A conversation with Neža, the Slovenian maker behind What Happened, a one-woman brand dedicated to building custom mountaineering backpacks. Her path into the craft is anything but straightforward. After nearly a decade in Budapest running an urban cycling brand, she walked away when she realized the business model was built on creating needs instead of answering them. Searching for a new direction, she landed a rare apprenticeship in Munich, learning the intricacies of outdoor gear repair, before joining Patagonia’s Worn Wear program and traveling across Europe in a rolling workshop that fixed gear for free.
When the pandemic shut that down, Neža returned to Slovenia and set up a sewing machine in a cabin in the woods. What began as small runs of bikepacking bags slowly evolved into the highly technical, hand-built alpine packs she makes today. Each order starts with a conversation, a trust-building exchange that allows her to translate a customer’s vision into a durable tool made to last years in the harshest environments.
Her packs are already traveling the world—on expeditions in Antarctica, to high peaks in Nepal, and on the backs of mountain guides who spend more than two hundred days a year outside. The name What Happened reflects both her repair roots and her belief that every piece of gear carries a story. She talks about why durability matters more than chasing recycled buzzwords, the challenges of working with Dyneema, and how true sustainability comes from building things that last and can be repaired.
This conversation dives into what it means to create slowly in an outdoor industry obsessed with speed and saturation. For Neža, craftsmanship is not a trend but a practice—one that connects maker and user through trust, intention, and use. “This business can last a very long time,” she says. “Because it was never in fashion.”
A conversation with Taylen, an adventure photographer and content creator based in Whistler, whose lens captures the raw energy of sport and wild places. From growing up with a love for the outdoors to turning her camera into a career, Taylen’s story is one of curiosity, risk-taking, and saying yes to the unknown. She first picked up a following by sharing adventures on TikTok, then pursued formal training in adventure guiding and marketing, blending her passion for the outdoors with the skills to tell stories that resonate.
In this episode, Taylen talks about her time in Tofino, where she pushed herself in the surf lineup and discovered a new rhythm of life on the coast. She shares how being selected for the Canon Futures Program accelerated her growth as a photographer, opening doors to mentorship and professional opportunities. And she takes us into the mountains on the Tantalus Traverse—a wild and unforgettable journey that taught her about preparation, humility, and the importance of being present in the moment.
A conversation about perseverance, creativity, and the courage it takes to follow unconventional paths, this episode captures Taylen’s perspective on what it means to create and live fully in the outdoors.
A conversation with Brookmyer McIntyre! In this episode she shares her journey from being an elite rower to becoming a competitive cyclist and content creator. After her visa expired in the UK, Brookmyer shifted from rowing to cycling—discovering new challenges, fresh opportunities, and the importance of embracing uncertainty along the way!
We dive into the similarities and differences between rowing and cycling, the endurance mindset required in both sports, and the nutrition strategies that fuel Brookmyer’s long rides. She opens up about the mental shifts necessary to succeed, the role of community in her development as an athlete, and how social media has amplified her ability to support and connect with other women in cycling.
https://www.instagram.com/wanderwomenscollective/
https://www.instagram.com/brookmyerrrr/
https://wanderwomenscollective.com/
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 some of her favorite projects.
We talk about the meaning she finds in the people and places that shape outdoor work, the balance of freelancing, travel, and passion projects, and the adventures that fuel her creativity—from river surfing to climbing to life on the road. Nicole also shares her big dreams for the future of her creative career and the ways she continues to blend storytelling with outdoor adventure.
This is a thoughtful conversation on storytelling, creativity, and life as a freelance photographer—and such a joy to have a friend on the podcast.
Connect with Nicole: @nicolegiampietro | nicolegiampietro.com
a conversation with sarah diekmeyer!
in this episode, we chat all things cycling, gravel racing, and freelancing with sarah diekmeyer – a cyclist, gravel racer, and freelance creative who has built a life around adventure on two wheels. sarah shares how a bikepacking trip from montreal to new york city sparked her love for cycling and led her into the world of endurance and gravel racing.
we dive into her experiences racing events like the migration gravel race, exploring what it’s like to balance freelance work with intense training blocks and travel. sarah opens up about navigating injuries, the importance of recovery, and how community keeps her motivated through challenges. she reflects on stage racing in morocco, bikepacking adventures in sardinia, and the mindset shifts that come with pushing personal limits.
a thoughtful conversation on resilience, identity, and finding joy in the ride – whether that’s tackling a multi-day race or creating space for growth beyond the finish line.
https://www.instagram.com/sdiekie_/?hl=en
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.
Dominique Powers is a photographer, cyclist, and storyteller whose work captures the intersection of sport, creativity, and community. In this episode, Gracie chats with Dominique about her journey from New York to Los Angeles and how that transition shaped both her career and her creative outlook.
Dominique shares what it was like to photograph the Tour de France Femmes, witnessing firsthand the rapid growth of women’s cycling, and why storytelling in sports photography is so vital—especially for amplifying women’s sports. She also opens up about navigating burnout, the self-care practices that keep her grounded, and the role of community in sustaining creative work.
We also dive into the importance of being present in nature for mental well-being, and Dominique offers reflections for aspiring photographers—encouraging them to trust their intuition and carve out their own unique paths.
This conversation is a thoughtful and grounded look at growth, creativity, and capturing moments that matter.
Follow Dominique’s work: dominiquepowers.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!
Maddy Nutt is a professional gravel cyclist based in London, balancing life as an athlete, content creator, and all-around adventure enthusiast. From podium finishes to storytelling on social media, she’s carving her own space in the growing world of gravel racing.
