Humans Outside

Do you have one person whose work you've looked to for inspiration? For me, that's Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project, and it's why I was so excited to get her on Humans Outside for a sit-down. It was such a fun conversation that I want to make sure you get to hear it in this best of humans outside episode. I hope you love this interesting and inspirational conversation with Gretchen Rubin. Connect with this episode: Read Life in 5 Senses (affiliate link) Visit Gretchen's website Follow Gretchen on Instagram Follow Gretchen on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:05] Gretchen Rubin's favorite outdoor space [4:10] How Gretchen became someone who likes to go outside [6:35] The problem of things taking effort [8:47] Why Gretchen started her Life in 5 Senses project [11:33] Does she still go to this place every day? [11:38] How that practice is like a sit spot [14:40] The freedom (and challenge) of doing something every day [18:28] Gretchen's favorite sense and how her experiment impacted it [19:41] What do we lose when we ignore our senses? [22:27] All about Gretchen's daily outdoor project [24:15] The difference between a chore and recess outside [27:00] Why the freedom to choose your own rules is important (and hard) [30:13] The inspiration for Gretchen's project [33:17] How her five sense are influencing her outdoor project [36:19] Personal habits that make her outdoor time better [40:21] Gretchen's favorite outdoor moment

There are a lot of reasons to spend time in nature, but as I reflect back on all of the things I've learned by heading outside every day for more than 2,500 days in a row, some takeaways stick out more than others. The biggest thing I've learned by spending time outside is also both my favorite lesson and the thing I least expected. What is it? Listen now! Connect with this episode: Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [00:45] The start of my outdoor challenge [01:39] There were some benefits I expected [02:21] And then there is one big benefit I didnt see coming [03:33] I realized while doing this unpredictable thing [04:15] 2016 Amy would NEVER [05:08] It's time to face the change

No matter how you define "hard," heading outside offers plenty of chances to tackle it. Many people who choose to tackle hard stuff outside are pushed to do so to honor some kind of "why." For some of us, that "why" is health or to push our own personal boundaries. For others, the "why" is on behalf of someone else. Ultrarunner Emily Halnon's "why" has everything to do with her mom, who died from an aggressive form of cancer in early 2020. To honor her she headed out to tackle a major challenge running on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It's a story she's now shared in her new book "To The Gorge." Through her journey, she learned the power of moving through hard stuff. In this episode you'll hear Emily share the things she's learned through that journey and how you can make yourself do hard things outside, too. Connect with this episode: Read Emily Halnon's new book, To The Gorge (affiliate link) Visit Emily's website Follow Emily on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [4:06] Emily Halnon's favorite outdoor space [5:36] How Emily became someone who likes to go outside [7:05] How Emily's mom inspired her running career [10:29] All about Andrea Halnon's adventurous life [15:27] The grief and grit in running across Oregon [22:37] How to get mentally tough to prepare for a mega run [30:01] Why hard stuff outside helps us prepare for life's challenges. [33:04] The internal dialogue of pushing through the tough stuff [35:07] Why it's not a bad thing to feel a little scared [36:39] Emily's favorite outdoor moment

I do it to myself and over and over again. That feeling of overwhelm sneaks right in, and it's entirely because of my own poor choices. (You would think I'd learn my lesson, but I have not.) So when the going gets crowed, what do I do? I think you're probably going to guess. But the wild thing is just how much adding more of it to my schedule helps. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [00:23] Yeah, OK I do this to myself [01:17] We know the signs -- truly [01:32] Maybe I could do this before [02:25] This is the part where we come up with a solution [02:43] When, in fact, the real solution is this one that doesn't make any sense. [03:33] The reason it helps? Priorities.

I used to hear friends talk about the crazy wonderful things they were spotting outside and wonder how it was I was missing out. Why didn't I see that stuff? Were they trying harder? Going places I didn't want to go? Getting up in tbe middle of the night to do it? And then one day I stumbled upon their secret by accident. And now that I've figured out the trick to seeing wonders outside, I just can't stop. It's not that hard It doesn't take any extra work It does take intention Listen now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [00:35] Yes, I'm an early riser [01:32] This morning experience changed my perspective [02:12] All I had to do was take this step [02:31] Yes, I missed stuff [03:03] But now I see this stuff, too

Ready for solo adventure? Feeling safe? Getting out there by yourself can feel like a real safety risk. I absolutely love going out alone, but I know it comes with pros and cons. But it doesn't mean I don't go. It just means I go empowered. Nicole Snell, a safety expert and owner of Girls Fight Back who specializes in self-defense in the outdoors, has a different idea. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks to empower you to get into nature solo while also staying safe. Hear Nicole talk about staying stafe outside in this "best of" episode. Connect with this episode: Visit Nicole Snell's website Visit Nicole's Girls Fight Back website Watch Nicole's Outdoor Defense YouTube series (it's really good!) Book a one-on-one session with Nicole Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn Follow Nicole and Girls Fight Back on Facebook Follow Nicole on Instagram Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Some of the good stuff: [4:06] Nicole Snell's favorite outdoor space [4:52] How Nicole became someone who likes to go outside [7:16] How she got into self-defense [14:05] Why people (often women) feel unsafe alone outside [20:12] What self-defense tools should people use? [26:54] What we mean when we say "use your words." [28:55] Why she didn't say "I'm sorry" [31:57] The role of intuition [37:41] How to make the outdoors more safe for everyone [41:10] Top three tips for self-defense in nature [44:41] Nicole's favorite outdoor memory

