The Hikers Anonymous Podcast

Today I am taking with Lauren, who has a very inspirational story about how the pandemic helped get her and her family into the outdoors and how their adventures continue to shape their lives. If you are a mom with young kids and have had reservations about cross country travel and hiking and backpacking, this episode is for you! Lauren's Facebook page where you can follow her adventures is: h...

Today I am talking with Josie, who decided to live a nomadic life while she is young and she has been  working seasonal jobs at national parks for a few years now. In this episode she gives us a little insight on what it’s like to live and work inside national parks and how this has shaped her into the outdoors woman she is today.  If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors p...

In this episode Franziska talks with Rod, who after a sudden life changing divorce decided to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail to help heal himself in 2019.  If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors positively changed your life, please email me a short synopsis to HikeOregon@hikeoregon.net with the subject: Podcast Guest. This podcast is sponsored by CS Instant Coffee, the...

In this episode Franziska talks with Jane, who has built a healing business through spending time outdoors. We talk in depth about intuitive hiking and the benefit of nature on the body and mind.  Jane's website: https://violetflamehealing.com/ If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors positively changed your life, please email me a short synopsis to HikeOregon@hikeorego...

In this episode Franziska chats with Kaye, who recently went through breast cancer treatment and a double mastectomy. She took all the opportunities to hike and be in the outdoors through this difficult time and it helped her cope both mentally and physically. Her story is truly inspirational! Facebook pages we mention in the episode: -Kaye's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kaye. Otis   -Br...

In this episode Franziska chats with Liz, who after traveling around the country and living in the south for a few years in her 20's, she discovered her love for the outdoors and hiking/backpacking when she took a job at Yellowstone National Park. Liz has been working in the outdoor industry ever since and just took a full-time job with the US Forest Service in Bend, Oregon.   If you have an i...

In this episode Franziska chats with Amy, who struggled with alcoholism and finding her identity again after raising kids. After discovering hiking and backpacking she found herself to be a strong, confident outdoorswoman and she will be celebrating her 7 year sober birthday in September. If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors positively changed your life, please email me...

In this episode Franziska chats with Robert, who found his love for hiking, backpacking and the outdoors when he was a youth. As the years passed him by, he had kids, a stressful job, and he slowly became very unhealthy and almost had a life ending heart attack. After his bypass surgery his love for the outdoors was reawakened and he is now section hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. If you have an in...

In this episode Franziska chats with Adam Sawyer, who is an esteemed hiking and travel guidebook author in Oregon and Washington. He has written books like Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon, Hiking Waterfalls in Washington and his most recent book, Urban Hikes in Oregon. A year ago Adam lost his life partner in a tragic house fire and he has been hiking almost every single day since then. In this episod...

In this episode Franziska chats with Norther, who was an endurance athlete for years before a fall during a mountain scramble changed the trajectory of her outdoor experiences. These changes ultimately inspired her to start her business in 2021 Wild Solitude Guiding. https://wildsolitudeguide.com If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors positively changed your life, please...

In this episode Franziska chats with Mitchel, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest enjoying the woods with the boy scouts. As he grew up and moved to beautiful Arizona and Utah, Mitchel started truly discovering himself through the quietness of the outdoors. The silence of the forest spoke loudly to him and helped him go through some tough life situations.  If you have an inspirational story about...

In this episode Franziska chats with Troy, who is a childhood traumatic brain injury survivor and later on in life Troy was in a bad car accident and unfortunately suffered another TBI. He was told that he was never going to walk again and would be in a nursing home for the rest of his life. Troy was motivated to be able to take his dog hiking again and a few months later was able to move to Orego...

In this episode Franziska chats with Tom, who just 5 months ago was avidly hiking all over the Oregon Cascades. Now he is fighting stage 4 cancer and spent the winter bedridden. Tom had a unique way of dealing with his new circumstances of not being able to get outdoors and you'll hear all about it in today's episode. If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors positiv...

In this episode Franziska chats with Lindsey, who went on her first trip at age 16 with her family and she fell in love with backpacking! Between college and then adult life, 20 years went by before Lindsey was able to go backpacking again and rediscovered her love for the outdoors. Through abundant research and experience, over the past few years Lindsey has become a confident outdoors woman who...

In this episode Franziska chats with Riccie who became an orphan at the age of 2 and then was horribly abused by her uncle. She spent much of her childhood fearing for her life. Due to this constant state of terror, Riccie became severely depressed and began overeating. She discovered her love for hiking and the outdoors together with her sister and they both moved to Oregon. Now Riccie lives a ha...

In this episode Franziska chats with long time friend Randi who became a widow at an early age and was left to raise two young kids on her own. In her 40's Randi discovered hiking and found that piece of herself that had been missing for so long. Over the years she has gained the knowledge and confidence to now enjoy solo hiking, backpacking and car camping. If you have an inspirational story...

In this episode Franziska chats with Audra who struggled with alcohol early in life due to a traumatic childhood. After being almost 300 pounds, Audra got weight loss surgery and found her church in the outdoors. She fell in love with her husband on the trail and she now summits mountains and goes backpacking with her kids! If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors positivel...

In this episode Franziska chats with Jason who had a turbulent gypsy-like childhood where he was never in a place for longer than 6 months. Throughout his youth the outdoors was always that one constant and a sanctuary he could escape to. After doing a lot of backpacking and even several long distance trips, Jason has broadened his outdoor horizons and is now also into overlanding, snowshoeing and...

In this episode Franziska chats with Amy who grew up in Nebraska and became a heavy drinker while she spent her days and nights working and socializing in bars. The death of her friend was a wake up call and Amy quit drinking and moved to Oregon in 2017, which ultimately changed her life.  If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors positively changed your life, please em...

In this episode Franziska chats with Ken who grew up exploring in the Willamette Valley as a child and then went to prison in his 20's. Ken's love for the outdoors is what helped him through a 20 year prison stay and helped him stay sane once he got out and had to navigate this busy and hectic world.  If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the outdoors positively changed your lif...

Franziska Weinheimer is the host of the Hiker's Anonymous Podcast and in this episode she shares her story about how hiking and backpacking got her out of a deep depression after getting off of drugs.  You can find Franziska in the following places- Instagram: @hike.oregon YouTube: www.youtube.com/hikeoregon website: www.hikeoregon.net If you have an inspirational story about how hiking/the o...