Encounter Connection
Who am I?
My name is Johanna and I am based in Cumbria, England. I created Encounter Connection as a way to encourage and inspire women of all ages and backgrounds to spend time outdoors and to share with them the skills, knowledge and awareness to feel confident in doing this. Hiking and backpacking is an important part of my life and I am a self-taught and experienced long-distance hiker and backpacker, hiking thousands of miles on numerous long-distance trails in the UK and USA. I am excited to meet you!
Choice
Prioritising time outdoors wasn't always something I did. I knew I enjoyed it and when I allowed myself to do so, I would connect to dreams and visions for adventure, where I would picture myself walking for days, in the wilderness. Yet my own self-doubt encouraged me to believe that these dreams were for other people, not for me. With time and encouragement from myself and other supportive people, I questioned this mindset, chose to take a leap into the unknown and went for a walk, a long one!
If you want to know more about this then read the article below about...
Perspective
The decision to say 'yes' to the PCT and to the experiences that followed in the 5 months I was on the trail, was a turning point in my life. I learned how capable I am physically, mentally and emotionally. I also learned significantly valuable insights as well as how to benefit from nature and time spent outdoors. With time, it became evident that the perspective I had about myself and the world had shifted and I am grateful to the trail for showing me how to live more authentically.
Change
By choosing to take myself and my dreams seriously, I have noticed the influence of change they have had on my life. Since the PCT, I said 'yes' many more times to long-distance hiking trails in the UK and USA, where I have met every opportunity to develop my skills as a hiker, backpacker and outdoors woman. I am confident and able to look after myself in the backcountry and can see how this self-belief has helped guide me in my life, not just on the trail but also off trail.