Join host Allison Boyle as she dives into an inspiring conversation with Marie Pier Tremblay about the transformative power of adventure and personal reinvention through the lens of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

Key Points Discussed:

• What inspired Marie to say YES to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
• The courage to advocate for your big dreams
• Discussions on exploring options like sabbaticals and remote work before quitting your job for a thru-hike
• Navigating relationships when taking 6 months off to do a thru-hike like the PCT
• Her remarkable personal growth, connections, and the joy of forming a 'trail family' during the PCT adventure
• Post-PCT reflections leading to career shifts
• Marie’s personal reinvention journey, encompassing explorations in relationships and embracing her true self
• The significance of self-talk, self-trust, and the art of knowing when to persist or change direction
• And SO much more

Tune in to hear how Marie’s adventurous leap of faith led to profound life changes and a newfound purpose in guiding others.

Where to learn more about Marie:

• Marie's Instagram
• Marie's Website
• Marie's Podcast (Self Growth Nerds)

Where to learn more about Allison:

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

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You're listening to the Adventurous Reinvention podcast. I'm

Alison Boyle AKA She Dreams of Alpine and this is the

show that's dedicated to all the adventurous spirits out there who have either

been transformed by the outdoors or interested in what it

looks like to step into a new adventurous and courageous kind

of identity in their life. It doesn't matter what your background is in the

outdoors, what age you're starting at, or where you grew up. If

you're curious about the outdoors and using adventure as a way to

reinvent yourself, you're in the right place. I'll be

sharing all kinds of personal adventure stories, lessons I've

learned from the mountains, teaching what I know about the outdoors and leadership,

and interviewing some amazing adventurous women all along the

way. I've been coaching women on becoming safe, confident, and

self sufficient backpackers and leaders of their own adventurous lives

since 2018. And I know exactly what

big fears and self doubts can pop up along the way. I have

so much to share with you, so let's dive in.

All right. Welcome to episode 7 of our adventurous reinvention

podcast. I am so stoked to have one of

my dearest close friends here with me. Her name is Marie Pierre.

What's funny about Marie is that what's funny

about Marie? What's funny about Marie is that we met on Instagram.

So we were Instagram friends before we became in

real life friends. So when we first met,

it was because I had seen Marie doing some really cool things with through hiking

because she had hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, which we're gonna talk all about

in today's podcast episode. And we just started having some back and

forth kinda, like, slow banter. And then eventually, we kinda became

friends because we were both business owners. And then one day,

I think I messaged her. We had done some things, talked a lot, maybe done

some coaching together. I can't remember. It's been a while now. I think we've been

friends for a few years, maybe even longer. 4 years. I don't know.

We More than 4. More than 4. Okay. Yeah. I was like,

actually, it's been quite a long time now. We we did some things together, and

then I was like, hey. There's this coaching event going on in Arizona.

Do you wanna go? And we risked it all. We'd never met in real life.

Like, we could've we booked a room together for a 3 day event, and

we could have really not enjoyed each other's company in, like,

person. You know what I mean? That was a big risk. But it worked

out. We decided to do some business

things together. We did, like, a course together 1 year. I think it was in

2022 ish. Yeah. 2022,

I believe. Yes. Or 2023. It was like 2022 going into

2023. Can I just say can I just tell

your listeners that Oh, yeah? You ended up we we spent those 4

days together, and you ended up being, like, even more

funny and even smarter than I thought. So I definitely liked you more

afterwards too. I was like, wow. This gamble really worked out. I actually use

this example with a lot of my clients. This is a sidebar. I'm like in

the middle of introducing Marie and we're already on sidebars. I didn't even say

hi. Hi everyone. She hasn't said hi yet. Don't have to forget your

podcast. I know. I'm, like, too excited that I'm talking too

much. But I use this example of my friends oh, my my friends

my clients a lot and my friends. Let's be honest. Like, I'm

friendly with a lot of my clients. So

they'll sometimes say it's hard to make new friends. And I'm like, you're right. Like,

sometimes as a adult, it can be hard to make friends and you have to,

like, take risks. And I took a risk with Marie

fully knowing that a possible outcome could have

been we are just really awkward in person together. Like, it

could have just like, maybe we just jibed really well

DM ing each other and, like, on calls, and maybe we just

didn't jive in person. And I was like, and it was worth the risk.

Like, because we became such, I feel like, much closer

after doing that in person thing together. So Yeah. After spending, like,

hours in bed chatting into the live chat. Yeah.

So, like, sometimes, yeah, you're risking rejection. You're

risking awkwardness, and it's worth it, like, I think, in my

opinion. But yeah. Okay. We've

we've continued our friendship. She lives in Montreal, so it's a little hard

to meet up in real life, but we do try to do it, like, once

a year. But I'm so excited to have her

on our podcast. Finally, a lot of y'all have heard me, you

know, talk about her on Instagram if you follow me there. But

we're gonna talk a little bit more about Marie's journey. She was an illustrator, then

she became a life coach. We wanna talk about her PCT

hike. I really wanted to have her on to talk about kind of her different

sort of adventurous, her own personal adventurous reinventions,

and what inspired her and all the things. So I would love Marie

to take the stage for a few minutes. Maybe introduce yourself a little better

than I have if I haven't taken the stage too much from you

already. Hello, everyone. Sure. Thank you,

Allison. I am a, a self

growth nerd. I've always been, and I pursued that

passion and became a coach. I work with

quirky, sensitive, ambitious,

weird souls who who

want to go all in, who wanna go after what really

lights them up, but are kinda stuck in a

shell. Maybe, like, if you're like me, you were kinda

bullied in school, and you might have,

I don't know, internalized some of the messaging,

and you're not going fully towards what you want. You don't you

you have a lot of self doubt. These are the people that I work

with so that they can own their weirdness,

and believe in their dreams and take action.

Yeah. And Marie does such a good job of it. If you've ever just, like,

followed what she posts on Instagram, and she's had a long time podcast, we'll talk

a little bit more about some of those things, I'm sure. But

you're so good at that. I think that's what drew me to you in the

1st place. But let's kind of let's rewind back to that

beginning place, like, where we kind of intersected,

because I was getting I was starting my business in

the outdoor outdoor industry. I was coaching people on backpacking,

and I ran across your stuff, which was after you had

finished the Pacific Crest Trail. And

just for those who are new around here or maybe haven't heard

of the Pacific Crest Trail and you're not familiar with it, this

is kind of a really world famous thru hike,

and it's 2,653 miles long.

It typically most people start in Mexico. They usually go

south to north, but you can go north to south. So it starts in Mexico,

ends in Canada at the border, or you can start in Canada

and go south. But, typically, I think people do it south to north. Did

you do it south to north? Yes. South to north, and there's a

section where I flipped. But, yeah, it starts at the border of Mexico

in California. Yes. Yeah. So it's a really

long through hike. A lot of people take I mean, I don't know how long

you you'll you can tell me. 6 months. Most people take around 6 months.

