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October 25, 2025 Breakout Session Leader:   Mileva Huljev, Human Nature: a guided sensory experience Our connection with nature isn’t just emotional — it’s biological. Forest bathing  and mindful time outdoors engage every sense, lowering stress and boosting focus. Science keeps confirming what our hearts already know: we feel better when we spend time outside. Below you’ll find a list of recommended reading, research, and resources for continuing your connection with nature and understanding why  it feels so good. 🌿 Websites for the Curious ParksRx Prescription of Vitamin N(ature) 📚 Excellent Books The Nature Fix  — Florence Williams The New Science of Everyday Wonder  — Dacher Keltner A Natural History of the Senses  — Diane Ackerman The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs  — Tristan Gooley Braiding Sweetgrass  — Robin Wall Kimmerer The Secret Life of Trees  — Peter Wohlleben What a Plant Knows  — Daniel Chamovitz Intelligence in Nature  — Jeremy Narby The Nature Principle  — Richard Louv Your Brain on Nature  — E. Selhub The Overstory  — Richard Powers The Biophilia Effect  — Clemens G. Arvay Speaking with Nature  — Sandra Ingerman & Llynn Roberts The Songs of Trees  — David George Haskell The Secret Wisdom of Nature  — Peter Wohlleben Finding Sanctuary in Nature  — Jim Pathfinder Ewing The Research: attached is the 48 page PDF lit review of why Nature Therapy is legit: ) And here is some more to keep you reading during the longer nights ahead! 🧠 Research Highlights Here’s a small sample from the growing body of evidence showing how nature impacts our physiology, mood, and sense of belonging. Zhou, Meihui, et al. (2025). Nature Exposure and Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Roles of Connectedness to Nature and Awe.   Sustainability 17(12):5406 Li, Q. et al. (2008). Visiting a Forest, but Not a City, Increases Human Natural Killer Activity and Expression of Anti-Cancer Proteins. LiH, Ding Y, Zhao B, Xu Y, Wei W. (2023). Effects of Immersion in a Simulated Natural Environment on Stress Reduction and Emotional Arousal.   Frontiers in Psychology Meredith GR, Rakow DA, et al. (2020). Minimum Time Dose in Nature to Positively Impact Mental Health.   Frontiers in Psychology White MP, Alcock I, et al. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing.   Scientific Reports 🌎 Different Environments, Different Benefits Arid Landscapes Nature and Wellbeing in the Arid Landscape  — Beery & Ode Sang (2019) A Qualitative Exploration of the Wilderness Experience as a Source of Spiritual Inspiration  — Fredrickson & Anderson (1999) Grasslands / Meadows Psychological Benefits of Greenspace Increase with Biodiversity  — Fuller et al. (2007) Nature and Mental Health: An Ecosystem Service Perspective  — Frumkin et al. (2020) Blue Spaces (Water Environments) Blue Mind  — Wallace J. Nichols (2014) Blue Space: The Importance of Water for Preference, Affect, and Restorative Experience  — White et al. (2010) Urban & Park Spaces Green Space, Urbanity, and Health  — Maas et al. (2006) Nature Walks as a Part of Urban Wellbeing  — Pasanen et al. (2020) Happy biophilia connections, Mileva Huljev Human Nature: a guided sensory experience https://www.forestbathingfinder.com/guide-profile/humannature/ humannatureimmersion@gmail.com 🌱 Biophilia  means our innate human tendency to seek connection with nature and other living things. The term, popularized by biologist E.O. Wilson  in 1984, helps explain why spending time outdoors restores calm, focus, and joy — reminding us we’re part of nature, not separate from it.

