Too Old for Adventure? Hold My Wine and Watch This

  In this groundbreaking episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro reveal why women over 45 are becoming the driving force behind the adventure tourism revolution, sharing shocking statistics like how 81% of solo female travelers are over 45 and women over 65 increased their solo travel from 4% to 18% in just three years. 

Listeners will discover the psychology behind why hitting your forties and fifties triggers a powerful shift in adventure appetite, hear real stories of midlife women conquering white water rafting, wild caving, skydiving, and ice climbing, and learn practical safety advice for starting their own adventure journey regardless of current fitness level or experience. 

 This episode explores why the $1.6 trillion adventure tourism industry is being transformed by women who refuse to let age define their limits, offering inspiration and actionable guidance for anyone ready to trade their comfort zone for life-changing adventures and redefine what's possible after 45. 

 #UntetheredAndWanderwise #AdventureTravelPodcast #SoloFemaleTravel #WomenOver45 #MidlifeAdventures #AdventureTourism #SoloTravelTips #WomenEmpowerment #AdventureTravel #TravelPodcast #SoloTravelPodcast #WomenTravelers #AdventurousFemales #MidlifeTravel #TravelAfter40 #WomenOverFifty #ExtremeTravel #AdventureSafety #SoloAdventures #TravelInspiration #WomenWhoWander #AdventurePlanning #MidlifeEmpowerment #TravelStatistics #AdventureStories #WomenInAdventure #TravelCommunity #SoloJourney #AdventureGoals #TravelMotivation 

Transcript

Too Old for Adventure? Hold My Wine and Watch This

nicky---heide--they-them-_1_07-16-2025_122357: [00:00:00] Welcome to Untethered and Wander Wise, the podcast for women who refuse to let age define their adventures. I'm Heide Brandes. And I'm Nicky Omohundro. Today we're diving into something that might surprise you. We're talking about why women over 45 are becoming the absolute driving force behind the adventure tourism industry. That's right. We're not talking about gentle river cruises or luxury spa retreats.

Those. Those are kind of wonderful too. Yes, they are. We are talking about whitewater rafting, wild caving. Skydiving, ice climbing and sleeping under the stars with lions roaring in the distance. Yeah. Or in your case, hippos coming through camp or hippos coming through camp. And before you think we've lost our minds, let me share a statistic that will absolutely blow yours.

81% of solo female [00:01:00] travelers are over 45 years old. We're not slowing down. We're just getting started. And I love that. You know, there's something magical that happens when you hit your forties and fifties. It's like this switch flips and suddenly you realize that all those dreams you put on hold. Well, they're not actually expired.

Exactly. And today we're sharing our own adventure stories, the good, the terrifying, and the absolutely transformative. Plus, we're giving you everything you need to know to start your own adventure safely and confidently. So grab your coffee, grab your wine, settle in, and let's talk about why adventure doesn't have an expiration date.

Welcome to Untethered and Wander Wise, where adventure has no age limit. We're your co-host Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro, and we're here to [00:02:00] inspire and celebrate women over 45 who are embracing their independence and want to explore the world on their own terms.

nicky---heide--they-them-_1_07-16-2025_122357: . So Heide, let's start with the elephant in the room. Uh, maybe a hippo. When people hear adventure travel and women over 45 in the same sentence, they often do a double take, but the statistics tell a completely different story. They absolutely do.

The adventure tourism industry is growing at 15 to 19% annually, and that's projected to reach 1.6 trillion by 2032. But here's what's really fascinating. Women over 40 are leading this charge. Yeah. Women like you and I, yeah. And get this. Women over 65 increased their solo travel from just 4% in 2019 to 18% in 2022.

That's the fastest G growing demographic in adventure travel. We're [00:03:00] talking about a complete revolution in how we think about aging and adventure. I think there's something profound happening here. I remember when I turned 50, I had this moment where I realized I'd been living my life like I was in some kind of waiting room, waiting for the right time, the right circumstances, the right.

I don't know. Permission. Yes. And I know, and then the pandemic hit. Mm. And so for many of us, we suddenly had this wake up call about life's fragility. There's this do it now or never mentality that's driving so many of us. And two, for me, it was also a divorce. Mm-hmm. None of us are really waiting anymore.

We're no longer waiting for someday anymore. Yeah. Because someday never comes. No, someday is right now. So let's talk about the practical side. Too many of us are in our peak earning years, we have more disposable income. And, uh, let's be honest, we're often dealing with e [00:04:00] empty nests or major life transitions, like your divorce.

The research shows that 40% of solo female travelers are divorced, separated, or widowed. We're reinventing ourselves. Exactly. . Plus there's the financial power aspect. Women are projected to control 34 trillion. That's with a T in assets by 2030. That's just five years from now.

We have the means to make these adventures happen and we're choosing to prioritize experiences over possessions. That's a hundred percent true for me. You know, after I split up with my ex and downsize to a little two bedroom apartment, I have put so much priority on spending my money on trips and experiences and memories as opposed to, buying new couches or, just stuff.

And here's something that really surprised me. The health benefits [00:05:00] are also incredible. Mm-hmm. Studies show that women who vacation at least twice a year have a 43% lower risk of heart disease. And if you think of aging as a time of exploration and exhilaration, you literally live seven years longer.

Oh. So if by travel math, if two trips a year gives you 43%, does four trips a year give you 86 and 14 more years? I, I don't know. But I say we go with that. I like that idea. And then maybe we double it and then, you know, we'll live forever. Oh yeah. There's more benefits too. Exactly. Even just 15 to 45 minutes in nature improves cognitive function and memory.

We're not just having fun, we're literally adding years, or even decades by travel mass standards to our lives, and we're adding life to our years. So with that foundation, let's dive into [00:06:00] our real world adventures, because talking about statistics is one thing, but actually hanging from a rope in a pitch black cave, well that's another story entirely.

Uh, yeah, that's an understatement of the year. So let's talk about what we wanna call our venture portfolio. It's a big one. Oh yeah. So let's start with something that might seem familiar, but can be absolutely exhilarating. And that's whitewater rafting. Now, we have done this in several locations, both Nikki and I, and each one taught us something different about ourselves.

Oh my gosh, yes. Now we both live in Oklahoma City. Mm-hmm. And here we actually have one of only three manmade. Inland whitewater courses in the country and it's very cool. Yes. And it's legit. It is. Um, I've actually, for me, that was harder than some rivers that I went white rafting. It's, and I think it's because it's a short course.

So, you know, when you're , out on a wild river, you're gonna have rapids and then [00:07:00] long stretches of calm and then rapids, and then long stretches of calm. But Oklahoma City's, whitewater rafting adventure at the boathouse district. It's like rapid after rapid after rapid after rafting. Mm-hmm. And yeah, it's legit.

Yeah. And then you go up to the ramp and you do it all over again. Oh, yeah. So much fun. But the first natural river we're gonna talk about is the Ocoee River in Tennessee. And I did this for the first time last year, and I went out with a female owned company called the Ocoee Adventure Rafting. And I have to tell you, it was both exhilarating and terrifying.

I bet. Because I did both the upper and the lower. Portions of the river. And this was the Olympic course, uh, several years ago. Oh, wow. So yeah, if you're not in the boat, you're out of the boat. And several people were definitely out of the boat, but I absolutely love the water. And they said the day that we were out, the upper was a Class four rapids.

And I kind of had an idea of what I was [00:08:00] getting into, but Oh, it was so much more. Yeah. You know what? That's exactly the point. The CO has this perfect combination of technical challenges and stunning scenery. It's the river that you used for the 1996 Olympics, so you know, it's a serious river. Oh, it definitely was.

And what I loved about the Ocoee. Venture rafting was how they handled the fear factor. They didn't miss it. They acknowledged it and they gave us the tools to work through it. I had a great guide too, and the safety briefing at the beginning, before we even got into the rafts was extremely thorough. The guides were experienced and they made sure we knew exactly what to expect.

And then there was the French Broad River, which I actually did in the same year last year. Same rivers in one year, huh? I did, yeah. And I went out with Nana Hala Adventure Center. This was a completely different experience, more about teamwork and endurance than pure adrenaline. It was a little bit calmer of a river.[00:09:00] 

Yeah. The French Broad is beautiful. I haven't been whitewater rafting on it, but I've heard that those longer sections can really test your stamina. What I learned. There was the adventure isn't always these huge thrills. Sometimes it's about persistence and working as a team.

When we hit those commerce sections, we actually got to enjoy the scenery and bond with our group. Nana Hala Outdoor Center has been doing these for decades and you can really tell they were in a couple of locations. They know how to read their clients, how to adjust the experience based on the group's comfort level.

Mm-hmm. And that's so important when you're pushing your boundaries. Uh, yeah. Talking about pushing boundaries. I just recently did the Snake River in Idaho with momentum. This was one of my most challenging rafting experiences and honestly, it. Changed how I think about risk and reward. Ooh, yeah. The Snake River is no joke.

Those rapids are bigger, the [00:10:00] water's colder, and the consequences of making a mistake are a lot more serious. Yeah, it certainly is. But momentum's approach to safety was incredible. They had backup plans for their backup plans, and what struck me most about the trip was how it forced us to trust. I mean, we had to trust our guides, trust our equipment, trust each other, and ultimately trust ourselves.

There's something profound about realizing you can handle more that you thought you could, and that's really the theme that runs through all our adventures. Mm-hmm. Now let's talk about something that really pushed you out of your comfort zone. Oh, wild caving at Cumberland Caverns in Tennessee. Woo. Yeah, so picture this.

You're crawling through a space that's barely wider than your shoulders in complete darkness except for your headlamp. And you can hear water running and dripping somewhere in the distance. This is not your average tourist cave with walkways and lights. Yeah. While [00:11:00] caving is intense, it does actually remind me a little bit about rec diving inside of a ship where you're very enclosed and there's only one way to go.

So, but you know, we're talking about squeezing through passages, climbing over rocks, and sometimes even crawling on your belly through mud and guck. Yeah, and I've done several, caves. Uh, I love wild caving. It's one of my favorite things to do, but. When you finally make it through and it opens up to these underground chambers that maybe only a few hundred people have ever seen, it's absolutely magical.

Mm-hmm. We saw formations that took millions of years to create, and there's this deep silence underground that you just can't find anywhere else. No. And the safety protocols for caving are crucial. Absolutely. So you had multiple light sources. Mm-hmm. Experience guides who knew every inch of the cing system

this isn't something you can do casually. You [00:12:00] need proper training and proper equipment, and the mental challenge could be huge. You have to confront fears about enclosed spaces. You have to trust your equipment completely, and you have to stay calm even when. Things get a little uncomfortable. It's like meditation, but with a lot more adrenaline.

Now, if caving pushes your mental boundaries, skydiving absolutely shatters them. Heidi, tell our listeners about stepping out of that plane that first time. Woo. My God. Yeah. This was last year and I'd never gone skydiving and uh, frankly, one of my fears is falling, which is different from a fear of heights.

I have no problem being high. I just don't like the sensation or the idea of falling, but skydiving, I had to try it at least once. So there I was at about 14,000 feet strapped to an instructor who is also a woman, and she's telling me just step out [00:13:00] into. Nothing, just open air. So at 52 years old, I'm about to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

Yeah, I remember talking to you before you went up in the plane. I was like, I love you Nikki. I love you too. Do you have all your documents signed, have attorney, all of that. Oh yeah. So, but I think the training beforehand was really important and that did actually calm your nerves. They went through every single step with you, what to expect during free fall, how the parachute deployment works.

