Hiking My Way to Happiness Podcast

Today one of Shanti's good friends in Oregon got confirmation that she has Covid-19. She wasn't surprised and she spent over a week trying to get tested and convince the doctors in her area that she was positive she had it. The scary part is she knows exactly when and where she got it and there were over 400 people in the same jampacked club she was at in Portland, OR.  After hearing a number of friends comment about how they didn't know anyone who has gotten it, Shanti found out about two friends within hours of each other. There will be more and more everyday.  It's time for us all to stay home today and help #flattenthecurve 

SHANNON MARTINEZ - From one extreme to another through hiking with kids   Shannon Martinez is not your everyday average Hike it Baby mom. First of all she is a mother of seven with children ranging from 2 years old to 21 years old. Second of all she has never actually formally hiked with a Hike it Baby group, but considers herself an active member because she participates in the Hike it Baby 30 and is involved in the Facebook groups located about an hour from her. Lastly she has a crazy backstory as a former Neo-Nazi skinhead who participated in hate crimes, which has led her to speaking at the UN and forming a nonprofit called Freeradicals.org that helps people come to terms with their extremist past and move on. One of the ways she encourages people to move on from hate is to find community. But she also preaches that parents who find groups like Hike it Baby and engage early on with their children in nature, are less likely to raise children who head down the path toward extremism. Learn more about her story and how a group like Hike it Baby could be the solution for helping our planet heal and move toward raising more resilient children. 

Rain or Shine Mama with Linda McGurk   Have you ever thought you should go outside on a bad day but couldn’t find the motivation? Join Shanti Hodges in finding the answer with Linda McGurk the author of an upcoming book “There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids.” Linda shares her secrets and talk about gear and how Scandinavian culture differs from American when it comes to getting outside with kids. Learn cool new words like Friluftsliv, which translates to “open air life”.   http://rainorshinemamma.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/rainshinemamma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainorshinemamma/ About Linda McGurk I’m a journalist and photographer who grew up in Sweden, approximately on the same latitude as the Gulf of Alaska. When I spend time in nature with my two young daughters, I’m also known as a worm-digger, frog catcher, splinter remover, tree identifier, mud cleaner-upper, tent raiser, band aid provider, and fire builder-in-chief. So why “Rain or Shine Mamma”? When I grew up I was taught to go outside every day, rain or shine, because it was “good for me.” At the time, I probably didn’t even realize how true that was. I was quite contented making mud cakes and building forts in the woods. After becoming a mother I noticed that many American children seem to lack a meaningful connection with nature, and I started this blog in 2013 as a way to inspire outdoor play and adventure every day, regardless of the weather. I want my children to be able to explore the wonders of the natural world the way I did, and if I can inspire others in the process, it will be well worth it. As Richard Louv so aptly puts it: “Every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature. Not only those of a certain economic class or culture or gender or sexual identity or set of abilities. Every child.” About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is the fastest growing new parent outdoors group in the country with over 200,000 families participating on social media and 3,000 in-person crowdsourced hikes a month in the calendar. To learn more about Hike it Baby or get out with the community go to www.hikeitbaby.com to find daily adventures in your backyard.

The Quirin Family and The Appalachian Trail In this episode Shanti Hodges talks to Bekah Quirin who is hiking the entire Appalachian Trail with her husband and 16 month old daughter. Bekah is a Hike it Baby Ambassador from Roanoke, VA and her family set out in the late spring to hike the trail. They thought the adventure would take them at least 8 months, but they are making more progress than they ever thought possible and are just a few weeks away from finishing up their epic journey. While their daughter is more or less the youngest “thru-hiker” ever on the AT, technically she isn’t thru-hiking because she is being carried. Bekah tells us how Ellie is doing on the trail and what adventures they hope to take on after this epic journey is over. Check out some of the brands helping out the Quirin Family on their journey www.mountainhouse.com www.deuter.com https://ellieontheat.com/ About The Quirin Family Ellie, Derrick, and Bekah are starting our 2,185 mile flip-flop hike in March 2017 starting and ending in their home state, Virginia. We have dreamed of this trip for years, and never imagined taking a 12 month old baby with us! She will make AT history and will be the youngest person on record to complete the trail with mom and dad. We’ll post pre-trip preparations and updated stories and pictures once we hit the trail, but no promises how frequent those may be as electronic usage will be minimal! We hope you enjoy following our story. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is the fastest growing new parent outdoors group in the country with over 200,000 families participating on social media and 3,000 in-person crowdsourced hikes a month in the calendar. To learn more about Hike it Baby or get out with the community go to www.hikeitbaby.com to find daily adventures in your backyard.