You can do it a little faster, but it's pretty aggressive to do

it faster. It's a huge undertaking, and a lot of

people, like a lot of my clients, this is a big goal of theirs, or

maybe doing sections of it is a goal for of theirs. It takes a lot

of planning for permits, like route. You have to, like, also, I

think, learn to surrender a lot on the Pacific Crest Trail

because you have your plans, and then there's the reality of it. There's a lot

of prep work. There's a lot of, you know, anticipation,

highs and lows. It's it's a really epic trail.

So Marie did this in 2019. Maybe you can,

like, take us back a little bit. What inspired you to want

to hike the trail? Were you outdoorsy before?

Give us some give us some details about that. Mhmm.

So it all started when I found the book through

hiking will break your heart by Cara Quinn. I think I saw

it on the Internet and I loved the, illustration on the cover. It's like

a a woman on top of a cliff. It's beautiful with a sky full of

stars. And I thought that word was weird through hiking. I had

no idea what it was, but I was going on a trip to South

Africa with a friend of mine and I needed some reading. So I got that

book and then I was reading it's a it's like a trail

journal. I was reading it and I was like wow.

This sounds like the most amazing adventure.

I was always a summer camp kid. So I love nature. I grew

up going to summer camp, and I I worked as a counselor

there. And I anyone who's been a camp counselor, you

know that you you you get nostalgic as an adult. You get

nostalgic for those times, for spending your summers outside, and through

hiking seemed like the Ultimate summer

camp. Yeah. Exactly. Like, my only chance as an

adult to live the summer camp experience again.

Mhmm. However, I've never been an athlete.

I I was all always like a artsy klutz.

Never never really good in, what do you call it? Physical

education class? How'd you call it in the study? Yeah. Like PE.

Yeah. Physical education. I was never really good in PE. I always got, like, the

the ball in the face, stuff like that. So I I kind of

set it aside after reading about thru hiking. I was like, yeah. Sounds

amazing, but it's not for someone like me. Like Wait. For context, like, when

when did you read that? It was 2017.

Okay. So, like, a couple years before. Yep. Yep. Okay. Yeah.

And I just set it aside. I was like, it's mad. It's not for someone

like me. I I I would just quit after a week.

And then it kept bothering me and bothering me and bothering me

like a whisper, like a incessant whisper. Yeah.

Sometimes I compare it to Harry Potter receiving, like, letter like,

Hogwarts sending letters to Harry Potter. Right. You just

can't ignore it. It felt like bigger than myself. And I

almost I didn't decide to do it. It's almost like I surrendered

because I was tired of the obsession. I was like, I cannot spend so

the 1st summer after I discovered, thru

hiking, I was, like, obsessed with thru

hikers and following them on Instagram. And then when the the second

summer was about to come, I was like, I cannot do that for another summer.

Cannot be so obsessed for for another summer. So I have to do

it. I love that. But you kind of you've read Big Magic before.

Right? Yes. Last year. That's one of my favorite books.

But I it reminds me of, like, that part of the book where she

talks about how, like, I ideas are, like, alive,

and they come to you to be collaborators. And I think, like,

she talks about in the book how sometimes ideas, like, they'll see if you wanna

collaborate with them. And then if you're not interested, they kinda, like, go find the

next available collaborator. But I do feel like there are some ideas that they're like,

no. You are the vessel. Like, I No. True.

Birth through you. Like, it's important. Like,

there was no ignoring it. I would have been so miserable

not to go. People told me, like, oh, you can wait. No. I

can't wait. Like, for my mental health, I can't I can't

wait. It's and, you know, one thing I wanna

add is it didn't make sense. I was like, it's mad. But

sometimes, like, it it's only going to make sense

a few years down the line. Now I know why I had to do it.

It completely changed my life, but back then, it didn't make any

sense. And I could've, you know, I I couldn't have tried to make it

make sense. You know, actually, our stories are pretty similar in

that way. Like, I didn't do the PCT or something

like that, but I had entered into this year where I was just saying yes

to things. And I got invited on that backpacking trip, and it

felt, like, kind of wild for me because I had never done anything quite

like that. And, like, saying yes to that was just, like, something I

felt compelled that I had to do. And I wouldn't have known then,

like, the impact of saying, well, yes to that thing. But, like, looking back

now, exactly kind of like you. Like, it transformed

basically my whole life. Yeah. That made me

think. Okay. So that's 2017 kind of 28 it

must have been 2018 that you were like, fine. I'm gonna do it. Like, stop

bugging me idea and, like, we're gonna do it.

Had you done any backpacking before

the PCT? I've done the longest

I've done was a 4 day backpacking trip. Okay. So did you

have some of the gear already or, like, where were you at when you were

kinda, like, getting prepared for these things? Like, what would

how did you feel, like, as a backpacker?

I felt like a beginner. Well, I was not a beginner

at being in the woods. I was used to being in the woods,

but, I had to buy all the gear because the gear I had was super

heavy. Yeah. Cool.

Okay. So your you had your yes moment.

I'm assuming you applied for permits. You The yes moment,

actually, there's a story around that. Okay. Let's hear it.

It was, like, 4 days before the permits. The

the the the date where the permits are Open.

Open. Yeah. I was lying in bed, and I had posted

an illustration on Instagram. It was like a to do or not to do

the PCT with my, like, list of pros and cons. And

I had, like, a massive tsunami of messages from people

that had done it, and they were explaining to me why I could actually do

it. Mhmm. And it was

mind blowing because it it made me realize, oh, these people are just

like me. They're just ordinary people, and if they can do

it, maybe I can too. And one of the person that contributed most

was the whimsical woman, on YouTube. She's just

like a artsy woman who documented

her whole hike of the PCT, and she, like, falls

flat on her face. And she's funny, and she's, like, a little bit weird. And

I was like, oh, we're kind of similar. So maybe if she can do it,

I can too. Yeah. And then I was reading all those messages and

then I went to bed. I was lying in bed and I was like, fuck

it. Let let let's give it a try. I love

it. Yeah. I think that's, like, one of the things that calls the

PCT to so many people. Like, you're like,

I'm an everyday person. I wanna do this thing. Like, other

everyday people do it too, but it it, like, feels like such

a it feels like such an adventure that you're, like, embarking on.

Like, there's something really you just know

anytime I think about the PCT, which I've considered doing it before too,

it's just, like, hard to convince myself to take 6 months off of

working on my business.

I always think, like, it feels like you know you won't be the

same by the end of it. Like, something will shift inside

of you, and you don't know what that is, and I think that's what's

exciting about it. You're like, I don't know what it is that I'm gonna

discover about myself or in the process or what

I'm gonna let go of or what I'm gonna, like, lean

into or, you know, whatever it is. But I think

that's what's really kind of magical about the

PCT. I'm sure you, like, met a lot of people too with, like, all different

stories and, like, reasons why.

