In this episode of Wander Women’s Collective, adventure photographer Nicole Giampietro shares her journey from early GoPro shots to working with major outdoor brands and launching her own production company. With experience in trail running, climbing, expedition photography, and commercial shooting, Nicole opens up about life as a freelance creative and the stories behind her favorite projects.

We dive into:

• Finding meaning in the people and places that shape outdoor work

• The balance of freelancing, travel, and creative passion projects

• River surfing, climbing, and life on the road

• Nicole’s big dreams for the future of her creative career

A thoughtful conversation on storytelling, outdoor adventure, and creativity—and such a joy to have a friend on the podcast.

Connect with Nicole:

• Nicole’s Instagram

• nicolegiampietro.com

In this episode of Wander Women’s Collective, cyclist and gravel racer Sarah Diekmeyer shares her journey into endurance sports and the freelance life she’s built around adventure on two wheels. From a bikepacking trip from Montreal to New York City that sparked her passion for cycling to competing in events like the Migration Gravel Race and stage races in Morocco, Sarah reflects on the challenges and joys of life on the bike.

We dive into:

• Balancing freelance work with training and travel

• The importance of recovery and navigating injuries

• Building resilience and finding identity through sport

• Bikepacking adventures in Sardinia and lessons from the road

• How community keeps motivation alive through tough moments

A thoughtful conversation on endurance cycling, gravel racing, and creative freedom, highlighting the mindset shifts that come with pushing limits and finding joy in the ride.

Connect with Sarah:

• Sarah on Instagram

a conversation with sierra degroff! sierra shares her journey from road running to taking on some of the toughest ultras out there, including western states and badwater back to back as a mount to coast athlete. she talks about what it was like running her first 100-miler, her love for the heat and challenge of desert races, and other goals!

we dive into the running community in las vegas, how she balances work with training, and the mental and physical highs and lows that come with ultra running. sierra opens up about race day realities – from moments of “i don’t think this is going to work out” to finding joy in the struggle. she shares humorous stories, lessons learned, and what keeps her excited about future races.

a conversation with dominique powers, in this episode, gracie chats with dominique powers – photographer, cyclist, and storyteller – about her journey from new york to LA and how that transition shaped her career. dominique shares what it was like capturing the tour de france femme, the rapid growth of women’s cycling, and why storytelling in sports photography matters so much, especially for women’s sports!

she opens up about navigating burnout, the self-care practices that keep her grounded, and the importance of community in her creative work. dominique also talks about being present in nature for mental well-being and encourages aspiring photographers to follow their intuition as they carve out their own paths :)!

a thoughtful & grounded conversation on growth, creativity, and capturing moments that matter! 

hope everyone has a lovely day!

http://www.dominiquepowers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dominiquepowers/

In this episode, Gracie sits down with Laura Kirkpatrick—better known online as @lauradesports—to talk cycling, content creation, and what it looks like to choose the wild, uncertain path over the traditional one.

Laura shares her journey from working in medicine and consulting to building a full-time creative life on the road. We dive into how she’s grown a community through honest storytelling, the realities of making content while chasing adventure, and what it takes to balance big dreams with the everyday chaos of life on two wheels.

We also chat about the lessons solo travel teaches—like confidence and independence—along with the tension between relatability and unconventional living. Plus, we get into Instagram strategy, future travel plans (think Love Island meets Mallorca), and how she continues carving out her own unique path in the cycling and creative world.

Follow Laura: @lauradesportsFollow Wander: @wanderwomenscollective

In this episode, Gracie sits down with Lara Hamilton—a professional mountain athlete and musician—to talk about the intersections of sport, creativity, and resilience. Lara shares her journey from nordic skiing to trail running and ski mountaineering, and how she’s navigated life as a multi-talented athlete balancing performance with art.

We dive into her diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, the chronic illness that has shaped her training and health routines, and the strategies she uses to keep moving forward. Lara also opens up about her transition to life in Colorado, the role of music as a grounding force, and the realities of life on the road—from sponsorship struggles to the less glamorous side of chasing an athlete dream.

