It's Never Too Late for a Second Act: Kathleen on Van Life, Courage & Chasing What Lights You Up
It's Never Too Late for a Second Act: Kathleen on Van Life, Courage & Chasing What Lights You Up  
Podcast: Hikes and Mics Podcast
Published On: Mon Oct 27 2025
Description: Send us Fan Mail🌄 Van Life, Second Acts & Saying YES to Adventure 🚐✨Kathleen — known online as the Women's Vitality Alchemist — joins us this episode. At 59, she said yes to van life, hitting the road solo in her van "Blondie" after her husband gave her the gift of complete freedom to chase the adventure she'd always talked about.Kathleen talks through unforgettable stops from Monument Valley to the North Cascades, including a profound moment with a Navajo guide who told her she carries the wisdom of a grandmother, and a white-knuckle Google Maps detour deep into Olympic National Park that became one of her biggest lessons in staying calm under pressure. We also get into her background as a functional nutritionist, her philosophy on embracing a "second act" after 50, encouraging other women past their fear of solo travel, and a full round of season "this or that" questions — summits or waterfalls, sunrise or sunset, fall colors or spring wildflowers.An empowering conversation about reinvention, courage, and saying yes to the life that's still waiting for you.Episode Links:Kathleen on InstagramKathleen on FacebookKathleen on AllTrailsThis episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeysFollow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier.Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership!Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.