Okay. So you had

your yes moment. When you got the per you

applied for permits, you got the permits. Was that, like, your

oh, shit moment? Like, what was it like to start preparing for that? I know

logistically for a lot of people, it's like, there's the dream of it, and then

there's the, like, reality of, like, getting ready for it. Can you walk us through

some of them? I was so excited. When I

got the permit, I was all in. I was all in. There was no doubt.

I had 4 months to prepare. And,

what what was super helpful is I created a giant

calendar. I just took some, like, paper out, and I

put a giant calendar on my wall with different,

categories next to it with, like, food,

with, like, career logistics, gear,

and they were kind of giant to do lists, and I had post its,

and I had, like, this this big wall dedicated to my

project. And I was taking

it one bite at a time. Yeah. And Nice.

And one thing that I I remember

helped is I I signed up I I've never been

someone who works out really, but I was like, well, it's gotta start now. I

gotta Yeah. So I signed up to a spinning

class. And to me, it needs to be on the calendar,

and there needs to be some incentive. And with spinning, the

incentive was it's expensive, and I paid for it. So if I don't show

up to class, then I lose money. So it was on my calendar.

I was paying the money, so I would I would show up,

at, like things like showing up at 7 in in the morning. I'm not

a morning person. I had I changed, like, committing to

something that truly lights me up made me change even

before I set foot on the trail. I would, like, get up super

early. I would walk everywhere, go to go to spin

classes, and yeah. Because I knew it was

going to be hard. I was very realistic that

it was going to be hard, and I knew I had to put so much

effort in in order to, accomplish

this dream of mine. And I think that's what's, like, so valuable in

setting really like, setting goals that really excite you is that it does

kinda like you kind of start rising to the occasion and becoming that person

ahead of time that can step on the trail. Like it, it

motivates you in a way because of like, you know, as life coaches, we're like,

it's because of the thoughts we're thinking, we're like very excited, are very excited

thoughts that we're thinking about this goal. But that's kinda what

a great thing about an exciting goal is, is it gives

us that, like, excitement momentum, for a dream. Yes.

I'm really curious because I know you've told me about this before, and I'm I'm

sure, like, other people are thinking about this too. But you were in a long

term relationship at the time when you were about to

embark on the PCT. Can you walk us through

what that conversation what because your partner didn't go with you.

Walk us through what that was like. Yes. Okay. So

that was one of the big reasons why I was hesitant

to go Yeah. Is my my partner didn't wanna come. He

was studying at the time, so he needed to spend his summers working.

And I was like, well, I can't leave for 6 months because

he's gonna break up with me. And then at some point, I had

a perspective shift. I don't know when exactly, but I know that back in

those days, I was listening to the podcast on Fuck Your Brain by Cara

Lowentile, and it helped me it helped me think about

things differently. And that there was one moment where I was like, you

know what? He would actually be freaking lucky

to be with someone so badass. If I go and do this thing and

come back after 6 months, I'm like, I'm

gonna be next level. And it would be his loss

if he decides to go, not mine. And it's

so true. It's like you wanna and also you, like, wanna be with somebody that

is, like who sees that as an

inspiring thing that you're going after your dreams versus somebody,

like, I don't know, wanting to keep you small. I

mean, there's all kinds of reasons, like, partners may choose different things. You didn't have

kids at the time. And, like, that conversation is different for people with kids and

families that you have to make those decisions on your own. But yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

It's different. But then afterwards, like, when I made my

decision and told him time passed, and

eventually, he was like, you know what? I could come and spend 2 months with

you. And we had a conversation about how I could, you know, be

help him financially to do the trip.

And so he decided to come for 2 months. So he was with me

for a third of the of the trail. I guess I forgot about that part.

Yeah. What part what section did he do with you? The middle

part. So he did the, like, the Sierras,

Northern California, and Oregon. He missed the desert,

and he missed Washington. Yeah. But one thing I always

tell, like, friends and clients is you have to make the decision first

because many people will be like, oh, I'll go when my partner

says he's ready to go, or I'll go when

but, no, you decide, and then your conviction might get

get them to come. Right. Yes. But it's your dream. So you

decide to go after your dream. And then when other people see how

convinced you are, they might be convinced as well. But

don't, like, rely on them to be sold before

you are. You know? You have to sell yourself on your own dream. You have

to, like, be all in on your own dream. And then I think, like, this

doesn't always happen, but I feel like when you show up with

the conviction, like so often I feel like we're looking for validation

from people like, oh, believe in my dream, believe in me so that I

can believe in me, when really the work is believe in me

first, and then other people are gonna be, like, drawn into that and

really, like, see your conviction. Yeah. Exactly.

Exactly. So when you first kinda, like, presented it to him,

was what was his initial reaction? Well, he was like, oh, that's a

lot. That's a long time. Yeah. And I I

remember where we were exactly, and I was like, oh, no. You're like,

ah, everything I feared is coming true. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. But people change their minds. Yeah. He was I feel like happy that

I was like, you you have a choice. You can either spend, like, your

summer pile piling some money, or you can spend a summer,

like, living an experience that you're going to talk about for the rest of your

life. I love that. And he was really glad that

he chose to come. Yeah. That's that's amazing. I think,

like, I really love do Michael and I do a lot of

things, you know, separate and do our own adventures. And, you know, it

we are are always navigating that conversation, like, I'm

gonna be taking this amount of time off or, like, you're gonna go on this

thing without me or something. But I I do feel like

that initial conversation sometimes is especially if it's a longer

thing, like, I just start seeding ideas, like, for what I

usually do is, like, if I know I wanna do something, like, in the future,

I'm just starting to seed ideas into Michael's conscience. I'm like,

I think one day I might really wanna do this thing, and I'll, like, slowly

keep I'll put, like, subtle reminders out of it. So then when I have the

conversation, I feel like he's already kind of been, like,

accepting it into his conscience. He's got time to, like,

prepare mentally. That was just a sidebar because I'm getting ready

to do, I'm getting ready to do a mini thru

hike. It's not as long as the PCT, but the

oh my gosh. Oh, West Highland Way. I was like, I lost my

words. Oh, cool. In Scotland with Yeah. My friend,

Ashima and Cara. We're gonna, like, do it as a girls trip.

And it's also something that he would be interested in. I

know because he's, like, very adventurous and outdoorsy too, but I really just want to

do a girls thing. So I've been, like, slowly talking about it, and then the

other day I set out a book of the West Highland Way on my chair,

and he saw it and he was, like, what's this?

I was, like, oh, yeah.

I might be doing that next year with with Kara and Asha.

Anyways, this is just my method, not advice.

Your subtle approach. Backdoor approach. My subtle approach. But I

love that. Okay. Your another

question that I know people are probably thinking about is where were you,

like, with your career? How did you make that

choice financially? Like, walk us through some of that.

Yeah. I was a freelance designer, art

director, illustrator, and, I was earning

good money and didn't spend much.

My only expenses are like books, You know? And basic,

like, basic life expenses. So I was saving a ton. I

managed to save, plenty of money the year

before, so I felt like I had a good cushion.