Mm-hmm. Landing techniques. And honestly, nothing really prepares you for that moment when you're when you're standing in that doorway. I have to tell you, the free fall was indescribable. We're falling at 120 miles per hour, and your brain is just trying to process what's happening. And honestly, it didn't feel like I was falling.

It felt like I was just kind of standing still, and there was a big wind in my face and. I remember thinking I'm [00:14:00] falling through the sky and I started giggling and the instructor was making it fun. We were doing little hand hearts and, you know, peace signs and stuff like that. And then the parachute opens and suddenly you're floating.

Well, first it shoots you straight up in, into the air and it's like, what? And then you're floating and you can actually enjoy the incredible views and the sense of accomplishment. And we skirted a cloud. And I remember just like I, I trying to bite this cloud and thinking to myself. I'm tasting a cloud right now.

Yeah, that was the first thing you said when I got on the phone with you after was like, I got to taste a cloud. I gotta taste a cloud. It was hilarious. I'm like, how was it? She's like, it was fantastic. Oh, yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. See, I've never done skydiving, but I've done just the wind tunnel diving, like at an iFLY.

Oh yeah. The indoor skydiving. Yeah. And so I understand that feeling of where you're not really moving, where everything's just kind of moving around you. Yeah. That's what it felt like. Mm-hmm. Felt exactly [00:15:00] like that, and it was not nearly as terrifying as I had made it out in my brain to be. Mm-hmm. We grow up thinking there's no way I am ever jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

Mm. But there are people, I think there was an. Hundred year old lady just set a record. Mm-hmm. And she did a skydive on her hundredth birthday, which I think is absolutely fantastic. Oh yeah. Yeah. And what I love about skydiving was how it proved. And just like with the hundred year old lady, that age really is just a number.

There are other people that are going out in their seventies on their first jump, and they are just as exhilarated as 20 something year olds. It's a great equalizer. It is. And then there's ice climbing, which combines technical skill with serious physical demands. I did this in Alaska and I have to say, ice climbing that 200 foot frozen waterfall was probably one of the most challenging things I've ever attempted.

Yeah. Ice climbing seems like it's no joke. [00:16:00] They're specialized equipment. You've got crampons, ice picks, technical ropes, and you're literally climbing a frozen waterfall. Oh yeah. The physical demands are intense. You need core strength, grip strength, and the ability to stay calm when you're hanging from tools and embedded in the ice.

 It's true. And I got the nickname Elvis, because my legs were shaking so hard. I had the Elvis shaky legs. But there's something very empowering about it. Every move is deliberate. Every placement has to be perfect, and you are working in this stunning winter environment. We were on top of the glacier, so it was this like weirdly otherworldly blue environment.

The silence of the snow, the way the ice catches the light, it's like climbing through a crystal cathedral. And the technical aspects were fascinating to learn. You have to read the eyes, understand how temperature affects conditions. You gotta work with the rope system, and it's like a three-dimensional puzzle that you [00:17:00] solve with your whole body.

Hmm. And then speaking of ice and snow, then there's dog sledding. Ah, yes. Which I've never done. I'm so jealous of you. No, but you've done a summer version, which is called Dog Carting. Yeah. And I've done that too. And it's brought us into partnership with these incredible animals. Yeah. We've done it both in summertime and in wintertime. I have never done it in wintertime. Okay. I've only done this summertime version. Oh. Which are called dog carting.

'cause it's kind of like being on this huge sled with huge off-road tires. Yeah. It was a lot of fun. It's really fun. So when I did dog sledding, which was on the traditional sled, I was outside of Quebec City. Oh wow. And that was a lot of fun. And then I did dog carting in, Finland. And that was amazing.

, just to be able to have that perfect blend of adventure and connection with nature. I think dog sledding and dog carting is amazing 'cause you're not just a passenger, you're part of the team. You, , are taught how to read the dogs, how to understand signals and [00:18:00] see how everybody works together to navigate the terrain.

These animals, and sometimes Huskies, sometimes other breeds. Mm-hmm. They're incredible athletes and they just love what they're doing. Oh, yes. The wilderness immersion was profound though too. you do have the dogs barking, but you're out in this landscape that hasn't changed in thousands of years.

You get to learn basic survival skills. It connects you with something primal and something essential. And the cultural component is also important. Yeah. Learning about indigenous traditions, understanding the relationships between humans and animals, respecting the land, it's adventure, travel with depth and meaning.

Which brings us to my rough camping experience in Botswana with Intrepid. Now, when I say rough camping, I mean we were sleeping under the stars. With no facilities. We were in basic camping tents, so not glamping tents at [00:19:00] all. Yeah. Think of a Walmart camping tent. Yeah, yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And you're, uh, hearing lions roar in the distance and it's really getting back to the basics in a very, very wild place.

Now, I will say, when I go camping, I joke that I wear earplugs because if a bear attacks me in the middle of the night, I wanna die peacefully. So I can't even imagine having lions who are more likely to eat me than a bear, um, in the distance.

Yeah. Oh yeah. It's a little terrifying, but no luxury, no buffers between you and the natural world. That's definitely roughing it. Yeah. But I do recall that you had a cook with you that was cooking over an open fire. You had purified water and you had a shared space with some of Africa's most magnificent and dangerous animals.

And Yeah. And they are dangerous, but the wildlife encounters were absolutely incredible. So we [00:20:00] woke up one morning to find hippo tracks around our tent. Uh, again, you could hear the lions roaring at night, but sitting around the fire, watching the Milky Way rise over the Savannah, while they're families of elephants grazing, it's really about discovering you can live with so much less than you think you need.

