386: Chasing your hard and honoring your why through tough stuff outside (Emily Halnon, author and ultrarunner)

There’s something both comforting and amazing about the way nature takes the reigns no matter what happens. During a recent walk in the woods, I saw startling new growth on top of recent harm, and it was just the reminder I needed about nature’s power to reclaim itself and me. Maybe it’s a reminder you need, too. Listen now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [00:23] Here’s what I did outside this week [00:35] Nature just out there healing its own self [01:37] Here’s where I face the music [02:32] And here’s what I saw when I did [04:03] Oh yeah, nature heals people, too

No matter how you define “hard,” heading outside offers plenty of chances to tackle it. Many people who choose to tackle hard stuff outside are pushed to do so to honor some kind of “why.” For some of us, that “why” is health or to push our own personal boundaries. For others, the “why” is on behalf of someone else. Ultrarunner Emily Halnon’s “why” has everything to do with her mom, who died from an aggressive form of cancer in early 2020. To honor her she headed out to tackle a major challenge running on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It’s a story she’s now shared in her new book “To The Gorge.” Through her journey, she learned the power of moving through hard stuff. In this episode you’ll hear Emily share the things she’s learned through that journey and how you can make yourself do hard things outside, too.   Connect with this episode: Read Emily Halnon’s new book, To The Gorge (affiliate link) Visit Emily’s website Follow Emily on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [4:06] Emily Halnon’s favorite outdoor space [5:36] How Emily became someone who likes to go outside [7:05] How Emily’s mom inspired her running career [10:29] All about Andrea Halnon’s adventurous life [15:27] The grief and grit in running across Oregon [22:37] How to get mentally tough to prepare for a mega run [30:01] Why hard stuff outside helps us prepare for life's challenges. [33:04] The internal dialogue of pushing through the tough stuff [35:07] Why it’s not a bad thing to feel a little scared [36:39] Emily’s favorite outdoor moment

There’s something special about the way spring sounds in Alaska. Maybe it’s how dramatic the experience is as compared to the sounds of winter. Maybe it’s that they’re happy sounds that I can hear through my windows. Maybe it’s that the weather is so much nicer than it had been, that I’m outside more to hear sounds at all. Whatever the reason, I love the outdoor symphony. Here’s what I’ve been noticing. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [00:35] I’m feeling really grateful for my ears [00:52] Here’s the source of my leaning into my senses challenge [01:46] The sounds of spring are basically the best [02:02] Here’s a few examples [02:26] Birds, birds, birds. [03:31] Not birds but still souds [04:04] OK, winter has sounds, too

I do it to myself and over and over again. That feeling of overwhelm sneaks right in, and it’s entirely because of my own poor choices. (You would think I’d learn my lesson, but I have not.) So when the going gets crowed, what do I do? I think you’re probably going to guess. But the wild thing is just how much adding more of it to my schedule helps. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [00:23] Yeah, OK I do this to myself [01:17] We know the signs -- truly [01:32] Maybe I could do this before [02:25] This is the part where we come up with a solution [02:43] When, in fact, the real solution is this one that doesn’t make any sense. [03:33] The reason it helps? Priorities.

Florence Williams has learned a thing or two about making the most of what you have right outside your door and the tools you already possess to do so. Since Florence, author of “The Nature Fix,” literally wrote the book on how going outside creates positive impacts on our mental health and wellbeing, that’s really saying something. I learned about Florence before we even started going outside every day. It was her book, published shortly before we knew we were looking for it, that gave us the 20 minute daily goal. We are so honored that she gave some of her time to share her latest lessons in exactly how you can harness the power of nature for your health, happiness and mental well-being. Some of the good stuff: [2:05] Florence William’s favorite outdoor space [3:14] Why she started writing about outdoor benefits [5:16] Why going outside makes us feel good [8:01] Why going outside is good for your brain [10:26] Why going outside helps trauma [16:36] Why finding what speaks to you is important [19:05] Why tuning in matters [21:24] The difference between “seeking” and “available” [23:48] Why many doctors love drugs and ignore nature [25:49] How to find awe in what’s right outside your door [35:30] Florence’s favorite and most essential gear [36:47] Florence’s favorite outdoor moment Connect with this episode: Read (or listen to) The Nature Fix, by Florence Williams Listen to The 3-Day Effect on Audible Read Florence William’s website Follow Florence Williams on Instagram Like Florence William’s Facebook author page Follow Florence Williams on Twitter