Nice. Yeah. So, like yeah. And as freelance, you probably just had you just naturally

kinda had a little bit more flexibility with your time. Because I was a freelancer,

I could tell my clients, like, I'm leaving, in

April, so I have to be finished before April and

not take any new clients that needed work done after

I was gonna be gone. Now as a coach, what would you say

to somebody who's like, but, Marie, I don't have a freelance

gig like you. Like, I what are like,

does that mean, like, I can't do it? Like, what are my options? What how

would you kind of tell them to approach this? Well, it's a case by case

basis. Right? When you're on the trail, you meet tons of people with different

careers, and they all find a way. You can

it might take you longer to prepare, but it

it's when you decide to be in solution mode, like,

instead of asking yourself, is it possible? Yes or no? Which is

a closed question. Right. Ask yourself, how can

I make this possible? And then you might not have the answer right

away. Your your brain might go to, I don't know. Right.

Well, just be curious and just stay open

to figuring things out. You might realize that there are

solutes there are there there there are solutions that you haven't even considered.

And It's like asking it's like asking yourself that question, like, but what

if I did know? Like, which is annoying to be asked sometimes

when your coach is like, but what if you did know? But it's a

really good question to sit down with because that's when you come up with, like,

ideas. Yeah. Hang out with the question. It's something that you

have the answer right away. It's not like an exam.

Right. And I also think that there's not, like, a right or wrong answer sometimes.

Like, sometimes we have to just be open to, like, lots of possible answers.

Yeah. And not judge yourself and not, like, shut yourself shut

down your ideas. You brainstorm like in a brainstorm, you don't wanna shut

down anyone's ideas. Same with, like, when it comes to a brainstorm with

yourself. If you have a crazy idea that maybe I could do this, then, oh,

okay. Entertain it. Allow yourself to entertain it instead of being like,

that's unrealistic. Right. Yeah. And

and, like, sitting with it, mulling with it, like, allowing the time you need.

Because I feel like sometimes that's how it works. It's like you're thinking through all

the deal ideas, and you're like, oh, I don't think I could do that. I

don't think that would work, but you're just, like, writing them all down. And when

you're putting your brain to task to, like, looking for solutions,

it's like in the shower, you're thinking about it. On your hike, you're thinking about

it. And this you're listening to a podcast. You're thinking, oh, how does this apply

to me in this fake problem I'm trying to solve? And then, like,

one day, like like, I love those light bulb moments, but I

feel like this happens. When you put yourself to thinking questions that, like,

expand you, you're gonna, like, have that moment. Like, this is

how I could do it. Yeah. That's that's happened to me so many times. But

you have to be open. Yeah. And not have a relationship with yourself where you're

like, you're so stupid. No. Because if you shut yourself down,

your intuition learns that it's not safe to speak up.

Right. And one one more thing I wanna say about this

is, lots of people make assumptions. Like, assume that their boss

would say, no. Are you crazy? But I have so

many messages from people because I've I've encouraged people to

try to have a conversation with your employer. Yeah. And I've had so many

messages from people saying like, oh my god. I asked my boss for 3 months

off to go on a on a hike, and they said yes.

I never thought they would say yes. But, you know, it's it's

like, it's a cocreation. Right. Your boss

wants the like, a good boss

wants to cooperate, right, with their Right. And if you're showing

up giving value in your workplace and you're not, like, somebody they want to lose,

like, they're more likely to work with you. I I

feel like the I made the assumption when I when I was starting my

business and I was ready to leave my job, I had been saving up,

and I was about to go full time with She Dreams of Alpine. I had

assumed the reason why I saved up so much and I was, like, gonna burn

the boats is because I had made this assumption that my

boss or, like, my work, I was an engineer. I was, like, they'll never give

me a year off to take travel. So I'm just gonna have to leave

and then figure it out from there. So I went in with that assumption, but

it was funny when I gave my 2 weeks. So like I had been holding

in the secret that I was going to leave for a year, and I gave

my 2 weeks. And then all of a sudden there were all these opportunities

on the table that they had never talked about before. They were, like, well, what

if you took a 6 month sabbatical? And I was, like, well, I didn't even

know that was possible, but I was, like, no. I just wanna take a year.

Like, I wanna do a full year of travel. And they were, like, well, what

if you took a year and you come back? Or what if you explore

this remote thing that we have if you went into our ID IT department? I

was, like, oh my gosh. I think for me, it was important to,

like, my journey was to, like, actually fully leave,

but it goes to your point. Like, so often we

assume, and I never even realized

that, like, I could have probably taken a year off and gone back to my

engineering. And it it goes back to what we were saying earlier

about how you have to sell yourself first. Like, they would have never

offered, like, a 6 month sabbatical out of nowhere. Like,

you're you're don't wait for your employer to offer

offer these things. Like Yes. But when you have your own back,

and you show up reasons why you wanna do it, you're like, look. I'm like

you show up with that attitude that, like, you know, I am valuable. Like,

you wanna keep me. Like, I'm gonna do great work. When I get back, I'm

a feel even more refreshed. I'm gonna feel even more creative.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think, like, yeah, a lot of people would have the

opportunity that they don't think might have that opportunity.

And one more thing is, the worst case

scenario. I think many people focus on the worst case scenario. If I leave,

my partner is gonna break up with me. I'm gonna lose my job,

And never consider the best case scenario or the most likely

scenario that Right. Actually, maybe they won't or maybe

if your partner does leave, it's it's actually good because you're gonna meet

someone that's more aligned with you. And maybe it's gonna, like,

boost your career because, you know, it's something to put on your

resume through hiking. It's something big to put on your

resume, so you don't know how it might influence You don't know who you'll

meet. You don't know what paths you'll cross. Like, I love to think about that.

I'm like, I'm doing so many things now. I may not know where I'm headed,

but, like, you know, even when I think about, like, meeting you and, like, the

weird way we met and we were just friends, like, on Instagram for a couple

years, but then we became like, I don't know. I consider you, like, a very

dear friend now. And I'm like, wow. You just never know

what people you're gonna meet, what paths you're gonna cross. That

makes things that makes kinda taking risks sort of

exciting for me. Like, I'm like, oh, you never know. Yeah.

Same. Same. Yeah. I love that. We don't wanna discredit,

like, real, like, limitations. Right. You can

prepare. Right? You can for every obstacle, there's a

strategy. Yeah. Yeah. And I think that's such a good thing to

your point. Like, a lot of thing a lot of the coaching that I do

in our backpacking program is, you know, people will come in and they'll have

their worst case scenario kind of laid out for let's for example,

like, their first backpacking trip. They're like, I feel a lot of resistance

and fear going into this thing, and hear all the reasons why I'm, like,

terrified of it. I'm like, okay. We've entertained the worst case scenario.

Great. Like, these are important things. Like, we can talk through those fears,

how we're gonna prepare for them. Right? I think it's equally important to,

like, spend time. I I think, like, you actually introduced

an interesting concept. I always talk about them, like, what's your best case

scenario? You've already entertained the worst case scenario. But what what, like, if it went

perfectly well, what would that look like? And we'll, like, sit in dreamland for a

while. But then also what's the what's, like, the

neutral case scenario? Like, I think The most likely scenario.