Yeah. And those survival skills, that aspect is empowering. Learning to make fire, understanding water purification, knowing how to store food properly. Oh, yeah. Those are some basic human skills that most of us have never had to use. And there's something deeply satisfying about rediscovering them. And personal growth is important.

When you strip away all the modern conveniences and distractions, you really connect with yourself and your capabilities. It's like a reset button for your entire perspective on life. Mm-hmm. I think the same can be said about travel too. We get so used to the daily routine. You do the same [00:21:00] thing in the morning.

You have the same thing for lunch. It's very regimented. And so when you get a chance to travel, and especially with adventure travel, it really opens you up to what's possible and to what's important. Yeah. And there's so many adventures to be had. I mean, there are people who go scuba diving.

Mm-hmm. I've never been scuba diving. There are people who have climbing vacations where they're, you don't have to climb Everest, you can just mm-hmm. Climb the nearest mountain and it's pretty adventurous and terrifying. Yeah. And, and empowering it too. So there's so many different kinds of adventures to have.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. And we've had guests on the show too in the past, like Holly, who Oh yeah. Travels for marathons, and she did things into a Tibet on the Great Wall of China. She hiked Kilimanjaro. Mm-hmm. And wrote a book about it. Yes. And so there's no one size fits all. It's really what you're up for and what your interests are.

Yeah. So now before anyone thinks [00:22:00] we're being reckless thrill seekers, 'cause God forbid we would ever be that, let's talk about the most important aspect of adventure travel. And that's safety. 'cause it's different for everyone. And the whole point is to push your boundaries and come home with amazing stories, not end up in the hospital.

Right. The first step is always an honest health assessment before any major adventure. Get medical clearance, that means cardiovascular screening, joint assessment, and have a real conversation with your doctor about any medications or conditions that might affect your ability to participate safely.

Exactly. And fitness preparation is crucial too. , you can't just show up for ice climbing without having built up your core strength and grip strength. Yeah. Otherwise you'll be called Elvis. Um, for every adventure you do specific training. So before dog sledding, I worked on balance and core stability.

[00:23:00] Before we went to Machu Picchu for my 50th birthday, I was doing a lot of cardio, a lot of stair master, a lot of elliptical, and before caving, I mean a practiced crawling and moving in tight spaces and in much simpler caves. Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I think we should also mention that you own a cave. Oh, I do. I do.

In Arkansas. Yeah. I love caving that much that I bought my own cave. But you know what, the mental preparation is just as important as the physical preparation. So you can use visualize, you can use visualization techniques, imagining yourself succeeding in the activity, you can also use that for preparing for challenges. Stress management and goal setting helps you stay focused when things get real intense. Yeah, and I know a good majority of people these days have some tor type of anxiety. Yeah, I know. I definitely do. Especially when I'm in a new place and I have to get from point A to point B, and so just kind of walking through the [00:24:00] steps really can help eliminate that and ask questions.

There's no such thing as a bad question and the question you didn't answer is always gonna be a no. Yeah. My anxiety is over falling. Mm-hmm. Whether it's falling off things or falling down while doing things, I, I just have a real anxiety about falling. Mm-hmm. And that's so that I have to mitigate a lot.

Yeah. And when it comes to choosing operators, research is everything you look for specific certifications, things like the Adventure Travel Trade Association membership. Yep. Wilderness First Aid, certifications for guides. Absolutely. And proof of insurance and liability coverage. , there are definitely some red flags to watch out for.

And I've been on a trip where I ignored the red flags. So if an operator doesn't provide an a thorough safety briefing. Beware if their equipment looks outdated or poorly maintained. If they have poor guide to [00:25:00] participant ratios or if they can't clearly explain their emergency protocols, you might wanna walk away from that one.

Exactly. Always ask specific questions. What's the guides experience level? How many years have they been doing this specific activity? What's the emergency evacuation plan? What equipment do they provide versus what you have to bring? 'cause that's also important. Oh yeah. What's their policy? If weather or conditions force cancellation and insurance is non-negotiable.

We get both get adventure specific travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you need a helicopter rescue from a remote location, . Also make sure it covers equipment loss and trip cancellation. Mm-hmm. In fact, we did a great podcast with Andrew Jernigan of insured nomads, and if you'd like, go back and check that out and you get the whole low down on the travel insurance.

Mm-hmm. And two. And typical travel [00:26:00] insurance doesn't always include adventure activities. Yeah. So be sure to read your policy. I think you should actually read your policy anytime you get a policy. But you may have to have a specific writer for something like ice climbing. Yeah. Or scuba diving. That's pretty common.

Or skydiving. Yeah. And so documentation is also very key. Always have copies of your passports. Medical records and insurance policies stored separately from the originals. You make sure your emergency contacts have detailed information about your itinerary and medical conditions. And I will say too, we talked about scuba diving a little bit.

Mm-hmm. If you're new to an area and need to be certified, it's very important to have medical clearance in some situations. 'cause I did have a friend, she went down to the Caribbean and she did have a medical issue and she had something from her doctor, but it wasn't specific enough. And so she actually was not able to dive on this week [00:27:00] long dive vacation because of it.

Oh no. Yeah. And that's the last thing you wanna have on an adventure vacation. Yeah. Somebody telling you can't go because you don't have the medical clearance. Yep. Mm-hmm. Also gear and equipment can make or break an adventure. Invest in quality basics, whether that's a comprehensive first aid kit, , an emergency whistle, a GPS device and oh, please, weather appropriate clothing.

 If you're going on a long hike, for instance, there's an old saying, it says cotton kills because if cotton gets wet it takes a long time to dry out and you could suffer from hypothermia, that kind of thing. But we also research what's activity specific ice climbing, for instance, that meant helmets, harnesses, and specialized footwear, which luckily were provided for us.

