Power in the People: How to Chase Adventure and Stay Grounded in Community
Brown Girls Climb Retreat ‘24, Peterskill, Shawangunk Ridge, New York. Photo by Trevor Riley.
Community is the backbone of our lives. It’s how we survive, thrive, and build something bigger than ourselves. It’s a space where people come together to support one another, celebrate each other’s achievements, and navigate challenges collectively for a more just and equitable world.
It’s a privilege, no matter your pronouns or skin color, to chase outdoor adventure. And it’s up to us to fight for equal access, not just to the trails, crags, and rivers but to the industry that outfits and shapes the culture around them. A better, more inclusive future is possible, one where the gear we wear, the brands we support, and the stories we tell reflect the full spectrum of human experience.
Here are three amazing athletes, artists, and community leaders of color whose stories and wisdom have inspired me, and, hopefully, will inspire all of us to not only chase adventure but stay rooted in the people who make the journey worthwhile.
Rachel Olzer (She/They)
Grit MTB Festival, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Photo by Emily Sierra.
Rachel Olzer, 32, is a Black American mountain biking Executive Director at All Bikes Welcome and Grit MTB Festival. She also serves as the Director of Inclusion at The Roam Collective and is a founding member of Pedal 2 the People. Now based in Arkansas, home to gorgeous backdrops and miles of singletrack bliss, she’s working to make outdoor spaces more inclusive for everyone.
“I lived in Minneapolis from 2015 to 2022,” Rachel said. “I experienced the uprisings after George Floyd and Philando Castile firsthand. That was one of the hardest things I’ve ever lived through, but it showed me I could handle being on the front lines.”
“I chose to move to Arkansas to be where change is needed most,” Rachel adds. “We serve Arkansans first—especially trans, Black, and disabled Arkansans who desperately need these spaces.”
Mountain biking has always been Rachel’s anchor, the one constant that grounds her, frees her, and keeps her engaged in the moment. But like many, there were times when it became more of an escape, moments in her life where she felt the least connected, and the bigger picture was harder to see.
“One thing I remind myself is that I’m not entitled to things being easy.”
“In undergrad, I didn’t have the language to articulate why I wasn’t seeing people like me in the outdoors,” Rachel said. “The concept of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was still emerging, and the way we talked about race and identity was shifting. Instead of saying ‘minority,’ we started using ‘marginalized’ and ‘underrepresented.’ That linguistic shift made it easier to build community.”
“And that's why there's such a pushback against the language now, because having the right words allows people to mobilize,” Rachel adds. “Without that, it was harder to connect with others who shared my experiences.”
Getting started was about learning, filling in the educational gaps, and making sense of what she was seeing versus what she was taught. At 18, Rachel realized that we are responsible for creating the world we want to see. If we don’t do it, who will? And from there, she stepped into it.
“Social media has probably been the most helpful, especially if you’re a marginalized person in a space where people like you aren’t typically seen,” Rachel said. “If I wanted to create a space for BIPOC folks, I could turn to the internet, find others in similar situations, and connect.”
“Turns out, many of us are in the same boat,” Rachel adds. “Social media makes possibilities feel real. You see someone doing something, and it clicks—if they can do it, maybe I can, too.”
Always remember that change takes time. It’s important to balance where the world is versus where you want it to be.
“One thing I remind myself is that I’m not entitled to things being easy,” Rachel said. “That doesn’t mean I don’t deserve ease, but it means I can’t throw my hands up every time it gets hard.”
“The new administration is making things harder for nonprofits, constantly threatening our work,” Rachel adds. “But we have to remember that in just 10 years, we’ve developed an entire catalog of language around issues of diversity, equity, and intersectionality, which is incredible in terms of human evolution.”
Nothing worth having ever comes easy. Every hurdle is an opportunity that pushes Rachel to reevaluate how her team markets, how they communicate with funders, how they recruit, and how they get more involved with the community.
“I want people to lean into building bridges with those who want to build bridges with us,” Rachel said. “It’s so easy—I see it all the time in this work—for people to shun others for not getting it perfect. But that doesn’t just hurt those organizations we push away; it hurts us, too. Because the truth is, we’re not always going to get it right either. And when we don’t, is there room for us to learn? To do better?”
“The more grace we give others, the more grace we allow ourselves, and vice versa,” Rachel adds. “If I can have grace for myself, I can extend it to others, too.”
Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachel.olzer, and explore her incredible community-based non-profits: @allbikeswelcome @gritmtbfestival, and @thisisroam.
Eric Arce (He/Him)
Mammoth Lakes. Photo by Eric Arce.
Eric Arce, 40, is a Mexican writer and photographer whose love of mountain biking led him to the stark, high desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico. An artist at heart, and a founding member of Pedal 2 the People, his work, featured in Patagonia, Outside Magazine, and Mountain Flyer Magazine, celebrates the beauty and complexity of visual storytelling, especially those highlighting underrepresented communities in the outdoor and cycling industries.
“When I photograph people, I’m completely lost in the moment,” Eric said. “I think about why their story, their presence, deserves dignity and respect. It’s about making sure they’re seen in a way that truly represents them.”
“We all need to escape sometimes [...] But I also recognize the power dynamics at play, that I have the free time and resources to escape while others might not.”
With a background in labor migrant activism, Eric understands that one of the hardest things about work is being so immersed in it, so involved, that burnout becomes inevitable. Our world, whether it’s personal, societal, or structural, can feel apocalyptic at times. Add in the fight against anti-immigrant xenophobia, bad labor practices, and racism and you’ve got a chaotic mess.
“We all need to escape sometimes,” Eric said. “For me, going on bike rides is essential. If I don’t, my mental health suffers. But I also recognize the power dynamics at play, that I have the free time and resources to escape while others might not. That’s an important part of the picture, and I can’t separate those realities.”
