Trying something new can be intimidating....especially at the age of 49, 53 or beyond, and especially for a gal who did not grow up playing in the snow. I wanted to try cross country skiing and this is actually my GoPro footage from my 3rd outing after I had taken a lesson and when I thought I was getting a bit better at this whole thing LOL. It was an absolutely perfect late afternoon as the sun was about to set and it didn't matter if I was doing it right....it mattered that I was OUT THERE and enjoying this beautiful moment and creating fun memories. An unforgettable experience in the beautiful Crested Butte. What about YOU?!? Have you wanted to try cross country skiing? This is YOUR TIME and if you're looking for a group of fun gals over 40 to join and give it a go, check out and sign up for one of our exclusive private tours, customized trips and meetup events for women over 40! Check out all the details on my website and watch for early registration savings!

It definitely takes commitment and careful planning and it’s on the bucket list for many women. It can come with hard work and training, sometimes it includes an injury or setbacks. It can come with some tears, some smiles, and the opportunity to connect with a whole new group of women, sharing a common goal and the path to get there. I am NOT a natural born runner – and it’s totally evident when you see me on the running trail. I grew up a swimmer and most times you see me in a running group, I’m in the back, if not THE last one, but I am at least out there while I can. If you’re a woman over 40 or 50 and want to try a marathon, a half marathon, or your first 5 or 10k, I hope you’ll stay tuned today as I’m sharing my recommendations for anyone giving it a go. Why I think you should consider one of these events at ALL and when you’re ready, I’ll share stories on my experience in my marathons, including my last one at 55 in one of my favorite places.

Celebrating my 56th birthday, sharing the past year of building memories by visiting wonderful new places and taking on some new experiences and adventures. This is definitely NOT my grandmother at 56, as they were busy at the beauty salon each week and had other hobbies. I am extremely blessed to be able to keep staying active and to travel and keep trying something new. What was your favorite experience or adventure since your last birthday? Comment below. I challenge YOU to identify at least one great place to visit and at least one new experience you'll try before your next birthday.

I was 46 years old when I went on my first true hike on a trail in the Rocky Mountains and little by little, I began to learn all about hiking, took on longer and more aggressive trails, and grow my collection of great gear to support my new and healthy addiction. I have hiked up over 15 14-ers (again a topic for another podcast), completed numerous EPIC hikes and now lead hiking groups. The past few weekends I have been reveling in the change of seasons in my Colorado home town. I experienced Fall or Autum as a kiddo in Ohio and the Midwest, and again while in college in Nashville, but I spent more time in Florida, South Carolina and Texas and the changing of the leaves while pretty, were short lived and not always spectacular. I feel so fortunate that I found this new activity and literally this whole new world of trails in the mountains over the past 10 years and that I have soooo many more to explore. Each season brings unique beauty, like the Winter snow hikes with tons of fluffy white snow against bright blue skies, the gorgeous green colors and the creeks and rivers flowing fast in the Spring, & the sea of wildflowers in Summer. All are wonderful. But there is this whole other world that happens in late September and early October that changes all the greens to the most amazing mixture of yellows, oranges and reds along the mountain trails. The Fall is incredible. The air is crisp and I have to bring additional clothing layers, but I don’t mind. The weather cooling is usually a nice break from the summer heat and the changing colors makes me walk much slower along the hiking trail to take a gazillion photographs of the splendor. Although the photos are pretty, they still cannot capture what it feels like in person. What it’s like to walk along a quiet trail of dirt and rock with wild grasses all around. With lightly flowing creeks and yellow and red leaves falling quietly and gently around you, creating a feeling of sweet light confetti dropping along as you walk. It’s a way to truly connect in and with nature and it’s honestly a place I feel closest to God. It’s quiet & I’m doing something that helps my physical health, my mental health as there are no phone or emails needing my attention, and my emotional health. I can peacefully reflect and refocus on what’s important as I walk along the path. I have recommendations on how to plan for now or next year to get you out on an awesome Fall Colors Hike. I have a free downloadable hiking gear checklist, links to my favorite gear and upcoming private and customized small group hiking meetups and trips on my website. Check it all out and I'll see you on the trails!

