When I first started this blog, my goal was to document my journey of applying the same mindset I use on the trail—curiosity, courage, and determination—to my life and personal goals.
But somewhere along the way, I got a little lost. I started focusing more on turning the blog into part of my business, using it as a tool for promotion, and in the process, I forgot why I started in the first place.
As it turns out... Life coaches—they’re just like you! We can get sucked into following what people say is the “right” way or what you “should” do and lose sight of our original purpose.
But now, I’m back, reconnecting with my original purpose and ready to share my experiences.
I've never had much trouble hitting the trails, even when I felt a little (or a lot) unsure. I remember those early days in L.A., long before I knew about AllTrails, before I had any real knowledge about gear, hiker safety, or orienteering. Back then, I’d look up a trail, print directions to the trailhead, put my dog in the car, and head out. Did I even have a backpack? I can’t remember. I didn’t take many photos either—Instagram wasn’t a thing yet.
Even without all the tools and know-how, my desire to be outside, in the trees with my dog, was stronger than the fear or doubt that could have kept me at home. That’s not to say I wasn’t scared—I absolutely was. Even just driving to trailheads, unsure if they really existed, felt intimidating. But I remember being overwhelmed with a sense of curiosity, eager to see where the trail would lead and what views awaited. Walking along with just me and my pup felt like something out of a 90s adventure movie—a girl, her dog, and the freedom of the mountains. Well, the Hollywood Hills, but you get the picture.
Meanwhile, in my off-trail life, I was honestly kind of drowning. I didn’t fully realize how much I was struggling—it’s wild how used to feeling terrible we can get when it’s all we know. I was having weekly panic attacks, my relationship with food was completely dysfunctional, and I hated my body. I had no idea how to communicate my needs in my relationship, and my personal goals were basically:
Lose 10 pounds (20 would be better, though).
Make enough money to survive—and maybe someday afford one of those fancy juice cleanses I thought would help me lose the weight (even though I for sure wouldn't have made it past day one).
For most of my twenties, that was the pattern: holding it together day to day, using hiking as an escape, a way to breathe and feel free, if only for a little while.
Then, in my early thirties, things came to a head. I’ve written about this before, so I won’t go into too much detail, but essentially, all my bad habits, self-criticism, and unhealthy coping strategies caught up with me. I hit my version of rock bottom.
I started therapy, and was introduced to concepts like boundaries, self-compassion, vulnerability, emotional regulation, and all those mental health buzzwords that I had never even heard of in my twenties.
And that’s when I realized something important: the version of me that I was on the trail—the curious, courageous, adventurous me—was who I wanted to be in the rest of my life too.
The only reason fear of the unknown didn’t hold me back on the trail the way it did in other parts of my life, was because of the way I was thinking.
On the trail, it made sense to me that both things could be true: I could be scared and still excited to see where the path would lead. But in my off-trail life, I had fallen into all-or-nothing thinking.
It was as if I had built two separate identities for myself and never considered that I could borrow beliefs from "Hiker Laura."
At this point In my life, hiking isn’t an escape anymore. It’s a place for me to tap into that adventurous, courageous version of me I know exists and let her teach me how to face the fears and challenges in my off-trail life. Hiking has become a way to practice courage, to embrace uncertainty, and to remind myself that I can be both a little scared and completely capable at the same time.
Recently, I've been getting a lot more intentional about how I spend my time on the trail, using it as a venue for deeper growth and connection with myself, and I’d love to invite you along for the ride. Moving forward, I’m going to be sharing more of my practice—how I use hiking as a way to face fears, build resilience, and grow. Hopefully, you’ll find something in it that clicks for you and inspires you to do the same in your own way, whether you're on a trail or just navigating life. Happy Trails, Wild Woman!
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