08/26/2026
I still have moments where I look around and thinkā¦ wait, this is my job?! š
A few weeks ago I was invited on my first outdoor industry PR trip with in Idahoās Sawtooth Mountains.
If youāve never heard of a PR trip, brands bring together creators, media and people from the industry to experience their products in the real world, build relationships and create content along the way.
For us, that meant hiking, hot springs, camping under the mountains, testing some incredible gear from brands like Gregory Mountain Products Therm-a-Rest and Philip Curry ā and attempting a 35-mile mountain bike ride. š
Their guides made a group with VERY different experience levels all feel supported and included. I made it about 15 of the 35 miles and still walked away wanting to mountain bike more, so Iād call that a win. š
But my favorite part wasnāt actually the gear or the adventures.
For most of my creator career, Iāve done this from behind a laptop or alone on a trail. Brand relationships happen through emails. Other creators are people I know through Instagram. The āoutdoor industryā has always felt like this big abstract thing that I somehow work in without actually feeling like Iām part of it.
This trip made it feel real.
I learned a ton, laughed a lot, made new friends and came home feeling really excited about where this little career of mine is taking me. ā¤ļø
Huge thank you to Verde Brand Communications for bringing us all together, for making the adventure happen, and Gregory Mountain Products Therm-a-Rest MSR Mountain Safety Research + all of the brands who made the trip possible.
Turns out networking is significantly better when mountain bikes, campfires and a little gin is involved. š
