Hi there, I'm Leah.
I'm a mountain grown, free spirited wild woman navigating this thing we call life with curiosity, compassion and the urge to push myself out of my comfort zone. Every week, I sit down at my computer to write my thoughts, process my feelings and share them here as a way to keep myself accountable. I hope the stories I tell bring you comfort, a new perspective and the craving for a grand adventure.

 
A knock on the head & a kick in the butt
Last week, for the summer solstice, my two best friends and I set out on a 30-mile hike. Now, before you ask, no, we did not train for this. It wasn’t necessarily “off the couch” as we are all very active, but this was record-breaking mileage for all of us. As a long distance trail runner from the Laurel Highlands, I was familiar with the sufferfest our feet and knees would endure towards the end of our walk. Let me be clear, this was a dumb idea, and I knew it was a dumb idea without knowing the severe technicality of the trail, extreme elevation profile or that ~26 of the miles would be in deep forest with no view. But I went anyway, because the company was worth it and we were determined to honor the solstice in an epic way.As one does when hiking 30 miles in one day, we started (and ended) the hike in the dark. Less than a mile into the hike, I decided that I wanted to be one with the trail and turned off my headlamp, thinking that barely dusk was enough light to lead me forward. It was not. While ascending a steep rock, using my hands for stability and keeping my body close, I hit the shit out of my head on a sawed off log about 2’ above the ground. When I say I hit, I mean my brain and jaw rattled. I spent the next few miles silent (a big red flag to those who know me), barely able to think about anything other than placing one foot in front of the other and questioning if I should turn around. I hit my head so fucking hard, it still hurts now. But I digress.Once the pain subsided and I could string a few thoughts together, I started thinking about what value I could contribute to the world and how I could make it a better place. After 30 miles of walking and thinking, I landed on a coffee table style adventure guide photography book. I know, big stuff. The next day consisted of barely surviving the ache in our legs, multiple cold plunges and a trip to the farmers market for fresh flowers that started the “why don’t I live here” spiral.On Friday morning we read the news that women in this country lost their constitutional right to govern their bodies. After too much coffee and not enough tears, we decided to go for a “hot girl walk”. Selfishly, I was overcome by the need to do something, to create change, to dismantle the system that oppresses so many. I really believed that if three creative, intelligent and driven women could walk enough loops through the neighborhoods of West Asheville, we could fix the problems that plague this consumerism driven, sexist country that was built by slaves on stolen ground. I was wrong. However, what I did discover was how much time I have on my hands and how little purpose I feel sitting in my internetless hole of a West Virginia hobbit house. Later that day, we went to a rally where a volunteer was asking people to sign up for the county newsletter. When I told her I didn’t actually live here, she asked if I would be moving here soon and simultaneously handed me a North Carolina voter registration card.“Should I move here?” I thought. I would have reliable internet, a community of people I love, grocery stores that sell shit like lavender kombucha, smooth pavement for roller skating, a bar full of pinball machines and a wealth of potential clients. The weekend brought processes to improve my diligence and more hot girl walks, where we discussed the barriers I come across as a self employed woman. I came face to face with the problem that has been plaguing me for the last year - I have no idea what I’m doing. Since leaving both my brick and mortar business and my home for the last decade behind, I have felt incredibly lost. Not so lost that I should return - I know that’s not the answer - but definitely lost. I’ve moved past a full time massage schedule, I haven’t taught a large yoga class since the pandemic and leading people on walks through the woods, while rewarding, was not fulfilling me in the way I hoped. I want to make a difference, damn it! I want to help women breathe and calm their nervous systems the fuck down. I want to help them rediscover their intuition and trust their inner knowing. I want to help them identify their own barriers and give them the tools to move past them. I want to help women practice feeling safe outside of their comfort zone, so they can react with confidence when life is as turbulent as our economy or as unjust as our justices. Most of all, I want to help women tune into themselves by writing about the human condition and a growth mindset, using examples from my own life and past mistakes. I want to write through myself, not about myself (basically the opposite of what I’ve done so far in this letter, but I’m getting there.)It is possible I got a slight concussion hiking 30 miles on the summer solstice. It is also possible that hitting my head knocked some serious sense into me. It is possible that overturning roe v wade is the start of a dystopian future. It is also possible that this was the kick in the ass we all needed to create the change we wish to see in this world.I believe the future is female. I believe that hope, love and empathy can conquer injustice and hate. I believe that women need connection, now more than ever. And I believe we can create the change we wish to see; in our lives, communities, country and world (even if we aren’t totally sure how in this moment).
 

