She Explores

Chi Pham wants you to know that you can fuel your body for success as an outdoor athlete, and it doesn't have to fit in the little boxes you see on social media. Because being focused on health and wellness doesn't mean there's just one way to live your life, Chi is committed to showing up, keeping it real, and encouraging other women to be themselves above all else.In this episode, we talk about how Chi took her training outdoors, how she slowly started fueling her body to help achieve her goals (rather than feeding into toxic diet culture), and the power Instagram can have on what we think 'fit' looks like.Featured in this episode: Chi PhamHosted by Gale StraubSponsored by Smartwool, Nature Gnaws, and RitualJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.comIn this episode, you'll hear:When Chi started identifying as an athlete, and when she took her athleticism outdoorsWhat Chi enjoys most about a triathlon (hint, she likes a challenge!)Why she loves trail runningHow a bike accident helped put her physical insecurities in perspectiveWhen Chi realized her restrictive eating was taking a toll on her trainingThe power Instagram can have over what we think is healthy and what fit looks likeWhy Chi is frustrated by the sameness of her EXPLORE feed on InstagramWhy Chi is happy not to weigh herself anymoreAbout her forthcoming trip to Vietnam to spend time with family and rediscover her rootsResourcesChi Pham: Instagram & BlogVacation RacesShe Explores Landing PageSponsors and Discount CodesSmartwool: Learn more at Smartwool.comNature Gnaws: Sign up for their Gnaw Box subscription service and get your first month for $1 by using code "SHEEXPLORES" at checkout. Head here.Ritual: Get 10% off your first three month at Ritual.com/exploreEpisodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Music is by Kay Orange.Music is also by Swelling, Josh Woodward, Kai Engel, and Lee Rosevere using a creative commons attributions license.

Katt Greaser shares her experience on a recent caving trip to Scapegoat Wilderness area in Montana, and encourages you to try the sport, too.Featured in this episode: Katt GreaserHosted by Gale StraubSponsored by Merrell  & DeuterJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.comIn this episode, you'll hear:How Katt got into cavingWhy Katt got a later start (in her eyes) on hiking, camping, and cavingRecordings from Katt's caving trip in the Scapegoat Wilderness area in MontanaWhat you need to get started cavingWhat it feels like in the caveThe benefits of challenging yourself in a sport like cavingWhat Katt will carry with her from the tripResourcesKatt Greaser: InstagramWhat is caving?Northern Rocky Mountain GrottoSponsors and Discount CodesMerrell: Learn more at Merrell.comDeuter: Learn more about Deuter Aviant travel line at Deuter.comEpisodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Music is by Liam McNally.Music is also by Lee Rosevere using a creative commons attributions license.

