Turn your pain into power. Part inspirational memoir, part practical guide, Hiking Your Feelings offers a toolkit to unpack your “trauma pack” and step into the best version of yourself.

Join wellness advocate and wilderness guide Sydney Williams for a book signing and discussion of her new book, Hiking Your Feeling: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love, as well as a guided walk through the park. The book will be available for purchase at the MTRP gift shop.

The hiking portion will be optional and will be along the Father Junipero Serra Trail, a flat and accessible trail for all abilities.

About the Author:

Sydney Williams is the founder of Hiking My Feelings, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the healing power of nature. She is an author and a certified Wilderness First Responder, an instructor at the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park, an instructor at the Field Institute at Sequoia National Park, and a founding member of the Outdoorist Oath. Through it all, she centers empathetic storytelling and allows her curiosity and enthusiasm to lead the way.

This event is organized by Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation, the nonprofit that supports the park. Your ticket helps the MTRP Foundation preserve and protect the park we love.

Join us Tuesday March 12th at 6:00 pm as we welcome Sydney Williams to the store to discuss and sign Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love.

This event is free to attend and will be held at DIESEL, A Bookstore in Del Mar.

Free seating is limited. To reserve a seat, please purchase one copy of a book for one seat. 

Sydney Williams Event Reservation 

Turn your pain into power. Part inspirational memoir, part practical guide, Hiking Your Feelings offers a toolkit to unpack your “trauma pack” and step into the best version of yourself.

Join wellness and wilderness enthusiast Sydney Williams as she shares her healing journey from eating and drinking her feelings to hiking her feelings. When Sydney unexpectedly found herself diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, while grappling with grief and unresolved trauma built up over a decade, she set out on a quest to turn her pain into power. Two hikes across Catalina Island and eighty miles later, she learned to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with herself, all through the power of nature. Now, she’s encouraging others to get outside and blaze their own trail to self-love, turning buried traumas into healthy coping mechanisms. With affirmations, prompts, and reflection exercises throughout—all presented from Sydney’s supportive and self-effacing perspective—Hiking Your Feelings offers a toolkit to unpack your “trauma pack” and step into the best version of yourself.

INSPIRATIONAL & INSIGHTFUL: Follow Sydney as she reflects on her own journey from buried traumas and poor body image to acceptance, healthy coping mechanisms, and self-love.

RELATABLE & UNIVERSAL: Touches on themes and problems that many struggle with, including grief and loss, sexual assault, poor body image, career stress, and the stigma of diabetes, all presented from Sydney’s supportive and self-effacing perspective.

HEALING POWER OF NATURE: Discover how getting outside—even just for a walk around the block—can help you tune into your body better.

HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE: Learn to love yourself as you are now. Go from eating, drinking, working, or spending your feelings to hiking your feelings.

UNPACK YOUR TRAUMA PACK: Identify new activities and rituals that will allow you to choose love over fear and lift the invisible weight from your shoulders.

PROMPTS, ACTIVITIES & EXERCISES: Apply the lessons Sydney has learned to your own life, through thoughtful tasks at the end of each chapter.

Sydney has been featured in Huff Post, Psychology Today, U.S. News & World Report, and on the SXSW stage. She is also a certified Wilderness First Responder, an instructor at the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park, an instructor at the Field Institute at Sequoia National Park, and a founding member of the Outdoorist Oath. Sydney has been nominated for Woman of the Year by San Diego Magazine. 

Today’s the day! Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love is here!

SXSW weekend means getting outside, y’all. Gossamer Gear, Hiking My Feelings, and The Trail Conservancy have all teamed up to host a wonderful Sunday morning at Festival Beach. You’ll be able to meet fellow trail enthusiasts, pick up trash, and enjoy Texas spring all before making it to your next SX event. If you’ve been meaning to get outside in ATX, then you won’t want to miss this.  

During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with Sydney Williams, founder of Hiking My Feelings. This organization is on a mission to improve community health by creating opportunities for people to experience the healing power of nature. Sydney will be speaking at SXSW about her newest book, Hiking Your Feelings, on March 9th, and she hopes to do even more for the ATX community by leaving it better than she found it. To learn more about her events, you can visit her SXSW event page here: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP134183

Once you’ve picked up all of your trash, you might win some prizes from Gossamer Gear. 

