Introducing Outdoorsy, the podcast & community reclaiming the outdoorsy identity

Stop what you're doing right now! A new podcast just launched!

That's right, welcome to Outdoorsy, the podcast where we are redefining what it means to be “outdoorsy” one episode at a time.

If you're reading this blog post, hi, I'm Madeleine, your host, and I’m on a mission to reclaim the word "outdoorsy" for everyone. Whether you’re scaling mountains, reading by a campfire, or simply taking a walk through your local park, you are outdoorsy—and this podcast is for you. If you’ve ever felt like the outdoor community wasn’t built with you in mind, this is the space where you’ll feel at home.

You can subscribe to Outdoorsy on all major podcast platforms (find yours here) and watch full video episodes on YouTube!

This also isn't just a podcast, it's a movement and a community. Join us over on Discord!

https://youtu.be/RYwGMX4nz-A

What It Means to Be Outdoorsy

In my book, if you’re kind, inclusive, curious, and respectful of nature and others, you are outdoorsy. You don’t need to be conquering mountain peaks or checking off an intense adventure list. The outdoors is for everyone, however you choose to experience it. Every episode of Outdoorsy features a diverse range of voices—experts, outdoor educators, adventurers, and just regular people—sharing what the outdoors means to them. These stories are about celebrating different ways to connect with nature, lifting up perspectives that have often been left out of the traditional outdoor narrative.

I already have an incredible lineup of guests with stories that are moving, humbling, and inspiring. I can’t wait for you to hear from these amazing people and to share in the lessons I’ve learned from them. Along the way, I’ll also be offering some solo episodes about my own outdoor experiences, what I’ve learned from years of solo adventuring, and how I’ve come to define “outdoorsy” for myself.

My Outdoorsy Journey

To really understand why this podcast came to be, I want to start by sharing my own story. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest with two incredible parents and two sisters, surrounded by nature. My dad, an Eagle Scout and mountaineer who attempted Denali and summited Tahoma (Mt. Rainier), instilled in me a technical respect for the outdoors. My mom, on the other hand, showed me that being outdoorsy didn’t have to mean roughing it. She loved being with us outdoors but wasn’t sleeping on the ground—she needed comfort! Growing up, I saw two very different, but equally valid, approaches to enjoying the outdoors. This gave me some much-needed perspective.

As a kid, I loved camping and exploring. My dad would wake us up at 1 a.m. to stargaze or take us on slow nature walks, teaching us to appreciate every spider web and bug along the way. It wasn’t about conquest—it was about curiosity, reverence, and respect for the natural world.

But when I hit middle and high school, things changed. The "outdoorsy" crowd at my school was all about rock climbing, conquering peaks, and being seen with the right (read: expensive) gear. I didn’t feel like I fit in. I wasn’t interested in high-adrenaline activities, and as someone dealing with chronic health issues, I physically couldn’t keep up. Plus, I was self-conscious about my body—feeling like it didn’t fit the image of the thin, fit outdoorsy types I saw in catalogs and magazines.

I drifted away from the outdoors during those years, feeling like it wasn’t for me. The community seemed exclusive and unwelcoming, especially for people like me who weren’t interested in chasing extreme adventures or spending tons of money on gear. Social media in college only intensified that feeling—everyone’s perfect highlight reel of their outdoor accomplishments made it seem like there was no room for someone like me who just wanted to exist in nature, without having to achieve anything.

Reclaiming Outdoorsy for Myself

So, what changed? For me, it was finding my own way to connect with the outdoors again—on my terms. In 2019, I bought a used Subaru Outback with the sole purpose of going camping alone, and I took my first solo trip to Mount Rainier National Park. It made me realize that being outdoorsy doesn’t have to be perfect or polished. You just have to start.

Since then, I’ve gained more experience and knowledge, but I’ve also come to understand that there’s no one way to be outdoorsy. Whether I’m hiking, camping, or just sitting outside reading a book, I’m connecting with nature in a way that feels right to me.

I've shared my journey with you all online and have seen firsthand how much it has resonated with this community. I saw how many stories needed to be told and how many tough conversations needed to be had.

So, I was inspired to do more.

The Outdoorsy Podcast and Community

Outdoorsy isn’t just about my story. It’s about breaking down the barriers that keep people from feeling like they belong in the outdoors. It’s about challenging the narrow, often elitist definitions of what it means to be outdoorsy. And it’s about uplifting voices that have been marginalized or excluded from the mainstream outdoor narrative.

The podcast features guests from all walks of life—plus-size hikers, queer and BIPOC adventurers, solo female travelers, and outdoor educators—each sharing their unique experiences. Through their stories, you’ll see that the outdoors isn’t just for the elite or the ultra-fit. It’s for everyone.

Beyond the podcast, I’ve also built a Discord community for people who want to connect on a deeper level. The Discord server, accessible via Patreon, offers channels for different activities, from hiking to crafting, as well as community spaces for different identities—like queer, disabled, and BIPOC adventurers to name just a few. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and interactive space for us to build real connections.

Why This Matters

When I first started sharing my outdoor experiences online, I was surprised by how many people resonated with the idea that anyone can be outdoorsy. But I’ve also received hate—there are people who believe the outdoors should be gatekept, reserved for the elite few who fit a certain mold. That mentality is rooted in toxic ideologies like patriarchy, colonialism, and racism. It’s also wrapped up in ableism, fatphobia, homophobia, and all sorts of bigotry. But the truth is, the outdoors is for all of us, as long as we are kind, curious, and respectful.

Join the Outdoorsy Revolution

Whether you’re scaling mountains or taking a slow stroll through your local park, you belong in the outdoors. You are outdoorsy. Through this podcast, the guests I interview, and the community we’re building together, I hope you feel empowered to claim that title for yourself—however you choose to experience nature.

Thank you so much for supporting Outdoorsy and for being part of this journey. Let’s keep redefining what it means to be outdoorsy, one story at a time.

What's next:

Join the community on Discord via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Outdoorsy.

Donate to Indigenous funds: https://www.madeleinewilson.org/post/indigenous-funds-to-support.

Connect more:

All of my links: https://www.madeleinewilson.org/info

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@madeleinewilsonphoto

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madeleinewilsonphoto

Instagram: https://instagram.com/madeleinewilsonphoto

My Amazon favorites and storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/madeleinewilsonphoto