Departures

The view from the Routeburn Track, New Zealand. The Routeburn Track is a 32 km Great Walk in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, traversing Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park. “This ever so friendly nation is a hiker’s delight”, Yvonne tells us, “… and whatever level of participation you choose – from ‘introductory’ to ‘challenging’ – the views certainly do not disappoint!” Photography: James Hustler.

Returning to ‘me’ – transforming a little girl’s hopes and dreams into reality

Geoffrey Williams in conversation with Yvonne Shepherd, the Founder and CEO of Women’s Fitness Adventures

Yvonne Shepherd is passionate about women and women’s health, and specifically, supporting women to succeed on their hiking journeys. “If I could leave a legacy,” Yvonne tells The Solo Traveller, “… it would be that hiking companies share the full picture of what a trail involves – from the terrain and the elevation to the effort needed, so customers can make informed decisions, rather than fill in the blanks for themselves or make assumptions.”

“Too often I hear potential and future hikers being told ‘Just walk a few times a week and you will be fine!’. But when the reality of the trail doesn’t match the marketing or expectations, it leads to worry and uncertainty on the trail … and often incompletion. I want to change that, because when women are properly prepared, they don’t just complete the journey, they are transformed by it.”

Yvonne was in her mid-twenties and in between jobs when she booked her first solo adventure – a trip to Port Douglas, a town on the Coral Sea in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia. “I went on almost every adventure seeking trip you could find, and I was exhausted, but in a fun way. I realised that when you go solo, you are the default for making it all happen – from conversation to activities and even meals … and responsible for your own good time.”

The 12 Apostles, Victoria, Australia, is one of Yvonne's favourite hikes in the world. “I have done it eight times, and I am always amazed. Mother Nature teaches you exactly what you need to know each and every time.” Photography: James Hustler.

As the Founder and CEO of Women’s Fitness Adventures, Yvonne has achieved the perfect manifestation of her passion – to teach, train, and/or take women on hiking and fitness holidays in Australia and around the world. “When a woman is physically strong, she becomes mentally strong – and when we are strong, we have choices. And whilst life is often hard, the fitter we are, the easier it becomes to manage challenges we experience throughout our lives. But most importantly, when we have choices, we have freedom over how and where we move – not only for travel, but for life as well.”

“We provide the experiences of helping women to become strong through our online and in-person hiking courses, programs, and in-person hiking adventures, activities and opportunities that are supported by our 24/7 online community. But more than that, we offer a place for women to belong, and to know that they are not alone. Our thriving community is a great place for women to find travel companions, travel tips, fitness and motivation, and knowledge to travel and hike safely.

“Ninety-nine per cent of our membership are women who joined without knowing anyone because no one in their friendship group wanted to hike. From friendships, to fitness, to better health outcomes, the transformation is real. In fact, many individual members and ‘sets’ of members (who a few years ago did not know each other) have recently hiked various Camino paths, realising dreams they once never thought possible. Many of our members are transformed from their hikes and hiking journey, realising that what they thought was impossible and something only other people did, was actually happening to them. It is amazing to be part of sharing those potentially life-changing realisations and transformations!”

Loutro, Crete, is accessible only by foot or by sea. Ferries run daily connecting Loutro to nearby towns. “What a delight this relaxed and very walkable fishing village provides.” Photography: James Hustler.

“Newfound friends relaxing over a morning coffee before beginning our hike exploring Loutro and the surrounding mountain ranges.” Photography: James Hustler.

Yvonne’s favourite destinations are where there is limited or delayed connectivity. “Whilst I like to stay tethered, I also like those moments where I can just be me. Having that white space in my head to think of everything and nothing … those precious moments are so rare these days. My favourite place to return to is ‘me’ – that little girl with all the hopes, dreams, and imagined possibilities of what may lie ahead.”

Yvonne Shepherd’s top 3 tips for solo travelling success

1. Find a way to stay tethered for safety and for connection. Whilst it is awesome fun to explore the world solo, it’s also fun for your friends and family to follow along virtually. Recounting stories or moments to others – either in real time or with a post online – is a great way to make the memory last longer.

2. If you are booking into a group as a solo traveller, choose the group wisely. Who you travel with is just as important as where you go and getting stuck with a group in which you don’t belong wastes precious time and money. Do the homework – read their blogs, reviews, and get a feel for the tone. Ask the questions about the things that matter most to you, such as safety, downtime, pace, and knowledge. You will soon get a feel for knowing if this group is for you. Trust your gut.

3. Realise the build-up is just as important as the travel and the destination. I think the anticipation of travel is all part of the transformation of travel – who we become along the way and who we are when we return. It’s normal to be nervous and anxious of the unknown. We call it ‘friendly fear’ – that nervousness that can gently pull you along in your preparation and planning.

If you would like to share Yvonne’s passion to become stronger for life through fitness, adventure, and a social connection with a like-minded community, you can explore the many opportunities to do so offered by Yvonne’s Women’s Fitness Adventures. And if you enjoy exploring opportunities for engagement on Facebook, you can do that too.

Geoffrey Williams is the Founder and Publishing Curator of The Solo Traveller.