Whoo-hoo! Episode 17 (aka the first of the Slackpack Series) is an entire episode dedicated to doling out some down and dirty of advice from four female thru-hikers, who love nothing more than discovering the joys of getting deeper into the backcountry. During an impromptu trek through Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York, GGH host Melissa “Click” Goodwin, and her semi-regular podcast guests and trail besties, Emma “Sprout” Hileman, Lauren “Woodchuck” de la Vega and Kelley “NoSeeUm” Blosser, all discuss some of the finer (and funnier) points of what comes up on a long-distance backpacking trip.To keep the conversation from going totally of the rails, a 10-minute timer per topic was set as the ladies took off toward Melissa’s apartment. As it goes with any good on-trail conversation with friends, their topics did ebb and flow a bit, but they still managed to cover a lot of ground on our short walk including descriptions of some on-trail lingo, recalling some special seasonal moments on our adventures, tips for trip planning and must haves for meals-- and all with a ton of laughs.  Slackpacking: Hiking a day’s worth of mileage (or more) on a long-distance trail pursuit, but without the burden of a fully loaded backpack. Heavy gear can be left in the custody of others, in order for the thru-hiker’s body to have a bit of a break from the usual grind. In the podcast sense – a fun and lighthearted episode with friends! SHOWNOTES / USEFUL LINKS:Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.comLink here to check out GG’s Gorilla 50 ultralight backpack!Appalachian TrailPacific Crest TrailContinental Divide TrailArizona TrailJohn Muir TrailThe Long TrailNorthville Placid TrailCholula Hot Sauce

Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast

17. Slackpack Series - with Sprout, Woodchuck, NoSeeUm and Click!

Girl Gotta Hike the Podcast has reached episode Sweet Sixteen, which is not only super exciting, but an amazing coincidence, since the featured guests happen to both be sixteen years old and reign from Melissa’s hometown of Rochester, New York!Kahmil Monk-George and Amanda Torres are both Junior Urban Ecologists with The Seneca Park Zoo Society’s Rochester Urban Ecology Program, a paid workforce development program for junior and senior high schoolers. Back in April, during their high school Spring Break, they joined Melissa for a walk and talk on a crisp Spring morning in Seneca Park, home to the Seneca Park Zoo, and home base for their program. Amanda and Kahmil talked about their experience as Junior Urban Ecologists, their involvement with the Urban Ecology Program, and its four-part mission to reflect on the relationship between humans and the environment around them, encourage community engagement in the outdoors, develop a sense of stewardship for the natural spaces within the city, and to prepare themselves for future job opportunities.  Spending quality time in the outdoors has had a huge impact on these two young humans, most especially during these tough pandemic times, which are often overloaded with Zoom calls and remote learning. Connecting with each other and the natural world around them, in a safe and socially distant way, has proven to be their saving grace for such stressful times, and their enthusiasm for bringing their fellow teens and younger kids along for the ride is infectious. Melissa was first connected to these amazing young women by their program manager, Chris Widmaier, through the recently founded New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition, which consists of a diverse membership  organizations, and advocacy groups, working to ensure equal access to outdoor recreation in New York State.Thanks so much to Amanda and Kahmil for taking time out of their High School Spring Break to hang out and go for a walk with Girl Gotta Hike! Best wishes to you both on an awesome Senior Year and beyond!SHOW NOTES / USEFUL LINKS: Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.comLink here to check out GG’s The One and The Two ultralight backpacking tents! Rochester Urban Ecologists - websiteRocUrbanEcologists - InstagramProgram Coordinator, Chris WidmaierRochester’s Summer of Opportunity ProgramCity of Rochester - Rec CentersSeneca Park ZooSeneca ParkHighland ParkCobbs Hill Park & Washington GroveGenesee Valley ParkNew York Outdoor Recreation Coalition

16. Kahmil Monk-George and Amanda Torres | Rochester Urban Ecologists

Episode 15 features the insightful and engaging Melodie Mendez, outdoors advocate, public relations specialist, NYC Chapter Leader of Latino Outdoors, and all around lovely human being! Mel(odie), a Harlem-resident and NYC native, takes Mel(issa), a once suburbanite now Brooklynite, on a meandering walk all around the beautiful North Woods and Ravine in Manhattan’s Central Park.  Throughout their walk, they talk about all-things diversity, equity, and inclusion and how to work toward a better future at both the individual level and in broader society. Melodie is super passionate about lifting-up and representing her Latinx community and other marginalized populations in the outdoors space, and talks about why that matters, especially now in a post-pandemic world. Mel and Mel also get to geek out a bit on the Appalachian Trail, some NYC fun facts, and some of the extra challenges it takes to be an outdoorsy New Yorker. Please excuse their occasional running out of breath while walking and talking up of some of Harlem’s most notorious hills – they managed to give each other grace throughout and have a bunch of laughs – so here’s hoping you enjoy their walk too! SHOW NOTES / USEFUL LINKS: Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for a 1-time, 15% off discount on all core products at GossamerGear.com Latino Outdoors New York City Chapter – FacebookLatino Outdoors New York City Chapter – InstagramLatino Outdoors National Organization - WebsiteiNaturalist — app and websiteCentral ParkZogSports  Reclama / Cindy Ramirez – InstagramMelanin Base Camp – InstagramAll Colors in Nature – InstagramNew York Outdoor Recreation CoalitionLenape NationYonkers Running Project – InstagramBoogie Down Bronx Runners – InstagramHarlem Run – Instagram

15. Melodie Mendez, Latino Outdoors NYC

Episode 14 is all about the incredible and amazing Eco Artist, Mariah Reading of the great state of Maine! Back in February, Melissa headed north, where the two of them set out on not one, but two amazing adventures in one day – first an icy 5-mile walk and talk around Long Pond in Acadia National Park, over on the quiet side Mount Desert Island, and second, a minutes-long Wim Hof inspired dip in the frigid Atlantic Ocean. Yes, really!On the walk we learn all about Mariah’s experiences painting lansdcapes on found trash as artist in residence at Zion, Denali and Acadia National Parks and while visiting other amazing and far-flung places like Antarctica! The appreciation she gained for Nature’s beauty while being immersed within these parks creating art, has now inspired her to work at a greater capacity within the National Park System as an Interpretive Park Ranger. In this role she teaches park visitors about the local ecology, geology and the vast cultural history of the indigenous peoples of each specific place.As an Eco Artist, Mariah is dedicated to being as zero waste as possible, and over the course of their hike, we learn a ton about Mariah’s process of making her beautiful work, as well as the multitudes of creative ways she reuses and repurposes materials to create them with. This episode has it all, including some hot tips on cold water swimming, and tons and tons of geologic facts about Maine. So dive on in, it’s a fun one!SHOW NOTES / USEFUL LINKS:Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for a 1-time, 15% off discount on all core products at GossamerGear.comWhere to find Mariah Reading:InstagramMariah Reading Art – websiteFacebookIndigenous Peoples:Wabanaki ConfederacyPassamaquoddyMescalero Apache Tribe State and National Parks:Acadia National ParkBaxter State ParkCatalina Island ConservancyDenali National ParkNature Bridge Guadaloupe National ParkVoyageurs National ParkYosemite National Park Other Artists & references:Heidi Annalise – Altoid Tin ArtistThe Acadia Family CenterLou Bolin – body painterJenny Browne – Texas Poet LaureateCold Tits Warm HeartsCelia Garland – Artist, Naturalist, Storyteller from AntarcticaHudson River Artists Alexa Meade – body painterWindover Art CenterWim HofSean Yoro – LA based, Hawaiian born artist, also known as Hula

14. Mariah Reading | Eco Artist, Interpretive Park Ranger & Cold-Water Swimmer

GGH the podcast episode 13 is here! Lucky 13, whoop whoop!And my oh my, this episode is chock full of hiking advice and all of it about thru-hiking — yaaaaay! As long time listeners may already know, host Melissa "Click"! Goodwin thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2011 and it was on that trail, where the first seeds for what would eventually become Girl Gotta Hike were planted. The connections she made and the camaraderie she felt with her fellow hikers was so joyous and so incredible — she’s grateful that it has extended well beyond that one trip. The notion of a taking off on a long trek or a journey of self-discovery, enabled by one’s own feet, is something so palpable to so many people, but not many know where to start. So back in December Melissa put out a request to her Girl Gotta Hike followers on Instagram to “Ask a Lady Thru-hiker” anything, and they replied with some amazing questions about logistics, safety on trail, gear and about how to keep on keepin’ on when you’re tired and sore, which is something we could all benefit from, especially after the year we just endured. To help Melissa answer everything and bring some west coast hiking perspective into the mix, she invited over good friends and fellow Brooklynites, Lauren “Woodchuck” de la Vega and Kelley “NoSeeUm” Blosser. Having thru hiked both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, Lauren has nearly 5000 trail miles under her feet to date, and Kelley, a regular on the Girl Gotta Hike roster, has recently re-discovered her love for backpacking. She’s also an aspiring PCT thru-hiker so she came armed with a list of questions of her own. They talk a ton of trail and tell some hilarious tales for more than 3 hours, so best listening practices would be to pop in your earbuds and take this episode out on a walk with you or to grab a favorite beverage or three, kick back, relax and laugh along with the ladies.SHOW NOTES / USEFUL LINKS:Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for a 1-time 15% off discount on all core products at  GossamerGear.comLauren “Woodchuck” instagramLauren’s Thru-hiker blog posts on The TrekKelley “NoSeeUm” Blosser instagramKelley’s post about a trip on the Arizona Trail

13. Talkin' Trail with Woodchuck, NoSeeUm & Click!

In Episode 12, Melissa talks with fellow Brooklynites and hike leaders, Avalou Baptiste and Claydona Dennie, who have been nurturing a growing love of the outdoors within their Caribbean community through their group TriStateHikers. About five years ago, Ava founded TriState as a way to gather together with her fellow Vincentians, (natives of St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and others of the local Caribbean diaspora as a healthy way to escape from and bring to light to the mental health struggles that so many in her community deal with, but which often gone unspoken or become stigmatized. In just a few short years, Ava’s hikes have gone from occasional gatherings in nearby Prospect Park in Brooklyn, to weekly hikes, exploring trails as far north as the Catskills and throughout the Tri State Region. Her enthusiasm, curiosity and joy around spending time in nature is infectious, and in the summer of 2020, Claydona, along with many others looking for some respite from the COVID pandemic, was inspired by her to hit the trails too.Major thanks to Avalou and Claydona for being so willing and open to dig down deep about the importance of inclusion in our outdoor realms both on the internet and on trail. These conversations, while sometimes difficult to start, are so important to have and to continue to have, especially when we are really just at the beginning of (I hope) major systemic and social change as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement.       SHOW NOTES / USEFUL LINKS:Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GirlGottaHikeGossamer” for a 1-time 15% off discount on all core products at  GossamerGear.comTriState Hikers  emailTriState Hikers  Instagram HIKE For Mental Health websiteNanni Health Food Store & Vegan Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY  Instagram