Mm-hmm. And that's usually gonna be the case. Yeah. In things like scuba diving, obviously you're probably gonna wanna [00:28:00] wetsuit your BCD, you can rent your tanks. I'm partial to having my own regulator 'cause I have a smaller mouth. And my own dive computer because the last thing you want is have to figure out someone else's dive computer when you're not familiar with equipment.

Yeah. And technology has become a huge safety advantage for hiking and off grid adventures. Satellite communicators, weather apps, when you have service, emergency beacons can literally save your life. You never go into remote areas without some way to call for help if needed. Yeah. And here's the other thing.

All the equipment in the world won't help you if you don't know how to use it. So practice with your gear, take the classes, make sure you're comfortable with everything before you're in a situation where you may need it. Mm-hmm. And that goes for any adventure, even if you're just camping in the state park near you.

Yeah. Pull everything out, test it. Be sure you have all of the equipment and all, all the [00:29:00] poles. Poles, all of the stakes. The hammer to put the, stakes into the ground, all of the things. And a long hike is not where you break in your new shoes. No. No. Oh Lord. Oh Lord, yeah. So, let's be honest, , fear is also a huge part of adventure travel, especially as we get older.

We've accumulated more life experience, which means we're more aware of everything that can go wrong. But fear doesn't have to be paralyzing. No. I think the first step in understanding your personal fear profile, 'cause that is a thing mm-hmm. Is are you afraid of heights? Are you afraid of falling? Are you afraid of 

enclosed spaces, water, wildlife, physical injury. Are you afraid of driving on the wrong side of the road? Mm. Once you know what you're working with, you can develop strategies to manage it. And there is a difference between fear and healthy respect. Fear can be [00:30:00] paralyzing, but respect keeps you safe. So when I was ice climbing, it's not that I was fearless, I was very respectful of the ice conditions, the weather, and my own limitations.

In fact, I didn't make it to the top of that waterfall. Mm-hmm. Because I got to a point where I was just shaking too much and I was like, okay, I'm ready to come down. Mm-hmm. So that respect one will help you keep focused and keep you carefully. Safe from maybe overextending yourself just out of pride or 

or stubbornness. Yeah. And I've done it too, where I've been on hikes, which a lot of people have been to the top. The one place in particular is outside of Fredericksburg, Texas. Hmm. And you literally hike over this huge rock formation. But it was a hot day. I didn't have enough water, and I was about halfway up.

And I knew myself well enough. I'm like, as much as I wanna hit this peak and get this photograph, [00:31:00] I'm hot. I'm cranky. If I try and do this, it's gonna wreck the rest of my day and even possibly tomorrow. So my safer choice was to not do it. Was that enchanted rock? It was, yes. I went there in the fall and it wasn't nearly as hot, but it was still hot enough, so I can't imagine what it was like when you went.

Well, we made the mistake. I didn't do enough research, and this is a few years ago, I didn't do enough research to know that at the top of the rock it was gonna be a good 15 degrees hotter, and it was already a 90 degree day in the morning. And I was like, , no. I'm gonna have to tap out. Yeah, and let's be honest, I mean, that hike probably would've been easier in your twenties, but it's different now.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. And there's no shame in that. No. You do what you can do and you do a risk assessment. It's like what we teach our kids, can you do it safely? Can you do it within your. Limitations in your abilities. Yeah. And then go from there. And age [00:32:00] does bring some specific concerns. Yeah. We worry about recovery time if we get injured.

We're aware of our physical limitations. I don't recover as well from a hike that I did in my twenties, and that's okay. It just means I have a little bit lighter of a second day. Yeah. And that's perfectly okay. And we often have family responsibilities with age that make us a little bit more cautious.

And with all of these things, they're extremely valid. Yeah. But there are practical strategies for managing fear. Gradual exposure is huge. You don't start with the hardest version of an activity. You build up slowly. Before I did that wild caving in Tennessee, I had done several easier cave tours and my, my little cave that I own is a very easy cave.

Mm-hmm. So. You start getting more comfortable with the environment that you're going into. Mm-hmm. Yeah. In a few weeks I'm gonna be doing [00:33:00] a walking tour with Wilderness Ireland. It's a women only hike and it's gonna be, I'm gonna be out for a total of eight days, seven nights. Mm. And it's nice because you've got one day that's a little bit heavier and then a milder day for the next day with some island hopping and, but I'm not used to walking eight miles a day at this point.

We did a ton of walking in Peru, but we're talking a good three months in between. Yeah. So you know what we need to do? We need to go this weekend, we're gonna wake up early and we're gonna do a four mile hike on the trails around Lake Arcadia. Yes. And so we're just gonna kind of build up to it and by the end of it, I'll be doing 10 miles each day.

Yeah. Before I leave for my trip. And that's kind of how you do it. Slow and steady wins the race. Yeah. And you know what? Breathing techniques can be can be incredibly powerful. Yes. I use box breathing where you inhale for four counts.

Hold for four, exhale for four, and hold for four. And [00:34:00] I actually do this a lot for my anxiety. I, I do this a lot, um, just for focus, to be honest. Mm-hmm. Yeah, it really does help. It activates your para sympathetic nervous system. Say that three times fast.

And it helps you stay calm when your adrenaline is pumping. Positive visualization works too. I spend time before each adventure, , kind of mentally rehearsing. I imagine myself in this scenario and completing the activity safely and enjoying it. But I also plan for the worst case scenario scenarios, so I'm not caught off guard.

