Forces of Good: Getting All Bodies Outdoors

When Raquel Vélez caught the skiing bug in her late twenties, she wanted to spend every waking moment on the slopes. But she couldn’t find snow pants that fit. So the Silicon Valley engineer left her tech job and began a yearslong mission to learn to sew her own, which culminated in the launch of Alpine Parrot, a company that recently began selling innovative, adventure-ready pants designed for plus-size bodies.

Meanwhile, cyclists Kailey Kornhauser and Marley Blonsky have been on their own quest to create space for plus-size bodies in outdoor sports. Both got into mountain biking as adults, and it was years before they realized that the surprisingly low weight limits on equipment made them unsafe for some riders. Now they run All Bodies on Bikes, a movement to educate cycling brands and the public about how to make the sport safer and more welcoming for people of all sizes.

This episode was brought to you by Hydro Flask, a company that believes every adventure starts with two simple words: let’s go! Shop Hydro Flask products for yourself or the outdoor lovers on your holiday list this season at hydroflask.com.