 
Growth Mindset 
4 things I did to become more diligent
 
  • Organize my google keep app. My notes used to be filled with 1,000 different thoughts, mostly unlabeled, just floating around. After a few hours of organizing, all my notes are now in folders such as business, social, wellness and writing. After labeling and filing, I archived them so they weren’t on my main notes page. Now I have a few pinned notes, such as my daily routine with checkboxes, tasks that move the needle and a weekly to-do list. The rest is searchable or can be found in folders. When I laid my phone down upon completion of this task, it felt like a 3lb weight had lifted off my chest.
 
  • Created a habit bag. A canvas tote filled with a water bottle, vitamins, travel yoga mat, passion planner, coffee mug (with tea bags), a phone charger and a small toiletry bag for skincare. No matter where I travel, if I have my bag, I have everything I need to follow a productive routine, all in one place without thinking (love automation).
 
  • Started passion planning. I am not one for planners. They don’t work for me, I can't stick to them and I end up wasting paper. However, a passion planner does not have set days (so if I skip a day, I don’t skip a page), it highlights a daily focus, gamechanger goals, self maintenance tasks, daily lessons, a detailed schedule and a whole page of “space for infinite possibility” to journal, draw, brainstorm, mind map or take notes. This has forced me to become more creative, while also keeping me motivated to write down all the revelations I’ve been having lately.
 
  • Started a daily routine. Using a combination of a habit bag, a passion planner and a daily routine google keep checklist, I have started doing a few key things every morning. First, I breathe. I don’t reach for my phone to scroll on social media and start my day with a dopamine overload, I take a few seconds to reset my nervous system and set myself up for success. Next, I wash my face (or because I’m lazy, sometimes I just splash my face with water) to signal that it is time to get moving. I reach into my habit bag to grab my water, take my vitamins and pull out my travel mat for three sun salutations. This whole process takes less than 10 minutes and then it’s time for my treat - a hot cup of tea or coffee while I start writing in my passion planner to get clear on my daily goals. Next, I fuel my body, post on social media and take a water break. Every step is an item to check off on my google keep note and soon it’s time to move on to tasks like intentional play and move my body (aka hot girl walks). The combination of a daily checklist, a bag of everything I need and a planner to keep me on track, has helped lower my stress level, which has allowed me to redirect energy towards more productive thoughts and tasks.
Dating
You're somebody's dream, girl.
 
While organizing my google keep, I found this note from 11/25/2020“This relationship is a lesson that great things require great work. They are not wonderful because they’re easy. Our relationship is wonderful in a million different ways that make putting in the hard work worth it, every single day.”Let me be the first to say, this is bullshit. Great things do not always require great work and sometimes a relationship is wonderful simply because of its ease. Much like a fart, if you have to force it, it’s probably shit. When I said “putting in the hard work” I meant, putting in the time to comfort someone who constantly accused me of cheating, putting them before my career or myself and defending myself against their insecurities and projections. This past week, I was floating down the French Broad River in an innertube with my girlfriends when they asked me what I liked about my new partner. “I really like how they encourage my work, they don’t accuse me of being shallow and social media obsessed or sleeping with my massage clients (an issue I’ve had in every previous relationship despite my unwavering ethics). I never have to worry about them cheating, lying or coming home hammered drunk. They understand that my job requires me to be “always on” and don’t get mad when I take hours or days to respond.” I listed a few other qualities that I thought were remarkable and looked towards my girlfriends awaiting their approval of this uncommon find. “Wow, your standards are incredibly low!” was not the response I was expecting. It was at that moment I realized how little I have been asking of every relationship thus far, and how it always seemed like big asks because I was asking the wrong person. If you find yourself in a situation where you are trying SO hard to make it work because you love them and you think the work is worth it, consider this; is it possible that you are asking the wrong person? Just because you love someone does not mean they are meant to be your forever. Easy does exist and it can be for you if you want it.
 