FLORENCE WILLIAMS AND THE NATURE FIX In this episode Shanti Hodges talks to writer and nature enthusiast Florence Williams about her new book The Nature Fix. The Nature Fix details the science of the restorative and healthy benefits of time spent outdoors.  Her insights and investigations provide all the reasons we need to get up and get our outdoor fix. ABOUT THE FLORENCE WILLIAMS Florence Williams is a contributing editor at Outside Magazine and a freelance writer for the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, The New York Review of Books, Slate, Mother Jones, High Country News, O-Oprah, W., Bicycling and numerous other publications. She is also the writer and host of the new Audible Original series, Breasts Unbound. In her new book The Nature Fix, Florence "investigates the science at the confluence of environment, mood, health, and creativity. Delving into completely new research, she uncovers the powers of the natural world to improve health, promote reflection and innovation, and ultimately strengthen our relationships. As our modern lives shift dramatically indoors, these ideas—and the answers they yield—are more urgent than ever." About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is the fastest growing new parent outdoors group in the country with over 200,000 families participating on social media and 3,000 in-person crowdsourced hikes a month in the calendar. To learn more about Hike it Baby or get out with the community go to www.hikeitbaby.com to find daily adventures in your backyard.

RACHAEL FARMER AND HER LITTLE ZEN MONKEY In this episode Shanti Hodges talks to nurse and climber Rachael Farmer about her climbing family. She and her husband Zak are raising Ellie, an almost 4 year old who is such an advanced climber that she appeared on the Ellen Degeneres show when she was 1.5 climbing. This is “that” baby who climbed before she walked. ABOUT THE FARMERSThe Farmer’s are veterans of the outdoor industry. They are avid rock climbers that travel often and are in constant search of adventure. There three-year-old daughter has been raised in nature and participates in the family activities of climbing on rocks and exploring new trails. They spent the year on the road with Rachael working as a traveling Neonatal ICU nurse. Recently they settled down in Bend, OR. In their free time, they vagabond to remote areas and explore the natural wonders of planet earth. Follow them on www.littlezenmonkey.comInstagram: @zenmonkey About Hike it BabyHike it Baby is the fastest growing new parent outdoors group in the country with over 200,000 families participating on social media and 3,000 in-person crowdsourced hikes a month in the calendar. To learn more about Hike it Baby or get out with the community go to www.hikeitbaby.com to find daily adventures in your backyard.

Live From Facebook Communities Summit w/ Annie Maxine In this episode Shanti Hodges hangs out with Annie Maxine, Hike it Baby Branch Ambassador from Ann Arbor, Michigan. They find the only quiet space at a 2-day Facebook Communities Summit, the floor of the nursing bathroom, to talk about how Annie found Hike it Baby and what the community has done for her. About Hike it BabyHike it Baby is the fastest growing new parent outdoors group in the country with over 200,000 families participating on social media and 3,000 in-person crowdsourced hikes a month in the calendar. To learn more about Hike it Baby or get out with the community go to www.hikeitbaby.com to find daily adventures in your backyard.  

Parenthood and Professional Climbing w/ Beth Rodden In this episode, Shanti Hodges chats with Beth Rodden, professional climber, mother, and writer.  Having traveled all over the world to complete challenging climbs, they discuss the new changes that come into professional life with motherhood, and how Beth has been able to thrive with her child.   About Hike it BabyHike it Baby is the fastest growing new parent outdoors group in the country with over 200,000 families participating on social media and 3,000 in-person crowdsourced hikes a month in the calendar. To learn more about Hike it Baby or get out with the community go to www.hikeitbaby.com to find daily adventures in your backyard.

ADVENTURE MAMAS w/ Stephanie Feller and Justine Nobbe In this episode Shanti Hodges talks to Adventure Mamas founders Stephanie Feller and Justine Nobbe about why they started their group and how communities that connect and support each other create more fun for all.   About Hike it BabyHike it Baby is the fastest growing new parent outdoors group in the country with over 200,000 families participating on social media and 3,000 in-person crowdsourced hikes a month in the calendar. To learn more about Hike it Baby or get out with the community go to www.hikeitbaby.com to find daily adventures in your backyard. About the Adventure MamasAdventure Mamas Initiative is a non-profit organization that is redefining motherhood by enhancing women’s health by facilitating adventure, building community, and providing educational and inspirational resources to our diverse community. Adventure Mamas believe that spending time in wild places is more than a selfish luxury, it should be available to all. That is why they offer programs and resources to diverse women from diverse backgrounds, situations, and cultures including teen moms, mamas of children who have special and unique needs, survivors of domestic abuse, and more. Adventure Mamas was founded by childhood best friends Stephanie Feller and Justine Nobbe.