Life In Motion

In this episode, we sit down with Sonya and Necota Staples of Staples InTents. Their story is one of resilience, love, and the transformative power of the great outdoors. Sonya and Necota discovered their love for camping and overlanding during a difficult time in their marriage. Despite a less-than-ideal first camping experience, they realized that they could control their own happiness, and their outdoor adventures became a way to connect with each other and the natural world.Inspired by their new passion for the outdoors and a desire to promote inclusivity in outdoor spaces, they started Staples InTents. They wanted to show people of color that they not only belong in the outdoors but can thrive in it. They also recognized the need for education and community in helping others feel more confident and curious about outdoor adventure. This led to the creation of The Gathering, a welcoming and comfortable space where everyone can learn and grow.Sonya and Necota are not only inspiring others to get outside and

In this episode, we talk to Brian Bell, the founder of Keep Virginia Cozy. What started as a small group of friends cleaning up trash in their favorite outdoor spaces has now turned into a community of passionate volunteers who have collected over 100,000 pounds of trash. For Brian, it's not just about cleaning up the environment, but about creating connections with the natural spaces that we love. Keep Virginia Cozy's mission is to promote inclusivity and accessibility in outdoor spaces, while conserving them for future generations. If you've ever wondered how a grassroots idea can make a big impact then this one's for you! Want to support their mission? For the month of April Illumine is donating 20% of all sales to Keep Virginia Cozy with the limited edition Stay Cozy Outside Collection. Shop now at www.illuminecollect.com Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simp

In this episode, we sit down with Favia Dubyk, a professional rock climber, physician, cancer survivor, and American Ninja Warrior contestant. Growing up below the Mason Dixon Line, Favia didn't discover her passion for the outdoors until med school. It was during a family visit that she stumbled upon rock climbing, and quickly fell in love with the sport. However, a couple of years into med school, Favia was diagnosed with cancer. But she refused to let that stop her. The fight to beat cancer gave her a new perspective on life and inspired her to become a pathologist. She also returned to rock climbing and received a call from American Ninja Warrior, which led her to compete on the show. Now, Favia spends her time traveling, competing, and practicing pathology. Join us as we discuss Favia's inspiring journey, why it's important to never give up on your calling, and why saying yes to everything can lead to unexpected opportunities. Tune in to this episode of the podcast to learn more! Life in Moti

In this episode we interview Christina who started Girls Outdoors Club. Christina grew up in Colorado but surprisingly didn't enjoy the outdoors as a kid, even though her parents put her on skis before she could walk. It wasn't until college that she truly reconnected with nature, using hiking as a way to reset from the stresses of classes. It became more than just an escape when she decided to live in a cabin in the mountains by herself. Around this time Christina also noticed the two extremes for women in the outdoors. Either they were hitting fourteeners or they weren't. It seemed like a weird stigma to put on women in the outdoors. Why can't you have a full face of makeup out on the trail or not wear any at all? To change that, she started Girls Outdoors Club to bring that feminine energy to the outdoors while motivating and building community. If you've ever wondered how we can make the outdoors less intimidating while encouraging more women to get outside, then this episode's for

In this episode we interview Phebe Lahout, who grew up in America’s oldest ski shop and now oversees marketing at Seirus. During high school when Phebe wasn’t running around Lahout’s Ski Shop in New Hampshire, she could be found downhill skiing. Rather than following the family footsteps after graduating, she attended The University of San Diego. She was outside of her comfort zone, but was up for the challenge. Soon after college she found an opportunity with Seirus, which creates high quality gear for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy cold weather. Being a brand that Lahout’s Ski Shop carries, there was familiarity, but that wasn't the only thing that attracted her. Seirus focuses their efforts on making the outdoors more accessible by partnering with nonprofits that provide opportunities for kids that might otherwise not have the chance - all while amplifying their voice. If you've ever wondered how the oldest ski shop in America got started or how brands can make a difference by promoting outdoor act