BossBabe
The Societe
I’ve been a huge fan of the BossBabe podcast for years and I joined their online mentoring program for female entrepreneurs in January 2021. This platform is so valuable that I have kept my membership, even with extremely limited internet. Once a week you get a live call for either mindset coaching, goal setting or questions answered by an industry expert. You get actionable steps to move you towards your goal by addressing purpose, audience and systems. You also get access to a library full of monthly masterclasses highlighting leadership, legal, marketing, sales and social media. This is a wealth of knowledge for someone like myself who is trying to navigate this business world without a business degree. If you are interested in joining yourself, click the link below and get ready to feel inspired.
 
Read more
 
High mindset / Low Budget
Sexy shish kabobs
Combine equal parts balsamic vinegar and soy sauce in a mason jar, then add extras like fish oil, sesame oil, garlic, hot sauce and any seasoning you’d like (turmeric, chili powder and paprika are my go to), then pour over your chopped meat (chicken and/or beef) and veggies (peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes and mushrooms. Marinade for as long as possible (overnight is ideal, a few hours is cool, 45 minutes will get the job done)
 
Semi sexy- stick the meats on a kabob stick and either put your veggies in one of those fancy baskets with the holes or wrap them in foil, and toss those babies on the grill for 10-15 minutes
 
Sexier- create an artistic pattern by combining the colorful veggies and the meat onto a sexy, unevenly cooked (because veggies and meat cook differently, but it’s fine!) shish kabob. Grill until you hit the sweet spot of pretty done meat and not entirely burnt veggies
 
Most sexy- However you cook your kabob does not matter if you use it to top a summer salad made with fresh greens, red onions, cucumbers, apple chunks, sunflower seeds, or katamala olives and goat cheese. Use the excess marinade (just add honey or maple syrup to taste) as a salad dressing to tie the flavors together.
 
Announcments
Summertime is ideal weather to host retreats, and while I expected to be selling one event after another, this week really shook me up. At the end of 2020 I told a friend I was shifting my career to “hang out with city folks in the woods” and he told me it was not going to be that simple. He was right. I want to become extremely intentional about what I share, the space I create and the value I add to the community and our world. I want to give back way more than just leading people outside and making them food. Before I can create this dream, I have to take time to reflect. While this is not the ideal time of year to have a kick in the ass revelation, I am trusting the process and following my intuition. Stay tuned for upcoming offerings (like another secret dinner in September).
TREAT YOURSELF
Discount codes, giveaways & classes available to everyone
 
Discount Codes
Point 6
merino wool base layers and socks for hiking, running, cycling, skiing, snowboarding & casual
Discount code: LEAH40 for 40% off
 
Moonflower Hemp
female-owned, mountain-made company selling smokable hemp products as well as CBD tinctures, teas and balms, and edibles
Discount code: leahmoves10 for 10% off
 
Astral Performance Gear
Shoes, life jackets, & apparel for all your water and trail adventures
Discount code: wildchildyogi22 for 20% off
 
IMBODHI
All-in-one outfits for yoga, work, dance, runs, walks in the city, or hikes in the forest. 100% made in california from plant-based lenzing™ fabric. Vegan Women's Clothing.
Discount code: LEAH20 for 20% off
Holy shit, you made it!
I am so incredibly grateful that you stayed till the end. Whether you’ve been on my mailing list since the beginning or you hopped on sometime in the last 25 love letters, I am honored that you continue to read my work. This letter was a lot longer than usual as I rambled a little extra, expanded a few sections and changed the layout completely. I hope you enjoyed the changes and I’m so excited to continue forward with you keeping me accountable.
 
 
Cheers to the journey, I'm so grateful you're along for the ride.
Until next week,
 
Leah Staley
Follow my journey in real time on instagram