12. Avalou Baptiste & Claydona Dennie of TriState Hikers

On episode 11, Melissa talks with fellow Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, photographer, writer, farmer and good friend, Sarah Jones Decker, also known as “Harvest.” Sarah’s new book, The Appalachian Trail: Backcountry Shelters, Lean-tos, and Huts was published earlier this year by Rizzoli, which highlights all of the shelters on the entire Appalachian trail with beautiful photography and facts, and to which Melissa contributed over 40 images.  If you’ve spent any overnight in the woods along the AT or elsewhere on the east coast, then you’ve probably come across a lean-to or two which are 3-sided structures with pitched roofs, set up in the backcountry to give hikers a place to rest or shelter from a storm.  If you’ve listened to this podcast in the past, you may recognize Harvest’s voice from Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast, Episode 1. You may also know that Melissa loves the way ideas get sparked and conversations flow when hiking alongside someone. But due to this year’s travel restrictions and the fact that Sarah lives in North Carolina, an in-person recording seemed almost impossible. Instead of settling for sitting still though, Melissa decided to experiment and send Sarah a microphone and recorder so they could continue to walk together while chatting on the phone. The result? A super fun and insightful conversation about photography, the artistic process, the trials of taking photos while backpacking and the tenacity it took to dedicate over two years of her life to photograph all of the 270-plus shelters along the Appalachian Trail for her 10 year thru-hiking Trailversary. They also take a deep dive in to the history of backcountry shelters and the multitude of trail clubs that build and maintain them, as well as the looney logistics of what she calls “shelter-bagging.”We hope their conversation gets you inspired to head out into the woods and onto the AT yourself, or at least to head over to Sarah’s website, sarahjonesdecker.com, where as a special treat for Girl Gotta Hike listeners, she has graciously offered 10% off all purchases of books, prints and posters by using the code “GGH” at checkout.   Useful links:Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GirlGottaHikeGossamer” for a 1-time 15% off discount on all core products at GossamerGear.comSarah Decker Jones  website — use code “Girl Gotta Hike” for 10% off all ordersRoot Bottom Farm  Instagram AT Symbol PosterBernd and Hilla Becher

11. Sarah "Harvest" Jones Decker, Photographer, AT Hiker & Author of "The Appalachian Trail: Backcountry Shelters, Lean-Tos, and Huts

Episode 10!!! On this episode, Melissa goes for a walk in nearby Forest Park in Queens, with New York’s own Patty “Boom Boom” Alcivar, professional boxer, Emergency Medical Technician, Spanish Language interpreter, running coach and personal trainer, who is on a mission to be the first Latina from New York City to successfully summit the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, a challenge known as the “7 Summits.” Just a couple of years into this goal, and Patty has already successfully summited 3 — Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Mt. Elbrus!Long before Patty found peace and joy in high altitude mountaineering, she found solace in more basic athletic pursuits as an escape from a challenging home life. She began with martial arts, but it was running that really allowed her to escape her thoughts and focus on the present. She credits long-distance running for giving her the courage to leave her abusive home and strike out on her own at the age of 15. With support and encouragement from some top names at The New York Road Runners, she ran her first marathon at 16, she started boxing not long after, and she hasn’t stopped her training or pursuing her goals since.Now at the age of 37, she’s racked up 30 marathons, two Golden Glove Titles, been voted “Athlete of the Year” by the US Olympic Boxing Committee, and has her sights set on the Seven Summits, the most challenging to be Mount Everest. The through line to all of her pursuits is that she is dead-set on her goals and crystal clarity about the purpose in life — to be a good human being, to give back to her community and to be a role model to those that need positive influence. Her mission is called Climbing for a Dream and her aim is to start a foundation that inspires.How does she do it?! She Does. Not. Let. Anything. Stand. In. Her. Way. — For real. Full stop. Throughout the episode, Patty talks with Melissa about what keeps her going, her training regimen, why she doesn’t hit the snooze button and some of the challenges that exist in the pursuit of the Seven Summits — like training for 30,000 feet while living at sea-level. A few minutes of listening to her and your seemingly impossible goals will suddenly feel well within reach. Patty’s is a truly inspiring story— and it’s far from over. For a daily dose of inspiration, be sure to follow her Instagram feeds, @climbingforadream and @pattyboxer12, or read more about her history and her pursuits on her website, Climbing For a Dream. If you’re super inspired after hearing the episode and you want to help Patty reach all 7 Summits, then be sure to head over to her GoFundMe page and send her some love (in the form of financial support!)Useful links:Climbing for a Dream websiteClimbing for a Dream Instagram Patty “Boom Boom” Alcivar InstagramPatty “Boom Boom” Alcivar FacebookClimbing for a Dream Go Fund MeGossamer Gear — use code “GirlGottaHikeGossamer” for a 1-time 15% off discount on all core products at GossamerGear.com