Yeah. I'm a big fan of having a plan B, a plan C plan. And if I get to plan E, I'm just gonna say F it and move on. And having the right support system is crucial. Always having travel companions who understand and encourage you. And that doesn't necessarily mean with you on the trip. It could be your proof of life person back home that says, Hey, you got [00:35:00] this.

I can't wait to hear about your day when you're finished. Yeah. It's like me calling you before my skydive going, Maggie, I love you in case I don't survive. And you're like, don't be foolish. You'll do this every day. And sometimes it's gonna be professional guides that go out with you who know how to help you work through your fear.

And sometimes it's online communities where you connect with other women who've done similar adventures. Reddit is a fantastic way to do it. You know that science behind fear and adventure is fascinating. Adventure travel actually rewires your brain for resilience. Every time you face the fear and overcome it, you build neuro pathways that make you more confident in other areas of your life.

And then there's that incredible endorphin release that natural high you get from conquering a challenge, , that is so real and it's addictive in the best possible way. Absolutely. Each success builds your capacity for the next challenge. And here's something really important I think we should [00:36:00] highlight, is you have to know when to say no.

Yeah. Just like with the hike, I mentioned that it chanted rock. If conditions aren't safe, if you're not feeling well, if something just doesn't feel right, it's okay to back out. That's not failure. It's wisdom. Yeah. I was on a trip in Africa where the majority of the group really wanted a bungee off this, this bridge, bungee jumping.

Terrifies me. And I knew it was something I didn't want to do. I knew it was something that I was terrified to do. Mm-hmm. And I would more likely hurt myself because I was that scared of it. Mm-hmm. So I, I was like, no. And the tour guys were fine with it. They're not gonna push you to do anything you're not comfortable to do.

Exactly. And good operators will always have modification options. They'll have easier routes, shorter durations, additional support, and sometimes the best decision is to wait for another opportunity when conditions are better or [00:37:00] when you feel more confident. Mm-hmm. There's absolutely no shame in recognizing your limits.

And I think too, that probably comes with age. Yeah. I'm much more comfortable with my skill and my ability now that I'm in my fifties, but safety always comes first. And there will be other adventures and other opportunities. One of the most important decisions you'll make is whether to go solo or with a group.

Both have their advantages and the right choice depends on your personality experience level and what you're hoping to get out of the adventure. Yeah, I mean, finding your tribe is really important. Solo travel gives you complete control of your itinerary and pace. Mm-hmm. You can make spontaneous decisions, push your boundaries without worrying about anyone else or having to wait for their input.

And really you can focus on your own growth and challenge level. But group travel offers safety in numbers, shared experiences, and often access to [00:38:00] adventures that might be too risky or expensive to do alone. Plus, there's something really nice about bonding with other people. Conquering challenges together.

, somebody a high five at the end of the day. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Or like on our Machu Picchu trip, we made friends with a couple from Utah. Oh yeah. And it was a lot of fun. And it was great to have another person be able to take pictures. 'cause otherwise we would have no pictures of ourselves other than a selfie.

Yeah. We'd have a lot of selfie pictures. So it's fun and too shared experiences. You bond and you might find yourselves traveling with them again. Yeah. And so , for women over 45, there's more and more companies specializing in our demographic. They understand our needs, our concerns, and our capabilities.

They're not talking down to us or assuming we can't handle challenges. Age matched groups can be wonderful because everyone's dealing with similar life stages and physical considerations. [00:39:00] But don't automatically assume that. That's the best choice. Sometimes a mixed age group brings different perspectives and energy levels that can be really fun and enriching.

Mm-hmm. Skill level matching is crucial. Make sure you're honest about your experience in fitness level when you're booking, and most tour operators will have those levels clearly listed and a description of what each of those means. The best operators will have options for everyone from complete beginners to hardcore advanced adventurers.

Women only adventures are growing rapidly and for good reason. There's something powerful about conquering challenges in an all female environment. The support, the encouragement and understanding are different from, say, a mixed group with both male and female. Mm-hmm. Yeah. No, I'm really looking forward to my Ireland trip 'cause it is a women only trip.

Nice. So it'll be fun. And I'm sharing a room because instead of playing the solo [00:40:00] supplement, I opted to share a room with another woman and she'll be a stranger. Yes. So hopefully by the end of it, I'll have a new hiking buddy that I can go on more trips with. Yeah. So, and then when you're vetting adventure operators, research is everything.

Look for detailed reviews, not just star ratings. And again, Reddit really comes in handy here. As well as Facebook groups. Check the operator certifications, their travel and safety records and their insurance. A good operator will be transparent about all of this and test their communication before you book.

Are they being responsive to questions? Do they provide detailed, honest answers? Are they transparent about the risks and requirements? How they handle your initial inquiries will tell you a lot about how they'll handle your trip. And group size really does matter. You know, we've had someone from Colette Tours on the podcast before and [00:41:00] she says A smaller group is essential.

You get to really bond with your group. It provides for a much better experience. Yeah, and I loved that they had cultural elements included in every activity. And for most adventure activities, smaller groups are best too. Yeah. So you get more individual attention, better guide to participant ratios, and more flexibility to adjust the experience based on the group's needs and local knowledge is invaluable.

You want guides who know the area intimately, who understand local conditions, weather patterns, or cultural considerations. They should be able to adapt the adventure based on real time conditions. And for instance, um, I did an adventure trip in the Yukon and it was a boat ride down the Yukon River to Fort Sale Kirk, where we spent three days camping.

And our guide, it was a female owned company. She was a female indigenous guide [00:42:00] and it was her and one other person. And just having that knowledge of the river in the area in the history and which trees you can make this certain sav out of to treat bug bites. I mean, it just adds that deeper level of, of adventure and knowledge and immersion.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. I did a kayaking trip. With a company outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Hmm. And it was another women owned company. And it was great because she kind of gave us a taste of a science class that she offered to families Nice. And to schools. And she had a deep understanding of the river. So she was able to tell you exactly why the topography was the way it was, the different animals that were in the river, how the ecology of the watershed helped support, you know, all the different diverse animal and plant life in the river.

