My client Sherry didn’t grow up calling herself “adventurous.”
She started backpacking in her mid-50s with borrowed gear, a lot of nerves, and a quiet pull toward doing something more for herself.
After her first challenging trips, she realized she didn’t just want more adventure... she wanted to feel calm, capable, and confident doing it. That’s when she found the Backpacking Badass Program, began building real skills, and took her very first solo backpacking trip.
Five years later, Sherry has completed solo backpacking trips, section-hiked long trails, trekked in Patagonia, volunteered in remote wilderness settings, and become a mentor to other women starting later in life.
In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to build confidence over time, and why it’s never too late to start.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Starting backpacking in your 50s (and why it’s not “too late”)
- How building skills changed Sherry’s confidence on solo trips
- The mindset shifts that made solo backpacking feel safer
- Learning to trust yourself in both solo and group adventures
- Why small, local adventures can create big momentum
- Letting your adventure era evolve as your life and priorities change
If you’ve ever felt the pull toward adventure... but wondered if you missed your chance, this episode is for you.
Where to connect with Sherry:
- Instagram @sherryj402
- The 52 Hike Challenge
Where to learn more about Allison:
- She Dreams of Alpine Blog
- Instagram @shedreamsofalpine
🎉 Register for our FREE 5-DAY CHALLENGE (shedreamsofalpine.com/challenge) - Your Adventure Era Challenge - January 12-16th, 2026 - If you want to go on MORE hiking and backpacking adventures in 2026, in this 5-day challenge, you'll make sure you finally check those trips off your bucket list!
⭐️ Upgrade Option: You can also grab the Challenge All-Access Pass (shedreamsofalpine.com/upgrade) for extended replay access plus exclusive Adventure Era bonus resources.
🥾 Want to join Sherry and a badass community of over 2,000 women as you step into YOUR adventure era? Join the Backpacking Course Waitlist (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist)—our signature program that teaches women how to become safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpackers through step-by-step education, coaching, and community support. Our next enrollment opens January 19th-23rd!
