Christine Reed – Long-Distance Backpacker & Author of Blood Sweat Tears | Stories of Healing, Womanhood & the Trail

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Christine Reed—an American long-distance backpacker and award-winning author—whose life changed when she took her first steps on the Appalachian Trail in 2015. With no prior backpacking experience, Christine dove headfirst into the unknown, seeking healing, purpose, and a sense of identity. Since then, Christine has hiked thousands of miles, lived out of a van, and carved a creative path through storytelling. Her debut memoir, Alone in Wonderland, captured her raw and powerful journey of self-discovery, while her latest anthology Blood Sweat Tears amplifies the voices of women+ on trail—sharing unfiltered stories about periods, pain, perseverance, and everything in between. We talk about grief, growth, writing through discomfort, and the courage it takes to follow your passions even when they feel far outside your comfort zone. Christine’s story reminds us that you don’t have to be outdoorsy, athletic, or fearless to start—you just have to begin. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x Show notes Who is Christine Thru-hike and trail runners Being based in New Mexico, America Her early years and not growing up outdoorsy  Reading blogs about the Appalachian Trail in the fall of 2013 Graduating from college and working in health insurance  Being pretty unhappy and not knowing what to do with her life Why the Appalachian Trail (AT) was so appealing  Taking the first step and commitment to the hike Everyone on the trail being in a phase of transition  Being possible for her to leave her life Taking a year to plan and research the trail  Planning to hike the AT  in 2015  The importance of finding something that you are excited about  Never backpacking before and just going on a few day hikes Not being a fit or athletic person Doing her research - whiteblaze.net - an old school pin board forum  Doing zero physical preparation  The feelings at the start of the Appalachian Trail Riding greyhound buses to the start (16+ hours) The steps up to  Amicalola Falls First night camping at a shelter Personal goals - find herself? 24 and turning 25 on the trail Doing hard things HIking pre social media Lessons and learning from thru-hiking Losing her mum just after starting the trail  Spending time at home and deciding to get back on the trail Grieving while on the trail Feeling her feeling and talking about them Having wonderful encounters with other hikers and being able to share  650 miles feeling ready to leave the trail Having a closer relationship with her dad Moving to Denver, Colorado Struggling to reengage with the capitalist system Living in a van, travelling around and living a more adventurous lifestyle Thru-hikers making great van lifers  Feeling lonely while on the road The community aspect of the trail experience  Finding her way Being in a new phase of transition Moving into a little house in New Mexico Being an author from 2018 - mostly as a full time worker 1st book came out in 2021 - Alone in Wonderland  Trying to write a 2nd memoir, but struggling to write and feeling frustrated Wanting to write a collection of stories about women Putting out a call for pitches/submissions - women’s relationships to our bodies, using the trail as a link Wanting to put out 15 stories Receiving over 200 submissions Book: Blood, Sweat Tears The importance of sharing women’s stories that haven’t been shared Narrowing down the selection of stories  The editing process  Can I work with this writer to get this story where it needs to be? Talking about blood, periods and menstruation  Being in women only spaces  Speaking about periods  Jolly Gear Hiking Dress Anna McNuff Hygiene and menstral cups  Tampons and pads - everything has it’s plus and minus  Everybody is different  Taking the pill? Wanting to celebrate our bodies and not be manipulating it Allowing our bodies to go through natural cycles  What’s next for Christine  Publishing a memoir with Bethany Adams  FKT  Gardening, art and being more creative  How to connect with Christine online  Final words of advice  Advice for following your creative passions which are outside your comfort zone  Don’t get stuck in the ideas of who we are and what we are suppose to be doing   Social Media Instagram: @ruggedoutdoorswoman  Book: Blood Sweat Tears  Blood Sweat Tears is a short story collection from 26 women+ hikers and runners about the experience of being in a female body on trail. This group of intrepid and vulnerable athletes/writers talk periods, boob sweat, and ugly crying. The trail is a place for healing, and can show us what we are made of---but it's always us doing the hard work. Book: Alone in Wonderland