Want to either get back to or try to learn downhill skiing Learning or coming back to downhill skiing over 40 or 50 can be totally intimidating or downright scary, especially if it’s been a long time and you haven’t been on the slopes in years. It’s very different than it was when we were 21. We KNOW and are scared of season-ending injuries with sticks flying everywhere – something we call “a garage sale." But for me, I am not yet ok with saying I’m done....that I can’t ever do this again or feel what it’s like to go whooshing down the snowy hillside. For me at age 55, I had to start with lessons and to come up with options to make it safer, easier, and way more fun, so I’m sharing here the Top 10 Tips I have to to Learn or Get Back to Sweet and Safe Skiing After 50.

EVERYTHING!!!! I'll never forget Ina - she was so inspiring. Especially as I was new to snowboarding in my 40s. Ina Gillis is a certified legend at Keystone Resort in Colorado. She was skiing in her 80s, worked until she was 92 years old and even planted flowers around Keystone well into her 80s. Keystone named a ski run, Ina's Way, and an iconic bridge in River Run Village after Ina, and it is here that I first met Ina, as she was busy welcoming up to 40,000 skiers and boarders to the mountain each week in ski season. Ina passed away in 2019 and I hope YOU get inspired by Ina and her story. If it's been awhile since you've been on the ski slopes or if you just want to get a sense of what it feels like, I hope you'll check out my video with the reasons I think it's fantastic over 40 & 50 and the key recommendations on how to ski/board more safely and with wayyyyy more fun. Thanks Ina!! I was a late bloomer to mountains and snow sports and I did not start snowboarding until my 40s. I grew up in the Midwest and then in Florida and in a water sports family, but definitely NOT in a ski family, so when I found my love for the mountains and snowy sports like snowboarding, I realized I had so much fun to catch up on. Even now as I’m aging – and I am getting older every day – I decided I was not ready to give up my time on my board, and so I plan differently now. I have to be smart and safe and do whatever I can to allow me to spend as many days ahead playing on the mountain, in the snow and on my board. I include my thoughts about what’s so great about snowboarding at this age plus recommendations to make it less intimidating if you haven’t been on your skis or board in a long time or safer, like going to less crowded locations and on non-holidays to avoid out-of-control 17 year olds flying down the mountain. I know I will have to stop snowboarding at some point, eventually, so I’m currently learning other snow sports that allow me the option to get as much of the feeling of being out there (the crisp air, the playtime in the snow, etc). So, now I’m taking lessons for additional winter and snow activities I know I can do long into hopefully my 70s and 80s! What about YOU?!?! When was the last time you got on your skis or snowboard and giggled like a little kid? Quick note that all the video footage is my own and all over the age of 50:) Big time thanks for my favorite gear – all links available on my website under FAVES – I do not have commercial relationships with these companies, so it’s not an official promo, but I LOVE my Salomon board, my Dragon goggles, my Mountain Hardware jacket and much, much more!

How Rachella Kept Climbing to New Heights After 50 Rachella Seeley didn't break a sweat until her late twenties and didn't start running marathons until her thirties, but she found herself increasingly surrounded by incredible women who inspired her to keep moving and to keep setting new goals. She and her husband and friends traveled to marathons in many wonderful places and she even qualified for Boston and ran it multiple times. She continued traveling and adventuring into her fifties and she learned of a group trying to raise money for a hospital at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and that was IT. Although it took her a few more years, she made her first trek up the world's 4th tallest mountain at the young age of 55, and absolutely loved it. She didn't plan to see Mount Kilimanjaro again, but she was inspired by another wonderful but different cause this time. She repeatedly stated that she would support others but that she was NOT going to trek up the mountain a second time. The cause and the girls won her over and she ultimately decided she had to hike and summit this incredible mountain again....only this time she would be 69, turning 70! Hear how Rachella believes putting yourself out there and staying active with a bunch of wonderful and like-minded, goal-setting women are some of the keys to creating incredible and once in a lifetime memories. She shares her stories and will encourage you to go after your dreams, as she believes these are life changing experiences not to be missed... Check out additional photos of Rachella's Girl Gang on my website at www.destinationu.net/podcast-video and comment below if you've been to Mount Kilimanjaro!!!!