10. Patty "Boom Boom" Alcivar, Climbing for a Dream

On episode 9, Melissa takes you with her to San Francisco, California where she goes for a hike inside the city with West Coast hiking guide and kindred spirit, Alexandra Kenin, founder of Urban Hiker SF, an urban hiking tour company and author of two incredible guidebooks, Urban Trails San Francisco and Urban Trails East Bay. Since 2012, Alexandra has been helping visitors and locals alike explore the stairways, hills and hiking trails of beautiful San Francisco. Melissa caught up with Alexandra at a coffee shop in the Glen Park neighborhood of San Francisco and from there they went on a hike up Glen Canyon Park, over Twin Peaks and down to the Mission. You’ll hear them ooh and ahh over some iconic and inspiring views and when Melissa’s not gasping for air on the uphills, you’ll learn all about some San Francisco history, find out what led Alexandra to her love of hiking, what it takes to write a guide book, and what it’s like to be a tour guide. If you like learning about how others are pursuing their passions, if you’re a fan of San Fran or even if you’d like to just visit there one day, then you’ll love this episode.  Whether you live on the east coast, the west, or somewhere in between, hyper-local hiking is where it’s at right now! As travel restrictions remain in effect across many regions of the world due to the omnipresence of Coronavirus, take some tips from Alexandra and go for a hike right in your own city! But the next time you find yourself in San Francisco, I cannot recommend going on a hike with Alexandra and Urban Hiker SF enough! In the interim, I encourage you to live vicariously through her Instagram feed @urbanhikersf, which is full of cityscapes, secret stairway views, and beautiful California wildflowers. You can even plan those Bay Area hikes ahead of time, by picking up a copy of one or both her books, Urban Trails San Francisco and Urban Trails East Bay. Useful links: Urban Hiker SF website Urban Hiker SF Instagram Urban Trails San Francisco: Coastal Bluffs/ The Presidio/ Hilltop Parks & Stairways book by Alexandra Kenin Urban Trails East Bay:  Oakland/ Berkeley / Fremont / Richmond book by Alexandra Kenin “A 17-Mile Hike to Unite San Francisco” by Nellie Bowles, The New York Times, November 18th, 2019 – article about the Crosstown Trail and Bob Siegel Charles Sowers, artist “Solar Totems”

09. Alexandra Kenin, Founder Urban Hiker SF

In part two of a two-part special, you’ll be transported to The High Line in NYC for a virtual walk with Brooke Mellen, a Forest Therapy guide and founder of Cultured Forest, an Art and Nature connection company here in New York City. Brooke promotes wellness in the outdoors by leading guided mindfulness walks where she introduces participants to the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, also known as Forest Bathing, a taking-in of the forest atmosphere. Forest Bathing requires that you slow down and focus in on connecting with nature, not just passing through it as a means to get to a destination. On this episode, you’ll travel along on an audio journey of sorts where you’ll get to hear what it’s like to actually be on a shinrin-yoku walk with her.Back in early March, just before New York City went into social isolation mode to help combat the spread of Covid-19, Brooke took Melissa on a one-mile guided mindfulness walk on The High Line, the elevated greenway built on a former railway on the west side of Manhattan. The High Line has been transformed from a forgotten about space slated for demolition, to a lovely outdoor space, full of art, design and nature, not to mention one of NYC’s most popular public outdoor destinations, (especially on a budding spring day). The episode starts us off by leaving Brooke’s apartment in a busy high rise mid-town neighborhood, full of construction noises and stress and when it ends, we’ll be feeling relaxed and in touch with the sounds of birdsong amongst the birch trees down in the historic meatpacking district at the south end of the High Line.Learn how to connect with nature wherever you are by listening in on this audio walk with Brooke. If you want to learn more about the impetus behind Cultured Forest and Brooke’s global journey learning from the masters of shinrin-yoku, be sure to go back and listen to episode 7 to get the skinny or simply head over to her website at culturedforest.com, or check out her Instagram @culturedforest.  Show Notes / Useful links:Cultured Forest events pageThe High Line in NYCForest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li Phytoncides Shinrin-yoku

