“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.”Maya Angelou
Welcome to Wild Adventure Women a new section of my blog that lets you virtually meet some of the women that have inspired me over the past year and I know you will love them too! A Wild Woman lives authentically, with a sense of creativity in all she does. She has the passion and courage to express her self and her ideas freely, even if it feels vulnerable, because she then lives her truth.
Freya Hodson aka @freya_adventureawaits is possibly one of the sweetest women I have had the pleasure of meeting. She is extremely positive and will happily sing along to some cheesy pop and that’s just the start! Usually found hiking the Peak District she will always invite you along on an adventure. Plus she has the best hiking wardrobe I have ever seen!
When not working as a Podiatrist for the NHS she is adventuring “I usually go on hiking adventures, but I do love scrambling, bouldering and trad climbing (very much a beginner with that) and anything on or in the water.
This year Freya become a Salomon Outdoor Ambassador and if you ask me Salomon are lucky to have her onboard.
What is at the top of your bucket list?
Top of my bucket list – to head to The Dolomites, hoping to do that next year for my 30th Birthday, fingers crossed!
Are there any women that inspire your adventures or that you look to for inspiration?
Any women that inspire me : hmmm I have never been one for role models as that puts people on a higher level and I do not really like that concept, but I would have to say it is my friends that inspire me, but again not in the sense you look up to them as sometimes that leads to competition and women against women. Sorry Emma not sure how to answer this one lol
What piece of advice would I give my younger self?
The advice I would give myself at the age of 23- 26 DO NOT STOP HIKING why did you do that ! Also life has its ups and downs, throws a curve ball your way a lot, it does not go to plan but that can be exciting as well as daunting, it changes you, but go with it but don’t ever loose yourself or what makes you happy, for me that is adventures in the great outdoors and spending lots of time with my friends.
What advice to give someone starting out on their outdoor journey?
Don’t be afraid. There are so many hiking groups out their, meet up groups or local groups that you can find online that have been going on for donkeys years. But I have to say the best place is through Instagram, the outdoors community on their is incredible and most are so friendly so don’t worry about sliding into those DM’s haha but yea don’t be afraid to ask to join a hike, and few of the outdoor brands also run meet ups. Start with the basics in equipment, good hiking shoes, trainers or boots, back pack, waterproofs and plenty of space for snacks and water, and be prepared to get a bit muddy and wet .
What has been the hardest hike I have done?
Was the Wainwrights coast to coast back in 2010, well I think it was then anyways, we decided to do it over 7 days instead of 12 days, it was in August and it rained every single day except the very last day, we were walking around 20 miles a day some days more, and with the rain and camping it was horrendous. Half way through my ankles had had enough, they swelled up to the size of my calves and were so painful, I just could not go on. So unfortunately I did not complete it, and that was the last challenge I ever did, since then I have had other injuries/issues where trying to do a challenge would just put me out of action for too long. I will complete it one day, but I will start from where I stopped and not from the beginning as that is just mad haha.
My favourite thing about the outdoor community is?
Everyone is so Welcoming and Friendly, I have made some life long friends through the outdoor community on Instagram, and had some amazing adventures, in such a short period of time.
Is there anything you would change about the outdoor community
Personally there is nothing I would change about the outdoor community, because it is just a group of people that love the outdoors that have happened to stumble across each other 😊
Is there a sport/adventure pursuit you would like to try? If yes what’s stopping you?
I want to try a lot more water sports! Kayaking, normal or white water, paddle boarding, a lot more wild swimming. What’s stopping me, is money, a sup is not cheap. Wild swimming I am doing better with, finding a lot more places even near by that I can swim.
What is the one song you would pick to sum up your time outdoors?
Okay this song isn’t happy or anything like that but it’s something I always sing when I am amongst the mountains, and it is, I see fire by Ed Sheeran as it is from The Hobbit and the first line is “ Oh misty eye of the Mountain Below..” and watching lord of the rings and reading the books as a kid had a huge influence me wanting to get outdoors and to go on Adventures!
You can find Freya over on Instagram, @freya_adventureawaits 🙂
