Life in Motion

In this episode of Life in Motion, we chat with Christina Redman of the G5 Trail Collective about the bigger story unfolding in Old Fort, North Carolina. What started as trail development became something much deeper — a way to strengthen community, support local businesses, and help a mountain town move toward renewal. 

Christina shares her own path into outdoor work, the vision behind Camp Grier and the G5 Trail Collective, and how volunteers, residents, and outdoor visitors have all played a role in shaping what Old Fort is becoming. They also talk about recovery after Hurricane Helene and why trails can be more than recreation — they can be a reason for people to gather, invest, and keep coming back.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”.

Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $52,180 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 264 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, we chat with Kurt Belding, the force behind Western Obsession TV, about how a childhood spent outdoors in rural Nebraska grew into a life built around adventure, storytelling, and wild places.

Kurt shares how moving to Colorado reignited his passion for elk season and backcountry pursuits, why the mountains challenged him in a completely new way, and what led him to walk away from business as usual to start chasing bigger experiences around the world.

They also talk about filming in the field, building a brand around authentic outdoor storytelling, and what it takes to turn passion into a real path forward. It’s a conversation about risk, grit, and creating a life that actually feels like your own.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $52,180 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 264 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode we chat with Paul Gadola about the event that turns Damascus, Virginia into one of the most beloved gathering places in trail culture: Trail Days. Paul shares how his own Appalachian Trail journey shaped his life, eventually led him to Damascus, and gave him a front-row seat to the community that keeps hikers coming back year after year. They talk about the reunion-like feel of Trail Days, the trail magic that defines thru-hiker culture, and why this festival has become so much more than a weekend event. If you’ve ever wondered what makes the Appalachian Trail community so special, this conversation gives you a look inside the stories, people, and spirit behind it.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $51,370 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 263 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, we talk with dermatologist and longevity physician Dr. Dusan Sajic about sun exposure, skin damage, and how outdoor lovers can protect their health without hiding from the outdoors. 

Dusan shares his personal experience with skin cancer, why that diagnosis changed the way he thinks about sun safety, and what current research says about prevention, early detection, and even reversing some of the damage. They also dig into common sunscreen myths, the long-term effects of UV exposure, and why the goal is not avoiding the sun completely, but finding the “Goldilocks zone” of responsible exposure.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $51,370 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 262 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, we sit down with Brandon Harding, founder of Veterans in the Wild, to talk about how wilderness expeditions are helping veterans reconnect, heal, and find community. 

Brandon shares how his own experience after multiple tours to Iraq led him to create guided outdoor trips built around challenge, time off the grid, and structured fireside conversations. They also talk about why nature matters, how vulnerability can grow in the right environment, and what it looks like to create real psychological safety around a campfire. 

It’s a powerful conversation about healing, connection, and the life-changing impact of getting outside.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $51,370 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 261 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

What if every student—no matter where they live—could connect with the outdoors?

In this episode we sit down with Valerie Quirk, founder of Post Pigeon, a nonprofit reimagining how students experience public lands. Through personalized video exchanges with park rangers, Post Pigeon connects K–12 classrooms to national parks, wildlife refuges, and state lands—bringing the outdoors directly into the classroom.

Valerie shares her journey from working in education at TED to driving the Pan-American Highway, and how those experiences shaped her mission to make outdoor access more equitable. By removing barriers—geographic, financial, and cultural—Post Pigeon is helping students discover places they may have never imagined exploring.

This episode is about curiosity, connection, and how small moments of exposure can spark a lifelong relationship with the outdoors.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $51,370 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 260 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

What does it take to build a mountain bike trail that stretches from Canada to Cabo?

In this episode of Life in Motion, we chat with Gabriel Tiller of Orogenesis Collective about the vision, grit, and trail stewardship behind a route that spans more than 5,000 miles. Gabriel shares how his path led from graphic design to trail nonprofits, why joyful outdoor experiences create stronger stewards, and what it really takes to connect trails across states, landscapes, and local communities.

They also dive into the realities of maintaining long-distance trail systems — wildfire damage, reroutes, local partnerships, and the constant challenge of turning a big idea into something rideable. This is a story about mountain biking, yes — but also about conservation, collaboration, and building something bigger than yourself.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $51,370 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 259 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

What if something as simple as water could change how you perform, recover, and experience the outdoors?

In this episode of Life in Motion, we sit down with Dr. Paul Barattiero, founder of Echo Water, to explore the science behind hydrogen-enriched water and its impact on athletic performance, recovery, and overall health. Paul shares how a personal health crisis led him down a path of research that eventually helped athletes—from weekend hikers to professional teams—reduce fatigue and accelerate recovery.

Now in Utah, Paul has embraced the outdoors in a new way—hiking mountains, exploring new terrain, and using his own technology to support endurance and recovery along the way.

This conversation offers a fresh perspective on performance, resilience, and how optimizing what fuels your body can unlock more time, energy, and freedom outside.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $50,599 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 258 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

What happens when you stop waiting for “someday” and book the ticket anyway?

In this episode we sit down with Amanda Black, founder of The Solo Female Traveler Network, a global community helping women explore the world with confidence, connection, and support. After years of backpacking solo across countries like Honduras, India, and Mongolia, Amanda turned her own leap-of-faith travels into a movement—creating small-group adventures that blend independence with built-in community.

From getting robbed in Mexico to launching her first Bali trip through a simple Facebook group, Amanda shares how uncertainty became opportunity—and how travel can reshape the way we see ourselves and the world. This is a story about courage, resilience, and discovering that sometimes the best way forward is simply to go.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $50,599 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 257 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy sits down with Allison Abbasi of 37 North Expeditions to explore how time outside can reshape the way we connect, grow, and lead.

Allison shares how 37 North uses guided outdoor experiences — from corporate retreats and youth programs to nature therapy outings — to help people unplug, slow down, and show up fully. By stepping away from screens and comfort zones, participants discover confidence, clarity, and deeper connection with both nature and each other.

This conversation is a reminder that the outdoors isn’t just a backdrop for adventure — it’s a powerful tool for building resilient teams, empowered youth, and stronger communities.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $50,298 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 256 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.