Greetings friends!

Thank you for finding your way to my fundraising page and joining in on this journey. This September I will be running in the Tahoe 100k put on by Destination Trail, a 62.1 mile trail running race on the east and south shores of Lake Tahoe. Over the next few months I will continue my deep dive into training for an event that is sure to push me out of my comfort zone.

Growing up the one place that I always felt I could be myself was out in nature. I would careen recklessly down steep hills, build ramps to jump my mountain bike off, and climb any and every rock face in sight. This exploration of my limits helped me to build confidence that I could bring with me into every aspect of life. I didn’t always feel I fit in in the “normal world”, but outside I was free of the expectations that society placed on me and the anxiety that those expectations created. The outdoors continues to be a safe and affirming space for me and I work so that others have the opportunity to experience this.

My first year at OBCA was also the first year that the course specifically for LGBTQ+ folks ran and I was lucky enough to be the course advisor for it. Getting to be a part of other LGBTQ+ young adults embarking on adventures made me proud to have been a part of an organization that is committed to inclusion. I got to help students get prepared for a course that was sure to change their lives, and in the end it changed mine as well.

When I think about what it means to participate in outdoor activities such as this, I often come face to face with my privilege. I want this race to make a greater impact than just myself and am excited about you being a part of that too! Please join in with any amount you can to help directly fund the LGBTQ+ Scholarship Program.

Check back here for updates as I train in the mountains of San Diego or follow me on instagram @wonder_seeker.

Try Hard and Keep Going!

Chelsea
(she/her)