smarter Decisions .  We dive into his story and how signals are connected to nature around us and the impa...

In this episode, we talk with Aaron Owens Mayhew.  Combined with her athletic mindset and dietitian background she made her own meals for an attempted Pacific Crest Trail hike in 2017.  Little did she know this would be the start of a big entrepreneur journey and lifestyle change.  She quit her job and now runs a successful backpacker meal planning business, Backcountry Foodie . &nb...

In this episode, we talk with Annika Mang an adventurous mama of 2.  She and her family live in Canada and enjoy their time outdoors in the Canadian Rockies.  From snowboarding to cross country skiing to climbing and backpacking, there is no adventure stopping the family.  Annika is passionate about supporting families’ adventures outdoors.  She wrote a hiking guide book for fa...

In this episode, we talk with Calum McGuigan about a new community platform, Shape and Foster.  It’s crucial to look at all aspects of a person’s life when trying to reach their full potential and that is exactly what Calum's idea for Shape and Foster is doing.  He shares with us his journey into a healthy lifestyle along with his journey into entrepreneurship.  Shape and Foster is...

In this episode, we reflect on the year.  Taking time to reflect before moving forward to the new year is an important step for personal growth and it's part of our Hiking Thru Life journey.  2020 has been a year we could not have prepared for.  Despite all of the dark times of 2020, there was lots of light in the year for us.  From quarantine to becoming parents, this year bro...

In this episode, we talk with filmmakers Kelly and Eli Pyke.  It’s no doubt that parenthood and marriage have challenges.  After struggling through some tough years, the Pyke family knew they needed something to recenter themselves.  After leaving their home in 2015 and living in an RV with their toddler for a year they found some happiness.  Eli, a filmmaker by profession, doc...

In this episode, we talk with Gail Francis.  Gail is a thru-hiker of the Pacific Crest Trail and Minnesota's very own Superior Hiking Trail.  We discuss her time on both of the trails along with some inspiring people she met along her journey.  She wrote a memoir Bliss(ters) about her time on the Pacific Crest Trail and during the month of December all profits from book sales will b...

In this episode, we talk with Abby Tobin.  There is a lot to know, pack, and figure out when you go backpacking.  The logistics can be overwhelming at first and adding a baby brings in even more considerations.  Abby took her baby on his first backpacking trip when he was just 3 months old.  We talk about the gear she recommends and she shares insight into ways to make backpack...

The holiday season is upon us and there's no better time than now to spread and express gratitude.  This time of year is most often a rush of the season.  We encourage you to enter the season with a sense of gratitude which can bring a sense of calm to the season.  Sarah reflects upon her own gratitude in this time of life.  She also shares some encouraging ideas from a past gu...

In this episode, we talk with Emory Wanger.  He is an experienced outdoors person who loves backpacking and backcountry hunting.  Emory is also the host of the By Land Podcast .  His passion for backpacking began in 2014 and it has evolved ever since.  Not only is he passionate about the outdoors but he is the father of 2 young girls and has made it a commitment to have the out...

In this episode, we dive into our parenting journey!  We became parents in October to a baby boy who has been the biggest adventure in our lives yet! This is just the beginning of our journey and we've already learned a handful.  We share our experience with you.  We also give a sneak peek at upcoming episodes and exciting updates with Hiking Thru Life. Parenting blog:   https:...

In this episode, we talk with Liz Thames better known as Mrs. Frugalwoods.  Liz is the blogger behind the blog and social media account Frugalwoods.  She lives in rural Vermont on 60 acres with her husband and two girls.  The family is soaking up the homestead lifestyle and frugality.  We talk about what their homestead lifestyle is like and how it has positively impacted the c...

In this episode, we talk with Chris Cage, founder of Greenbelly Meals .  Chris quit his accounting job in 2012 and embarked on a 2-year journey of diverse outdoor experiences from hiking the Appalachian trail to backpacking Asia to bicycling in New Zealand.  He is an entrepreneur who has written the book How to Hike the Appalachian Trail and founded Greenbelly Meals which makes healthy,...

In this episode, we talk with Dave Freeman.  He is half of the Freeman Explore team.  The Freemans lived a year in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in order to educate and spread awareness for the campaign to Save The Boundary Waters.  The wilderness is a place where many go to disconnect with society, but technology was the key to connecting the Freemans to their p...