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What happens when you genuinely don't think you can finish...and you keep going anyway? This week, I'm sharing the full story of my third 29029 Everesting event, this time in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 29029 challenges participants to climb 29,029 vertical feet, the equivalent height of Mount Everest, in 36 hours. At Steamboat, that meant 14 ascents, more than 35 miles, and one absolutely brutal hill with sections approaching a 55% grade. And this one really had my number. I came into the event tired from moving, got almost no sleep the night before, struggled with stomach issues and altitude, and by the end of day one, I was behind Red Hat pace and genuinely didn't believe I could finish. Then my daughter sent me a text: "Don't you dare give up." So at 1 a.m., after barely sleeping, I got back up and told myself I only had to do one more lap. That lap changed everything. In this episode, I talk about: Why Steamboat was the hardest 29029 course I've doneThe night I walked back to my hotel sobbing, convinced I'd blown itAccidentally hiking within about 15 feet of a mountain lionThe moment I realized, I may not finish, but there is no way I'm stoppingThe mantra that carried me through day two: I'm willing to go before I feel readyWhat changed when I stopped fighting my circumstances and started accepting themFeeling unexpectedly lonely on the mountain and intentionally reaching for connectionClawing my way from behind Red Hat pace back into finishing rangeGetting caught in a hail and lightning storm on ascent 13Why I still wanted to beat the original 36-hour cutoff after the weather delay gave us an extra hourCrossing the finish line at 5:55 p.m. and earning my third Red HatAnd, naturally, the emotional-support McDonald's cheeseburger I woke up clutching in the middle of the night I wish I could tell you there was a moment when I suddenly knew I was going to finish. There wasn't. What changed was that I stopped requiring certainty before I was willing to keep going. Sometimes you don't know if it's going to work. You don't know if you're capable. You don't know how the story ends. You just take the next 30 steps. And I want to be the person who finds out. Learn more about 29029 Everesting. Listen to my previous 29029 episodes: 29029 Sun Valley: My Honest Experience, Training Plan, and What It’s Really Like 29029 Mont Tremblant: Training, Storms, and the Mental Game of Everesting Follow Adventure Is Everywhere on Instagram: @adventureiseverywhere.pod

A few years ago, I made a decision that completely changed the way I celebrate my kids' birthdays. Instead of buying tons of gifts, I started taking each of my kids on a one-on-one adventure. In this episode, I'm sharing the story of my latest trip with my 14-year-old daughter to Boston and Brooklyn—from navigating Boston's T for the first time and taking the Amtrak through New England to letting her dress me for a Tame Impala concert, finding incredible local coffee shops, and ending the day with room service in bathrobes. But this episode isn't really about Boston. It's about creating space for connection, letting your kids help shape the adventure, embracing the unexpected, and realizing that the moments you never planned are often the ones you'll remember most. Whether you're a parent, love to travel, or simply want to bring more intention and curiosity into your everyday life, I hope this conversation inspires you to think differently about what makes an experience unforgettable. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why I traded traditional birthday gifts for one-on-one adventuresLetting kids lead (and what happened when I let my daughter dress me for a concert)Why getting on the wrong train ended up being one of my favorite memoriesTaking the Amtrak from Boston to New York instead of flyingOur mission to skip chain coffee shops and discover local favoritesThe unexpected joy of spontaneous decisions, from matching constellation piercings to room service in bathrobesWhy I think walkable cities create some of the best conversationsThe real reason these trips have become my favorite parenting tradition Connect with me on Instagram!

Ever notice how some people seem to find adventure everywhere...while you're just trying to remember where you parked? This week, I'm sharing a realization I had after two long drives to Iowa. Somewhere over the last seven months of making this podcast, I think I accidentally trained my brain to notice more opportunities for novelty, curiosity, and little side quests. We'll talk about the brain's reticular activating system (don't worry, I promise to keep the science part fun), why the same workout can feel completely different with a change of scenery, and how a week that I would've dreaded in a past life ended up becoming one of my favorite weeks of the summer. If you've ever felt like life has gotten a little too predictable or you've been stuck in autopilot, this episode is for you. In this episode, we'll chat about: Why I drove to Iowa...twice. The workout that turned into an unexpected adventure. Why I think my brain is starting to spot "side quests" automatically. The surprising psychology behind noticing more opportunities for joy. A simple challenge to help make your own week feel a little bigger. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear about one of your recent micro-adventures. Send me a DM on Instagram @adventureiseverywhere.pod or share the episode with someone who could use a little more adventure in their everyday life.

Have you ever seen a photo of yourself that sent you spiraling? This happened to me earlier this week, as I was looking through pictures from our recent trip to Montenegro. And it got me thinking long and hard about a topic very near and dear to me as a gym owner and dietitian...body image. In this week's episode, I talk about how I've had to reframe my perception of the ideal summer body. I used to chase a size four every summer, and now I try to appreciate my body as the ultimate adventure vehicle. I talk about: how fitness professionals have hang-ups too.how endurance hiking changed my body...and my priorities.what the book The Gap and the Gain taught me about appreciating my body.why I'm trying to focus on all my body does for me, rather than its flaws. Links: Dog-Eared Books (Ames, Iowa) Key Takeaways: We all have moments when body image gets the best of us.Living in "the gap" keeps us focused on flaws instead of progress.A body that lets you live a full life is worth celebrating.Don't let body insecurity keep you out of the photos—or out of the adventure. If this episode hits home for you, please share it with a friend or leave a comment. I'd also be SO THRILLED if you'd follow the show and follow me on Instagram!

Montenegro wasn't the trip I expected—and that's exactly why I'll never forget it. Some of the experiences I spent months researching turned out to be complete flops. Meanwhile, a handful of spontaneous detours became the memories my family can't stop talking about. In this episode, I'm sharing our 9-day Montenegro itinerary, what I'd absolutely do again, what I'd skip, and why leaving a little room for the unexpected might be my favorite travel hack. In this episode: Why Montenegro deserves a spot on your travel bucket listPerast, Kotor, Budva, Podgorica, and Tara CanyonOur favorite hotel staysThe hike that didn't go according to planThe adventure excursion I'd skipWhy Tara River rafting was the highlight of our tripWhat I'd change if I planned this vacation again Resources & Links 📖 The Travel Book by Lonely Planet (only $21!) 🏨 Hotel Conte (Perast) 🏨 Dukley Hotel (Budva) 🚤 Private boat tour with Captain Montenegro 🍽️ Citadela Restaurant (Budva) 💦 Niagara Falls (Podgorica) 🛶 Waterfall Rafting Center (Tara River) Come say hi (and view my Montenegro highlight) on Instagram: @adventureiseverywhere.pod

This week, I'm getting honest about something I've been feeling lately: burnout. After a particularly difficult season a few years ago, I promised myself I'd never end up in that place again. But lately I've been noticing some familiar warning signs—exhaustion, low motivation, negative self-talk, and the feeling that life is happening faster than I can keep up. The thing is, nothing is actually wrong. In fact, life is full of exciting things right now: training for my third 29029 Everesting event, running a business, parenting three kids through summer break, planning a wedding, buying a house, getting ready to list my current one, and preparing for a family trip to Montenegro. It's all good stuff. It's also a lot. In this episode, I'm sharing how burnout shows up for me, why I've stopped expecting myself to avoid it entirely, and the practical things I'm doing right now to keep it from spiraling into something bigger. If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, unmotivated, or just a little crispy around the edges, this one's for you.

Have you ever noticed how excited adults get about the smallest things? A new coffee shop. A package on the porch. Dinner reservations. A weekend away that's still months from now. In this episode, we explore the idea of a "novelty deficit" and why so many of us feel stuck, restless, or emotionally flat despite having lives we're genuinely grateful for. We also talk about why our brains are wired to crave novelty, how the loss of novelty can contribute to overeating, overdrinking, doom scrolling, and other coping behaviors, and why those habits might have less to do with willpower than we think. Drawing from her experiences as a registered dietitian, mom of three, gym owner, and self-proclaimed microadventure enthusiast, Kim makes the case that many of us aren't actually looking for a different life—we're looking for a life that feels a little more vivid. In this episode, you'll learn:• Why novelty plays an important role in motivation, memory, and happiness• How COVID highlighted our need for novelty and stimulation• The surprising connection between repetitive routines and behaviors like overeating, overdrinking, and doom scrolling• Why food, alcohol, shopping, and social media often become stand-ins for excitement and anticipation• How tiny moments of curiosity and adventure can help break the cycle of autopilot Whether you're feeling stuck, burned out, or just a little bored with your routine, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the opposite of feeling stuck isn't motivation—it's curiosity. Let's connect!Instagram: @adventure.iseverywhere Follow Adventure Is Everywhere on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode.

A couple years ago, after my separation, I decided to stop filling Christmas with more stuff and start giving my kids experiences instead. Since then, I’ve taken each of my three kids on a yearly one-on-one adventure—usually a quick 36-hour trip built around something they love. This week on the podcast, I’m sharing stories from my latest adventure with my son Calvin: a whirlwind weekend in Chicago for Bruno Mars at Soldier Field that included Korean food, terrifying pedicab rides, sushi push pops, a near-death-feeling experience at the Hancock building, and some surprisingly meaningful conversations. But this episode is really about something bigger:How intentional one-on-one time can completely change your relationship with your kids. We talk about: Why I shifted from buying more Christmas presents to gifting experiences The unexpected magic of short solo trips with your kids Why the misadventures become the memories Watching your kids grow into their own people Rebuilding meaningful family traditions after divorce Why uninterrupted time together matters more than elaborate vacations And if solo travel with your kids feels financially or logistically impossible right now, I promise this episode is not about expensive trips. Sometimes the most meaningful adventures are the smallest ones. As always, thanks for being here. And if this episode resonates with you, I’d love if you shared it with another parent who might need the reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow me: @adventureiseverywhere.pod

What happens when someone who once thought “roughing it” meant a hotel without room service becomes the kind of person who casually hikes rim-to-rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon and signs up for open-water swim relays across the Catalina Channel? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Jeanette Davey — endurance athlete, national park lover, 29029 red hat finisher, and one of the most adventurous women I know. We talk about how adventure doesn’t have to start with some massive life overhaul. Sometimes it starts with saying yes to one thing that scares you a little. Jeanette shares: How she went from figure skating judge to endurance athleteWhy she accidentally started triathlon with a half IronmanWhat 29029 taught her about mindset, resilience, and communityOur Grand Canyon rim-to-river adventure togetherHer favorite U.S. national parks (including a few underrated ones)Why the people you surround yourself with matter so muchHer advice for anyone who wants to feel more adventurous in midlifeWe also talk about endurance sports, hiking, national parks, aging, friendship, and why the best adventures are often the ones you almost talked yourself out of. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not adventurous,” this episode is for you. Follow Jeanette: @ramvanvanna Follow along with the podcast: @adventureiseverywhere.pod

This week, with Mother’s Day around the corner, I wanted to talk about something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: motherhood as adventure. Not because it’s always magical or picture-perfect…but because it constantly asks us to evolve. In this episode, I’m sharing why the teen years have surprisingly become my favorite phase of motherhood, the strange and beautiful transition from being constantly needed to slowly learning to let go, and the moments that have made me realize my kids are becoming fully formed humans right in front of me. We talk about: why I was terrified of the teen years (and why I ended up loving them)teaching my oldest to drive as an anxious momthe bittersweet reality of raising increasingly independent kidsthe tiny personality traits that showed up early and never really changedhow my kids have shaped me as much as I’ve shaped themwhy motherhood feels both heartbreaking and hopeful at the exact same timelearning to trust your kids enough to let them make their own mistakesWhether you’re in the toddler trenches, navigating the teen years, or somewhere in between, I hope this episode reminds you that it’s okay for motherhood to feel joyful, exhausting, beautiful, scary, and meaningful all at once. Because maybe that’s the whole adventure. Follow along on Instagram: @adventureiseverywhere.pod

This week’s episode was supposed to be all about my trip to Richmond for my daughter’s soccer showcase. But somewhere between the tornado sirens, the missed waterfall hike, and the chaos of real life, the episode turned into something very different. I’m talking about social anxiety, divorce, vulnerability, and the uncomfortable reality that if we want more connection in adulthood, we usually have to be willing to put ourselves out there first. For years, I told myself it was just hard to make friends in your 40s — especially after divorce, with older kids, and a busy life. And while there’s truth to that, I’m also realizing that I spent a long time standing on the sidelines waiting for connection to magically happen without taking many social risks myself. In this episode, I share: Why social media and visibility feel so uncomfortable for me How anxiety and self-doubt shaped the way I showed up in relationships The surprising connections and opportunities that came from starting the podcast Conversations about divorce, grief, loneliness, and adventure that never would have happened if I hadn’t gone first Why I think vulnerability is the gateway to deeper friendship, community, and a fuller life I also talk about: 29029 and the adventure community Why microadventures have become such an important part of my life Getting invited to hike the Grand Canyon after putting myself out there online Brené Brown’s thoughts on vulnerability and connection If you’ve ever felt lonely, socially awkward, “too much,” or afraid to be seen… this one’s for you. Follow along on Instagram: @adventureiseverywhere.pod And if this episode resonated with you, I’d love if you shared it with a friend or left a review. It really helps more people find the show.

You say you don’t have time. But what happens when you actually get some? This weekend, a stretch of bad weather canceled games across St. Louis—and a group of us moms suddenly found ourselves with something rare: hours of unexpected free time. And instead of feeling relaxed…we felt weird. Restless. Uncomfortable. Unsure what to do with it. In this episode, I’m unpacking that moment—and what it reveals about how we’ve been conditioned to think about time, productivity, and rest. Because maybe it’s not just that we don’t have time. Maybe it’s that we’ve forgotten how to use it in a way that actually feels good. We’ll talk about: Why free time can feel uncomfortable (even when you desperately need it)The hidden pressure to always be productiveWhat we’re actually craving when we say “I don’t have time”And how small, out-of-the-ordinary moments can help you feel more present in your own lifeNo big life overhaul required. Just a different way of looking at the time you already have. If you’ve ever finally had a break…only to spend it catching up, cleaning, or wondering what you should be doing—this one’s for you. If this episode hit home, share it with a friend who’s been saying “I just need more time”…and follow along for more ways to bring a little more joy and novelty into your everyday life. Connect with me on Instagram!

What does it look like to actually live your life…instead of just getting through the day? In this episode, I’m sharing the story I wasn’t sure I’d ever tell this openly—what my divorce really felt like, the season where I was just surviving, and the slow, imperfect way I found my way back to myself. This isn’t about blame or sympathy. It’s about being honest about how heavy that season was—and what helped me start feeling alive again. We talk about: The quiet kind of burnout that doesn’t look like burnout from the outsideHow “righteous indignation” can keep you stuck after divorceThe moment I realized I wasn’t really living for my kids—I was just survivingRebuilding trust in yourself after years in one identityHow I went from feeling completely stuck to taking small, meaningful steps forwardThe role of movement, challenge, and structure (including 29029 Everesting)Letting go of people-pleasing and learning how to set boundariesAsking for help (even when it’s uncomfortable)Finding joy again through small, everyday momentsDating after divorce—and learning to believe I deserved love againIf you’re in a season where everything feels heavy…where you’re doing all the things but still feel disconnected from your life—this episode is for you. You’re not alone. And you’re not stuck forever. Let’s Connect If this episode resonated with you, I’d genuinely love to hear from you. You can DM me on Instagram:@adventureiseverywhere.pod

Most of us aren’t burned out from doing too much.We’re burned out from doing the same things on repeat. If your weeks have started to feel like a never-ending loop—wake up, work, kids, dinner, repeat—you’re not alone. And maybe you're not burned out from doing too much...you’re burned out from doing the same things on repeat. In this episode, we’re talking about microadventures—small, intentional, slightly out-of-the-ordinary moments that can shift your mood, energy, and perspective without needing more time, money, or a plane ticket. Because adventure doesn’t have to be a once-a-year trip you spend months planning. It can be 15 minutes. Five dollars. A different route. A random “why not?” on a Tuesday. And those small moments? They add up in a big way. In this episode, you’ll hear: What a microadventure actually is (and what it’s not)Why novelty and getting outside can improve your mood, lower stress, and boost energyThe real reason so many of us feel stuck or burned outHow to build more adventure into your life without adding more to your plateWhy consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to joyYour microadventure this week:Pick one small thing that’s slightly outside your normal routine. That’s it. No overthinking. No planning it to death. Just one intentional shift—and notice how you feel after. Let’s connect:If you try a microadventure this week, I want to hear about it. Tag me on Instagram or send me a message—I love seeing what you’re up to. And if this episode made you think of a friend who’s been stuck in that same-week-on-repeat feeling, send it their way. Follow & review: If you’re enjoying the podcast, make sure you’re following along on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. And if you have a minute, leaving a quick review helps more people find the show—and start finding more adventure in their everyday lives.

Ever said “I could never do something like that”… and then somehow found yourself doing it anyway? In this episode, I’m sharing the story of hiking the Grand Canyon—from the South Rim all the way down to Phantom Ranch and back out again… on three weeks’ notice. This wasn’t just a bucket list trip. It was one of those experiences that makes you stop mid-trail and think, who even am I right now? (in the best way). We’re talking about what it actually feels like to hike below the rim, what surprised me most, what I’d do differently next time, and why this experience had way more to do with mindset than mileage. If you’ve ever thought about hiking the Grand Canyon—or if there’s something in your life that feels just a little too big, too uncomfortable, or too “not you”—this one’s for you. What it’s really like hiking the Grand Canyon South Rim (South Kaibab → Phantom Ranch → Bright Angel)Why saying yes before you overthink it can change everythingThe moment I realized how much I’ve grown in the past few yearsWhat surprised me most about hiking below the rim (spoiler: the view from the top doesn’t tell the whole story)What to expect at Phantom Ranch (cabins, meals, and mule mail)The biggest mistakes hikers make—and how to avoid themWhy you absolutely cannot “wing it” in the Grand CanyonWhat I’d do differently next time (hello, Ribbon Falls 👀)Phantom Ranch (lodging at the bottom of the canyon):https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/phantom-ranch/Grand Canyon National Park:https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htmMontezuma Castle National Monument:https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm If this episode hit home, share it with a friend who needs a little nudge to say yes to something that scares them (in a good way). And if you’ve ever had a moment where you surprised yourself—where you did something you once thought you couldn’t—I’d love to hear about it. Send me a message or tag me on Instagram at @adventure.iseverywhere. Because I’m starting to believe this more and more: Adventure isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about meeting the version of you that’s been there all along.