The Outdoor Entrepreneur

Meet Chrystina Katz!

In 2014 Chrystina sold almost everything she owned to travel the country in a truck and camper, visiting places she had dreamed to go since she was a child.  Many called her solo traveling “crazy” and “gutsy”.  Yet she did it anyways and had a blast along the way.

With over 30 years behind her belt in corporate project manager, and 20 years of professional speaking and training, in 2019, Chrystina made another gutsy move into the world of entrepreneurship.   She now travels the world helping others be gutsy in their own lives and businesses as Founder of Act 4 Impact, where she celebrates those who are doing gutsy things as Host and Executive Producer of the Gutsy Travels show.

Here’s just a few of the things we cover during our conversation:

Enjoy the episode!

~ Live your dreams, and happy adventuring!

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Meet Marisa, Founder and CEO of Grounding Source, which offers online courses and solo wellness retreats in the wilderness of Southern Utah for high-achieving women experiencing burn out. 

And as you’ll hear in this episode, her mission is to empower more women to put themselves first & to experience one of our most untapped resources for healing, some time alone in nature.   

Here’s just a few of the things we cover during our conversation:

Enjoy the episode!

~ Live your dreams, and happy adventuring!

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Website:

Show Notes:

YOUR HOST LIZ:

Meet Tamara, Founder of the Tailwind Jungle Lodge, a treehouse style eco-lodge in the jungle on the Mexican Pacific coastline. She’s also author of Wildpreneurs, a book that shares lessons learned, alongside stories and wisdom from other free-spirited Wildpreneurs, revealing the joys and realities of making their business dreams come true.

And just recently, Tamara’s journey led her to join the team at Thermal where she’s the leader of a community of hundreds of surf guides and surf lodges around the world. As you’ll hear in this episode, Tamara’s passionate about inspiring people to follow their wild inspiration and embrace the journey.

Here's just a few of the things we cover in this episode:

Enjoy the episode!

~ Live your dreams, and happy adventuring!

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Meet Brittany Coleman, Founder and CEO of @ToughCutieBrand, an outdoor brand on a mission to support women from the ground up, by making the best damn hiking socks around!

Not only that, they’re helping women step into their authority on and off the trail, as well as increasing diversity in the outdoors.

  Here’s just a few things we cover in this episode:

Enjoy the episode!

~ Live your dreams, and happy adventuring!

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Curious what's currently going on in my head?

Here you go! Join me for my latest mental musings, contemplations, and experiments related to creating an inspired and intentional life and business.

May this episode land in whatever way best serves.

~ Liz

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Meet Georgia Grace Edwards, CEO & Co-Founder of SheFly Apparel.

After a summer spent working as a glacier guide in Alaska, Georgia Grace experienced one too many frustrating bathroom breaks in pants that weren't designed for her anatomy.

Along with the whole SheFly team, they’ve taken the company from a college project all the way to market, with appearances on the TEDxTalk stage, mentions by Forbes and Outside Business Journal, recognition as the recipient of the 2022 Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award, and funding from venture capital firms.

PLUS, they were most recently featured as the 2023 Women's Health Fitness Awards Winner in the Best Outdoor And Sports Gear category for Best Hiking Pant (huge congrats!).

Georgia Grace and her company are writing the blueprint for how things can be more inclusive, more sustainable, and more efficient -- instead of just questioning the status quo, they’re actively working to change it.

Here’s just a few things we cover in this episode:

Enjoy the episode!

~ Live your dreams, and happy adventuring!

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Today's guest is Morgan Potts.

Founder and Chief Dreamer at Granarly Snacks!  

In 2015, Morgan dreamt of combining whiskey with granola. She has since turned that dream into reality and is creating the gnarliest snack company in the world to power her life of passion. Life’s an adventure. Don’t be bland!

As you’ll hear in this episode, we cover the following, just to name a few:

** What to get your hands on some whiskey granola? Use code OUTDOOR20 for 20% off (a huge thank you to Morgan!!)

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Today’s guest is Dr. Natalie Bonthius.

An emergency medicine doctor and the Founder of Survival Med.

