Unlikely Stories Podcast

Fans of ultrarunning might be familiar with athlete, speaker, and author of the best-selling book ‘A Beautiful Work in Progress,’ Mirna Valerio. Also known as ‘The Mirnavator,’ Valerio promotes body positivity, health awareness, and diversity in the running and outdoor industry as she runs marathons and ultramarathons around the country and advocates for inclusion for people of all shapes, sizes, race, gender, and background. Her story has inspired a movement encouraging people everywhere to be whoever they want to be and do whatever makes them happy. In 2018, she was named a National Geographic "Adventurer of the Year.” Topics covered in this episode: • Mirna’s first introduction to the outdoors. • The ups and downs of running long distance—and why she loves it. • How she addresses and fights back against negativity. • The role she plays in the outdoor industry and how she motivates others to do what they want. • Her new book, ‘A Beautiful Work in Progress.’ • Her favorite piece of gear to bring on the trail. To learn more about Mirna Valerio, visit her website at themirnavator.com. IG: @themirnavator This episode is supported by LEKI, makers of the world’s best poles since 1948. www.Leki.com & Instagram @lekiusa We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

Earl B. Hunter Jr. knows how to bring people together. He is widely recognized for his exuberant personality, hard work ethic, and non-traditional approach to building relationships, which has proved effective in his efforts to increase diversity in the outdoors industry. Hunter is the founder and CEO of Black Folks Camp Too, a marketing-driven business that focuses on making camping and the outdoors more inviting and interesting to the BIPOC communities that aren’t always represented in the industry. The idea sprung from a camping trip in 2015, where Hunter and his son traveled across the United States in an RV, visiting 49 campgrounds in 20 states, and only seeing one other Black family camping during the whole trip. Topics covered in this episode: • Hunter’s vision behind Black Folks Camp Too. • The importance of inclusivity in the outdoor industry. • The meaning behind the Unity Blaze design. To learn more about Earl B. Hunter Jr. and Black Folks Camp Too, visit BlackFolksCampToo.com; IG @blackfolkscamptoo This episode is supported by Kula Cloth, the antimicrobial pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. Learn more at www.kulacloth.com & Instagram @kulacloth. We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

J.R. Harris has been backpacking long distances for more than 50 years in some of the most remote wilderness areas in the world, unsupported and mostly alone. He is on the Board of Directors for the 116-year-old Explorers Club, and is the Chairman for the Club’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He is also a keynote speaker. J.R. believes diversity, equity, and inclusion will increase the number of people who will spend time in nature and therefore appreciate and protect our public lands and open spaces. His objective is to share his experiences to hopefully motivate others to pursue a healthy outdoors lifestyle. He has written numerous articles about his experiences in the outdoors, as well as the book, Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker. Topics covered in this episode: James Pierson Beckwourth (1798 or 1800 – 1866 or 1867). He was an American fur trapper, explorer, mountain man, innkeeper, author, storyteller, scout, guide, and more. He’s known for being one of the few African American mountain men, on the American Western Frontier. Matthew Alexander Henson (1866 – 1955) was an American explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on seven voyages to the Arctic over a period of nearly 23 years. He is best known for his participation in the 1908 –1909 expedition that reached the geographic North Pole on April 6, 1909. Henson was the first of their party to reach the pole. To learn more about J.R. Harris and his work, head over to their www.jrinthewilderness.com & Instagram @jrinthewilderness This episode is supported by LEKI, makers of the world’s best poles since 1948. www.Leki.com & Instagram @lekiusa We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast

In 2011, Jennifer Pharr Davis set the overall fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail, hiking the 2,185-mile footpath from Georgia to Maine in just 46 days. Today, she continues to wow athletes with her accomplishments, including backpacking 700 miles pregnant, walking across North Carolina while nursing her newborn son, and hiking in all 50 states with her two-year-old daughter. Pharr Davis is an internationally recognized adventurer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who has hiked more than 14,000 miles of trails on six different continents. She’s currently serving on President Biden’s Council of Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and played a prominent role in the 2020 IMAX film 'Into America’s Wild.' Topics covered in this episode: • What she was thinking when she set the overall FKT record on the Appalachian Trail. • What it means to be a woman who set the overall FKT on a long trail. • Sponsorships in the outdoor community. • Despite what people say, Pharr Davis does not have superpowers. • The importance of getting outside, no matter where you are. • Go-to gear items. To learn more about Jennifer Pharr Davis, visit her website at www.jenniferpharrdavis.com; IG: @jenpharrdavis This episode is supported by Kula Cloth, the antimicrobial pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. Learn more at www.kulacloth.com & Instagram @kulacloth. This episode is supported by LEKI, makers of the world’s best poles since 1948. www.Leki.com & Instagram @lekiusa We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.UnlikelyStoriesPodcast.com & Instagram @UnlikelyStoriesPodcast