In this episode we interview Brooke Widmar, the Education Outreach Coordinator of James River Basin Partnership. Join us as we dive into the world of environmental education and learn about the amazing work being done by them. Brooke's journey with the organization began in fifth grade, when she attended one of their Watershed Festivals. Today, she works with schools and local organizations to raise awareness for water quality and promote cleanups in the community. James River Basin Partnership has helped to remove over 2 tons of trash from local waterways in 2022 alone, including dozens of tires and over 800 bags of trash. If you've ever wondered how a small nonprofit can make a big impact in protecting our water resources, then this one's for you! Want to support their mission? For the month of March Illumine is donating 20% of all sales to James River Basin Partnership with the limited edition Earthday Collection. Shop now at www.illuminecollect.com Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors.

In this episode we interview Randell Green, the host of the Any Given Runway Podcast. Join us as we explore Randell's fascinating journey, from growing up in a rural town outside of Phoenix to attending Arizona State University and becoming addicted to new experiences. Randell's passion for travel and learning has taken him to dozens of countries, and has learned more through his travels than his five degrees. It's also the reason behind the Any Given Runway Podcast. Randell aims to share his experiences and the people he meets along the way, while exploring new cultures through travel. Learn the inspiration behind starting the podcast, the guests he has featured on the show, and some of his favorite travel destinations. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting to explore the world, this one's for you! Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Fin

In this episode we interview Laura Rodriguez (she/her) and Mary Traylor (they/she) of Justice Outside. Growing up in LA, Mary always loved the outdoor access it had to offer. They also enjoyed experiences at an immersive outdoor camp, which influenced their future. Prior to becoming the Director of Programs at Justice Outside, Mary was an educator. This opened their eyes to the lack of outdoor access kids of color had - even though it was in their own backyard. Laura grew up in rural California on a dairy farm, where she spent her childhood running around and exploring the outdoors. Even after all that, it wasn't until 29 that she started camping and truly took on outdoor recreational activities. Like Mary, Laura also noticed that people that looked like her weren't participating in these same adventures. For her it was about the duality of what is real about representation and lack of access to the many ways to participate in the outdoors. Now at Justice Outside, they're helping advance r

In this episode we interview California's Deputy Secretary for Access, Katherine Toy. Growing up in San Francisco, Katherine has always loved the state of California and its outdoor resources. As a Girl Scout she enjoyed camping trips and learning survival tactics, but enjoyed being a leader while making a difference in her community the most. Then there was history. After finding an old box of family photos showing her Chinese American heritage, all she wanted was to learn more. This inspired her to become a history teacher and show her students that history doesn't have to happen to them, rather they can make history for themselves. Over the years Katherine's love for both history and the outdoors led her to transitioning away from the classroom and into the parks. Now as California's Deputy Secretary for Access, Katherine is helping expand equitable outdoor access to public lands, museums and historic spaces within the state. If you've ever wondered how history and a passion for se

In this episode we interview Kate and Brooke of Jacob's Chance. Kate started Jacob's Chance 15 years ago after seeing parents with their kids on the baseball field instead of in the stands. As she got closer she saw they were down there because the children had disabilities. Kate realized she had taken for granted being able to proudly watch her own kids from the stands. Why couldn't those parents experience the same feeling? After rallying volunteers she kicked off their first program - Buddy Ball. It allowed parents to get off of the field and watch their kids from the stands. From there they grew to arts, social and even outdoor programs. Last year alone Jacob's Chance served over 500 families. If you've ever wondered how a big heart can change peoples lives, then this one's for you! Want to support their mission? For the month of February Illumine is donating 20% of all sales to Jacob's Chance with the limited edition Empower, Inclusivity, Growth Collection. Shop now at www.illuminecollect.

