Seven years ago, while living on the Sunshine Coast, BC, I dreamed of creating an opportunity for other women to experience the magic I discovered sleeping under the stars on the Pacific Crest Trail. This past weekend, that dream became reality.

I’m feeling that soft, fuzzy, relaxed feeling I only ever experience after achieving something I wasn’t sure was possible.

Back then, it felt impossible to bring that dream into reality because I had a lot of work to do on myself before I could put my energy into building a business.

Over the course of this weekend, I watched women set up their tents, light a campfire for the first time, drink fresh water from the creek, and sleep out under the night sky. I lay there under the stars, thinking back to the first moment I had done this 13 years ago, and reflected on just how far I have come.

The biggest difference between this year and seven years ago is that I had a greater sense of self-belief and wasn’t going to stop trying until I made it happen. I was not short of doubts, late-night crying sessions, or moments of wanting to throw it all away and return to the safety of the known path. But I couldn’t. Like 13 years ago when I hiked the PCT, I knew I needed to make it to the finish to become the new version of myself I was meant to be.

My cup is overflowing with pride, amazement, satisfaction, and joy. It’s like reaching the end of the Pacific Crest Trail, knowing I’d walked every one of those 2,650 miles under my own steam.

I have a million and one things to tend to this week that have fallen by the wayside while I focused on getting Under the Stars off the ground. Loads of washing, unanswered emails, bills to pay, phone calls to make, floors to vacuum, receipts to reconcile. But right now, I’m drinking a warm cup of tea and simply appreciating what can be achieved when you set your mind to it.

Like Billy Goat told me on the trail, “If the mind can think it, the body will follow.” This can be applied to almost anything in life.

Here’s a glimpse of what the weekend entailed. Happy camping to all! 🏕️