Be Kind To Your Mind
An Inspiring Chat with Some of the Leaders Behind TriState Hikers
Feel like you can't find any moments of rest in all the craziness leading up to the holidays? Craving some clarity around what you want your 2022 to look like?
Today’s guests might just help with that. A few weeks ago I aired an episode with Ava Baptiste, the founder of TriState Hikers based in Brooklyn New York, and I hinted that I might have a little surprise coming up related to that conversation.
Ava delivered on her promise to set up a Zoom chat with several of her inspiring friends and fellow hikers, who are now helping her build out the new, formal, non-profit organization that Ava has just created, to serve as a solid foundation for the future of TriState Hikers.
This was super-spontaneous and casual, so apologies for some occasionally wonky audio. Not all of Ava’s team was able to jump on the call, but you are going to get a chance to meet and hear from Ingrid Neverson (Director), Maurisa Adams (VP), Wendy Brown (Secretary), Eustecia (Tessa) Herman (Pro), and of course, Ava Baptiste (Founder/President).
Almost without exception, these women tell stories of putting themselves, and their affinity for being outdoors, on the back burner of their busy lives for far too long. This is the perfect time of year to remind ourselves that putting yourself, and your mental health, last in a long line of priorities is a recipe for disaster.
So we’re gonna do what Ava preaches - we’re going to stop and check in on ourselves. A lot. Feel the feels and go find some joy. Do the things that serve us, because we can’t take care of others if we’re not taking care of ourselves.
The TriStateHikers.com site is live and ready for building community, scheduling hikes, sharing amazing photos, and most importantly, taking donations to support TriState Hikers’ amazing work around mental health awareness and creating opportunities for adults and kids to get into nature more.
Here are all the ways you can follow and support TriState Hikers!:
(And I'm sure they won't mind if you start harassing @Merrell about sending TriState Hikers some free gear for their winter hikers!!)
If you haven't already listened to my first episode with Ava, catch it here - and as promised in my audio, here are some other fabulous spots you’ll want to check out!:
Mt. Beacon (NY)
Slide Mountain (NY)
And let’s not forget….
Melissa Goodwin Photography (and Girl Gotta Hike)
Band (app)