I mean, it was a science lesson. Yes. But she made it [00:43:00] fun and Yeah. Who doesn't like fun. So let's talk about something that's hard to quantify, but it's incredibly real and that's how adventure travel really does change you.

It's not just about the adrenaline rush or the bragging rights. We went have the macho peach, which we love. Yes, it's nice. It makes a great story there. But there's something profound that happens when you regularly push your boundaries, and maybe that's the most important transformation, is how adventure skills translate to other areas of life.

The risk assessment, the problem solving. The grace under pressure that you develop in adventure situations, it makes you more effective in your career, your relationship, and your personal challenges. That career confidence is huge. When you've successfully navigated a technical ice climb, giving a presentation to the board doesn't seem quite so intimidating after that.

No. You've [00:44:00] proven to yourself that you can handle pressure and perform when it really matters. Yeah. And in relationships, there's this increased independence and self-reliance. Yeah. I'm dating again after my divorce and it's been illuminating to meet people who have never left their home state, and they're kind of stuck in a routine.

Mm-hmm. You know, I find that I'm not looking for people that want the same thing day in and day out. I want people that make me feel adventurous. They make me feel alive. Yeah. I've been single. Two and a half, almost three years now. And that increased independence. Like I know I can take care of my own business.

Yes. And if something breaks in my apartment, , I know one, I can either fix it or I can find a way to fix it, or I have the knowledge that I don't know how to fix this so I can get somebody else. But yeah, you, [00:45:00] you learn that you don't need other people to make you feel strong and independent because you just climbed up that frozen waterfall.

You can do anything, girl. Yeah. Or I figured out how to get from Lima to Machu Picchu and figure out all of that. So if I can't do it myself, at least now, I also know that I can pay for the privilege. Yeah. , I'm not dependent upon somebody else. And I think that's the best thing of all about adventure travel as a woman, is I'm creating my own reality.

It changes my dynamic in really healthy ways. Yeah. Uh, and you're not looking to other people to make you feel adventurous or alive. You're creating that for yourself. And the health benefits continue long after the adventure. You're motivated to maintain your fitness ' cause, you know what you want your body to do.

You're more likely to try new activities, more willing to step outside that comfort zone. And then there's the [00:46:00] bucket list mindset that develops it. Actually, I don't like the word bucket list. It makes you think you're just putting things into it. And I'm all about pulling things out and just doing the damn thing already.

But we definitely start to prioritize experiences over possessions, adventure over accumulation. I look at different things of, oh, those are an amazing pair of shoes. Do I pay for that or do I buy a plane ticket? , the plane ticket almost always went out. Oh, yeah. And that's why I booked three trips in like a week after we got back from Peru.

Um, they were on sale. They were on sale. I save money. But your values towards what really matters, you know, those memories, the growth, the connection, the living fully, it changes and you end up with a much fuller life. So if we've inspired you to start thinking about your own adventure journey, let's talk about practical first steps.

The key is to start with an honest self-assessment and then [00:47:00] build from there. Yes. First, assess your interests. What activities generally excite you? What sparks that joy versus what you think you should be excited about? Mm-hmm. Those are two totally different things. Are you drawn to water? Are you drawn to mountains, wildlife, cultural experiences?

Start with what sparks your curiosity and go from there. And fitness preparation is important, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming for each activity. There are specific things you can do to prepare. Say you wanna try rock climbing, well start with a climbing gym. Are you interested in hiking adventures?

Begin with local trails, and gradually increase the difficulty of those jails and the length of those jails. Mm-hmm. And if you're still curious, ask, yeah, you can hire a trainer, you can talk to other people that have done it. AI is a thing. You can go to Chad GPT, you can go to Claude, which is my preferred AI tool.

Yeah. And say, I'm gonna be [00:48:00] doing this hike in this timeframe. Tell me what my training schedule needs to look like to be prepared for that. Yeah, it's brilliant. It's amazing. Absolutely amazing. You know, we had a friend that recently moved out of her house into a condo and the whole thing seemed overwhelming for, she went to chat GBT.

She's like, okay, I need a schedule. I'm overwhelmed. Tell me how I need to pack for this trip in this amount of days, or to move outta my house. Yes. And it was fantastic. It made it so much easier for her. So, and then the same thing can be said for budget planning. Sure. You need to do it incrementally because a venture travel can be very expensive.

Yes. Especially when you factor in quality gear insurance and travel cost. And there are ways to do it affordably. And the investment in experiences often pays dividends in personal growth. Timeline development matters too. Some adventures have seasonal considerations. [00:49:00] Ice climbing in summer isn't happening unless you go to the different hemisphere.

Unless you go to a different hemisphere. Others require months of training. So plan ahead, but also be flexible enough to take advantage of the opportunities. Mm-hmm. And building your adventure resume as a process. You don't go from couch to Everest. So start locally. Look for things in your local area.

We've already mentioned rock climbing gyms, hiking clubs, skill building classes. Mm-hmm. Use these to develop your abilities and confidence. And if you're looking for them, again, go to Reddit, go to Facebook. Yeah, go to meetup. I know there's a group here locally over 35 that regularly do outdoor activities.

Sure. And we have hiking groups and those progressive challenges are the key to success. So maybe you start with a day hike and then a weekend camping trip, and then maybe a week long hiking adventure. And then international trekking each step. It [00:50:00] builds the skills and confidence you need for that next level.

Yeah. If you're taking your two trips a year for that 43% increase in cardiovascular health, uhhuh, you've got basically five and a half months before your next trip and skill development is ongoing. Consider taking wilderness first aid courses, navigation classes, and outdoor cooking workshops. These skills make you more comfortable and self-reliant on adventures.