The changing of seasons is the perfect time to look around for signs of changing life outside. But what if instead of just seeing the signs, you looked at them as encouragement for your day? What if you saw them as symbols of hope that you can take with you or find whenever you need a little push through your day? What would you choose? How would it help you? Learn about my chosen symbol in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Signs of spring and easter [1:19] Here's where I see new life in nature [1:58] Excuse me winter, please leave permanently [2:21] Here's some personal symbols I see [2:48] Why I look to the birds [4:12] And why you should find your own symbols

You know the photos don't tell the whole story: doing something cool outdoors or going on an epic adventure takes work. And I don't just mean deciding where to go and then peeling yourself out of your house. I mean: Sacrificing other things you want/need to do Living with the discomfort of flexibility Preparation and vision But is it worth it? Yes. Listen to this episode to hear more now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Just a little introvert dilemma [1:06] Answering the call of adventure despite inconvenience [2:56] You're going to have to make some sacrifices [3:40] Some of them will be related to flexibility [5:07] Regrets? None so far.

Remember my rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon that became a dangerous disaster after another member of the group put us all at risk? Yeah, that wasn't great. But when I shared that story, I immediately received a parade of messages from Humans Outside followers and podcast fans with their own stories of outdoor misadventures caused by someone else's poor choices. There's some comfort in knowing my experience wasn't unique. But it also made me think maybe there's a lesson there on what we can all do better next time. If so many of us have had a similar problem, maybe we need someone to help us avoid it happening again. Enter: Luc Mehl and Sarah Histand, adventure experts who happen to be married to each other. You've probably heard Sarah here before, bringing insight on adventuring in ways that feel safe. Luc is a trip planning expert who has done major expeditions in Alaska and teaches courses on heading into the wilderness while having fun and not dying. Together they're the perfect pair to help us with this problem. In this episode hear: Luc's advice for building a solid adventure group What to do if you're stuck on adventure with someone who is falling apart How to be kind to yourself (and others) while deal with the whole thing. Listen now! Connect with this episode: Check out coaching with Sarah on Mind & Mountain Take one of Luc's cool adventure courses Follow Sarah on Instagram Follow Luc on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:33] Sarah's favorite outdoor space [4:04] But wait, Luc has a different favorite [4:50] Luc and Sarah's outdoor stories (plus, how they met) [8:05] What is risk management and why is it important? [11:04] It sounds harsh, but are there simply people who shouldn't be invited on adventures? [12:20] How to figure out who is the right fit for your trip [13:45] What to do when you thought your had it figured out, but actually you did not [17:41] The role of people picking in trip planning [20:24] What to do when you get into the adventure and now you've got real problems [26:45] The fear of offending someone [29:29] Think about it as "carrying pride" [32:28] So you're in a bad situation. Here's what to do next. [37:50] The rumors are true: don't leave a buddy (or frienemy) behind [41:40] How to avoid an emotional stress injury [45:16] Luc and Sarah's favorite outdoor moments

They clear-cut part of my backyard trails and I'm devastated (Outdoor Diary) When I heard the saws, I should've known it was not a good thing, not just a trail crew clearing wood downed on the trail. I never guessed the loss those sounds were bringing. And when I saw it, I stood in disbelief. I guess that's the risk brought by loving something. When it's taken away, a piece of you feels gone, too. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Man-made destruction without warning [1:45] I assumed it wasn't major. Boy was I wrong. [2:55] Only Treebeard has the words for this [3:45] These trees were my friends [4:50] It feels like a heavy loss [5:12] My bad for trusting anyone on the internet [6:22] But I do think this is a universal experience

partial selection. Check to make sure intra-doc links work. -----> What would happen if you spent a handful of hours attempting to do every available outdoor activity in a certain area? That's the question I asked before a Do All The Things day I just did with a friend. We loaded up our cars with outfit changes, equipment and nowhere near enough snacks, and headed into Hatcher Pass for a packed five hours of outdoor fun. Here's what happened. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] The siren song of a challenge, even it's just one day [1:09] Can we even do all the things?! [2:16] A tiny edit, and then we set forth [2:26] (Don't get me started on my people and these ski passes) [2:52] Here starts the activity check-check-check [5:17] A few ta

When life comes at you hard -- pain, trauma, injury, loss, grief -- the outdoors is there just waiting for you to use it for healing. You just have to go outside. That's what Denali Strabel, a semi-professional mountain runner and life-long Alaskan has found as she navigates the wide variety of victories and challenges life has thrown at her. From addiction to the loss of her identical twin sister, Rubye, Denali knows that by keeping the mountains a part of her, she can move through pain. In this episode Denali gifts us a rare window into what it's like to actively move through grief after loss while still in the thick of it as she's daily making the decision to heal and move. Hear Denali share how the mountains, ocean and running have been key in helping her with this challenge and so many others -- and learn how you, too, can lean on heading into nature to get through the hard stuff. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Follow Denali Strabel on Instagram Follow Rubye Blake (Denali's identical twin) on Instagram In honor of Denali's nephew, Gunnar Visit Denali's website Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:20] Denali Strabel's favorite outdoor space [5:45] Denali's outdoor story [8:35] What it's like to grow up in Seward [12:31] About Mount Marathon [16:05] Using nature to recover [22:25] The importance of reconnecting with the outdoors [29:53] All about Rubye Blake, Denali's identical twin sister [35:44] What it's like to lose a twin [44:22] Advice for dealing with grief when you're in the thick of it [53:44] Denali's favorite outdoor memory