Like No. Like, I did that too when I quit my job.

I'm, like, my worst case scenario was, like, I'm homeless, and, like, my

brain kept going there. You know, like, I just felt like I would run out

of money and have nowhere to live and, like, would have no way to feed

myself. And I'm like, is that my realistic

worst case scenario? It's just like what my brain was offering me. My

realistic brain. Right. My realistic worst case

scenario was, like, I probably went to live with my dad or

something for a while and then got an engineering job

again. Mhmm. Mhmm. Yeah. So and then best case scenario was

that the business kept going. And Which you are in your best case scenario? I

am in that wrong best case scenario. Yeah.

So I think it's important to, like, play with all of them

because we don't know how things are gonna turn out. Mhmm. But,

like, only focusing, yeah, on the worst is just gonna,

like, keep us frozen and kinda like like flight mode,

I think. Okay. So

we've talked a lot about pretrail stuff. You wanna

like, what was the experience like of being on the Pacific

Crest Trail? If you could sum it up and like

Yeah. I talk a lot about it

on my podcast. For those who wanna go Tell us one

of your most memorable moments or, like,

something really special from your experience in the PCT.

Yeah. Well, I

would say the first two months

meeting my trail family was so amazing.

1st, because I was feeling

so thrilled to be living my dream. Like, every day, I was

like, I can't believe I'm here. I could die right I'm so

content I could die right now. And then meeting the

kindest, funniest people. It was a small group of us

together every day. We wouldn't walk together. I would walk on my own, but we

would have lunch together, and we would meet up at camp, and we would

spend time in the in the towns together. That Did you just,

like, meet these people day 1, or did you kinda just, like, kind of in

the folds of your hiking sort of meet them? In

the 1st 10 days. Nice. Yeah. 1st 10

days. And we got really, really, really close, and they

were so kind. And so my top,

like, top moments are these first two months with the Trail family.

And the last month, there was one person left in the

Trail family, Anna and I. And

we we are really close, like, the the the 2 of us. We were always

together. At night, we would lie down in our tents, and we would chat

about the day, like, each in our own tent. And Yeah. Yeah.

I I think it's the closeness and the connection. And I'm I think that's

like, the landscape and the the amazing landscape

and being moved. Like, the whole last month, I was

I would cry every day. I feel like I had been cracked

my heart had been cracked open at how capable I

was. So that these the this is my top

3. Yeah. I love that. Like, I think that's

so interesting. You know, a lot of people can be nervous about going

to do something like a huge thru hike, like, 2,000 miles alone

in particular because it is kind of hard to find people to be like,

hey. You wanna take 6 months off and, like, thru hike a trail

with, especially people that you already know.

So what I think is so interesting is I feel so many people that do

the PCT. Like, a big part of it is the people they meet,

like, along the way. And I think that's what would

excite me the most about doing it is just, like, the

relationships you naturally form through, like,

adventure, challenges, hardships, like highs, lows,

sunsets, like, all those things. Yes. Yeah.

100%. That's that's really amazing.

What do you think was, like, your hardest maybe hardest day

on the trail? Like, take us to that moment.

I don't know if I have a

hardest day. Mhmm. I think

month 4

month 4 and 5 were really hard,

because there's no novelty anymore, and you

still feel like you're so far Yeah. From

the end. And it

was through Oregon, walking through Oregon. No

disrespect to Oregon, but, like, after you've been to the

Sierras, if it's just not as

It's not gonna offend me. Like, I'm a Sierra's lady. Like, that's where that's

where I was, like, you know, kinda like, okay. I know walking. Like,

I've been walking for a while, and the the the Trail

family had, like, had gotten smaller because everyone was

going different paces. And I was,

like, missing the the novelty and just it felt like a

job. Yeah. Walking felt like a job. Like, wake up,

walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, go to bed Right. Over and

over and over again was making me crazy. What do you feel like was motivating

you then, like, to keep going instead of, like, giving up in that moment?

Because that's actually very real for real life too because we have

these big goals. You're in the middle of it, and it doesn't feel as

exciting anymore. Yeah. Yeah. Brene Brown calls it

the day 2 feeling. That day 2. It's the middle the middle part.

Many people give up at that point. But to me, what was

helpful is I knew before I got started,

I didn't want quitting to be an option, You know? Unless

I got badly hurt or unless someone really important to me passed

away. Yeah. I didn't wanna consider it as an option because once you open that

door, the door is open. You always wanna go there. So I just kept telling

myself, like, are you done? No. You're

not. So you keep going. Whenever my mind had, like,

mind drama, I was like, are you done? No. You're not. So you keep going.

Be grumpy all you want, but you keep going because you're not done.

I think, like, that actually brings out a really

valuable tool that people don't they underestimate is, like, talking to

yourself. And I do this all the time, like, have conversations with

your negative thoughts. Like, I, a lot of times, will

feel overwhelmed because I tend to be the kind of person who wants to do

a lot of things. Like, I get really excited about a lot of things, and

I'll jump head first into a lot of things. And then when I'm in the

middle of it, kinda like you're talking about being in the middle of your hike,

I'll get overwhelmed, and I'll have overwhelming thoughts, and I'll

have have to have conversations with myself. Like,

Allison, this overwhelming thought is a choice. Like, what else could we think?

Like, what else is true? Like, let's have different conversations.

Like, keep going. Like, you got this bitch. Like, let's go. Like,

I don't know. But then we also have to be able

to know when to quit. Right. Because

for some some peep there you know, there's no shame in quitting.

Sometimes you chose to do something that was not aligned with you or is no

longer aligned, and knowing when to push yourself

versus when not to is

is an art. Do you feel like I feel like sometimes for me,

it's very clear when I'm and I'm saying this,

like, I'm not saying people are complaining when they quit. But, like, it's very clear

to me when I complain when I'm complaining to myself versus

when I know, like, like, what I need to do is

to do something. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And that's what it feels like.

Yeah. Because when you say, like, you've got overwhelming thoughts,

sometimes it might be because you have actually overwhelmed yourself, and you

need to take things off your plate, in order to feel

better. Sometimes that's the case. But, yeah, I think it

comes with, self awareness. Am I just, like,

complaining because it's challenging, or is it

truly, no more coming from my

heart? Yeah. Like, what feels like that's kind of,

like, something I've been leaning into questions I've been leaning into lately is,

like, what thoughts am I having? What what feels like

truth? What feels like freedom? So, like, when I look at what my brain's

offering me, you know, like, sometimes they're like,

this is too like, my overwhelming thoughts, this is too much. Like, you're doing you're

biting off more than you can chew or you're doing it wrong. I don't know.

Whatever my negative brain is this vague example I'm giving.

But, sometimes I'll ask myself, does that feel true?

And I'll be like, I don't really feel like that feels like truth to me.