Yeah. We've talked about networking, and I'd like to just reiterate how huge that is. So look for Adventure Partners through hiking clubs, meetup groups, online communities. Having like-minded people to share experiences with makes everything better and it inspires you to become better. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And for training programs, , REI CO-op offers excellent outdoor classes if you have a location in your area.

[00:51:00] They're also outdoor schools and certification courses for specific activities, and many are designed specifically for beginners. You know what? Uh, it's great. But don't let the lack of classes keep you from taking an adventure. Yes. You don't have to be wildlife certified to go on a long hike.

Yeah. You don't have to be an expert climber to try rock climbing. I mean, they're helpful, but please don't feel like you have to have this whole slew of classes before you can do it. Yeah. There's a wonderful thing called YouTube. Yeah, you can find anything on YouTube and for information resources.

They're also fantastic books, websites, and documentaries about adventure travel. But be careful about Instagram inspiration. The reality is often quite different that the highlight reel. Oh yeah. And I, I'll admit, I am just as guilty as others about presenting the pretty side of things. Of course. And [00:52:00] that's what Instagram's all about.

But it's not realistic. No. They don't show you, , the absolute challenge or misery or the scrape knees of climbing to that very picturesque viewpoint. Yeah. But again, for me it's community connections. So, get involved in the Facebook groups for women who travel, women adventures, local hiking clubs, adventure travel meetups.

Don't underestimate the power of contacting. And connecting with other women who share your interests. Mm-hmm. And too, and back when we started this podcast, , we had Girl Camper. Oh. On the podcast. I love that. Yes. I loved that episode. And they are all about getting women outdoors, camping in any way that you feel comfortable to do it.

And so definitely go back and listen to that podcast if you're considering trying Adventure travel for the first time. Hmm. It's absolutely inspiring. And they have chapters across the [00:53:00] US so if you wanna dabble and put your little toes into camping, they're great resource and way to do that, so as we wrap up today's episode, I wanna talk about something that has become really clear to us, and that's the ripple effect of women over 45 embracing adventure travel.

So when we share our adventure stories, we're not just entertaining you or trying to brag. We're literally changing perceptions about what's possible after 45. You and I, every trip you take, every trip I take, every trip our listeners take, we're showing our daughters, granddaughters and friends that adventure doesn't have an expiration day.

Mm-hmm. And every time someone sees a woman in her fifties conquering a challenging hike or learning to ice climb, it expands their idea of what aging looks like. It's defining for my daughter what life after divorce looks like. Yeah. , you [00:54:00] don't have to be upset and broken that life goes on and it can actually be better.

So when we're redefining what it means to grow old in this culture is absolutely amazing. And we're inspiring each other. I can't tell you how many women have reached out after hearing about an adventure I was on saying they've been inspired to try something they've never thought they could do. Mm-hmm.

And I get inspired by other people's adventures. We're lucky enough to have a, a big social circle of female adventure travelers. Mm-hmm. Like Holly climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Mm-hmm. I mean, I have never done that, and I'm inspired to do that because of her. Mm-hmm. And we've had a friend of yours on the podcast talking about hiking the El Camino trail.

Oh yeah. , Susan Susan's amazing. Susan was, is one of my hiking adventure heroes. Mm-hmm. So if you have. A wish to do something. Check back [00:55:00] in our old episodes, we have interviewed some amazing women doing amazing things we have, and they didn't wait for someone else to be ready to travel.

They're like, I wanna do this, so I'm gonna go. And they did it. The legacy we're building isn't just about our own experiences, it's about showing the next generation that life doesn't end at 40, 50, 60, 70 80. And even like the woman we talked about earlier, that's a hundred that did her first skydive. Yeah.

 Age is just a number and it can be the beginning of the most adventurous chapter yet. And here's what we want to leave you with at this age. We're doing things now that maybe we were too scared to try when we were in our twenties. I think at age 54, I'm stronger. I'm more confident and I'm more willing to take calculated risks than I've ever been in my entire life.

I'm the same. I'm 50 now and I will say, and I've admitted it before, [00:56:00] that I didn't drive for well over a decade between my thirties and forties because my anxiety was too bad. And so now I put my big girl pants on and it's absolutely amazing what I find myself doing. So, but start where you are. Every expert was once a beginner.

Every woman who's summited a mountain or learned a scuba dive or traveled solo to amazing destinations started with that first step of saying yes to an adventure. And the time is now not when you lose those last 10 pounds, not when you have more time, not when conditions are perfect. Now. 'cause waiting for someday is actually the biggest risk of all.

Because someday never seems to come. No. We always push it off and push it off and push it off. So someday is right now. Yes. And if you're worried about those 10 pounds, stretchy pants, stretchy pants, the last few days of your trip, stretchy pants, hide everything and all that great [00:57:00] food. But we wanna hear from you too.

What adventures are calling to you? What fears are you ready to face? What questions do you have about getting started? Connect with us through our social media, and that's untethered and wanderwise on Facebook and then on Instagram. It's untethered, wanderwise. And remember, you don't have to be fearless to be adventurous.

You just have to be willing to feel the fear and do it anyway. So until next time, stay untethered and wonderfully wonder wise. Thanks for joining us today for this adventure. Share it with a friend who needs to go on an adventure of her own and then create one together or solo. Until next time.

Okay. Thanks for joining us on another adventure with Untethered and [00:58:00] wander wise. We hope today's episode has inspired you to pack your bags, step out of your comfort zone, and explore the world with confidence. Remember, it's never too late to start your next great journey until our paths cross again.

Keep dreaming big and traveling bold. This is Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro signing off.

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