Sarah Dealy was not outdoorsy. But at age 20, during a severe bout of depression, she enrolled in a wilderness therapy program. By the end of the program, she wanted to become an “outdoor girl.”

But becoming the outdoorswoman of her dreams didn’t come naturally. Sarah was an indoor kid at heart. She disliked many of the activities she imagined her outdoorsy self doing.

On the first episode of Out There Podcast’s new season, Sarah takes us from the desert of Utah to the mountains of Colorado and explores what happens when the person you think you want to be doesn’t mesh with the person you are.

About Out There

Launched in 2015, Out There is a podcast that explores big questions through intimate stories outdoors. Host Willow Belden just launched their new season, which dives deep into the theme "Things I Thought I Knew." Each episode, they're sharing a story about an outdoor experience that changed someone’s understanding of themselves, their world, or their humanity. Listen to Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and wherever podcasts are found.

Featured in this episode: Sarah Dealy, Willow Belden

Credits:

• This episode was written, produced and sound-designed by Sarah Dealy.
• Editing by Willow Belden.
• Music includes selections from Blue Dot Sessions.

She Explores is Hosted & Produced by Gale Straub

A production of Ravel Media

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Resources

• Out There’s website
• “Best of Out There” playlist (this is a great introduction to the show for new listeners!)
• Sarah Dealy’s website
• Sign up here to be notified when Sarah’s series about Troubled Teen wilderness programs comes out
• If you are a parent who is considering sending your kid to a wilderness program, Sarah recommends the book Help at Any Cost by Maia Szalavitz
• Rate this podcast
• Ravel Media

Episodes air bi-weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.