Gossamer Gear is located in Austin, Texas, and focuses on creating functional, lightweight hiking and backpacking gear. If you come back with the most trash or the weirdest piece of trash, you could be the recipient of a new daypack. With smaller raffle prizes to offer, you’ll want to stick around until the very end. 

Participants will meet on the Bulter Trail at Festival Beach (Google Pin Location). Parking will be available at the Estacionamiento Edward Rendon Parking lot and street parking along Chicon Street. Please come prepared in comfortable clothing to hike and pick up trash. TTC will provide trash grabbers, gloves, and bags. You will only need to bring a filled water bottle and yourself. 

Get your book signed at the SXSW Bookstore!

Join wellness & wilderness enthusiast Sydney Williams as she shares her healing journey from eating and drinking her feelings to hiking her feelings. When Sydney unexpectedly found herself diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, while grappling with grief and unresolved trauma built up over a decade, she set out on a quest to turn her pain into power. Through hiking and backpacking, she learned to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with herself. Now, she’s encouraging others to get outside and blaze their own trail to self-love, turning buried traumas into healthy coping mechanisms.

We’re launching Hiking Your Feelings at SXSW!

Join wellness & wilderness enthusiast Sydney Williams as she shares her healing journey from eating and drinking her feelings to hiking her feelings. When Sydney unexpectedly found herself diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, while grappling with grief and unresolved trauma built up over a decade, she set out on a quest to turn her pain into power. Through hiking and backpacking, she learned to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with herself. Now, she’s encouraging others to get outside and blaze their own trail to self-love, turning buried traumas into healthy coping mechanisms.

Guardians of the Public Lands: Effective Strategies for Next-Gen Stewardship & Personal Well-Being

Co-Presented by: Sydney Williams, Founder/CEO of Hiking My Feelings and Daniel Huecker, Field Institute Director at Sequoia Parks Conservancy

Inspired results require innovative approaches. So, what will it take to engage the next generation in stewardship of and advocacy for our public lands? Join us as we explore how the integration of stewardship and self-care has yielded tangible benefits. We’ll discuss how stewardship and self-care events reinvigorate parks; engage a new generation of stewards, donors, and advocates; and generate volunteer hours necessary to support increasing conservation efforts.

“Hiking Your Feelings helps the traveler turn reflective miles into heartfelt smiles. Hiking includes both ups and downs, but when it’s done as described in this book, you can be confident in both your journey and your destination.”

 –Wayne S. Dysinger, M.D., M.P.H., former president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Meet at Ryan Bonaminio Park | 5000 Teqiuesquite Ave. Riverside | West side of park near playground and covered picnic area

Sign the waiver: https://hikingmyfeelings.org/waiver

Water and trail mix provided

Wear shoes for hiking and bring sunscreen, outerwear, and extra water and snacks as necessary.

This paved trail is considered to be an easy-to-moderate hike. This hike will be led by Sydney Williams from Hiking My Feelings and will take approximately 1.5-2 hours to complete.

Watch your email for weather updates!

Questions? Email Kelsie.White@lifestylemedical.com 

About Hiking My Feelings: Sydney Williams is the author of Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love (Mandala Publishing, 2024) and founder of Hiking My Feelings, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the healing power of nature. Her fifteen-year (and counting) career in communications has run the gamut from launching Oscar Mayer's social media channels and working with Fortune 500 brands to educating the public about the importance of stewardship and equitable access to recreational opportunities. Through it all, she centers empathetic storytelling and allows her curiosity and enthusiasm to lead the way.

Sydney has been featured in Huff Post, Psychology Today, U.S. News & World Report, and on the SXSW stage. She is also a certified Wilderness First Responder, an instructor at the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park, an instructor at the Field Institute at Sequoia National Park, and a founding member of the Outdoorist Oath. Sydney has been nominated for Woman of the Year by San Diego Magazine. 

People Over Profits at Outdoor Retailer

Headed to Outdoor Retailer? If so, be sure to swing by the Ranger Station at 3:30pm on Monday!

I am moderating the People Over Profits panel in collaboration with Sawyer, and I'm honored to be facilitating this conversation with some of our industry's best and brightest minds.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Gabaccia Moreno: Gabaccia is a Sawyer Ambassador and is the Executive Director of The Outdoorist Oath, a non-profit organization dedicated to the planet, inclusion, and adventure. Gabaccia is a first-generation Mexican-American multi-disciplinary creator and consultant, and on the weekends you can catch her hiking, backpacking, wildflower chasing, tracking, hunting, and fly fishing.

