Ep. 14 | How the River Unlocks Courage: Grief, Growth, Purpose & Cool Nicknames

🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 14

How the River Unlocks Courage: Grief, Growth, Purpose & Cool Nicknames

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Julia Conrad (Hammer)

Julia “Hammer” Conrad is an outdoor educator, expedition leader, and recreation professional with over 20 years of experience guiding people into transformative experiences on rivers, mountains, and wild spaces. She leads courses in outdoor leadership, whitewater kayaking, and group facilitation, and she coordinates recreation programs that have dramatically increased student success and engagement.

Julia is also a Lead Staff with First Descents, facilitating life-changing kayaking, climbing, and surfing programs for young adults impacted by cancer and MS. She, along with her husband, owns Stout Creek Outfitters, offering whitewater and outdoor wellness programs in Central Oregon. With a background spanning river management, wilderness therapy, ski patrol, and adaptive recreation, she brings a rare mix of grit, vision, and heart to every adventure she leads.

This episode flows through the comforts of the backcountry and the lessons the river has to teach. Listeners will learn what to wear on the water, essential river safety takeaways, and even how to R1 and paddle with confidence. We explore the power of first descents, river nicknames, and the role of adventure-based education in empowering people to conquer fear—unlocking courage that carries into every part of life. Along the way, we dive deep into grief, healing through adventure, and how the river becomes a space for growth, connection, and resilience. With plenty of river instruction, relationship dynamics, and live conversations from the water, this episode is equal parts practical guide and soulful journey.

This episode is about adventure, river safety, backcountry experiences, First Descents (the non-profit), Grief & Healing, Empowerment of others and self.

Connect with Julia

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