Hiking for Every Body: Interview with Alexa Rosales of Body Liberation Outdoor Club
What better way to spotlight those that bring diversity and belonging to the outdoors than to bring their stories directly to you?
This is my idea behind the "DEIB Outdoors Champion" video interview series.
I am thrilled to kick off this series by speaking with Alexa Rosales, founder of Body Liberation Outdoor Club.
Building a haven for bigger bodied outdoor enthusiasts
After countless group hikes where Alexa felt unwelcome due to her size, she had an epiphany: Why not create my own group hikes where bigger bodied folks can truly pursue joy in the outdoors?
And in that moment, the seed for Body Liberation Outdoor Club (BLOC) was planted.
BLOC began in 2021 as a simple Facebook group for hikers in the Hudson Valley of New York State. But it has quickly grown nationwide as those with marginalized body sizes express the desire for a local community to enjoy the outdoors without being judged or shamed. As of this writing, BLOC now offers 17 chapters across the country.
The rundown of our chat
Here's what you'll learn in this interview with Alexa Rosales of Body Liberation Outdoor Club. The timestamps represent where in the video you can hear that particular discussion.
[00:34] The roots of Alexa's fight for equity
[02:10] Fatphobia in society, including in outdoor recreation
[06:05] How Body Liberation Outdoor Club emphasizes nature over competition
[07:57] Ways that BLOC prepares hikers for an enjoyable hike
[10:44] Growing from a local Facebook group to a nationwide movement
[12:49] The variety of BLOC events for hikers of all abilities
[18:36] The splendor of outdoor recreation in Hudson Valley, New York
Links from this interview
BLOC "Lead a Chapter" application
Alexa's shoutout: Amanda Gilliam of Big Girl Barbell
Ready for the chat with Alexa Rosales?
Here's the full video of my chat with Alexa from Body Liberation Outdoor Club.
