One reason to get outside?
Because nature has a way of making everything feel lighter—your mind, your worries, and sometimes even your pack (once you’ve eaten half your snacks).

One bit of advice you’ll always remember?
“You don’t have to be the fastest, just the most stubborn.” Works for hiking, life, and basically everything.

One tip to share with budding outdoorsists?
Always bring a backup snack. And then a backup for your backup. Nothing builds character like a long hike, but nothing destroys morale like running out of food.

One time you felt out of your comfort zone?
Leading my first overnight hiking trip for someone who’d never hiked before. Suddenly, every decision felt huge—route choices, pacing, their hire gear selection. But watching them fall in love with the experience made every second of stress worth it.

One thing you love to eat outdoors?
Every food tastes good outdoors, I can’t pick just one. But the big choice is what tea—I’ll always choose a cup of spiced chai at the top of a mountain.

One reason there’s no place like home?
Because no matter how much I love the wilderness, nothing beats that first shower after days in the wild—or collapsing into my own bed, fire on, the dog curled up nearby, already dreaming of the next adventure. And since I do live in the bush, home is always a bit of an adventure anyway.