What happens when a lifelong love of the outdoors becomes the inspiration for building a business?

Virginia Peterson, founder of SWOOP, joins Charlie Pankey on Sierra Rec Now for a conversation about mountain communities, outdoor adventures in Alaska, and creating clothing that helps women stay comfortable and spend more time outside.

Virginia didn't grow up in the mountains. She discovered that passion while attending college in New Mexico, and it eventually led her into trail running, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and a life in Alaska. Along the way, she's collected stories that most of us would consider extraordinary—including encounters with bears, moose, and porcupines that are simply part of everyday outdoor life where she lives.

But SWOOP didn't begin on a mountain trail. It started during Virginia's career as an emergency-room nurse, when she decided there had to be a better solution for women spending long hours on their feet. What began with a more comfortable bra eventually grew into a women's lifestyle clothing brand influenced by her years outdoors.

In this Built Outside conversation, Charlie and Virginia explore the connection between mountain communities and entrepreneurship, the calculated risks involved in both backcountry adventures and business decisions, and why keeping women outside longer remains central to SWOOP's mission.

Discover SWOOP: https://wearswoop.com/

Explore more with Sierra Rec: https://sierrarecmagazine.com/

Until next time... Keep Exploring.

In the rugged wilderness of Alaska, Virginia Lynn Peterson discovered a profound connection to the outdoors that transformed her life and career. Join us as Virginia shares her journey from a curious trail runner to the founder of Swoop, a company that embodies her passion for outdoor adventure and community.

Virginia takes us back to her first awe-inspiring encounters with the mountains, revealing how the breathtaking landscapes of New Mexico ignited a lifelong love for outdoor pursuits. She recounts exhilarating tales of trail running, skiing, and rock climbing, highlighting the unique camaraderie found within the outdoor community. "It's not just about the sports—it's about the connections we forge and the adventures we share," she emphasizes.

You'll discover how Virginia's experiences shaped her understanding of resilience and teamwork, and how these values translate into her entrepreneurial journey. She shares insights on embracing challenges, the importance of mentorship, and how the spirit of adventure can drive innovation in business.

What happens when you combine a passion for the outdoors with a thriving entrepreneurial spirit? Virginia’s story underscores the powerful impact of nature on personal growth and success, while also shedding light on the evolving role of women in outdoor sports.

Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking inspiration from the wild, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to explore how the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness shapes lives and businesses alike, and learn why Virginia's adventure is just getting started.

What happens when a kid who has never camped, backpacked or visited Yosemite National Park steps off a bus and sees Yosemite Valley for the first time?

NatureBridge Yosemite Campus Director Corinne Dedini and Operations Manager Andrés Escalante join Sierra Rec Now host Charlie Pankey for a conversation about outdoor education, environmental science and the power of introducing young people to the outdoors.

NatureBridge brings thousands of students to Yosemite each year for immersive outdoor science and environmental education programs. Some arrive with years of family camping experience. Others have never slept outdoors, hiked in the wilderness or seen Yosemite despite growing up only hours away.

Andrés takes us inside WildLink, a collaborative wilderness program with NatureBridge, the National Park Service and Yosemite Conservancy that introduces young people to backpacking in Yosemite. For first-time backpackers, even the gear barrier is removed—students can be provided with boots, socks, clothing, sleeping bags and tents so they can simply show up and experience the wilderness.

But this conversation goes well beyond teaching kids how to backpack.

Corinne and Andrés talk about what happens when phones are put away, students begin noticing the small things around them and classmates who barely spoke at school suddenly spend a week hiking, learning and solving problems together.

We explore:

• Outdoor and environmental education in Yosemite National Park
• NatureBridge's Yosemite programs and WildLink
• First-time camping and backpacking experiences for young people
• Getting kids outdoors and away from screens
• Building confidence, courage and community through wilderness experiences
• Outdoor science, conservation and environmental stewardship
• Careers with the National Park Service, Forest Service and environmental sciences
• Why access and belonging matter in America's national parks

Andrés also shares the story of a quiet WildLink participant whose Yosemite experience eventually inspired a career with the Forest Service.

For Corinne, one of the most important lessons is helping young people cross what she calls the “courage line”—creating a place where they feel safe enough to take a risk, discover community and begin seeing themselves differently.

Sometimes the most memorable part of Yosemite isn't Half Dome or a giant waterfall. It might be seeing a squirrel, noticing a tree, putting your feet in the cold Merced River or realizing for the first time:

I belong here.

Getting kids outside doesn't require a national park, expensive outdoor gear or a big family vacation. Sometimes the best outdoor adventures for kids are hiding right in your own neighborhood.

For Deanna Ratnikova, founder of GO Deck, that realization started during the pandemic. As a single mom living in downtown San Diego, Deanna suddenly found herself balancing work, motherhood and life with a three-year-old while many of the playgrounds, group activities and community spaces around them were closed.

So they started walking.

What began as a way to simply get outside became something different when Deanna started seeing the city through her daughter's eyes. A fallen leaf could stop them in their tracks. A short walk could become an adventure. And outdoor spaces Deanna had passed without noticing suddenly became places worth exploring.

Those experiences eventually inspired GO Deck, a collection of outdoor adventure cards designed to help families discover parks, trails, waterfronts and other outdoor spaces close to home.

On this Built Outside conversation, Charlie Pankey talks with Deanna about motherhood, entrepreneurship and what it takes to build an outdoor business from an idea rooted in your own life.

They explore Deanna's background in running and cycling, becoming a single mom, finding community outdoors, creating and testing the first GO Deck prototypes, and learning how to build a business without a traditional entrepreneurial background.

But the bigger conversation is about getting kids outside.

Deanna shares why outdoor activities for families don't have to be difficult, expensive or far from home; why she includes mobility-friendly outdoor spaces in GO Deck; and how simple experiences outside have created some of her daughter's strongest childhood memories.

They also talk about something even simpler: going for a walk together. Sometimes connection doesn't require a big adventure—or even a big conversation. It can simply mean being outside, moving together and being present.

And meet Z (Zephyr), GO Deck's traveling character helping children turn everyday outdoor experiences into adventures as Z explores places around the world.

In this conversation:
• Getting kids outside in an urban environment
• Outdoor activities and adventures for families
• Motherhood, outdoor identity and entrepreneurship
• How Deanna's pandemic walks inspired GO Deck
• Running, cycling and finding community outdoors
• Building an outdoor business without a business background
• Accessible and mobility-friendly outdoor adventures
• Creating screen-free family experiences
• Building childhood memories outside
• The future of GO Deck and Z's adventures around the world

Built Outside is a Sierra Rec Now series about people whose lives outside taught them how to build something.

Learn more about Deanna Ratnikova and GO Deck at thegodeck.com.