Dr. Bonthius combines her background in neuroscience with austere medicine, which the practice of medicine in resource-limited environments, such as the wilderness.

As you’ll hear in this episode, Dr. Bonthius researches and teaches about what happens to the mind and human behavior in extreme environments and survival conditions. She’s worked with the National Park Service, National Association for Search and Rescue, independent expedition organizations, the military, and more.

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Today’s guest is Carrie!

Owner of @BiggerLifeAdventures, which offers yoga and adventure retreats around the world that focus on recovery and healing.

She also owns a retreat center and glamping site just outside of the Grand Canyon, called Grand Canyon Eco Retreat.

Carrie is also a Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher and an Outdoor Guide.

As you’ll hear in this episode, she’s passionate about inspiring individual healing and recovery in nature, and through her own journey with sobriety, she’s been able to create a truly aligned life and business doing what she loves.

Here's just a few things we cover in the episode:

Enjoy the episode!

~ Live your dreams, and happy adventuring!

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Join me in this informal and playful episode as I reflect on the past year, what I've learned, what I'm still learning, how I've grown, and what I'm exploring and moving forward with in 2023.  

Here's just a few things I cover in this episode: 

Enjoy the episode!

~ Keep living your dreams, and happy adventuring in the New Year!

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Today’s guest is David!

Founder of Avid4 Adventure, which engages kids in active outdoor pursuits in a safety-oriented, environmentally responsible manner.

David has built his career not only as a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and outdoor industry leader, but also as a parent and an educator. David has served on a number of boards and in a variety of roles over the years, such  as the Director of Outdoor Education at CU, Boulder and past President of the Outdoor Industry Association.

As you’ll hear, David has a wealth of knowledge and an extensive background in both the outdoor space as well as in entrepreneurship.

Here's a few more things we talk about:

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Met Cat! 

An Alps & Dolomites Elopement Specialist & Photographer!

Cat is a former ski instructor who moved to the Austrian Alps from the UK after falling in love with life in the mountains.

After getting married, she started her wedding photography business, Wild Connections Photography, and she did it with no formal photography or business education background. Since then, her photography has won numerous awards across the wedding industry, and in 2019 she became a Fujifilm X-Photographer (ambassador).

Cat works with couples from all around the world who travel to the Alps & the Dolomites for an adventurous wedding experience.

Outside of photography, she also coaches other entrepreneurs in the wedding industry.

Today's guest is Jim Miller.

Co-Founder of Respect Outside, a business that provides solutions to the outdoor industry to increase gender equity and end sexual harassment and discrimination. As you’ll hear in this episode, Jim is a 30-year veteran of the outdoor industry and has a wide variety of experiences including outdoor education, outfitting, marketing, and consulting on best practices. Through his work at Respect Outside and the use of an Equity Through Action approach, he’s helping the outdoor industry create new ways of thinking which in turn creates a safer, more productive work environment for all.

Happy listening! 

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Today’s guest is Holly Priestley.

A coach, podcaster, writer, and creator, Holly supports those who are on quest to live more deliberate and authentic lives. Holly spent 3 years living full time in her van and traveling the American west. And as you’ll hear in this episode, it’s adventure and the outdoors that keep her motivated and the creativity flowing.

We cover the following in our conversation, just to name a few:

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Today's guest is Nicole Snell.

An award-winning international speaker and self-defense expert specializing in sexual assault prevention education, gender-based violence prevention, personal safety and empowerment.

She’s the CEO of Girls Fight Back, Founder of Outdoor Defense, a Lead Instructor with both IMPACT Personal Safety and IMPACT Global, and hike leader with Black Girls Trekkin,

Her mission is to empower women and people of all gender identities with the skills to live their lives fearlessly…and she is doing just that!

As you’ll hear in this episode, we cover the following, just to name a few:

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Today's guest is Amanda Hatley!

Owner and Director of She Summits Co, a mission-based adventure travel company that strives to foster self-confidence in women and girls through brave outdoor experiences.

As an outdoor enthusiast herself, and with over 17 years behind her belt in the outdoor industry, Amanda is passionate about creating spaces for her clients and her staff to blossom when it comes to mentorship, leadership, self-confidence and fun.