Your Strongest Season Yet: 5 Ways to Stay Strong, Capable & Wild After 50. October 25, 2025 Breakout Session Leader:  Heather Yancey (Scroll down for Heather's PDF) Strength is freedom. When we train for it, we stay wild and capable for decades to come! 1. Midlife is your STRENGTH SEASON Menopause shifts your physiology but that makes strength training more essential, not less. Strong muscles protect joints, bones and balance for hiking, paddling, skiing, climbing and everyday adventure. Strength is the new endurance. Cardio alone doesn’t keep us adventure ready- strength does. Stronger muscles = stronger bones, better balance and more confidence on uneven terrain. What to do? Focus on “adventure muscles” Glutes for hills and power Core for stability and posture Grip strength for trekking poles, kayaking or simply confidence You can’t have endurance without strength- your muscles are your engine! 2. TRAIN for terrain Strength + stability = few injuries and more confidence Focus on hips, glutes and core What to do? Depends on sport but some examples: Plyometrics for rocky trails Squats and lunges for climbing Eccentric and isometric exercises for descents 3. ALIGN for PERFORMANCE The missing link between strength and performance When joints are stacked properly (ankle-hip-shoulder-ear), energy flows efficiently, you move better and prevent injuries Postural imbalances steal strength and endurance What can you do? Stand with more weight on the heels, shoulders up-back-and down, pull chin in (think true north!) Or grab the free AlignSmart routine in the QR code. If your house is built on a crooked foundation, even the best furniture won’t sit right! 4. RECOVER like an ATHLETE Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mobility are recovery keys Rebuild muscle and regulate cortisol with your sleep, hydration and protein intake What can you do? Build a “recovery toolkit”: walking, stretching, contrast showers, breathwork, and down-regulation techniques. Practice resting not just because you’re tired- you’re resting because you’re training for longevity. This is a MINDSET RESET. 5. MINDSET is a MUSCLE, TOO Your thoughts shape your performance more than your muscles do and confidence grows when you prove to yourself that you can do hard things. Try this: Reframe aging: “I’m not breaking down. I’m breaking through” Practice I AM statements Strength starts in the body, but it’s powered by belief. When you align your mindset … That's when you become UNSTOPPABLE! GRAB YOUR FREE LINKS HERE! 4 week Strength Training program 1 week AlignSmart routine Listen to The Badass Reset Club Podcast More from Heather HeatherYanceyFitness.com

October 25, 2025 Breakout Session Leader:   Meredith Eades, Co-owner of Rippin’ Chix Mindfulness isn’t something we do only when sitting still — it moves with us. Whether hiking, working, or navigating life’s transitions, the mindset we carry can shape every experience. This session explored simple but powerful ways to stay aware, grounded, and growing — even in motion. 1. Awareness Comes First Change starts with noticing. Becoming aware of your thoughts is the first step to shifting them. Meet those thoughts with kindness , not judgment. 2. Fear vs. Growth Fear is normal — it’s part of being human. The key question is: will fear stop  you or inform  you? Growth happens when we let fear teach us instead of limit us. 3. The Power of Reframing How we interpret challenges defines how we experience them. Instead of “This is hard and scary,” try “This is where I grow.” Ask better questions that empower you: Not “Is this the rest of my life?”  but “Is this the right path for me right now?” 4. Micro Practices that Ground You Mindset shifts don’t always come from big moments — they come from small, daily habits: Affirmations Meditation EFT tapping  (Brad Yates offers great free videos) Journaling Breathwork 5. Identity Is Everything The fastest way to shift is to ask yourself: “What would the version of me who already has this, or can do this, do right now?” Then act from that version of yourself. Identity shapes action, and action shapes outcomes. Keep in touch with Women's Outdoor Connection and with Meredith! RippinChix.com

