Discover NZ's best hikes with insider tips crafted by a local, trail guides, and gear advice. Perfect for solo hikers and beginners seeking adventure in New Zealand's stunning wild landscapes.
About those dreams of yours...
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AAAaarrrgh!! Something happened with the email I sent you this morning - it ended up going well before it was ready. So the cat's now well and truly out of the bag and the links may not have worked... I'm really sorry about that! Anyway, here is the email that was supposed to go out to you today. I know this won't be for everyone, so click here if you want to opt out of Te Araroa Coaching emails. Hey Reader! [Before we get into it, I almost deleted the opening paragraphs of this email three times before sending, but bear with me here... because there is a point to it, I promise] This last week I've been jumping hard into comments, engagement and networking (can we call it that??) with this season's TA hikers for the upcoming season. For the most part, it's been great. But it's hard to strike a balance between being 'helpful' and coming across like a shameless self-promoter (which I absolutely don't want to do). My imposter syndrome has been going hard at it lately, the usual "you're not good enough," "no-one likes you", right through to the paranoia of "there must be something going on behind my back because no one wants to engage with me". It was all triggered by a post from a group of female tramping content creators who had organised a group trip. When I saw it, I immediately felt crappy that I hadn't been invited. Which was absolutely ridiculous, because there's no reason why I should have been. Apart from the odd like and comment here and there, these guys don't know me from Adam. In the past, I'd have gone the desperate route, dropping comments, sending DMs everywhere, trying to build a connection. But I suck at that. I've had to accept lately that no matter what I do, the vast majority of people just don't seem to like my particular flavour of whatever it is i'm trying to put out there. So instead, I let go of the desperation (for now) and gently reminded myself why I'm here in the first place. To help people. And to inspire. Which is why I'm now four emails deep into a conversation IN FRENCH with someone on the other side of the world, providing as much advice as I can (in the form of answering questions) for their upcoming thru hike.... (thank you Chat GPT & Google Translate!). The point is that, this is what I love to do. And I would never have been in this position had I not found the courage to take those first steps on Te Araroa all those years ago. A brand new TA season is starting to ramp up, and it's time to start getting excited about it! So over the next couple of months, you'll be seeing a bit more TA content in these weekly newsletters. (P.S. If Te Araroa isn't what you're passionate about, I totally get it. You can click here to opt out of Te Araroa emails although it might mean you don't hear from me as often as you're used to). This month, for the reasons outlined above, I'm making it a real goal of mine to be more of a giver than a taker. And I'm trying to have more fun with things. Treat things a little less seriously, you know?? (p.s. did you see my Instagram post yesterday?? 😂😂😂) As many of you will be aware, I’ve put everything I’ve learned over the last 5 years since completing Te Araroa, into a growing library of videos and blog posts, aimed at helping aspiring thru hikers to get the answers they need to all the burning questions they have. I've devoted countless hours in Facebook groups, on Instagram, answering endless comments on YouTube. I've done it myself, which means I know what people need to know. And I can anticipate their questions before they even come up. Why, last night alone, I sent a 15-minute-long voice message & 5 helpful links to an aspiring 2024/25 thru hiker who reached out randomly on Facebook. I might not be an expert on this stuff. I might not have thru hiked the entire trail. But I've lived Te Araroa for the last 5+ years. If I don't know the answer, I know where to point you. Which is a really really long way of saying that I've decided to open up my Te Araroa Coaching sessions again for the upcoming 2024/25 season!! These coaching sessions:
By the end of your coaching session, you’ll be able to hit the ground running with your Te Araroa preparation, or continue it in a way that makes more sense, and without fumbling around trying to find the answers you need in 10 different places because no one yet has come up with a one-stop shop (even the TA trust has missed this mark so far). If you know you don’t want to get any closer to your intended start date without knowing where to send your resupply boxes, or figuring out whether you need to buy the new Trail Pass or not, now is the perfect time to say YES to a Te Araroa Coaching session with me. Sessions begin on 1 September and run through 27 October. They are 1-hour long and can be completed over Google Meet, Facebook Messenger or Instagram. Here's a bit more information about what you can expect: Te Araroa 1-on-1 Coaching Sessions (2024/25 Season)Starting on 1 September (and for a limited time), these 60-minute sessions are designed to offer 1-on-1 coaching, planning and feedback for anyone looking to hike all or part of Te Araroa in the upcoming season. Struggling to figure out what gear your need? Not sure how to work out your daily kilometres? Or where to stay? No question is a stupid question, and I'm here to help. We'll deep dive into your Te Araroa prep, and come up with an actionable plan for what you need to do (and when). Not sure if a coaching session is right for you? Here's some feedback from customers who booked TA coaching with me last year: We are really in the first stages of thinking about this trip. So I think it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Things are starting to become a bit clearer. I liked the tip to take a river safety course and appreciate the video (recording) you sent us. Also advice on what shoes to wear, possibilities to make detours, which are the difficult parts…everything actually.
I think your personal touch made (our TA coaching session) very valuable. You weren’t handing out standardised tips, but you really understand that people do this kind of trip for very different reasons and with different needs. Thank you very much!
Get in before the rush and book your session now here. Here’s to making your Te Araroa dreams come true. And I truly and honestly can’t wait to be the guide by your side the whole way.
Happy Tramping! 🥾 Disclaimer: To cover the costs of my email software and the time I spend writing these emails, some of the links in this email may be affiliate links. If you choose to buy through these links I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Every purchase you make using my links helps me keep writing blog posts, making videos and sending newsletters - so THANK YOU 🙏. |
Long White Gypsy
Discover NZ's best hikes with insider tips crafted by a local, trail guides, and gear advice. Perfect for solo hikers and beginners seeking adventure in New Zealand's stunning wild landscapes.
Kia Ora Reader! Welcome to the second instalment of the Winter Tramping Tips Series! If you missed the first instalment last week, we covered my picks of winter clothing and footwear to keep you warm and dry during your winter adventures. If you want to catch up, you can read it again here. (P.s. don't forget, if you'd rather not receive these emails, you can opt out here but still receive my normal newsletters!) In this edition, we're diving into the crucial gear you'll need for winter...
Kia Ora Reader! Ok here we go... the first instalment in my Winter Tramping Tips Series! (P.s. don't forget, if you'd rather not receive these emails, you can opt out here but still receive my normal newsletters!) So many people avoid the trails over winter (especially solo hikers). And for obvious reason! Not only is the weather typically colder and wetter than during the summer season, but many trails are 'closed off' or 'winterized' during these months, shortening the list of available...