Unlikely Stories Podcast

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 false lashes in the forest, and what choosing yourself can look like.

Topics covered in this episode:

· Her, him & they.

· Choosing oneself.

· Wyn shares his thoughts on environmental care.

· The most important question: Who does Pattie’s makeup?

To learn more about Wyn Wiley and Pattie Gonia, follow them on Instagram at @pattiegonia.

This episode is supported by Kula Cloth, the antimicrobial pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. Learn more at www.kulacloth.com & Instagram @kulacloth.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.

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 community voice she is today.

Topics covered in this episode:

- Wyn’s upbringing in the Midwest and how he grew into an LGBTQ advocate

- How we all perform drag to some extent

- How the drag persona Pattie Gonia was born, and how she is different from Wyn

- How Wyn/Pattie use drag to advocate for the environment

To learn more about Wyn Wiley and Pattie Gonia, follow them on Instagram at @pattiegonia.

This episode is supported by Kula Cloth, the antimicrobial pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. Learn more at www.kulacloth.com & Instagram @kulacloth.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.

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 philosophy and mission behind their organization, and how their clinics are helping to shift the perceptions of the outdoor industry.

Topics covered in this episode:

• What inspires us to get outside.

• The importance of inclusive terminology.

• The power of affinity spaces.

• Establishing an organization during COVID.

To learn more about Inclusive Outdoors Project, visit inclusiveoutdoorsproject.com; IG @inclusiveoutdoorsproject.

This episode is supported by Kula Cloth, the antimicrobial pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. Learn more at www.kulacloth.com & Instagram @kulacloth.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.

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 industry. The idea sprung from a camping trip in 2015, where Hunter and his son traveled across the United States in an RV, visiting 49 campgrounds in 20 states, and only seeing one other Black family camping during the whole trip.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Hunter’s vision behind Black Folks Camp Too.

• The importance of inclusivity in the outdoor industry.

• The meaning behind the Unity Blaze design.

To learn more about Earl B. Hunter Jr. and Black Folks Camp Too, visit BlackFolksCampToo.com; IG @blackfolkscamptoo

This episode is supported by Kula Cloth, the antimicrobial pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. Learn more at www.kulacloth.com & Instagram @kulacloth.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

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 than 14,000 miles of trails on six different continents. She’s currently serving on President Biden’s Council of Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and played a prominent role in the 2020 IMAX film 'Into America’s Wild.'

Topics covered in this episode:

• What she was thinking when she set the overall FKT record on the Appalachian Trail.

• What it means to be a woman who set the overall FKT on a long trail.

• Sponsorships in the outdoor community.

• Despite what people say, Pharr Davis does not have superpowers.

• The importance of getting outside, no matter where you are.

• Go-to gear items.

To learn more about Jennifer Pharr Davis, visit her website at www.jenniferpharrdavis.com;

IG: @jenpharrdavis

This episode is supported by Kula Cloth, the antimicrobial pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. Learn more at www.kulacloth.com & Instagram @kulacloth.

This episode is supported by LEKI, makers of the world’s best poles since 1948. www.Leki.com & Instagram @lekiusa

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

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 be whoever they want to be and do whatever makes them happy. In 2018, she was named a National Geographic "Adventurer of the Year.”

Topics covered in this episode:

• Mirna’s first introduction to the outdoors.

• The ups and downs of running long distance—and why she loves it.

• How she addresses and fights back against negativity.

• The role she plays in the outdoor industry and how she motivates others to do what they want.

• Her new book, ‘A Beautiful Work in Progress.’

• Her favorite piece of gear to bring on the trail.

To learn more about Mirna Valerio, visit her website at themirnavator.com.

IG: @themirnavator

This episode is supported by LEKI, makers of the world’s best poles since 1948. www.Leki.com & Instagram @lekiusa

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

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 eco-explorer—heading to all corners of the globe as sustainably as possible, many times just by walking on his own two feet. He is an advocate for the inclusion of diversity in the outdoors and encourages people to explore the outdoors through sustainable forms of travel. In a world that’s rapidly changing, Mario believes his life lessons are worth sharing and hopes to inspire others to have more courage and address global issues that affect us all.

Mario is currently living in Toronto working on his memoir, 'Crossing Africa,' and preparing for his next expeditions.

Topics covered in this episode:

• What it means to be an eco-explorer and the importance of protecting our environment.

• Mario’s trek across Africa, as well as other expeditions.

• How travel can bridge gaps and teach us about other cultures.

• The importance of representation in the outdoor industry.

To learn more about Mario Rigby and his work, visit www.mariorigby.com

IG @mariorigby

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

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 public lands and open spaces. His objective is to share his experiences to hopefully motivate others to pursue a healthy outdoors lifestyle.

He has written numerous articles about his experiences in the outdoors, as well as the book, Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker.

Topics covered in this episode:

James Pierson Beckwourth (1798 or 1800 – 1866 or 1867). He was an American fur trapper, explorer, mountain man, innkeeper, author, storyteller, scout, guide, and more. He’s known for being one of the few African American mountain men, on the American Western Frontier.

Matthew Alexander Henson (1866 – 1955) was an American explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on seven voyages to the Arctic over a period of nearly 23 years. He is best known for his participation in the 1908 –1909 expedition that reached the geographic North Pole on April 6, 1909. Henson was the first of their party to reach the pole.

To learn more about J.R. Harris and his work, head over to their www.jrinthewilderness.com & Instagram @jrinthewilderness

This episode is supported by LEKI, makers of the world’s best poles since 1948.  www.Leki.com & Instagram @lekiusa

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

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 public lands and open spaces. His objective is to share his experiences to hopefully motivate others to pursue a healthy outdoors lifestyle.

He has written numerous articles about his experiences in the outdoors, as well as the book, Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker.

Topics covered in this episode:

· Esteban de Dorantes (1500 –1539) was a man from present-day Morocco who became the first North African of Berber origin to explore North America. He has been referred to as "the first great African man in America".

· York (1770 –1832) was the only African American on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the first African American to have crossed North America to reach the Pacific.

To learn more about J.R. Harris and his work, head over to their www.jrinthewilderness.com & Instagram @jrinthewilderness

This episode is supported by LEKI, makers of the world’s best poles since 1948. www.Leki.com & Instagram @lekiusa

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

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 Denali) and several known peaks in the Alps, such as The Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and the Eiger. He also runs marathons and ultra-marathons every year, just to stay in shape.

Sibusiso is the author of, 'To The Top From Nowhere,' and lives in South Africa.

Topics covered in this episode:

· Sibusiso’s upbringing and what lead him to summit Mt. Everest twice.

· What it means to be the first black person in the world to summit the highest mountain.

· Sibusiso’s Seven Summits and several known peaks in the Alps adventure.

· North and South Poles expeditions.

· His book 'To the Top from Nowhere'

· A Mandela story.

To learn more about Sibusiso Vilane and his work, head over to www.sibusisovilane.co.za

IG @sibusiso.vilane

This episode is supported by LEKI, makers of the world’s best poles since 1948. www.Leki.com & Instagram @lekiusa

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast