Jenny Abegg: writer, runner, mountain goat

Jenny Abegg is a 40-year-old mountain athlete, writer, and business co-founder who has built her life around spending extended time in the mountains. (@jabegg)

Jenny describes how she went from a religious upbringing that emphasized self-denial and sacrifice to a life fully dedicated to climbing. She recalls the moment she left the church, the deep personal transformation that followed, and how moving into her van and chasing vertical adventure became her form of self-discovery.

We discuss her evolution from mountaineering, to climbing, to her current obsession: long, technical mountain linkups in running shoes, where she combines her climbing background with ultra-distance endurance. Jenny reflects on why she’s more anxious in everyday life than when she's committing to an alpine traverse, the feeling of absolute freedom that comes from moving fast in the mountains, and what it’s like to be the "crazy lady in running shoes" on a glacier.

We also get into the financial side of her dirtbag years—living in a van, earning just enough as a freelance writer and guide, and later using smart real estate moves to build long-term security. Jenny now co-runs BetterTrail, an outdoor gear review site that blends sustainability with practical advice.

Finally, Jenny opens up about turning 40, grappling with the question of long-term purpose, and wondering what life will look like when her body no longer lets her run across the mountains she loves.

Full transcript: dirtbagrich.com/jenny