About Rise & Wander by Karla Amador of the 52 Hike Challenge
The Rise & Wander Podcast is a show where Karla Amador, founder of the Worldwide movement, 52 Hike Challenge discusses adventure, spirituality, and empowerment through the outdoors and beyond. Join her as she focuses on topics around the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional benefits derived through the outdoors, hear inspiring stories, get educated, and more!
Embracing Nature: Survival Skills and Stories with Ali Williams
In this Rise and Wander Podcast episode, I talk with Ali Williams, founder of Wayfinder Outdoors, about her experience on the extreme survival show Naked and Afraid in Zambia, where she completed most of the 21-day challenge alone after her partner left on day three. Ali shares what it took to manage fear, sleep deprivation, and real threats from dangerous wildlife while relying on skills like fire building and risk assessment. We discuss the difference between perceived risk and actual risk, the importance of education, redundancy, and community in outdoor safety, and why interdependence matters more than the idea of independence. Ali explains the gap she saw in outdoor recreation that led her to start Wayfinder Outdoors—combining play, wonder, deeper connection to nature, and practical skills like navigation, foraging, shelter, and wilderness medicine.
Show Links:
wayfinderoutdoors.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wayfinderali
https://www.instagram.com/wayfinderoutdoors
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvsirC3viPt_mfFCsv-WlWQ
18 Sept 2026
Push Your Hiking Limits: Training for Bigger Adventures, Altitude, and Multi-Day Treks
In episode 17 of season four of the Rise and Wander Podcast, I share how to go from comfortable day hikes to bigger, more adventurous goals like multi-day treks, peak climbs, and backpacking trips by planning and training backwards. I explain how to safely build mileage and elevation gradually using tools like AllTrails and structured milestones. I cover additional training needs such as cardio, weight training, stretching/yoga, pack-weight training for backpacking, altitude risks and precautions (including Diamox), and the importance of permits and long-term planning for popular routes. I also address pacing, injury prevention and recovery, footwear and foot pain, self-care, mindfulness, and journaling to manage self-doubt and recognize personal transformation through hard outdoor challenges.
Show Notes:
Oxygen tablets (02boost): https://o2boost66.com/
Hiking Footwear blog: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/blogs/blog/hiking-footwear-101
Hiking Footwear Video: https://youtu.be/koy26WrYScY
21 Aug 2026
Mindful Hiking: Leave No Trace and Responsible Adventures
In episode 16 of series four on hiking basics, I focus on Leave No Trace and recreating responsibly, previewing an Earth Series cohort starting September 1 in partnership with Leave No Trace that includes trail stewardship and a free course with a certificate, plus our $5 donation per challenge and trash-collecting bags from Deuter. I cover the seven principles: plan ahead, stay on durable surfaces, pack out waste (including pet waste and hygiene items), leave what you find, minimize fire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others, along with notes on graffiti, rock cairns, carbon footprint, and hiking with kids.
Show Notes:
Earth Series Challenge Sign Up: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/pages/earth-series
Leave No Trace Course: https://learn.lnt.org/courses/101
Recreate Responsibly: https://www.recreateresponsibly.org/
Kula Cloth: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/products/52-hike-challenge-kula-cloth-colorful-outdoors
Kids Series Challenge: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/pages/kids-series
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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