One Coach’s Practice: How to Build 5 Good Habits
When people think of a coach, they often picture someone who has everything figured out. But coaching, at its core, is less about having the answers and more about committing…
What Steller’s Jays Teach Me about Caring
Wednesday evening, the drama outside my home office window had nothing to do with the many fabulous hiking experiences I’ve been enjoying all spring. It was all about birds, in…
How to Rest and Reset after a Big Push
I’ve had two extraordinary weeks of high output—leading two Mountaineers seminars, taking online classes, accepting new clients, birding and hiking with inspiring people, watching seeds of change take root in…
Beyond Miles: 5 Ways to Match Your Hike to Your Goal
Hikers usually concentrate on the following metrics: distance, travel time, pack weight, and total elevation gain. But if you want to improve your performance on the trail — consider five…
Lessons from the Nest: On Collaboration and Compassion
Spring nesting season always draws my eyes upward. Towhees, chickadees, and tree swallows flit back and forth with twigs, spider webs, and moss, building carefully, imperfectly, urgently. Males are in…
The Power of Shedding
After returning from North Carolina with a body requesting sleep, I slowed to a halt. My husband took off to coach a two-day track meet in Oregon, while my daughter…
When the Peak Isn’t the Point
After a fabulous trip to North Carolina with my daughter to visit my parents (the last time she got to go with me was September 2023), I returned to Seattle…
Lessons from Teaching 3 Different Outdoor Groups
Over the past week, I’ve presented to three different groups—experienced hikers, cyclists, and a mixed audience of outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Despite their differences, one theme emerged: movement is…
How to Take Action in the Issaquah Alps
Over the past two weeks, I've hiked three trails on Tiger Mountain and Squak's East Side trail. What sent me to the mountains four times in two weeks? Nature is…
How to Overcome Obstacles: Three Recent Examples
This week, I've continued to explore ways to overcome obstacles and see them as wins. A hike to Whittaker Wilderness Peak involved navigating physical obstacles and helping participants appreciate the…