With the help of listeners and Backpacking 101 author Heather Balogh Rochfort, we share stories of first-time backpackers and advice to get started. Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or a beginner, there's inspiration and a little trail magic (not the thru-hiking kind) to be found in this episode.Woman featured in this episode: Voice memos: Maggie Rehberg, Holly Bullis, Jennifer Jansen, Lindsey Falkenburg, Victoria Wang, Laura Navar, Tori Morrison, Marie Vanderpool, Lori O’Connell, Sarah Grothjan, Alexandra Goldman, Meg Dagon, and Julie Hotz.Interview with Heather Balogh Rochfort on getting started backpacking.Hosted by Gale StraubSponsored by Merrell, Deuter, and RootedJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.comIn this episode, you'll hear:Stories of listeners' first time out backpackingThe story of host Gale Straub's first backpacking tripConversation with Heather Balogh Rochfort, author of Backpacking 101, about practical advice for women who are new to backpacking, including:SafetyHygieneWhat to packLeave No TraceAdvice from listeners about what they wish they knew when they got started, as well as specific advice for fellow solo backpackersA bit of cheerleading you didn't know you needed to take the final step towards your first backpacking trip!ResourcesBeginner backpacking resources mentioned:The 10 EssentialsThe 7 Leave No Trace PrinciplesBear Safety:NPS Bear Safety TipsBear Spray and Other OptionsPersonal HygieneBackpacking with your periodGoing to the bathroomKula ClothMoon CupHeather Balogh Rochfort: Instagram, Blog & Books - Backpacking 101 & Women Who HikeListeners Featured:Maggie Rehberg: InstagramHolly Bullis: Instagram & WebsiteJennifer Jansen: Personal Instagram & Wanderluv Maps: Instagram & WebsiteLindsey Falkenburg: Instagram & Tandem Trekking BlogVictoria Wang: Instagram & Teacher Life PodLaura Navar: InstagramTori Morrison: Instagram & Tickled by Travel BlogMarie Vanderpool: Instagram & Photography SiteLori O'Connell: Instagram & Feed N Flow - Outdoor Adventure and Keto lifestyle blogSarah Grothjan: Instagram & Website; She Explores Podcast Episode - Apple Podcasts & SpotifyAlexandra Goldman: Instagram & the Ladies of the JMT facebook group she referenced Meg Dagon: InstagramJulie Hotz: Instagram, Website, and Unrooted PodcastSponsorsMerrell: Learn more at Merrell.com and check out the Moab-2 Mid Hiking bootsRooted: Get 15% off your order by heading to Rooted.nyc/explore and using the code 'Explore' at checkoutDeuter: Learn more at Deuter.com and check out the backpacking bag Laura took to the Eastern SierrasEpisodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, Meydän, and Josh Woodward using a creative commons attributions license.

Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t running an ultra marathon or topping out at a climbing competition, it’s showing up for yourself in small ways, taking a step back and figuring out what you need so you can figure out who you are. For a long time, Emilee Struss identified as a climber and an endurance runner. Persistent injuries have made her dig into the hard work of self-love. Featured in this episode: Emilee Struss Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell, Deuter, and ThirdLove Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook Visit She-Explores.com In this episode, you'll hear: How growing up in an athletic family shaped Emilee's interest and desires About finding climbing as a 16 year old in Minnesota How a fall from a 70 foot tree gave Emilee a sense of gratitude beyond her years About struggling through persistent injuries, and the space that opened up in the process Why Emilee is more interested in enjoying the journey outdoors than big accomplishments Why selling her climbing equipment isn't saying no to climbing, it's taking a pause and saying yes to other opportunities What Emilee is hoping for in her writing career and business How Emilee defines success today Advice Emilee has for others going through injuries or setbacks Resources Emilee Struss: Instagram & Outtabounds Design Co. Episode Landing Page Sponsors and Discount Codes Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com Deuter: Learn more at Deuter.com ThirdLove: Get 15% off your first order by heading to ThirdLove.com/explore Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.

Sara Wolman is an interpretive park ranger for US Fish and Wildlife in King Salmon, Alaska. Find out how she's building a career, fostering community, and raising a young child in the rolling tundra, and what you do to help gather valuable scientific data to help tell the story of environmental change. Sara reached out because every day, she's confronted with a story that's just not getting enough attention: marine mammal and bird dieout on Bristol Bay - - and what it could mean for the rest of the world. Featured in this episode: Sara Wolman Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell, Deuter, and Ana Luisa Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook Visit She-Explores.com In this episode, you'll hear: About how Sara fell in love with Alaska on a visit in college and knew she needed to return Sara's early career doing trail work in Alaska, Washington, and California About working at Katmai National Park as a ranger, and a couple of tips for those looking to work at a federal agency What a National Park conservancy or "friends of" group is Her career evolution to working at US Fish and Wildlife as an interpretive ranger About the marine species die-offs occuring on Bristol Bay and what they might say about the rest of the world How we can help collect data for federal agencies and nonprofits that can help tell the story of environmental change Tips for gaining a deeper appreciation fo the natural world when you're spending time outsdie What Sarah loves about living in King Salmon How she's built community living in the bush Why we might need to devote a whole additional episode on women in the bush of Alaska Resources Sara Wolman: Instagram & Website Report Marine Mammal/bird Strandings: Fisheries.noaa.gov/report Coastal Obesrvation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST):coasst.org Local Environmental Observer Network (LEO Network) - You can sign up for the Northern Climate Observer here: Leonetwork.org Bear Cams: Explore.org Katmai Conservancy Volunteer.org USA Jobs She Explores Episode: Nature Up Close - Science Illustrator Kristin Link She Explores Episode: Conservation and Experience - Jerryne Cole Episode Landing Page Sponsors and Discount Codes Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com* Deuter: Learn more at Deuter.com Ana Luisa: Get 10% off by using code EXPLORE10 and heading to analuisa.com/sheexplores Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.