In this episode, we chat about all things bikes, baked goods, racing, and the athlete–influencer world—along with the joys and challenges of life on and off the bike. Maddy shares stories from some of the sport’s most iconic events:
Winning the UCI Safari Gravel Race in Kenya
Racing in Iceland’s legendary landscapes
Tackling Unbound Gravel in Kansas—the biggest gravel race in the U.S.
Competing at Traka 360 in Spain, where she placed 7th despite riding 260 kilometers with a torn shoulder ligament after a crash mid-race
We also talk about what drives her as both an athlete and a creative, her approach to balancing performance with presence, and how she’s shaping her career in a sport that’s as much about community as competition.
Follow Maddy on instagram!
& watch her videos here!
ALSO WANDER is hosting events soon :) follow the instagram for more info but here is the link to our leavenworth trailfest ladies run & hang ;)
Alenka Mali is a filmmaker, snowboarder, photographer, and aspiring mountain guide carving her own bold path in the mountains. Her work blends adventure and creativity, from freeride competitions to remote expeditions, capturing stories that emerge where risk, rhythm, and resilience intersect.
In this episode, we dive into Alenka’s latest film projects—including an all-female splitboard film shot in British Columbia and Patagonia—and talk about the flow of a life lived between snow seasons. She shares stories of base jumping, planning mountain retreats, and the challenges of documenting remote landscapes while pushing her own athletic pursuits.
From freeride comps to filmmaking in wild places, Alenka’s story is one of creativity, courage, and community in the mountains.
Follow Alenka for updates on her films, photography, and mountain projects.
a conversation with the wonderful emma mchugh! emma is a menstrual equity researcher at point loma nazarene university in san diego! it has been so cool watching emma build akinyi where she and her her team spend their time interviewing a variety of people in global south counties, focusing on women’s menstrual experiences while also advocating for access to period products, education, and dignity!
in her free time, emma loves connecting with people wherever she travels, collecting treasures on her walks, cooking colorful meals for all her friends, swimming in the ocean, and reading books.
this conversation around menstrual equity is one that i have had the pleasure of chatting with emma about numerous times in the past three or so years that she has been working on this research, and single time the conversation ends, i think, oh my gosh more people need to hear this & i wish i could send it to every person i know!
hope you enjoy the episode! and if you could leave the podcast a review & even share it with a friend that would be super appreciated!
for more information check out https://akinyi.net/
Julia Cassou is an expedition photographer and videographer who has built a career documenting athletes and adventurers in their rawest, most powerful moments. From sailing across the Atlantic to climbing in Yosemite, Julia has captured stories of human resilience in some of the world’s most remote and demanding environments.
In this episode, we explore Julia’s path from studying general arts to becoming a specialist in outdoor and climbing photography. She shares what it’s like to cover multi-pitch routes, trad climbing, bouldering, and alpine adventures, often while following elite athletes on their projects. Julia reflects on the realities of documenting climbs and expeditions—authentically portraying not only triumph but also the fear, failure, and physical exhaustion that define these pursuits.
As a female adventure photographer in a male-dominated space, Julia brings an artistic, documentary-style lens to her work, blending emotion, environment, and storytelling. We also talk about her newest film, La Rubia, currently featured on the Mountains on Stage tour.
Anna Myers is the founder of Dirty Birdy Workwear, a new brand reimagining women’s workwear to be both functional and stylish. The idea was born during her own home remodel, when she realized how few companies were making quality options for women in the trades and DIY spaces—a major gap in the industry.
In this episode, Anna shares the origin story of Dirty Birdy, what it’s been like to launch a company while working full-time and raising a family, and her vision for building a brand that empowers women to feel confident, capable, and seen in their workwear.
Follow Dirty Birdy on Instagram: @heydirtybirdy
Explore more: heydirtybirdy.com
follow dirty birdy on instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydirtybirdy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Meredith Rodgers spent the past year "onboard reporter" for the Clipper Round the World Race, sailing a staggering 40,000 nautical miles across the globe as part of the Perseverance team. What started as a lifelong dream led her into this wild, transformative role—documenting the journey firsthand while living it.
In this episode, she shares what it was like to become part of a crew navigating oceans and elements, the highs and lows of that epic year, and the emotional return to everyday life once the journey ended. We also dive into her creative side—how she transitioned into freelance photo and video work, and her latest passion project: filming an all-women's Northeast winter surf film.
This conversation is a vibrant mix of salt air, ambition, shift, and vision—revealing the grit and grace of chasing dreams on the open sea.
Follow Meredith: @meredithrodgerssAlso behind the lens at: @atrainstudios
Celina Frisson is a multidisciplinary artist rooted in both the Canadian Rockies and the Pacific Coast. Specializing in ceramics and design, her work is shaped by the landscapes she moves through—allowing the rhythms of nature to guide her creative practice.
In this episode, we explore the many facets of Celina’s journey: navigating the in-between spaces of life and place, finding inspiration in movement, becoming human in Jasper, and the role of community in sustaining creativity. She shares insights on creative rhythms, leaning into new mediums like somatics, calming the mind, and listening to nature. We also talk about how The Creative Traveller name came to be, and her reflections for artists seeking to connect more deeply with their surroundings.
This conversation left me reflecting on my own creative habits—what to lean into and how to engage with the world more intentionally. I hope it does the same for you.
Follow Celina: @thecreativetravellerExplore her work: thecreativetraveller.com