Jahmicah Dawes: Hailing from Stephenville, Texas, Jahmicah is an angler, father, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of the first Black-owned gear shop in the nation, Slim Pickins Outfitters, and is a leader in our industry in his community-driven approach to business.

Sean Kappauf: Founder of non-profit One ATTA Time, Sean has a deep passion for connecting people to the global water crisis. From corporate collaborations to government partnerships, Sean is skilled in bringing multiple parties together to bring Sawyer filters to communities lacking clean drinking water.

Zelzin Aketzalli: Sawyer Ambassador Zelzin "Quetzal" Aketzalli is the first person from Mexico to complete the Triple Crown of Hiking – the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Beyond this achievement, Zelzin is also an outdoor educator and teacher. She is passionate about land advocacy and creating more accessible spaces.

Sydney Williams, Moderator: Sydney is the Founder and CEO of Hiking My Feelings and is dedicated to helping others tap into the mind-body connection and healing power of nature. Out of her own experience in understanding trauma and kicking disease into remission, Sydney has bridged the gap for folks to get familiar with their space in the outdoors. She's an author, podcast host, outdoor instructor, and currently calls Sequoia National Park home.

ABOUT THE PANEL

What is possible when we put people over profits? In a panel discussion led by Sawyer, we'll tap into a well of international experience from industry leaders adopting sustainable practices that promote equality, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship.

Soak up the good vibes and good music!

(and get your book signed)

We’re excited to be joining KBong and Johnny Cosmic for the Making Friends Tour. Swing by the merch booth to support the band and learn about Hiking My Feelings! Books available for purchase and signing.

Soak up the good vibes and good music!

(and get your book signed)

We’re excited to be joining KBong and Johnny Cosmic for the Making Friends Tour. Swing by the merch booth to support the band and learn about Hiking My Feelings! Books available for purchase and signing.

Soak up the good vibes and good music!

(and get your book signed)

We’re excited to be joining KBong and Johnny Cosmic for the Making Friends Tour. Swing by the merch booth to support the band and learn about Hiking My Feelings! Books available for purchase and signing.

Soak up the good vibes and good music!

(and get your book signed)

We’re excited to be joining KBong and Johnny Cosmic for the Making Friends Tour. Swing by the merch booth to support the band and learn about Hiking My Feelings! Books available for purchase and signing.

Soak up the good vibes and good music!

(and get your book signed)

We’re excited to be joining KBong and Johnny Cosmic for the Making Friends Tour. Swing by the merch booth to support the band and learn about Hiking My Feelings! Books available for purchase and signing.

Soak up the good vibes and good music!

(and get your book signed)

We’re excited to be joining KBong and Johnny Cosmic for the Making Friends Tour. Swing by the merch booth to support the band and learn about Hiking My Feelings! Books available for purchase and signing.

Soak up the good vibes and good music!

(and get your book signed)

We’re excited to be joining KBong and Johnny Cosmic for the Making Friends Tour. Swing by the merch booth to support the band and learn about Hiking My Feelings! Books available for purchase and signing.

Soak up the good vibes and good music!

(and get your book signed)

We’re excited to be joining KBong and Johnny Cosmic for the Making Friends Tour. Swing by the merch booth to support the band and learn about Hiking My Feelings! Books available for purchase and signing.

Join us for a mindful morning.

Join Sydney Williams, author of Hiking My Feelings: Stepping into the Healing Power of Nature and put the lessons she learned on the trail into practical application with a moderate hike to two summits in Mission Trails Regional Park: North and South Fortuna. After we get our summit selfies, Sydney will guide you through some of the prompts for reflection from the book, then we will return to our starting point. Books available for purchase and signing.

HIKE INFORMATION: Fortuna Mountain Trail - 6.2 miles, 1,348 feet elevation gain

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAILHEAD

Along with Balboa Park and Mission Bay Park, Mission Trails Regional Park is one of the premier parks for outdoor recreation in San Diego County. This loop trail tackles both North Fortuna and South Fortuna peaks and with the elevation gain (and loss, too) it is a great workout for anyone wanting a bit of their nature fix in the city.

Accessible year round you can find the beginning of the trail located at the end of Clairemont Mesa Blvd. The trail can be busy, especially on weekends, so arrive early to have a better chance at finding available parking.