08. Shinrin-yoku, A Virtual Forest Bathing Walk on The High Line in NYC

In part one of a two-part special, Melissa talks with Brooke Mellen, a Forest Therapy guide and founder of Cultured Forest, an Art and Nature connection company here in New York City. Brooke promotes wellness in the outdoors by leading guided mindfulness walks where she introduces participants to the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, also known as Forest Bathing, where participants take in forest atmosphere. Forest Bathing requires that you slow down and focus in on connecting with nature, not just pass through it as a means to get to a destination. We talk about the disconnect us city-dwellers often feel from nature, and how travel escapes and art have helped her mitigate that. Brooke initially found herself drawn to shinrin-yoku in part as a way to escape the rigors of a high stress corporate job, but found the health benefits that resulted were so significant, she was compelled to travel to Japan and around the world in order to learn from other Forest Bathing practitioners. She created Cultured Forest in order to teach other overwhelmed New Yorkers about the healing powers of nature.In the next episode,(#8), you’ll get to hear what it’s like to actually be on a shinrin-yoku walk with Brooke. Back in early March of 2020, just before New York City went into social isolation mode to help combat the spread of Covid-19, Brooke took Melissa on a guided mindfulness walk on The High Line and she brought along her field recorder. For those who are unfamiliar, The High Line is a 1.4 mile long elevated greenway built on a former railway on the west side of Manhattan and which has been transformed into one of NYC’s most popular public outdoor destinations. Major thanks to Brooke for sharing her story of building a company as a way to combat stress and connect deeper with nature, with art, and with like-minded souls. It certainly makes for some crowded streets, but it’s the connection between people that is one of my favorite things about living amongst the masses in New York City. If you want to find out more about the Cultured Forest community, or bathe in the forest with Brooke yourself, head over to her website at culturedforest.com, or check out her Instagram @culturedforest.  Show Notes / Useful links:Cultured Forest events pageThe High Line in NYCForest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing LiThe Achemist’s Kitchen in NYC Phytoncides Shinrin-yoku Hinoki cypress Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest Oivallusvaara in FinlandINFTA - International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance in Australia The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. Somatic therapy “Immerse Yourself in a Forest for Better Health” New York State DEC

07. Brooke Mellen, Forest Therapy Guide & Founder of Cultured Forest

On this episode, Melissa talks with Jenny Siegfried, a mixed-media artist, illustrator, Public School Art Teacher in New York City and quite possibly one of the nation’s most enthusiastic outdoor fans. When she’s not in the classroom, Jenny is often exploring the trails of the greater New York Metropolitan region, running, hiking and creating beautiful drawings and paintings right out in the elements. She talks with Melissa about art education, how she has learned to adapt her art making process for the outdoors and both the fortuitious and sometimes accidental path she took to get there. Jenny is super passionate about spending time in nature and about giving back to our lands. She talks with Melissa about volunteering for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy on trail maintenance projects way out in the back country and about her time as Artist in Residence in The Great Smokies National. Her passion for the Smokies is likely unrivaled.Melissa first met Jenny on a hike in early 2019. As one of the regular participants of the Gotta Hike Public Transit Series Hikes, Jenny’s enthusiasm for spending time outdoors and her appreciation for the beauty of nature is infectious. Her participation always seems to bring smiles to the other hikers as well. Their conversation occurred in early January of 2020. The plan was to air it just ahead of the April Public Transit Series Hike, as Jenny was going to be leading a small art-making workshop during that hike. Of course, as of the publication date of this podcast, all Girl Gotta Hike in person events are on hold as a result of the social distancing recommendations for Covid-19. When gatherings are safe again, Melissa can’t wait to have Jenny host an art-making workshop on trail!Show Notes / Useful links:Jenny Siefried website Jenny’s Instagram  Great Smoky Mountains National ParkAppalachian Trail Conservancy Volunteer Opportunities  REI Speaker Series Dolly, Dolly, Dolly!

