With an Instagram following of more than 360k, you might have heard of Pattie Gonia. But she is more than just an Instagram influencer posting elaborate photos in five-inch heels and full-blown makeup in the wilderness. This drag queen is building a community for queer people, allies, and our planet. Today we talk with Wyn Wiley, also known as Pattie Gonia, to learn what it means to be an environmentalist drag queen, how a photographer from Nebraska found himself wearing knee-high boots and...

Pattie Gonia is an environmental advocate and backpacking drag queen, made famous through her vibrant social media presence. Through her work advocating for LGBTQ people in the outdoors, she has created a vibrant community that exists to explore the connection between self-identity, sexuality, and the natural world. Outside of heels, Wyn Wiley has worked as a photographer, speaker, and teacher, who created Pattie after strutting around a peak in Colorado and evolved her into the outdoor...

Representation is a key piece to making the outdoors a more inclusive and welcoming place. While seeing more diversity in the world of professional athletes helps, it’s equally important to have this diversity in the groups we join in the outdoors. That’s where the mission of Inclusive Outdoors Project starts, as they strive to bridge the gap between affinity spaces and outdoor organizations. In this episode, Inclusive Outdoors Project founders Sophia Bielsky and Vasu Sojitra discuss the...

Earl B. Hunter Jr. knows how to bring people together. He is widely recognized for his exuberant personality, hard work ethic, and non-traditional approach to building relationships, which has proved effective in his efforts to increase diversity in the outdoors industry. Hunter is the founder and CEO of Black Folks Camp Too, a marketing-driven business that focuses on making camping and the outdoors more inviting and interesting to the BIPOC communities that aren’t always represented in the...

In 2011, Jennifer Pharr Davis set the overall fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail, hiking the 2,185-mile footpath from Georgia to Maine in just 46 days. Today, she continues to wow athletes with her accomplishments, including backpacking 700 miles pregnant, walking across North Carolina while nursing her newborn son, and hiking in all 50 states with her two-year-old daughter. Pharr Davis is an internationally recognized adventurer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who has hiked more...

Fans of ultrarunning might be familiar with athlete, speaker, and author of the best-selling book ‘A Beautiful Work in Progress,’ Mirna Valerio. Also known as ‘The Mirnavator,’ Valerio promotes body positivity, health awareness, and diversity in the running and outdoor industry as she runs marathons and ultramarathons around the country and advocates for inclusion for people of all shapes, sizes, race, gender, and background. Her story has inspired a movement encouraging people everywhere to...

In 2018, Mario Rigby completed his two-year trek walking and kayaking the length of Africa—from Cape Town, South Africa to Cairo, Egypt—and adventure that for many would seem wild and impossible. This expedition allowed him to connect with communities and share their message and stories with the world with a mission of bridging the gap between humanity. His goal was to inspire people locally and globally to get out, be brave, and see the world. Today, Mario continues his adventures as an...

J.R. Harris has been backpacking long distances for more than 50 years in some of the most remote wilderness areas in the world, unsupported and mostly alone. He is on the Board of Directors for the 116-year-old Explorers Club, and is the Chairman for the Club’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He is also a keynote speaker. J.R. believes diversity, equity, and inclusion will increase the number of people who will spend time in nature and therefore appreciate and protect our...

J.R. Harris has been backpacking long distances for more than 50 years in some of the most remote wilderness areas in the world, unsupported and mostly alone. He is on the Board of Directors for the 116-year-old Explorers Club, and is the Chairman for the Club’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He is also a keynote speaker. J.R. believes diversity, equity, and inclusion will increase the number of people who will spend time in nature and therefore appreciate and protect our...

Sibusiso Vilane is a name everyone should know. On May 26th, 2003, he became the first Black person to summit Mount Everest. He climbed down the mountain a transformed man and hasn’t looked back since. He was born in rural South Africa and moved with his family to Swaziland when he was four years old. Subisiso got his first pair of shoes when he was 10 and began going to school when he was 11. He has walked to both North and South Poles, climbed all of the seven summits (including...

On this season of Unlikely Stories Podcast, presented by the Appalachian Mountain Club, join Derick and Carly as they connect with some of the most inspiring and engaging adventurers in the outdoors. With guests including Jennifer Pharr Davis, Sibusiso Vilane, J.R. Harris, Mirna Valerio, and more, you’ll hear their unique tales to motivate you to get outside and start your own adventure.