I used to hear friends talk about the crazy wonderful things they were spotting outside and wonder how it was I was missing out. Why didn’t I see that stuff? Were they trying harder? Going places I didn’t want to go? Getting up in tbe middle of the night to do it? And then one day I stumbled upon their secret by accident. And now that I’ve figured out the trick to seeing wonders outside, I just can’t stop. It’s not that hard It doesn’t take any extra work It does take intention Listen now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [00:35] Yes, I’m an early riser [01:32] This morning experience changed my perspective [02:12] All I had to do was take this step [02:31] Yes, I missed stuff [03:03] But now I see this stuff, too

When was the last time you thought about the way learning to notice and navigate changing seasons affects how you view your indoor life? One of the best things about spending a lot of time outdoors is how it prompts you to pause and see how the world is shifting day by day. Are you ready for it? Are you taking it as it comes? No matter how you approach the shift in seasons, one thing is certain: getting used to changes outdoors can teach you a thing or two about changes indoors.  Getting okay with growth  Noticing when it's coming  Embracing what it brings Listen to this episode of Humans Outside now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [00:35] Here’s a highly philosophical observation about the sun [01:28] We’ve got some signs of spring up in here [02:31] Let’s get aware of seasons [03:11] No solar eclipse here, but we do have seasons changing [03:29] There’s sun and I’m not mad about it [04:00] Just over here learning from nature for my inside life, once again

Ready for solo adventure? Feeling safe? Getting out there by yourself can feel like a real safety risk. I absolutely love going out alone, but I know it comes with pros and cons.  But it doesn't mean I don't go. It just means I go empowered. Nicole Snell, a safety expert and owner of Girls Fight Back who specializes in self-defense in the outdoors, has a different idea. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks to empower you to get into nature solo while also staying safe.  Hear Nicole talk about staying stafe outside in this "best of" episode. Connect with this episode: Visit Nicole Snell’s website Visit Nicole’s Girls Fight Back website Watch Nicole’s Outdoor Defense YouTube series (it’s really good!) Book a one-on-one session with Nicole Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn Follow Nicole and Girls Fight Back on Facebook Follow Nicole on Instagram Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Some of the good stuff: [4:06] Nicole Snell’s favorite outdoor space [4:52] How Nicole became someone who likes to go outside [7:16] How she got into self-defense [14:05] Why people (often women) feel unsafe alone outside [20:12] What self-defense tools should people use? [26:54] What we mean when we say “use your words.” [28:55] Why she didn't say “I’m sorry”  [31:57] The role of intuition [37:41] How to make the outdoors more safe for everyone [41:10] Top three tips for self-defense in nature [44:41] Nicole’s favorite outdoor memory   

  When did you last hug a tree? I mean literally, actually hug a tree? Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but hang with me, because this silly thing has been recharging and reshaping how I feel about heading outside. Listen now!      Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Listen to Alastair Humphrey’s episode on Humans Outside Listen to my episode about my scary Grand Canyon trip   Some of the good stuff: [00:35] Tree Hugging as Gratitude [01:20] Grounding Experience of Tree Hugging [01:41] Winter Contrast and Appreciation in Seattle [02:49] Monthly Sit Spot Reflection  [03:08] Observations and Gratitude for Trees [04:36] Emotional and Sensory Connection with Nature  

The changing of seasons is the perfect time to look around for signs of changing life outside. But what if instead of just seeing the signs, you looked at them as encouragement for your day? What if you saw them as symbols of hope that you can take with you or find whenever you need a little push through your day? What would you choose? How would it help you? Learn about my chosen symbol in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Signs of spring and easter [1:19] Here’s where I see new life in nature [1:58] Excuse me winter, please leave permanently [2:21] Here’s some personal symbols I see [2:48] Why I look to the birds [4:12] And why you should find your own symbols