As you’ll hear in this episode, we cover the following, just to name a few:

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Today's guest is Chap Grubb!

Chap is the founder and CEO of Rerouted, an online platform to buy, sell, & donate used outdoor gear. Chap wants his technology to be painless and easy, so he has more time to play outside.  That’s why he’s committed to creating simple e-commerce tools for local mom & pop used gear stores as well as gear heads to sell to a national audience. And as you’ll hear in this episode,  Rerouted is passionate to do all they can to facilitate access, education and sustainability  when it comes to the outdoor gear and equipment space.

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Today's guest is Johanna!

Johanna is a mother, proud Wisconsin girl, cross-country coach, and author. 

In her book Awakening East, she shares the experience of moving with her adopted children for a year back to the land of their birth. In her second book, Edge of the Map, she crafts together the inspiring adventure story of the lives of trailblazing mountaineer Christine Boskoff and her partner Charlie Fowler, who disappeared among the remote peaks of western China in 2006, and the desperate search to find them.

In this episode we cover the following, just to name a few:

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Today's guest is Emily!

A podcast strategist and coach as well as a copywriter and editor. She’s also the host and producer of the @NatureUntoldPodcast, a show that tells stories of sobriety, addiction, and recovery within the outdoor community and industry.

As you’ll hear in this episode, we cover the following, just to name a few:

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Today's guest is Juliette Ball.

Owner of Ocean Love, a brand that lives to protect the ocean by reducing plastic pollution and helping us live an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Juliette started her company years ago by organizing the majority of open water swimming / stand up paddling, and surfing events in Cape Town, South Africa.  It has since grown and now offer everything from eco-swimwear and accessories, to sports and health retreats, and website design, just to name a few.

As you’ll hear in this episode, Juliette has big dreams for her company and she’s a tidal wave of energy and passion. She’s a mermaid at heart, with an adventurous spirit and a deep soul connection to the ocean, and Ocean Love is a beautiful example of what can happen when we bring our creativity, curiosity, and purpose together.

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Today's guest is Eric.

Polar adventurer, expedition guide, and educator, Eric has spent the past 25 years traveling in some of the most remote and extreme environments on the planet. To date, Eric has completed more North and South Pole expeditions than any other American in history. Included in that list are the first ever summer expedition to the North Pole as well as a world record expedition to the South Pole, North Pole and top of Mt. Everest all within a 365-day period. 

Eric is also the founder of COLDER Films, a small-by-design production company focused on creating dynamic media content that’s visually captivating, emotional and informative.

As you’ll hear in this episode, Eric has dedicated his adult life to sharing his love for the outdoor world with others. And after a cancer diagnosis in 2021 and a fight for his life, he’s taking one step at a time to follow his interests and navigate his own path.

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A series on what's going on in Liz's head as she journey's through this thing called life.

I share my journal entries, random mental musings, contemplations, and experiments as related to creating an inspired and intentional life and business.

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Today's guest is Jennifer. 

Co-Founder of Rogue Detection Teams where she is a Detection Dog Handler and a Field Scientist. Jennifer rescues shelter dogs who are fetch obsessed & trains them to locate odors on rare or endangered wildlife and other species for conservation science.

As we’ll cover in this episode, Jennifer and her teams work around the world with a mission to bring the conservation detection dog method to the forefront of scientific research.

Social Media:

Today's guest is Taylor! 

A professional photographer who specializes in adventure travel work with a sharp focus on landscapes and activity-based lifestyle imagery. With an international audience of nearly 400 thousand followers, Taylor has been able to craft and create impactful images that ignite a passion in his audiences to get outside, travel and gain a better understanding of the natural world around them. 

In addition to his photography, Taylor has also launched an app called Packup, which helps take the guesswork out of trip preparation by proving an easy platform to coordinate across your trip party, as well as create your very own gear and trip planning lists.  

Social Media:

A series on what's going on in Liz's head as she journey's through this thing called life. 

I share my journal entries, random mental musings, contemplations, and experiments as related to creating an inspired and intentional life and business. 