06. Jenny Siegfried, Artist, Educator, Outdoor Enthusiast and National Parks Artist in Residence

On this episode Melissa talks with Tamara Jacobi, outdoor adventurer and author of the new book, “Wildpreneurs: A Practical Guide to Pursuing Your Passion as a Business,” just released by Harper Collins Leadership. Nearly 15 years ago, Tamara and her parents co-founded the Tailwind Jungle Lodge, down on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Prompted partially by her guest’s seemingly endless envy of her idyllic lifestyle, Tamara set off to write about her journey and give those curious customers some real how-to knowledge and business advice in order to help push them to start following their own dreams. In the book she also includes interviews with nearly 50 other wild entrepreneurs, sharing their stories of pursuit and passion.Melissa caught up with Tamara in late January in Philadelphia, just prior to her book launch while she was in town on book tour. They, and Tamara’s little baby Zephyr, took a stroll through the city center, in pursuit of the famed Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Along the way they chatted about how the Jungle Lodge came to be, what challenges she’s experienced in building and maintaining a hospitality-based business in Mexico and how her passion and love for this active outdoor business and lifestyle turned into writing a book. Useful links:Wildpreneurs - website and book@wildpreneurs - Instagram Tailwind Jungle Lodge – website and bookings@tailwindjunglelodge - Instagram

05. Tamara Jacobi, Author of "Wildpreneurs" and Owner of Tailwind Jungle Lodge on the Mexican Pacific

On this episode, Melissa talks with Christi Holmes, a Registered Hunting and Fishing Guide in the great state of Maine. She’s the founder of the Maine Women Hunters Facebook Community and writer and contributor to publications such as The Maine Sportsman and Modern Huntsman Magazines. She’s also a fellow Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker, whoop-whoop!Melissa caught up with Christi at her home, outside of Portland, earlier this year, on her way back to Brooklyn after re-hiking the northernmost stretch of the AT,  the 100-mile Wilderness, and summiting Mt. Katahdin with friends “Sprout” and “Harvest,” previously heard on episode 1. “Sprout,” aka Emma, and Melissa sat down with Christi after enjoying a huge meal of lobstahs, oysters and delicious Maine craft beer. They chat about hiking, fishing, hunting, growing up in Maine, Christi’s dog Argos, and most importantly, encouraging other women to get outside and explore.Just a head’s up for listeners that there are moments when the ladies talk openly about the process of tracking and hunting animals, the details of which may not be suitable for everyone.     Useful links / Show Notes: Acadia National Park Glacier National Park Animal Planet Dog Breed Selector quiz Flyrod Crosby Maine’s first Registered Guide Maine Women Hunters Christi on Instagram email Christi Modern Huntsman The Maine Sportsman Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

04. Christi Holmes, Registered Maine Guide and Founder of Maine Women Hunters

On this episode, Melissa talks with fellow New Yorker, Sarah Knapp, founder of OutdoorFest and Mappy Hour about how she turned her love for the outdoors into a thriving community of fellow city dweller adventure types. Living in the city and loving the outdoors is sometimes hard to reconcile, but Sarah continues to be inspired by and celebrate those in her community who are finding fun and unique ways to get outside and encourage others to do so too. Over the last 5 years, Mappy Hour has grown from one chapter in NYC to 15 across North America.While walking (in the rain) at the campground home base for OutdoorFest 2019, an annual 10-day celebration of outdoor activities in and around NYC, they talk about what it&apos;s like to facilitate others in getting outside and the importance of access to outdoor spaces for all.Do you live in the city and love the outdoors? Looking for some like-minded buds to adventure with? If so, check out Mappy Hour to see if there’s a chapter near you!(Originally recorded in May, 2019)

03. Sarah Knapp, Founder of Mappy Hour & OutdoorFest

Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast connects women with nature, confidence and camaraderie by featuring interviews with fellow backpacking and otherwise adventurous women — plus plenty of trail tips and advice for hiking newbies or for those looking to disconnect from the daily hustle. Girl Gotta Hike founder, photographer and licensed outdoor guide, Melissa “Click” Goodwin, encourages busy city women to get away from the grind and connect with the ground, making connections along the way. For more info, including hiking and event schedules, visit girlgottahike.com

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Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast

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