I’m so thankful to all the incredible women I’ve met and all the awesome adventures we took on in 2022! From my first pole dancing class to my first overnight backpacking & camping trip to our glacier hike in Iceland to my first mountain biking race to biking up the classic Passo Stelvio in Italy to my first trail marathon in Moab and much, much more!!! I am so blessed to have connected with other ageless adventure women who are redefining what is possible at 46 or 54, and there’s so much more ahead in 2023! Hop in our Inspiring Your Next Member Community and get 20% off all our epic bucket list trips in 2023. Details & registration on the website. Come join us!!! I’m always asked about my clothing and gear, so I’m including a list of my favorites here and on my website. I only recommend gear I use regularly and if you select one of the links below, I will receive a small commission. Thank you for helping support me to bring you these recommendations and I invite you to reach out at any time – I’d love to help YOU get to your next adventure! Marmot PreCip Jacket - https://amzn.to/3JpU3pS Sorel Women’s Joan of Arctic Boot - https://amzn.to/3FBE4ow Columbia Omni Heat Women’s Vest - https://amzn.to/3L1uSdW Pearl Izumi – Elite Jacket - https://amzn.to/3srnFNU Osprey backpack Kyto36 Kyte - https://amzn.to/3y7RlSZ Tailwind Nutrition - https://amzn.to/3fClBze Salomon Bellevue Womens Snowboard - https://amzn.to/3MZgO66 Nathan QuickStart 4L Hydration Vest - https://amzn.to/3FvHRnc Goodr OG Polarized Sunglasses Iced by Yetis/White/Blue Lens - https://amzn.to/3PenoYg Ultimate Direction Women’s Adventure Vesta Signature Trail Running Vest or Hydration Pack - https://amzn.to/3M4CA8n Salomon Womens Active Skin 8 W Set - https://amzn.to/3OsghLY HOKA ONE ONE Womens Arahi 5 Textile Synthetic Trainers - https://amzn.to/3wlJgIE Salewa Women's Trekking High Rise Hiking Shoes - https://amzn.to/398INBV Merrell Moab Speed Hiking Shoe - https://amzn.to/3i4fCo2 GoPro Hero7 Black - https://amzn.to/3kVGpAX Oakley Men's Oo9313 Evzero Path Low Bridge Fit Rectangular Sunglasses - https://amzn.to/3Pbe8nX Five Ten Freerider Womens MTB Shoes - https://amzn.to/39bYoAE Black Diamond Headlamp - https://amzn.to/3SS34gy TEVA Women's Original Casual Sport Sandal - https://amzn.to/39cbz4A Black Diamond Distance Z Poles for Trekking, Trailrunning, Hiking -https://amzn.to/3w3dcdU Engel Cooler - https://amzn.to/3NxK9on Bestek 300W Power Inverter - https://amzn.to/38GDkCc Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box - https://amzn.to/3wM8WyB Coleman Triton Camping Stove - https://amzn.to/3MxUcdb Jetboil Flash Camping Stove - https://amzn.to/3wCeIUq Mountain House Camping Meals - https://amzn.to/3LEjgxY Salomon Womens Hiking Boots - https://amzn.to/3lvdILD Garmin Edge 520 - https://amzn.to/3MIdi0g TravelPro Maxlite Luggage https://amzn.to/39XBIEF

Have you ever read something in a book, seen something in a movie or heard a great story from a friend’s journey that captivated you so much that you just HAD to see it for yourself? What is that ONE THING currently on your bucket list? The ONE THING that needs to move up to your Live It NOW list?! My guest on today’s podcast is Melanie Michaelchuk, a sweet Texan who had a dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and just had to go for it! Listen in as she shares how setting the goal was challenging, how much she had to get together to get ready for such an epic adventure, and how she moved mountains to climb it not only once, but twice, and both time after 50. I hope listening in helps you really think about that one trip or experience or adventure YOU’VE been putting off and that inspires you to do it now…..don’t wait…..as each day we get a little older and we never know what tomorrow will bring. I picked up hiking in my late 40s and absolutely love it! I have a Free Hike Planning & Gear Checklist download to get you started plus my favorite hiking shoes, poles, packs, sunscreen and more, so check it all out on my website at destinationu.net or the favorites in our online store. Also consider joining one of our upcoming trips, specially designed for women over 40 and in some of my favorite places! Free download available at https://www.destinationu.net/hiking Info on our upcoming Women Over 40 Adventure trips at https://www.destinationu.net/allevents. Salewa Women's Trekking High Rise Speed hiking and trail running shoes - https://amzn.to/398INBV Salomon Women’s Hiking Boots - https://amzn.to/3lvdILD Black Diamond Storm Headlamp - https://amzn.to/3SS34gy Marmot PreCip Jacket - https://amzn.to/3JpU3pS Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles https://amzn.to/3w3dcdU