Jenny and I met many moons ago. Two females out in the world trying to make our mark. Trying to go against the status quo. Trying to fight off the misogyny that is in the music world at every turn. Doing what we could to take on an entire scene that didn’t even want us there. But we found each other there. And through our journey together, we have always supported one another and build eachother up. For a while we got to see the world together. Then life happened and our journeys together became few and far between. Somehow, through all the roads we traveled, and all the paths as we walked separately we found our way back to one another through hiking. When I say hiking, I mean backpacking five days through the Grand Canyon together. It was the first time we had seen each other in years, but we didn’t skip a beat. Our love for music also transcended to the great outdoors. And now, again, we find ourselves supporting one another, lifting one another up, sharing experiences, and learning from one another. It was on that trip to the Grand Canyon that we decided we wanted to help give others experiences like we've shared together.
When I first started hiking, I knew nothing about it. My first big hike was a 4000 footer in New Hampshire. It was the most marvelous thing I have ever seen and I immediately fell in love with it. I had a lot to learn. Most of the people that I would hike with were men. Tall men lol. I felt like I was constantly trying to keep up, and I found it challenging to learn how to do things on my own, because others would just do it for me. Backpacking was intimidating, because I wasn’t very knowledgeable on how to put a tent together or how to pack my bag or how to use my camp stove. I’ve listened to a lot of other women around me and they share those same fears. That didn’t sit well with me. I wanted outdoor independence. So I did a little research and I found much more than I was hoping for. While searching for a women’s hiking group, I found an incredible all-women pledge hike fundraiser called Wilderness Heals. For me, this was a no-brainer, I got to raise funds to help others and do it while experiencing the great outdoors. Through Wilderness Heals I learned so much about hiking as a group, personal responsibility, navigation, how to care for a group, and how to lead a group. Most importantly how to connect with the women and with myself. I also realized pretty quickly that I had a unique gift. I am a personal trainer/coach. It’s my job to pay attention to details, assess how people are feeling, and help them through the challenging times. I realized I could share this unique perspective with the women that I hiked with. Do for them what was challenging for the men to do for me, and for me to do for myself in the beginning. See for me I want to hike to connect not conquer. I want to have a good experience when I’m hiking, even if it is challenging. I want to have self-care and make sure the people around me have self-care. I want to give myself permission to rest when it’s needed and be that person to give others permission to rest when it’s needed. I understand the intensity needed for the task at hand, and know how to make it stainable for myself and others. This is a way I can help people have an experience that allows them to grow, push themselves, deepen their connection, feel open and safe enough to give and receive information. This is where I found my WHY!
So, here we are! Jenny and I have found our way back to each other on the trail, and I feel this was no coincidence. Together we give each other confidence to do the scary things, like starting a new business, and we want to give other people the confidence and skills to go out and do all the outdoor adventures they want to do. We not only want to teach those who are interested, but we want to learn from them as well. We want to make it as accessible as possible. On this journey I have had to learn the hard way. Financially lol. Purchasing the wrong gear, purchasing way too heavy gear, not bringing enough, over packing, I have an attic of gear to prove it. We want to be a resource for those who are starting their journey or have been on their journey for a while and are eager to learn more and give back. We want to build a community of learning, growing and supporting. Come grow with us!!!
-Candace
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