She Explores

Down with Adventure: Melody Forsyth

Listen Later

Pregnant with her daughter Ruby, Melody Forsyth thought hiking would be her "last hurrah" when she found out Ruby has Down Syndrome (DS). Turns out, it was just the beginning. We talk about what having a child with special needs has added to Melody's hiking and personal life, and how she uses social media to break stereotypes about her little girl and DS.

Women featured in this episode: Melody Forsyth

Hosted by Gale Straub

In this episode, you'll hear:

  • How Melody balances the roles of mother, nurse, hiker, and wife
  • The ways in which a backpacking experience in her teens has carried with her into her 40's
  • Getting started hiking again a little later in life
  • Why fear of not getting to explore after having a child with Down Syndrome got Melody's family outside
  • How seeing a kid with special needs at a National Park assuaged Melody's fears
  • How Ruby connects with the outdoors
  • Melody's family's quest to visit all the National Parks in the US
  • The ways Melody uses her Instagram @downwithadventure to correct misconceptions about Down Syndrome and hiking with a child with special needs
  • What Ruby has taught Melody (and can teach us!)

    • Sponsored by Away and Bombas

    Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group

    Camp with us In Taos at the Women on the Road Gathering

    Resources

    • Melody's instagram: @downwithadventure
    • Learn about their family on the Goal Zero Blog

      • Sponsor Websites and Codes

      • Bombas: Get 20% off your first purchase by using code
        • 'explores' at checkout!
      • Away: Get $20 off your first purchase of a suitcase by using
        • code 'explores' at checkout!
      • Get 20% off an Escape Campervan rental by using code 'WOMEN20'
        • at checkout

        Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.

        Music is by Jason Shaw using a Creative Commons Attribution license.

        Music is also by Bouquet and Liam McNally

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store
        She ExploresBy Ravel Media
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7

        4.7

        877 ratings

        More shows like She Explores

        View all
        This American Life by This American Life

        This American Life

        91,248 Listeners

        The Moth by The Moth

        The Moth

        27,024 Listeners

        The Dirtbag Diaries by Duct Tape Then Beer

        The Dirtbag Diaries

        2,624 Listeners

        Outside/In by NHPR

        Outside/In

        1,482 Listeners

        The Rich Roll Podcast by Rich Roll

        The Rich Roll Podcast

        11,883 Listeners

        Outside Podcast by Outside

        Outside Podcast

        2,133 Listeners

        On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

        On Being with Krista Tippett

        10,353 Listeners

        10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

        10% Happier with Dan Harris

        12,742 Listeners

        Cultivating Place by Jennifer Jewell / Cultivating Place

        Cultivating Place

        351 Listeners

        Wild Ideas Worth Living by REI Co-op

        Wild Ideas Worth Living

        1,274 Listeners

        Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

        Ologies with Alie Ward

        24,564 Listeners

        Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler by Condé Nast Traveler

        Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler

        613 Listeners

        The Adventure Podcast by Coldhouse Collective

        The Adventure Podcast

        72 Listeners

        We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

        We Can Do Hard Things

        41,556 Listeners

        A Life More Wild by Canopy & Stars

        A Life More Wild

        24 Listeners