There are great views of the city and out to the Pacific throughout the hike, and it is a wonderful way to escape the hustle and bustle - if only for a few hours.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ELEVATION PROFILE + MAP

Full Hike Itinerary

• 7:45 am: Meet at Trailhead parking lot to stretch

• 8:00 am: Hit the trail, we're starting at 8am to beat the heat!

• FIRST GROUP STOPPING POINT: meditation

• SUMMIT TIME: We'll bust out our trail journals and do a self-reflection exercise while we have our snacks.

What to Bring + Wear

• Plenty of water (I carry at least 2L, and if you use a water bladder, we recommend also bringing a water bottle that you can mix electrolyte powder into)

• Snacks

• Trail journal (we can provide one with a donation of $10 or more)

• Pen

• Sunscreen + Sun protection (hat, sun hoodie or long sleeve shirt, sunglasses, a cooling towel to wet and wear around your neck, etc)

• Comfortable shoes (if you don't have hiking shoes yet, we recommend Salomon - shop here)

• Dress , as it will be in the high 60's in the morning and warm up to high 80's-mid 90's by mid-day

What about the weather?

If we don't get to the trailhead, we can't hike. That said, we will not hike in dangerous weather conditions. We will meet at the trailhead and if the weather isn't suitable for hiking, we'll go to breakfast!

EVENT PARTNER: Gnarly Nutrition

Our partners at Gnarly Nutrition are sharing some of their Electrolyte powder with us for this event so we can stay hydrated before, during, and after the hike! Did you know their electrolyte powder just topped the charts? That's right, Outside Magazine tested 23 different electrolyte drinks and Gnarly Nutrition won! When you fall in love with it on our hike, you can shop here and use code HIKINGMYFEELINGS to save 15% on your purchase!

EVENT PARTNER: LactiGo

Be in Nature, Without Soreness

At Hiking My Feelings, we are on a mission to improve community health by creating opportunities for people to experience the healing power of nature. Getting out in nature helps people reconnect with themselves, and make lasting improvements to mental, physical, and spiritual health.

With LactiGo, we want to help people get out more by taking muscle soreness and pain out of your journeys into nature. By reducing the soreness and burn in your muscles while hiking, all you have to do is focus on moving at the speed of your breath. LactiGo helps reduce the discomfort in your muscles, meaning you can hike more without the pain.

Don't let muscle pain slow you down from achieving your goals; get out there and enjoy nature!

"Last year I hiked up Mt Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48, and experienced zero muscle pain or burn!" - Sydney Williams, LactiGo athlete

Questions? Email hello@hikingmyfeelings.org

We are headed to Morrison, Colorado to see Stick Figure at Red Rocks on June 5th, so let's hike it out and get ready for the show!

Whether this is your first time or your 100th time, join us for the ultimate Red Rocks experience with the Hiking My Feelings crew and Stick Figure Family. You can participate in as much or as little of the activities if you want - here's what we'll be up to:

• 5:00am - Sunrise on the Rocks: We'll park in the Upper South Lot at 5:00 am and meet at the ramp past the porta potties. Bring your coffee, water, tea, a camera, and all the good vibes! We'll watch the sun come up over the city of Denver, marvel at the fitness enthusiasts who master human tricks on the stairs and seats, and visualize how incredible it will be to spend another night under the stars with our Stick Figure Family.

• 7:00am - Hike Dakota Ridge + Dinosaur Ridge: No trip to Colorado is complete without a hike, and we've picked the perfect one! When you're sitting in the Amphitheatre, Dakota Ridge is the ridgeline you can see behind the stage. After sunrise, we'll head back to our cars and carpool over to the Dakota Ridge Trail Head. This hike includes Dinosaur Ridge, which is the #1 site in the WORLD for dinosaur tracks! We have some epic photo spots picked out for this adventure, so tuck a Stick Figure flag in your bag and let's do it!

• Grab some food: Before we head back to Red Rocks to start our concert experience - we'll grab some grub in Morrison.

HIKE INFO - Dakota Ridge Trail + Dinosaur Ridge

• 5.5 miles

• 1,099 feet elevation gain

• Rated MODERATE on AllTrails - please review the link to get familiar with the conditions

• Dog-friendly

Before you arrive, please fill out the waiver.

If you're interested in joining this hike and want to coordinate carpooling, talk about the trail, and get to know your fellow hikers, be sure to join our private social network. We will update with specific meeting points and further details as we get closer and can keep an eye on the weather and other activities related to this show.