At the heart of our conversation is Lara’s gift for storytelling and creativity, and how she’s building a path that honors both her athleticism and her artistry.

Follow Lara’s journey: @lara_hamilton | larahamilton.com

Follow all things Wander: @wanderwomenscollective

In this episode, Gracie and Sophia sit down with Izzy Wedderburn—designer, creative, and founder of New Mountain Magazine. Izzy shares her unconventional path into design, the inspiration behind launching an independent print publication, and what it really takes to bring a magazine to life in the outdoor industry.

From juggling freelance design work to navigating brand sponsorships, Izzy offers an honest look at the creative process, the challenges of building something from the ground up, and why she’s drawn to physical storytelling in a digital world. We also chat about new ideas like a playful newspaper, lessons learned from the first issue, and what’s next for New Mountain.

New Mountain Magazine is an independent, outdoors-focused print publication founded and creatively directed by Izzy Wedderburn. Instead of chasing extreme feats or record-breaking stats, the magazine emphasizes relatable, author-led adventures—from backyard hikes and bikepacking trips to creative outdoor expressions—celebrating the joy of nature on one’s own terms.

Issue one spans 216 soft-sewn pages, featuring stories and photography from contributors around the globe. With a focus on tactile design—intentional paper, thoughtful layouts, and curated typography—each issue is crafted to be held, flipped through, and savored. It’s a celebration of everyday adventure, told with heart and made to last.

Follow New Mountain: @newmountainmag
Explore Izzy’s work: @izzy.wedderburn | izzywedderburn.com

About New Mountain Magazine

Karo Migoń is a Polish gravel racer who just made history by winning the 2025 Unbound Gravel 200 in a record-setting time of 10:03:54 — averaging over 20 mph across 202 miles of brutally hot, dusty Kansas terrain. Her ride wasn’t just a win; it was a defining performance in one of the toughest and most prestigious gravel races in the world.

In this episode, we talk about Karo’s journey from racing mountain bikes and road bikes during her university years in Poland to becoming a dominant force on the international gravel racing scene. We discuss how she balances life as a full-time software engineer, why she took a five-month leave to go all-in on racing, and her experience riding with Pas Normal Studios, where having a team behind her has been game-changing.

We also dive into themes of burnout, training with intention, upcoming travel, and the small rituals that keep her grounded while living the highs and lows of a pro racing season.

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is the joy and love for cycling that Karo radiates—it’s contagious, and it makes following her journey even more exciting.

Follow Karo on Instagram: @karo_migonAnd keep up with Wander for more updates as she continues her 2025 season.

Sami Sauri is a Spanish multi-sport athlete, creative director, and photographer who has spent the past several years discovering the world on two wheels and using her lens to tell stories that empower women and build community in cycling.

In this episode, we chat about Sami’s evolving relationship with the bike—from racing gravel competitively to embracing slower, story-driven adventures that highlight connection over competition. She reflects on recent rides at Hills Gravel, Sea Otter Classic, and a Sequoia bikepacking trip ahead of The Traka in Spain.

We also talk about the role of storytelling in endurance sports, as Sami shares her early roots in photography, her move to Chamonix, and the projects she’s most excited about next—including her continued work with women’s cycling initiatives and creative media.

Such a fun and inspiring conversation—I hope you all enjoy it too!

Follow Sami’s work: samisauri.comInstagram: @samisauri

hea Aquilano is a trail runner whose path to the sport began with college soccer and has since grown into a career at the highest level of ultrarunning. In 2024, she won the Gorge Waterfalls 100K and was recently named to the 2025 Trail Team, a recognition of her rising presence in the sport.

In this episode, we chat about Shea’s journey into ultras, how she balances training as a professional athlete while working three jobs, and the rhythms that keep her grounded. She shares what it looks like to pursue big goals—like running Western States 100—while staying connected to the simple joy of running. We also dive into her race calendar, her training approach, and what she’s looking forward to most this season.

Follow Shea on Instagram to keep up with her races and training updates.

And if you’re around Washington next weekend—come join us at Leavenworth Trailfest!