Life In Motion

What happens when you can’t find the outdoor community you’ve been searching for—so you build it yourself?In this episode, we sit down with Victoria Garvin, founder of Upward Transitions Institute, a mountain education and guiding company redefining inclusivity in outdoor spaces. After leaving a demanding nursing career and facing gender bias in the guiding industry, Victoria created a space where folks from any background, race, gender identity, and socioeconomic status can gain confidence, learn essential skills, and lead with independence.From scaling Mount Baker to organizing international mountaineering courses, Victoria shares how Upward Transitions empowers climbers through education, mentorship, and community. Her story reminds us that the outdoors isn’t just about summits—it’s about belonging, growth, and finding the courage to “do it scared.”Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation.