She Explores

Sam Ortiz has gone from a beginner to a hiker to a climber to a mountaineer to a plus-size outdoor model in under five years. Her progression has happened in part due to curiosity, timely mentors, and the best kind of fear: the kind you move up and over and end up a little bit changed on the other side. Woman featured in this episode: Sam Ortiz Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell Continue the conversation and join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group! In this episode, you'll hear: How Sam didn't necessarily feel like the outdoors and climbing were for her growing up, but how she found herself drawn to them anyway How an outdoor mentor helped Sam navigate new activities when she worked for Americorps in Alaska Why climbing Mount Juneau in Alaska taught her she could "do hard things" and opened the door to learning new outdoor activities like climbing and mountaineering How fear has been a positive (for the most part) driver in Sam's life That Sam lacked role models growing up as a pl