Our outdoor family adventures often surprise people, mainly because, let's be honest, it's not the narrative people expect from the Black community. My journey into the outdoors started two decades ago while working with youth facing mental health issues and trauma. Nature became our therapeutic playground. I vividly remember leading a group of boys on an unconventional hike, tippy-toeing off ledges and jumping tree stumps across streams. It felt like rediscovering the world as a child.

That moment lingered. Fast forward to today, and despite being passionate about the outdoors, I've grappled with a sense of belonging. Being Black, outdoor spaces rarely showcase faces like mine. This lack of representation inspired me to create Hike MTL—an inclusive sanctuary that welcomes Black, Indigenous and people of color. It's a space where nature's therapeutic benefits are accessible to all. We guide our clients from feeling disconnected to experiencing a profound sense of belonging in nature.