How can you do what you love without losing yourself in the process? Putting your voice out there can be a very vulnerable thing: just take it from Outside Voices podcast host Sarah Shimazaki. We talk about the very real struggle of how to balance work, passion, and your own wellbeing. The stories you tell, the podcasts you listen to - they say a lot about you. In this episode, we’ll learn about Sarah through her work on Outside Voices as well as how that work makes her feel. Sometimes she wants to pull herself apart from it (and sometimes that’s the healthiest thing) but what she chooses to focus on says a lot about what she cares about: that the outdoors belongs to all of us. Featured in this episode: Sarah Shimazaki Featured in the Outside Voices Trailer: Ahjani Yepa, Olivia VanDamme, Adam Hymans, Evelyn Shimazaki and Bam Mendiola Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell, GreenerWays Organic, and Ritual. Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook Visit She-Explores.com In this episode, you'll hear: How Sarah started podcasting Why the PGM ONE Summit spurred her to action The need for a podcast that underlines that the outdoors belongs to all, not a select few About the learning curve of podcasting and why Sarah asked for help vs. trying to do it all on her own Why it can be hard to separate your sense of self from your work, especially if you love what you do What ethical storytelling is and why Sarah wants it to be the norm vs. the anomoly The boundaries that can be necessary if you want to keep doing meaningful work Sarah's vision for Outside Voices Podcast Why joy, healing, and power are integral outputs of Sarah's work Resources Sarah Shimazaki: Instagram Outside Voices Podcast: Website, Instagram, Apple Podcasts PGM ONE Episode Landing Page Sponsors and Discount Codes Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com* Ritual: Head to Ritual.com/explore to get 10% off your first three months GreenerWays: Search "GreenerWays Organic" on Amazon Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.

Conservation photographer Krista Schlyer describes the almost 2,000-mile border between the US and Mexico as a vibrant landscape teeming with life. Raising awareness for its biodiversity has become an integral part of her life’s work and is the focus of a new documentary film she directed, Ay Mariposa, which came out in May. We hear a lot about the border wall in the news, but we don’t often talk about the wildlife and landscape that its construction impacts. Note: We want to emphasize that while there’s a lot of talk about flora and fauna in this episode, it’s not to discount the very human elements of the US/Mexico border - it’s simply to highlight what exists alongside it. Featured in this episode: Krista Schlyer Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell, Rooted, and ThirdLove Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook Visit She-Explores.com In this episode, you'll hear: Krista's circuitous route to political journalism, followed by a shift to environmental journalism Advice for making a living as a conservation photographer How witnessing a rare herd of bison jump over a border fence changed the direction of Krista's work Why Krista is so motivated to showcase the biodiversity at the US/Mexico border The many animals that call both the United States and Mexico home Why the butterfly is the perfect symbol for the delicate state of animal life along the Rio Grande The unknown cost of human and animal life due to the border How to keep moving forward when you're feeling discouraged by the progress of a project About Ay Mariposa, a short documentary film telling the story of two women and a rare community of butterflies in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas Resources Krista Schlyer: Website Ay Mariposa Film: Website Almost Anywhere: A book about Krista's life changing road trip Continental Divide: A photo book about wildlife, people, and the border wall Episode Landing Page Sponsors and Discount Codes Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com Rooted: Head to Rooted.nyc/explore and use code EXPLORE for 15% off your order ThirdLove: Head to Thirdlove.com/explore for 15% off your order Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.