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Today's guest is Christine, author of the outdoor adventure memoir, Alone in Wonderland, which was selected as a winner of the National Indie Excellence Award. Christine was able to find herself through long distance backpacking, starting with a 650-mile section of the Appalachian Trail in 2015. As you’ll hear in this episode, Christine finds connection through nature, hiking, writing, and telling her extremely relatable stories. 

Follow:

A series on what's going on in Liz's head as she journey's through this thing called life.

I share my journal entries, random mental musings, contemplations, and experiments as related to creating an inspired and intentional life and business.    

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Today's guest is Kristen, a Travel Blogger, Founder of Bearfoot Theory, and Creator of Open Roads Fest. 

In 2014, Kristen decided to leave her life in Washington, DC in the marine conservation policy field. Wanting to travel and spend more time in nature, she realized her current career path was not in alignment with what she truly wanted. So, she started blogging as a way to document her journey outside. Since then, Bearfoot Theory has evolved into an incredible resource for everyday outdoor enthusiasts looking to challenge themselves in the outdoors, no matter their experience level.

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Today’s guest is Stacey Stanger, Co-Creator and Owner of Cherry Clouds Oasis. After 20 years in the food and beverage and hospitality industries, Stacey found herself out of work in 2020 due to the pandemic. With her future employment unknown, she decided to make the most of the situation by combining her experience in hospitality with her love for vintage travel trailers and unique alternative accommodations.  The outcome being creation of a desert venue and glamping site outside of Las Vegas, NV.

As you’ll hear in this episode, Stacey, along with her partner Liko, show us what’s possible when we seize the moment, allow our creative juices to flow, and we focus on progress over perfection versus a perfectly put together and executed plan.

After 13-years as a Registered Nurse, Mary decided to shift her focus and became her own boss as a Certified Health and Mindset Coach and Nutritionist, and the proud CEO of JOY 360° Coaching. With her many years as an RN, Mary saw firsthand just how short life is and she’s determined more than ever to help other women live their best lives so they can grow old with no regrets, just like she is!

Voted the "Greatest Outfitter on Earth" by National Geographic, Jim is the Owner of Espirt Whitewater.  He’s also a world-renowned leader in Swiftwater Rescue, has traveled to over 50+ countries, and is a vocal social and environmental advocate.

In this episode we cover the following, just to name a few:

Irene Yee (she/her) is a rock climbing and adventure photographer, a National Geographic Adventure contributor, and published in magazines around the globe, such as Outside, Climbing, and Alpinist, just to name a few!

In this episode we cover a lot of ground:

Today’s guest is Ali Wines.

Corporate lawyer turned writer, Ali works specifically with sustainable brands in the outdoor industry and beyond. She helps her clients tell compelling stories that inspire action and change, whether that's through purchasing a product, making a donation, or thinking about an issue differently. Ali’s jobs allows her to be deeply immersed in the outdoor community on many levels, and her love for the outdoors includes being a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol, as well as a keen hiker, backpacker and mountain biker.

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Daniel and Paige are the Owners of Wander Tears, a handcrafted, custom built teardrop trailer company, which also provides resources and DIY build out plans for those looking to do it on their own.

Daniel and Paige, along with their dog Nola, are focused on helping others get outdoors affordably and comfortably.

As you’ll hear in this episode, they’ll share the many lessons learned as they jumped into entrepreneurship, as well as how they were able to remain clear on the life they envisioned for themselves as outdoor entrepreneurs, and what they did to be intentional about making it happen.  We also get into the dynamics of working and living with a partner, advice on traveling with four-legged fur babies, and helpful tips for those who want to travel more but aren’t sure where to get started.

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Puja is the Founder and CEO of Drifted. A sustainable clothing company that combines both function and style for women who like to adventure and travel, designing clothes that can be worn on both the Trail and in Town.

In her past life, Puja ran one of the largest Activewear stores in North America, and as you’ll hear in this episode, she’s now helping redefine the modern outdoor culture and influencing the rise of women leaders in the outdoor space.

Candra is an international speaker, podcaster, and the Owner of Talking Forests, a digital marketing and social media consulting agency, with a focus on bridging the age, diversity, and sustainability gap between the communication and forestry sector. Candra is a proud military spouse, has traveled Europe for a number of years, and has created a career that allows her the ability to work from anywhere in the world.