When he was younger, Eric felt he had the energy to do everything. His balance may have been off, but he had the bandwidth to handle it. Getting older brings its challenges, but that doesn’t deter Eric from doing what he can to stay grounded in community. He understands that this work is important, especially now, with industries pulling funding for DEI initiatives.
“The problem is that a lot of people understand racism as a historical issue, but George Floyd’s murder, along with so many others, made it impossible to ignore how deeply racism is woven into daily life,” Eric said. “Companies responded by rolling out DEI initiatives and policies, but we have to ask, how sincere was that?”
“Because now, just a few years later, with the new administration openly campaigning against DEI, many of those same companies are quietly backing away,” Eric adds. “The trend has died down, at least for people who don’t personally experience racism, so they see DEI as an easy place to cut costs. It’s a business decision. And that’s the frustrating part.”
Workplaces need to start hiring more people of color in decision-making roles, especially in positions where they can hire creatives. A lot of hiring happens within inner circles, so it’s important to bring in people who are tapped into diverse communities and can create lasting change.
“But the reality is that project managers tend to hire their friends,” Eric said. “And when those project managers are white, which they often are, they hire within their predominantly white social circles. Then those hires bring on assistants who are also white, and the cycle continues. It’s this closed-loop system that keeps reinforcing itself.”
“We need to be intentional about elevating each other,” Eric adds. “And we also have to move past this mindset in the outdoor community that there can only be one—one person of color getting the opportunities, one voice representing everyone.”
The way forward is to find your community and build relationships through shared experiences, trust, and a deep sense of belonging.
“You deserve to be in these spaces,” Eric said. “The beauty of social media is that it helps you connect. You might start by going to some of the more generic meet-ups, but eventually, you’ll meet someone who introduces you to the right people.”
Follow Eric Arce’s journey on Instagram @pedalhomie as he joins four Navajo riders in a story for Patagonia. Check out his photography and shop merch at pedalhomie.com.
Brittany Leavitt (She/Her)
Brittany climbs in Fontainebleau, France. Photo by Trevor Riley.
Brittany Leavitt, 34, is a Black American gardener, climber, hiker, speaker, novice mountaineer, and all-around wanderer. Based in Brooklyn, New York, she serves as the Executive Director of Brown Girls Climb, the Coordinator for Cooper Street Garden, a Wilderness Medicine Instructor at Backcountry Pulse, and a Board Member of Farm to Crag. Whether she’s climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with Outdoor Afro’s Expedition Team or tending to a community garden, Brittany sees countless opportunities to bridge people with nature.
“There’s something magical about being surrounded by clouds on snow-capped mountains,” Brittany said. “The world fades away, leaving just you, the mountain, and the stillness of the moment. It’s an experience that captures the wonder and beauty of the outdoors—the stunning landscapes, the warmth of the people, and the breathtaking environment all come together to create moments that will stay with me forever.”
Her passion for advocacy ignited when she became an Outdoor Afro Leader and began studying Black outdoor history in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) areas. Together, they explored the Appalachian Trail through the lens of Harriet Tubman’s journey, deepening Brittany’s connection to the land and inspiring organizations like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to embrace more diverse storytelling.
“Community reminds us that we’re not alone.”
“Through this work, I’ve witnessed the power of mentorship, storytelling, and community-building,” Brittany said. “Watching someone’s confidence grow as they climb for the first time or find peace in nature is a constant reminder of why this work matters. These moments fuel my commitment to breaking down barriers, amplifying diverse voices, and ensuring that outdoor spaces are truly for everyone.”
Being outdoors is a tool for healing and reflection. Growth and rest go hand in hand, and it’s important to pause, reflect, and recharge so we can continue to show up with intention.
“For many in my community, the idea of escaping from the world and its challenges is a privilege that isn’t always accessible,” Brittany said. “Showing up for my community to organize events and workshops is a balancing act, but it’s incredibly important to me, and also deeply necessary.”
Now more than ever, as our social and political landscape shifts, we must stay engaged to create a culture of care, accountability, and resilience. It’s about being present, not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us.
“Speak each other’s names in rooms, seek opportunities to share your knowledge and experiences, and be open to receiving the same in return,” Brittany said. “Community reminds us that we’re not alone. When we uplift and invest in one another, the impact extends beyond our immediate circle. And we create a beautiful ripple effect of empowerment when we take up space together.”
Looking ahead, Brittany hopes to continue growing both personally and as a leader. She hopes to see more intergenerational connections, where knowledge is passed down, and individuals of all ages feel empowered to engage with the outdoors.
“I hope to see systemic change that goes beyond surface-level diversity initiatives,” Brittany said. “I want companies and organizations to prioritize equity, not just in their marketing but in their leadership, hiring practices, and community partnerships.”
“More accessible and affordable outdoor programs are essential, as well as a culture that acknowledges and respects the deep relationships Indigenous, Black, and other communities of color have with the land,” Brittany adds. “I also want to see more conversations and actions around accessibility, ensuring that people of all abilities can experience and enjoy the outdoors. It’s crucial to uplift and support Queer and Trans folks as athletes, guides, organizers, and leaders within the outdoor community. And lastly, I want to see the industry take stronger action in environmental stewardship, recognizing that the fight for outdoor access is impossible to separate from the fight for climate justice.”
Follow Brittany on Instagram @bleavitt8, and explore her incredible work: @browngirlsclimb, @backcountrypulse, @cooperstreetgarden, @outdoorafro, and @colorthecrag.
Community is the backbone of our lives. It’s how we survive, thrive, and build something bigger than ourselves. These three athletes inspire me to chase adventure while staying rooted in the people who make the journey worthwhile.