Sharlene Jones is allergic to exercise (literally) but because hiking feels like home, fear of what could happen isn't enough to keep her from hitting the trail. Instead, she's developed a familiarity with her body that makes it possible to keep moving forward. It's hard to say what the bigger challenge from the universe was: the exercise-induced anaphylaxis or winning the lottery to hike Mount Whitney after being diagnosed. Either way, Sharlene Jones is not one to back down from a challenge. Featured in this episode: Sharlene Jones Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook Visit She-Explores.com In this episode, you'll hear: Why Sharlene loves hiking and other forms of exercise, and why she almost had to give them up What an exercise allergy is and how Sharlene manages the attacks How a service dog has helped Why Sharlene wouldn't let fear keep her from hiking Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States How as an ex-pat, hiking feels like home How focusing on "what is", rather than on "what ifs" can help you find joy in a moment and manage chronic health issues Words of advice for others who might have challenges or fears that get in the way of spending time outside Resources Sharlene Jones: Instagram H.E.A.T. Hiking Group About Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis * Woosah Art Episode Landing Page Sponsors and Discount Codes Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.

We humans have a habit of getting in the way of wild animals, but wildlife rehab is one way we can give back. Sirena Rana Dufault has spent nine of the last ten years volunteering at Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tuscon. She shares why it's needed, what happens when an animal is taken in, funny stories along the way, and the beauty of the release. As Sirena mentions in the episode, Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tuscon is a completely self-funded facility that relies on donations. If you'd like to help support the work they do there, head to their website and donate, or give them a follow on their Facebook page to stay in touch. Woman featured in this episode: Sirena Rana Dufault Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell and Ritual Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook Visit She-Explores.com In this episode, you'll hear: How Sirena got started volunteering at Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tuscon What wildlife rehabilitation is and why it's necessary Funny (and scary!) stories from volunteering Why Sirena loves dedicating some of her spare time to rehabilitating large birds of prey like owls and perigrine falcons The life cycle from intake to release When release back into the wild isn't possible Myths and misconceptions of animal rescue How to get involved, too! Resources Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tuscon: Website Sirena Rana Dufault: Instagram Trails Inspire: Website Episode Landing Page Sponsors and Discount Codes Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com Ritual: Get 10% your first 3 months by heading to Ritual.com/EXPLORE Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Josh Woodward using a creative commons attributions license.

Becoming a mom doesn't mean you stop going outside. We pulled together five incredible adventure moms to talk about getting out there with (and without) your kids. We ask questions like: how do you know which trails are age appropriate? How do you make time as a single mom? Where can you find affordable gear? How can you use the outdoors as a place for education? Continuing the conversation from a panel at Outdoor Retailer, we teamed up with OtterBox to highlight all the "cans" of motherhood when it comes to the outdoors. Woman featured in this episode: Shon’t Savage, Brooke Froelich, Heather Balogh Rochfort, Melody Forsyth, and Jessica Carrillo Alatorre. Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by OtterBox Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook Visit She-Explores.com In this episode, you'll hear: How the moms' outdoor lives change (or didn''t change) shape when they had kids Why Shon't wanted to maintain a self outside of mother when she had her son How Adventure Mamas helps mothers with self care in the outdoors without their kids Tips for making time outside solo (even if you're a single mom) Advice for getting out there with your kids on the trail and the ski slope About Hike It Baby and their new age-appropriate Family Trail Guide Tips for hitting the trail with special needs kids from Melody Forsyth, aka @downwithadventure How to find affordable used gear for growing kids Ways to keep your kids engaged as they grow older Resources Shon’t Savage: Instagram Brooke Froelich: Instagram Heather Balogh Rochfort: Instagram Melody Forsyth: Instagram Hike It Baby Adventure Mamas Women Who Hike Book Hike It Baby Trail Guide Sponsor OtterBox: Learn more at OtterBox.com Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Josh Woodward using a creative commons attributions license.