J&L are super stoked to share the newest evolution of the ROP Pod with you all, our Storyteller Series! This series involves interviews with amazing people in our communities and beyond, who embody and live life as a Rebel on Purpose. The interviews are real conversations about triumph and tribulation, filled with inspiring stories of creativity, expression, challenge, healing, transformation and wholeness.
Our first interview in this series is kicked off by an amazing woman, Amanda Konnik. Amanda is the voice and content creator behind Travel Black Alberta, where she focuses on challenging stereotypes by platforming plus sized, black and middle aged women in outdoor adventures. In the past year, Amanda's been using her long time love of nature to solo hike and camp as a means to navigate personal transformations grief, and burnout. She also holds several certifications in herbalism and reiki as well as being a womb witch and Hoodoo practitioner.
This interview is epic and dives right in to some very real topics that are ever present for middle aged women today. The discussion opens with an unpacking of the realities of living in a mixed weight relationship, particularly when the mix of weight is heavier on the side of the woman. Social media vitriol and boundaries are at the forefront.
Amanda shares how she grew into comfort and safety with hiking alone as a black woman in Alberta, how solitude in nature supported her moving through the grief of losing her father, and how self-acceptance, empowerment and whole health are natural results of connecting with Mother Nature on the regular. Enjoy!