Like, what's really happening is this, like, if I'm being honest with myself.

So Yeah. But sometimes yeah. I think sometimes our body

can tell us as well. Like, if on the trail, when I I was

having a hard time, if I had asked myself, okay. How would it

feel to quit? The feeling would have been

heaviness. Mhmm. I don't want to. Yeah. How

would it feel to keep going? Oh, it feels hard, but it feels like

a full body yes. Yeah. Exactly. Like, it feels more like truth.

It feels more like freedom. Yeah. It's similar to what you're you're sharing. We

just think of it differently. But, yeah, it feels like truth. Even though it feels

hard, it feels like my truth. Yeah. Like, it opens you.

It doesn't, like, close you. Yeah. You're not trying to force

yourself into a mold. You're pushing yourself forward, but you're

not trying to push yourself into someone that you're not. Yeah.

No. I love it. Like, I'm glad we had this conversation because I feel like

these are moments that all of us have. Not only, like,

just in life in general, but, like, on the trail too, like,

women, you know, you're having these moments on the trail where you're doubting yourself. You're

like, can I do it? You're having this negative self talk.

Like, be sometimes there are moments where, like, the fear is

high, and you do wanna be, like, ask yourself, would it just

feel better to leave right now? And sometimes that answer is yes. Like, sometimes, like,

your nervous system is just not regulated. You just need to, like, give

yourself the peace and leave and just go back. And, like, you have that

option. But sometimes, you know, the answer is,

like, I got this. Like, I can do this. You just need to shift the

conversation in your bread your brain and keep going.

Yeah. Yeah. And sometimes you've got to make the call and

then, you know, learn after.

Yeah. That's so true too. Yeah. Like, sometimes we make a

decision, and maybe we would have done something different looking

at it. I pushed myself too hard. I I didn't

listen to myself. And then you know afterwards, and so you get to

you you get to know what it feels like, what truth feels like.

Right. Yeah. Especially if you're, like, in the beginning phases of, like, really

learning to trust yourself, learning to trust, like, making your own decisions. And,

like, I obviously, we all make our own decisions, but sometimes, like,

we have defaulted so much to other people having opinion on our

decisions that it's hard to kinda tap into, like, what our

truth is. Yeah. We should ourselves. Yeah. Oh, I should do

this because, what would so and so think? Oh, I should do

this because I would seem more courageous. Yeah.

Or so and so doesn't think I should do this. Maybe I

shouldn't. Like, even if that if you're like so and so doesn't think I should

do this and you're like, does it feel true to me? Like, should I not

do it? Instead of asking your that self that question, you just trust

them instead of listening to what the answer is for yourself.

I feel like we could talk about the PCT stuff, like, all day. I do

wanna shift a little bit. One quick

question I have is I know

you because we have been friends for a while, but maybe for the audience, you

can tell us, like, after the PCT, did you just keep like, some people

go on a thru hike, and then they just, like they're, like, I'm gonna thru

hike this trail. I'm gonna thru hike this trail. They, like, start doing all the

thru hikes. What was, like, adventure for you after?

Yeah. I was like, no. I'm done. I've done I've showed myself I can.

Like, now I just wanna be comfortable. Yes.

So okay. So you want me to tell you about what happened

after aft the thing is I

felt so aligned for 6 months that

afterwards, going back in misalignment was not

possible. It's like a work that's work you do a lot with your clients

too. Like Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So it became really like, my job

didn't feel right anymore, so I had to figure out what else to

do. And that was like a a transition.

I had to explore different things. The

first thing I did so I I went back to work, but I was still

I was a freelancer, so I had some flexibility there.

On the side, I created workbooks

for the thru hikers, like pre trail and post trail workbooks

that Yeah. Those are so cute. They're still they're they're still for sale.

Find them on Amazon. Yeah. Or, yeah, other places too. I don't

know. But On Amazon only now. I used to,

like, mail mail them myself, ship them myself, but I got tired of

standing in the line at the post office.

So the first thing I did is create an online course

after those workbooks. I created an an online

course for to help people prepare for a

thru hike, but mostly, like, the mental preparation.

I I said back then, I was saying I wanted to be the Brene Brown

of hiking. I love that. That's when we actually met because you

were like, my sister introduced me to you. She showed me your account, and she

was like, look. It's one of your competitors. She's also working with hikers. So

yeah. Weren't you like you were like, meh. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. A little bit. I don't wanna hear.

And then, eventually, I realized, you know what? I

don't wanna talk about hiking anymore. I don't care. What I care about is,

like, pushing like, pursuing what calls you.

Pursuing your calling. That's what I care about, and that's what I wanna help people

with. If it's if it's a through hike, it's gonna be a through hike. But

I wanna be able to help people be more brave. And so that's when

I signed up to coach training. And from there,

I started coaching. And yeah.

Yeah. Now she's an amazing coach. We'll we'll kind of, like, go into, like, how

you work with people now a little, in a

minute. But so okay. Before

we completely close the chapter of what Marie does

in the outdoors, I am curious, like,

I feel like lately, you've actually had kind of

physical reinvention or not physical reinvention, but, like,

you're, like, getting back into, like, being a little bit more outdoorsy again. Like,

you're going on a lot more camping trips. You're, like, getting into

cycling, it seems like. What are you what are you interested in

right now? I did a lot of cycling this summer,

gravel bike Yeah. Because my partner

loves it. And, we go on camping trips, but, like, simple

camping trips. I'm not into, like, big days of hiking. I

want simp simplicity because I love being in nature. I love to

camp, but I want to be able to, like, wake up in the morning and

read my book by the stream. Yeah.

Stream. Stream. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So know,

like, I'm done, like, big days. I've shown myself I can do it. And

so yeah. Yeah. I love it. Speaking

of relationship, I am

curious because, like, I think this is something you talk to a lot,

on your Instagram. That was also kinda like

you know, on this podcast, we talk a lot about, like, adventurous reinventions,

and I would consider kinda your kind of shifting into a new relationship,

exploring what that looks like for you is one of your adventurous reinventions since I've

known you. Do you wanna talk a little bit more

about that journey? Like, you made a

change in who you were dating and, like, exploring what that meant for you. Like,

maybe walk us through some of that kind of journey for

you. Yeah. So well, one of the hardest decisions

of the last few years was leaving the partner I I was with

when I went to hike the PCT. We'd been together for 7

years. But I was getting to know myself, and we

were no longer aligned. I use

that word a lot, don't I? It's a good word. I

think it's complicated to, like, explain things in, like, one sentence. Aligned

is, like, simple way to concise it.

I was not the same person than when I met

him. Yeah. We did we we grew apart, so I decided to

leave. Again, if you want to dive deeper into

this decision, I have a podcast episode about this, the self

growth nerds podcast. But, yeah, I left

him and then I came out as

queer. I kinda knew it deep down, but

I needed the space to explore. Yeah. So I came out as

queer, and I dove into

nonmonogamy. And that's how I met my partner

because he's also, into nonmonogamy,

and we've been together for 10 months now, I

think. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I just remember, like

together. Witnessing you through that journey, like,

it was fun because it was kinda like, you know, it

was like a PCT almost. It was like, you know, okay. The

courage to make the decision. Right? And then the courage to,

like, find yourself, explore what that meant. And then the messy

middle where you're like, have I done every like, am I have I made

mistake? Like, I don't know what I'm doing. Yeah. You were there

through all of it. So funny. Making the hard decision and then, like,

my sexual awakening and aspiration. Yeah.

Yeah. And then now, yeah, it seems you, like, found a really,

like, perfectly aligned partner. Oh, yeah. I always

well, it it was important for me to be with someone who's

who's adventurous in the same ways as I am and who's,

super purpose driven. I grew up with, my parents are entrepreneurs.

And for my whole life, they had a business together. That was super inspiring

to me, and I kind of always wished I had that. And I was

Yeah. Gaslighting myself, like, telling myself, it's okay. My

ex was an engineer. So, you know, very different Yeah. Different

careers. I was like, it it's okay. You don't need it. But,

actually, no. I don't need it, but I want it. I want someone

who's as purpose driven as I am, someone I can do projects

with. And that's the that's the case now, and I'm so happy

because that's what I always wished for. It's not perfect, but

it's what I always wished for and never dared to just

own. Like, what I learned in this, this

adventure is it's okay to let yourself want what you want.

Yeah. And, like, you didn't know if you would find

it, like, 2, which which I think is so brave. Like, you were

just like, I'm gonna, like I don't know have the formula. Like,

I'm gonna try to figure this out. Like Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I

could be single right now. Yeah. But

but, but, you know, there's research that says

people have regrets about what they didn't

do. Right. Yeah. Not about what they did, about what they

didn't do. So I don't wanna, like,

spend my life. That was fine, you know, in my last relationship. I was Yeah.

Happy enough. It was good enough, but I didn't want

to, like, look back and and and be like, oh, I could've it could've

been extraordinary. Right. And I think, like, one

of one of the things, like, both one of our coaches both says is, like,

you know, redesigning the things that you want, like, continuously

as you grow and as you, like, age is, like, so important. And so

it's, like, sometimes, like and, like, you

can see this as a sad thing or, like, a beautiful thing. I choose to

see it as, like, a really beautiful thing. Like, sometimes things are for only chap

like, if you're thinking of your life as a book, and you're like, this was

perfect for this chapter, and I am deciding

that something this new chapter is a little different. Like, I

wanna explore what that looks like, and it doesn't mean anything in the past

was wrong. It was perfect for where you

were then, and you're just deciding something new. Yeah. Yeah.

Exactly. Yeah. Would you choose your partner again today?

Would you choose your career career again today? Like, just know that you're allowed

to change your mind. And, yes, it might hurt some people's

feelings, but it's your life at the end of the day. Like, don't

get me wrong. I felt so guilty. I think when you've been

conditioned as a woman, lots of us feel lots of guilt.

Yeah. And, like, we'll hang on to things because of that. Yeah.

For for making, like, quote, unquote, selfish decisions. But

at the end of the day, it is my life that I'm living, and

we're all adults. So he was

responsible. I felt guilty for creating, like, bringing havoc

into his life. But at the end of the day, he's responsible

for what he does in his life. And Yeah. Now

he, like, from what I've heard, lives in the mountains

on the West Coast, which he always wanted to do. He's he's in a

relationship with someone who seems like a much better match. So and

even if that was not the case, it's his responsibility. We

take so much responsibility. Again, for those of us

conditioned as women, we take so much responsibility that's

not ours on our shoulder and Right. Keep us from,

like, living our life to the fullest. Yeah. I

totally agree. Anyways, I just wanted to bring that up. I'm like box.

Yeah. But there's so many people out there who maybe it's a

relationship. Maybe it's like going on a PCT trail. It's just like

these conversations, I think, are valuable to have because it's

interesting to see how people have navigated it in their own life and, like, how

they've shown up for it. And also how, like, Marie has some, like,

amazing experience in her back pocket to, like, help you

navigate big, bold, courageous decisions that you may be

wanting to make in your life as well. And I seem

confident, like, it was all easy. There was so much

crying. Like, there was so much hardship and self doubt. It's

just after the fact looking back, I'm, like, so

thankful that I made those brave decisions. Right.

I I have, like, honestly, some of the big, like, decisions in

my life. I don't really have any regrets. Like, you know, when

you're making those decisions, it kinda goes back to our earlier conversation. Like, what

feels like truth? What feels like freedom? And, like, in your moment, it felt

more like truth and more like freedom to, like, go explore and see

if you could find what was exactly what you wanted out

of a relationship than it was to say that didn't feel as true for

you. Mhmm. Where was I going with this?

I I feel like I haven't ever looked back at those big decisions that I've

made, like the divorce that I got and, you know, starting this business

and leaving my career. Like, I've never regretted taking those leaps of

faith even though, yes, they were hard. They

were, like, challenging truth. Yes. You were you were

tuned in to your what felt true, so you can't regret that.

The things that I regretted more, like you said, yeah, were the things that when

I, like, put an idea aside because I was like, oh, I don't know if

I can. Like, I don't know. Mhmm. Because you always wonder. Like, I think

it'll always nag at you. Like Mhmm. But

yeah. Anyways. So let's let's talk a little bit

about your business, self growth nerds.

You did your through hike. We kinda talked about what brought you to life

coaching. What work do you primarily do with people

now with your clients? Mhmm. I do,

a course that's called cur the courage to start new that

I really love. It's 8 weeks, and,

we meet every week and prepare for

big transitions. It's it's for anyone who feels like they're going

in circles. Their their inner fire

is no longer alive. They feel bored. They feel

disconnected from their enthusiasm. And we look at what's missing.

We look at at at what you've been ignoring and what you want to

actually pursue, and we go for it. Yeah. So

I love doing that course, which I'm going to do in the new year in

2025. And then I love doing 1 on 1.

1 on 1 when people wanna go deeper.

We work together. And I focus my framework

focuses on 3 things. One of them is big

vision, getting clear on your vision, because lots of people don't really know

what they want in the direction they're going into. They're kind of just going with

the flow, just doing life, but never

slowing down to ask themselves really important questions about what's

going to make them feel fulfilled. And, like, when they're lying down,

when, on their deathbed, what's gonna make them feel proud?

And and making, like, hard decisions to align with that.

Yeah. So that's the part number 1 on my framework. Part number

2 is when you speak about your big vision, when you own it,

lots of fears come up. So it's looking at the fears

and rewiring your programming. Because we're programmed

to to stay in the cave. Yeah. Okay? So we've

got to rewire that so you that you can build the nervous system

capacity and the mindset to go out of the cave

and ask for what you really want. That's part 2. That's work

that I really love. And part 3 is focused action. So not

just talk. I I have a bias for action. What

are you gonna do about it? What are you gonna do this week? So that's

where I I help my clients get out in the field,

try different things, fail, try from their,

learn from their failure, and course correct.