Connect with Candra:

Today’s guest is Brianna Boney founder of GnarlyGirl Fitness & Wellness. After graduating with her BS in Healthy Lifestyles Coaching and receiving her National Board Certification, Brianna started GnarlyGirl Fitness & Wellness in 2020. She helps female athletes build strong relationships with food, body image, and movement through habit change, sound nutrition, and smart training. She has over 6 years of experience as a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer and is a nutrition coach. Brianna has had the pleasure of working with a large range of mountain athletes, from professionals in their sport to beginners. Brianna enjoys racing mountain bikes competitively, rock climbing, lifting, and eating donuts.

Follow Brianna:

In 2016, Tori decided to follow her heart and drive cross country to relocate to the Pacific Northwest. Always passionate about paddling, she eventually started her own business, and for the past 5 years has successfully been the proud owner and operator of Dragonfly Kayak Tours, which offers guided sea kayaking tours and outdoor adventures for both adults and kids. 

As you’ll hear in this episode, Tori is a great example of what can happen when you take a leap of faith and believe in your dreams, even when you don’t have it all figured out yet.

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Show Notes

Today’s guest is Rob Millar, founder of Old Hippie Wood Working and Design. Rob is a visionary, a creator and a wood working artist specializing in turning residential and recreational environments into upscaled experiences. If you dream it, Rob will create it.

Creating environments out in nature, inspired by nature, for others to enjoy, was the inspiration for Old Hippie and Rob has built everything from tiny homes to tree houses, to glamping sites. The tiny home he created called The Peacock, was named in January of 2021 the #1 Wish List Place to Stay on AirBnB and Apple News Travel and Leisure.

And as you’ll hear in today’s episode, for Rob it’s not only about building something, it’s about bringing a vision to life and creating a space that’s deeply tied to the environment, while also providing a very intentional and thoughtful experience for his clients.

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In today’s episode we’re talking with Jaime Purinton, Co-Founder of Hike It Off Clothing and Magazine.

Jaime is an avid hiker who believes in the healing magic of nature. She founded Hike It Off while in recovery after a traumatic injury she suffered while hiking. Since then, she’s been on a mission to share the good vibe and healing energy that hiking has to offer, and to inspire deep-rooted connections to the outdoors.

Social Media:

Today we’re talking with Kayla Kay.  Founder of the Women Who Wander Collective, mama bear to a 5-year-old, and lover of all things entrepreneurial. Kayla is wildly passionate about getting outside (particularly on top of mountains) and the profound impact nature and exercise has on our emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Kayla shares her entrepreneurial journey, advice to those who feel out of alignment with their current work, and what it looks like to raise a child “wild” and involve your children in your outdoor pursuits.

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Website:

References from the Show:

Jill Valentine is a Co-Founder of the social enterprise, UGO Travel for Change and author of the book Dare to be a Dandelion. She became a Transformative Travel and Social Impact coach following over two decades of work and volunteering in the charity and non-profit sector and becoming a Certified Professional Coach.

She has led life-changing coaching programs around the world helping her clients gain clarity, confidence and a deeper sense of self while impacting local communities in Belize, Nepal, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Tanzania.

Jill is the creator of the UGO Triple Change Model whose three pillars include Change Yourself, Change Your Community and Change Your World. She leverages the power of travel and volunteerism as tools for creating profound personal and social change.

She’s an adventurer, a force for good, and lives by the words, “Let’s Make it Happen”.

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In today’s episode we’re talking with Lindsay Vigue. 

Lindsay is a photographer, adventurer, forager, conservationist, and arts commissioner in Bristol, CT.

Lindsay shares where her passion for the outdoors and photography began, how she lives intentionally and how she was able to make the transition from working in a photography studio to spending more time with her camera in nature. We also learn more about her incredible work with night skies and an immersive exhibit called, “In Search of Darkness” that will debut in 2022.

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Website: 

I’m Liz Landeen, your host of The Outdoor Entrepreneur. Before you jump into the first episode, I wanted to first introduce myself and let you know what you can expect going forward with this podcast.

Connect with me at the following…