Thank you for being part of an incredible day! We’re still smiling from the 2025 Women’s Outdoor Connection event in Seattle. We raised about $2,500 for Mary's Place of Seattle plus delivered a carload of jackets and blankets for local families If you missed it — no worries. There’s more ahead. Stay tuned for the No Man’s Land Film Fest and upcoming micro-events designed to keep us all connected year-round. 🎬 Learn about the Film Fest Have you ever thought, “I’d love to try that, but who would I go with?” We built this event to answer that question. This is where people come together, explore possibilities, and find their people. 🌿“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. ” — Amelia Earhart Adventure Partners Alpine Fit: Jen creates technical outdoor apparel designed for real adventures—with U.S. manufacturing, high-performance fabrics, and inclusive fit options built from Alaska roots to the PNW trails. (retail partner) BIPOC Mountain Collective: Skiing & Snowboarding (co-ed) in WA. Trips to Denver, Canada, WA DC, and Howard Univ. Bronze Chapter: Kayaking, sailing, hiking, and outdoor learning for BIPOC adventurers (co-ed) . Deep Rooted Retreats: Retreats that reconnect you with yourself, community, and nature in the PNW. Edge Outdoors: BIPOC skiing, snowboarding, fun gatherings, trips, and scholarships. HumanNature Forest Bathing: Mileva Huljev, Forest therapy guide. Groups, private walks and corporate events. Kula Cloth: A local company redefining trail hygiene for women with antimicrobial, eco-friendly gear made right here in the PNW. (retail partner) Mt. Rainier Nordic Patrol : The Mt. Rainier Nordic Patrol is a volunteer ski and snowshoe patrol helping visitors stay safe on Mount Rainier’s winter trails. Outdoors for All Foundation: Adaptive sports for adults and youth. Snow, bike, water, and more. Outdoor Asian: An AAPI (co-ed) community in the outdoors. All seasons, hike, camp, snowshoeing, fishing, etc. Puget Sound Women on the Fly: Fly fishing, building skills and finding fellow women anglers to fish with. Part of Trout Unlimited.org Rippin Chix: Ski camps and coaching, ski, backcountry, touring. B.C., WA, UTAH. SheJumps: Year-round for girls and women. Skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, all ages. Shred-It Sisters: Snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking. Meetup group. Sisters in Action Sports: Year-round activities. Skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, all ages. Snoqualmie Ranger District : (tbd- furlough) Guided hikes, snowshoe walks and volunteer opportunities. USFS. Surf Vamps: Paddleboarding, surfing. Ballard area, coastal surfs and more. Tara Shakti: Seattle's own, retro-inspired ski suit onesies. "Tara nailed it with these designs—functional, flattering, and fashion-forward. I live in them all ski season!" (retail partner) The Change Collective : Skiing and snowboarding (co-ed). Vertical World: Seattle & Lynwood, America’s first indoor climbing gym (est. 1987), climbing, fitness, yoga, and community programs. All ages. Check out the facilities, events, book a party or corporate event. Wild Women Escapes : Adventure trips and gatherings for all levels. Women on the Water- Center for Wooden Boats : Lake Union sailing, rowboats, classes and fun on the water. Special Connections Andrea Kelly, Make Plus Equal . Andrea guides outdoor apparel brands to build size-inclusive collections and connect authentically with marginalized consumers — because everyone deserves equal access to the outdoors. Breakout session. Arathi Nair, yoga instructor, leads a session with the support of certified yoga instructors Melanie Sengstock and Ruthie Anderson. Heather Yancey of Heather Yancey Fitness. She empowers women in perimenopause and beyond to reclaim their strength, body, and confidence through smart training, nutrition, and mindset. Breakout session. Julia Winters, owner Good Day Sauna . A mobile wood-fired cedar sauna experience for Seattle —enabling guests to sweat, plunge and reconnect with the outdoors. Raffle sponsor. Stephanie LaDuke, of Grounding Wellness . Stephanie offers holistic wellness support to parents–to–be and new parents through coaching, aromatherapy, Reiki, and in-home perinatal care to ease the transition into parenthood. Breakout session. Thea Bruce, REI outdoor gear guide. She brings her San Juan Island roots and years of teaching outdoor skills—sharing unforgettable PNW stories from shore to summit. Breakout session. Hear from Past Attendees "I loved connecting with women who share my passion for outdoor sports—it was amazing to meet so many like-minded individuals!" "I liked chatting with the women at their tables and learning about the variety of outdoor groups and non-profits was a highlight for me." "I left the event inspired and motivated to stay active and involved in the outdoor community—I can't wait to attend next year!" What made you want to attend? “I need more adventure pals! It’s hard to make friends in Seattle.” “Trying to meet new people who ski and see what groups are available sounded like fun!” “My daughter and I are trying to find ways to get more young girls involved in outdoor sporting.” Partners & Past Event Highlights