In this episode we interview Meg Carney of Outdoor Minimalist. Growing up in Minnesota Meg spent time with her family exploring the outdoors. During college she expanded those adventures to things like rock climbing and backpacking. After graduating Meg found herself working within the outdoor industry and always writing. Not only for publications such as Field & Stream Magazine, but for herself as well. Soon she published the book, 'The Outdoor Minimalist', which focuses on wasting less while hiking, backpacking and camping. 'The Outdoor Minimalist Podcast' became an extension of the book as a way to expand her message. Each episode Meg sits down with industry experts and sustainable brands to discuss ways to be mindful of your impact on the environment with every adventure. If you've ever wondered how you can be more intentional with the decisions you make in the outdoors, then this one's for you! Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the ap

In this episode we interview Justin Yoder of LGBT+ Outdoors. Growing up in a small town in Missouri, Justin was no stranger to the outdoors. Always camping and exploring, his love for being outside continued to grow. He also had a love for Africa - with Nat Geo being to blame. Justin decided to start a nonprofit to support the children of Africa while combating Aids/HIV. Shortly after he 'came out', and while navigating his new journey came to a realization - there was an inherent lack of diversity present in the outdoor space for the LGBT+ community. This discovery inspired him to start LGBT+ Outdoors as a safe haven for others to share their love for the outdoors. Now with local chapters across the country, clinics and special events, their nonprofit is impacting hundreds. If you've ever wondered why the outdoors is for everyone and how you can change your way of thinking, then this one's for you! Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands

In this episode we interview Nicole Hamel who is a hiker, explorer and traveling nurse. Growing up in Massachusetts, getting outside to ski and snowboard on the White Mountains was a norm. She even hiked Mount Washington at only 6 years old. As Nicole got older, she lost interest in the outdoors - at least until college. A group of friends doing the New Hampshire 48 invited her on a hike. Uncomfortable, out of shape and slow - they didn't invite Nicole on another hike. Little did she know this would spark something within her. She soon found herself hiking regularly, building her strength and always in search of the next trail. Nicole couldn't get enough of how she felt both mentally and physically after a hike. The best part? Being a traveling nurse let her explore new cities, hike new trails and meet new people. The flexibility also allowed her to take months off at a time, which was perfect for her dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail; which she completed in 2022. If you've ever wondered how nursing and a

In this episode we interview Colin Harris of Take Me Outside. Growing up in Canada, Colin had a great appreciation for its vast landscape. He was also inspired by Terry Fox's story; the man who ran across Canada to raise awareness for cancer. This inspiration turned to a dream, and eventually a reality. But Colin wanted to raise awareness for something else - outdoor education. He founded Take Me Outside and set off across the country. Along the way, he stopped at 80 schools and engaged 20,000 students in the conversation of how to be active and connected to nature. The mission didn't stop there. Now, Take Me Outside works with organizations, school boards and individuals on initiatives that encourage thousands of youth to spend more time outside and less in front of a screen. If you've ever wondered the benefits of the outdoors and the impact it can have, then this one's for you! Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachab

In this episode we interview Sydney Williams of Hiking My Feelings. After being a recently diagnosed diabetic and quitting two jobs, Sydney hiked atop a mountain in hopes to find the answers she was looking for. Rather than stunning 360º views, the only thing to see were clouds. Still, Sydney felt a certain calm. The reason? Because instead of eating and drinking her feelings, she was hiking her feelings. A light bulb went off. Next thing she knew she sold everything to hit the road, share her story and introduce others the healing powers of nature. Over 5 years later her nonprofit is helping hundreds reconnect with themselves and reconnect with nature. If you've ever wondered how simple it is to find wellness in the wilderness, then this one's for you! Want to support their mission? For the month of January Illumine is donating 20% of all sales to Hiking My Feelings with the limited edition Wellness in the Wilderness Collection. Shop now at www.illuminecollect.com Life in M