Right. I love it. Take a step,

assess, take another step, and yeah.

Yeah. It like, that process is, like, exactly what we do with backpacking.

It's like, you pick that goal trail, you have that vision. Right?

All the fears and panic, pre trip panic comes up. We

work through that. Like, how do you actually get to the point where you're taking

the action. Right? And then, like, what is the action? What is the being willing

to, like, make the mistakes, being willing to, like,

have experience that doesn't go exactly how you imagine it and how you make those

pivots and keep going. So I love that. Exactly. That's how you expand your

comfort zone. Yeah. Yeah. Amazing.

Okay. I want to do some

rapid fire questions just for fun so people can get to know Marie a little

bit better. And, yeah, let's just let's just go through it.

So first one I wrote down is easy. Are you a morning person or a

night owl? Used to be a night owl. Now I'm a morning person.

What does morning person mean to you, though? Well, yeah, not that early. You wake

up at 7 ish. Okay. That's kinda me. Like, I'm not a

morning person, but I'm not like, I don't sleep until, like, 9.

Yeah. I, like, wake up at 7. But I love to I I love to

go to bed early now. What do you mean by early? Like,

10. Nice. We're the same, I think.

Okay. Tuesdays. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your

life, what would it be? Oh, yeah. I I struggle with this one

because I love seafood, but my partner is allergic.

So I I can't eat seafood for the rest of my life even

though it's my favorite because then I could I would always have to, like, brush

my teeth and, like, before I kiss him. So that's

That would be complicated. That's off the table. There's this Poke

Ball I really love I love it. Doesn't have any seafood in it.

It's in a restaurant near my place. It it's got kimchi.

Okay. It's a kimchi pokeball full of, like, really fresh

vegetables, rice, and kimchi. It's amazing. That sounds solid.

Oh. Yeah. I would go for that. Yeah. If you

were a piece of gear, what would you

be and why? I'm glad I

prepared ahead of time for this. I know. I saw I was like, I know

she's gonna need to think through this some of these. Yeah. Yeah. I was like,

oh, this is hard. But, honestly, the first, idea that came to mind

is, like, those metal coffee cups.

Oh, yeah. Those, like, lightweight coffee cups. Cute too. I could

totally see you being less. They're so cute. My friend has a purple

one that I love. I choose this because it's like

it brings you comfort. Coffee on the trail was like what what brought

me the most comfort, and it gives you energy. So, like, the mix of

comfort and energy. I could totally seeing you being this if you

were a piece of gear. Cool. Okay. This actually

reminded me that I didn't, like, ask you this question, which

I'm sure people would wanna know is, like, what was your trail name on the

PCT? Oh, it was Poppins. Poppins. Do you wanna

explain that? Yeah. For Mary Poppins

because my trail friends said I had,

like, a wild imagination. And you had this, like,

sort of you had, like, a Mary Poppins sort of style, I feel like, on

the trail too. You had, like, that umbrella that was, like, really colorful.

Yeah. But I got the umbrella are really colorful. Yeah. Oh, you

did? I got the yeah. I got the umbrella at the end only.

And and, I mean, it matched my trail name

perfectly, although it was not on purpose. And now my I have a tattoo of

an umbrella to remember the the PCT by. Oh, yeah.

Can't you see it, like, on your arm? If you are watching the video of

this, you might be able to see it. Yeah. I love it.

Okay. Back to rapid fire questions. A skill you've

always wanted to learn. Well, it's not as well, I

guess it's a set of skills. If I if I could have, like, a

another career, I would love to get into book editing.

Oh, interesting. Nice. Book publishing. I am so

passionate. I'd be really good at that. You read a lot. Yeah.

I read a lot and yeah. So maybe one day And

you have lots of opinions on it. Yeah. So you'd be good at it.

Okay. If your life were a book, what would be the title?

The the idea that came to mind is is the name of my course, the

courage to start new, because I started new

pretty often. Yeah. That's perfect. I was curious what

you'd say for that one. Or or the the love that just came to me.

It's a good idea. But, the wallflower

becomes the bright flower. I love it.

Or just Poppins Adventures. Yeah. Yeah. I

love it. What is your favorite way to spend a weekend? I think I already

know the answer to this. Yeah. You do. I love to

clean my house. This this is the this is being

35. I love to clean my house, to read,

to hang out with friends, to have a lot of time to chill,

to drink coffee, go for a little walk. I don't

wanna be rushed. Yeah. I see that for

you. Okay. We'll end on this note. Well, we'll end

on, like, talking about how people can listen, find you, and work with you. But

before that, what do you think is the best advice you've ever

received? I love this question so much. I

have to give credit to my dad. He's the ultimate

visionary, the ultimate coach even though he's not a coach, but he told

me my whole life, you're responsible for being

an active designer of your life. Mhmm. You're in

charge. I love that. How to create your own life.

That's beautiful. You have, like, a very inspiring dad quote to

go off of. I love it. Yes.

Okay, Marie. We could talk honestly for hours and

hours and hours. We've already gone a little over the hour, so thank you for

sticking with me. How can

listeners find you, work with you? Like, where's the best

place where they can go? Just self gout nerds on Instagram, and

my website also is self goutnerds.com. So and selfgaultnerds

is the name of my podcast. On you can find me on Spotify, Apple

Podcasts, if you want to dig into what we discussed.

And Allison's been on my podcast, so if you wanna hear some more Allison.

Mhmm. Yeah. A couple times, actually. Yeah. So Yeah. I'm sure we'll have

you back again because, like I said, I literally think we could talk for,

like, endless hours. Sometimes we have to, like when we're hanging out, we have to

be like, okay. Stop talking. Like, we need to sleep. We're going to sleep. Yeah.

But yeah. Okay. Well, I will drop I will be dropping all those links

that Marie mentioned into the show notes. So if you wanna find a quick link

to them, you can find them there in the show notes. Thank you so

much, Marie, for Thank you. My very first podcast guest.

And yeah, y'all check out Marie. She's an amazing human. She's

doing amazing work, and I know that she could help you

with anything that you're kind of mulling through and that you need some courage

and support to kind of go into a new adventure. So

thank you so much for being here, Marie. Thank you, Allison.

Love you. Love you. Bye, everyone. See you next

week. Hey. I wanted to thank you real

quick for tuning into the show and listening all the way to the end. If

you love this episode and you want deeper support in becoming a safe,

confident, and self sufficient hiker and backpacker, then head over to shedreamsofalpine.com/waitless

to learn more about our backpacking badass coaching program where I teach you

absolutely absolutely everything you need to know to be self reliant on the trails and

stop waiting around on others for the adventure invite. So I'd love to help you

more in your journey of stepping into your adventurous identity, and that program is the

absolute best place for us to start

working

together. So, again, that's she dreams of alpine.com/waitlist,

and you can learn all about it there. So that's it for today, folks.

I hope you get to spend some time outside this week, and I'll be back

very soon with a brand new episode. Bye.