Women's Outdoor Connection- Raffle donations go to help Mary's Place of Seattle. Raffle Time 💖 How to Join the Raffle You can donate now or at the event on Saturday. 💖Tickets are $1 each. Donate Here for Raffle Tickets ❤️ All proceeds go to Mary’s Place of Seattle — helping children and homeless families in King County. Show your Mary's Place donation receipt at the event to pick up your raffle tickets. 🎉RAFFLE HIGHLIGHTS Tara Shakti One-piece ski suit. Retro inspired, fun and functional. Woman-owned business. Value $1,000 Volkl Kenja 88 (underfoot) 164 (length). Value $600 Woolly Clothing - Women's jacket. Value $500 Sauna Party for 15 in West Seattle. Value $525 Good Day Sauna: Mobile sauna at Lincoln Park Stevens Pass tickets. Value $300 XEVO Diva Goggles. Value $260 XEVO Sport RX shades. Value $160 XEVO sunglasses. Value $120 Alpine Fit bundle: Merino wool base layer, hat, gator and headband. Value $225 IGNIK- Ripples. Rechargeable handwarmers, PNW business. Sustainable heated products for Mountain to water. Value $125 (4-pack) $500 DOOR PRIZE! Woolly Clothing All attendees will be entered for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree at Woolly Clothing. Based in Seattle, easy online shopping. Sustainable Merino Wool. And so much more! Event Location 400 Dexter Ave North Seattle, WA andrea@womensoutdoorconnection.com UPDATES Want a direct connection? Send to andrea (@) womensoutdoorconnection.com Get on the Contact List Full Name Email Fun facts about yourself- or what's your JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Join Now

Seattle and Kirkland, Jan 2025. The Winter Edition, six short films from The No Man’s Land Film Festival. The (NMLFF) is the premier all-women + genderqueer adventure film festival. Film Fest NO MAN'S LAND FILM FEST (NMLFF) COMING IN JANUARY 2026 Watch for details on when and where. Snowsports, Mountaineering, Photography, Climbing, and Adventure. Learn more about NMLFF What to Expect ✔️ Incredible storytelling and breathtaking outdoor adventures. ✔️ Stories of resilience, friendship, and exploration. ✔️ A unique celebration of women in the outdoors. See you there! Watch last year's trailers Andrea and the team. The Winter Edition films from our Jan 2025 event GOING GREENLAND What happens when you combine a renewable energy sailboat with an arctic ski expedition in Greenland for the first time ever? How do we follow our dreams-and passions while still living in a way that is more in harmony with our environment? THE DESTINY OF A SHERPA WOMAN Step by step. To the rhythm of Yangji's sure and steady pace, we walk through her life journey, as she returns after many years of absence to the poor village in the Everest region where she grew up. THE FABULOUS LIFE OF NANCY GREENE RAINE As a ski racer, coach, Olympic champ, mountain-resort visionary and Canadian Senator, Nancy Greene Raine is a household name for many Canadians. Hold on to your toques because we're dropping in, to a masterclass in how to live life at 120 km/hour. RE Twenty years ago, Re forged her own path in the outdoor sports community as one of the few women in her field. As an action sports photographer, she is dedicated to working with and showcasing the strength and individual personalities of female athletes. CYCLES The film showcases a group of freeriders exploring the stunning mountains of Tyrol. However, it goes beyond just action and athletic performance. The project delves into the female menstrual cycle and the transformative power of living in tune with it. EARTHSIDE In the spring of 2022, four athletes on The North Face team, Emily Harrington, Brette Harrington, Christina Lusti and Hilaree Nelson embarked on the trip of a lifetime. Their expedition to climb and ski epic first descents on Baffin Island, Canada became a celebration of their accomplishments, of their friendship, and of their lives. KIRKLAND Moss Bay Hall SEATTLE Vertical World UPDATES Want a direct connection? Send to andrea (@) womensoutdoorconnection.com Get on the Contact List Full Name Email Fun facts about yourself- or what's your JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Join Now