In this episode we interview Alex Bailey of Black Outside. As a kid Alex fell in love with the outdoors every time he visited his grandparent's farm and helped in their garden. There was just something about getting his hands dirty. During summer break in college he decided to be a camp counselor and the experience transformed his lens on the power that nature has on youth. One day while chasing waterfalls (and jumping in them) Alex noticed there weren't any kids around that looked like him. He knew that needed to change, but saved that thought for another date. Later he joined Teach For America, where his memory of the waterfall was sparked. Alex needed to find a way to send kids of color to summer camps like he experienced. So what did he do? Start Black Outside, a nonprofit that reconnects Black and African/American youth with the outdoors. Now they're giving hundreds of kids the opportunity to get outside. If you've ever wondered how a simple passion can make a big impact, then th

In this episode we interview eco-explorer Mario Rigby. Born in Turks & Caicos, Mario spent his childhood in Germany, before moving to Toronto as a teen. The city changed his perspective of the outdoors, until one day he decided to walk the length of Africa. While training, he reconnected with nature, much as he did on the island with his brother. But what inspired him to take on such a feat? Mario had aspirations of becoming a track and field olympian and was competing at the highest level. That was until lack of funding and injuries put things on pause. He fell back on a 9 to 5, but as an olympian, that wasn't going to cut it. Mario missed the challenges of competition. He decided to rekindle his drive by exploring places others would only see in National Geographic - to entrench himself in their culture and stories while sharing them with the world. Mario spent 2 years trekking across Africa, an immersive experience that was more about the people than it was about the adventure. Now Mario

In this episode we interview Berkeley Bryant of Blue Sky Funders Forum. Growing up in Texas, Berkeley spent a lot of time running around outside. In middle school she stumbled upon Sea Camp, which took her love for the outdoors to the next level. With her mind set on being a marine biologist, things took a turn when Berkeley realized she didn't want to study nature - she wanted to conserve it. That led her to earn a degree in environmental education and eventually became the social media manager at North Carolina State's College of Natural Resources. While Berkeley didn't see it at the time, this was the perfect opportunity to connect with others in the field. One recommended looking at environmental education through a different lens and suggested Blue Sky Funders Forum. It was an obvious fit for her love of the outdoors and educational background. Now as the program coordinator she's helping Blue Sky Funders Forum fulfill their mission of inspiring philanthropy that supports th

In this episode we interview Caulin Donaldson aka TrashCaulin, who's on a mission to keep Florida beautiful by picking up trash everyday. So how did it all start? Growing up in Florida, Caulin fell in love with the ocean and sharing it with vacationers. But there's one thing he couldn't understand while renting out cabanas and jetskis. After commenting that Caulin had the best job ever working on the water all day, they'd proceed to leave with their trash scattered everywhere. How could someone that calls the beach the greatest place ever just leave it to ruin when vacation was over? Rather than being stuck looking at it all day, he decided to do something about it - start a conversation online. His documentation of daily trash cleanups snowballed into similar cleanups by others. Now he's inspiring millions to take action, while also working with local municipalities and tourists to keep their beaches clean. If you've ever wondered how awareness is so contagious, then this one's for you! Life in Motion is bro

In this episode we interview Lexie Gritlefeld of California Outdoor Recreation Partnership. Lexie grew up in California and through hiking, trail running and alpine skiing, naturally fell in love with the outdoors. In college she became disconnected with the outside, but that all changed when Lexie and her dad hiked Mt Whitney together. Getting back to what she loved so much as a kid was exactly what she needed. Being off the grid also gave Lexie a convenient way to disconnect from her career in politics. After spending too much money on gas to ski and snowboard at Mammoth, she decided to make the move. Not a year later Lexie took the opportunity with California Outdoor Recreation Partnership - the perfect fit for her passion for outdoor advocacy. Now as the membership director she's building a passionate community that powers a voice for the outdoor recreation industry to shape policy, support investments, and engage an inclusive community of outdoor participants in California around the benefits o