Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Mccurdy
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in the country in rural Arkansas, spending most of my childhood running through the Ozarks barefoot, sweaty, dirty, and happy. As an adult, I lost that part of myself and found myself in corporate America, working in communications, and becoming, what I like to call, an indoor cat.
Then in 2020, our country shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was sent to work from home and became very isolated. The longer I stayed shut indoors, the more depressed I became. I texted my friend Shelby and said, “Hey, we’ve got to get outside before my mental health declines to the point of no return.” So we packed a day bag and headed out to the Ozark St. Francis National Forest. The best thing about Arkansas is the vast amount of trees, rivers, waterfalls, and practically empty hiking trails. I felt the magic of my childhood spent outdoors returning.
I realized that nature is a healer and that I can be totally and completely myself when I’m in the forest. I spent a lot of my life trying desperately to change my body- to make it smaller and to take up less space. Hiking became a refuge for me, in so many ways. Mentally, I felt renewed. Physically, I found a way to move my body joyfully, in a way that didn’t feel like a punishment. I relearned how to play and be silly, how to unmask and frolic again, like a child. Hiking changed my life and became one of the most influential passions of my life.
We started filming our adventures outdoors and posting the footage on TikTok. Eventually, it exploded. Everybody was so excited to see someone in a bigger body, a body that isn’t usually prioritized or welcomed in the outdoor community, hiking and laughing and having the best time of her life in nature. Someone being unapologetically herself, with no underlying reason, just existing and healing and enjoying being outside. I
t was at that point I realized that showing up in the body I have and highlighting my time outdoors was important for others to see. It’s important to show the world that larger-bodied people can travel, hike, enjoy the outdoors, and refuse to let the world tell her she should stay home. The outdoors is for everybody, no matter their body type, fitness level, or previous experience.
Then I founded the company The Hobbit Hikers, LLC. I’m a huge nerd and I love Lord of the Rings. I preach a lot about slow hiking, going your own pace, taking breaks, and eating snacks. I believe in taking my time, enjoying things that grow, and hiking for the experience of nature. There’s no medal at the end of the trail for the person who got there first, and in fact, when you rush through the trail, you’re missing the most important part- the nature! Slow down, friends! Listen, observe, and appreciate everything around you. Nature is magic, and so are we!
Now the Hobbit Hikers community has grown to more than 250,000 people! We have a Facebook group where we share our hiking stories, discuss gear recommendations, ask for advice, and connect with other hikers in our area. There are group chats for each state, helping people across the country find friends and hiking buddies.
We have also traveled the world together on our Hobbit Hikers trips. So far, we’ve traveled to Yellowstone (twice!), Yosemite, Costa Rica, and Bali. We have another trip planned for this winter to Costa Rica for a rainforest adventure, then Iceland next February and March, and then the Galapagos Islands next May. We are currently planning a trip to Morocco for the winter of 2025. The community has grown so much and I just hope it never ends.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road.
Every single day I field hate comments from my videos, usually from men who’ve never been on a hike in their entire, sad little lives. I get comments like, “This was her first and last hike ever!” and “Who let Bigfoot out?” and “Maybe if she hiked more, she’d weigh less.” and “Go to the gym!”
I read through them every day and delete them. I’m pretty accustomed to the hate by now, 3 years down the road, but I still delete the comments to protect the safe space I’ve created for my community. Just because I’m no stranger to the disgusting words, it doesn’t mean that the people who follow me deserve to read those comments. Their bodies are like my body, and words are powerful. I will continue to post what I post because the representation of bodies like mine in outdoor spaces is important.
My one piece of advice to anyone dealing with hateful comments is, “We do not take criticism from anyone we wouldn’t take advice from.” Their opinion doesn’t matter because while they’re hiding behind a keyboard, I’m breathing in fresh forest air, swimming in a crystal clear river, and climbing mountains.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Other than Hobbit Hiking, I am a Pilates instructor in Arkansas. I love moving my body in ways that feel good, and Pilates keeps my joints healthy, which in turn keeps me hiking!
I also work for a non-profit that serves Arkansas families during pregnancy and until their children enter kindergarten. I am a Communications Coordinator and this non-profit facilitates activities among its members to promote program collaboration and to raise public awareness about home visiting, to expand and sustain home visiting services, to provide supplemental home visiting training to collect and share data, and to share relevant policy and research information to build stronger families and brighter futures for the children and communities of Arkansas.
I’m proud to help families in Arkansas and I’m proud to spread the joy of Pilates as well. I’m on a mission to show others that exercise doesn’t have to be a punishment and that bodies are just vessels, not something to base your worth around.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
You don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it.
I’m terrible at hiking, in the standard view of hiking at least.
But I LOVE hiking. And it’s okay to modify something to meet you where you’re at currently. It’s okay to take breaks every 20 steps if you need to! It’s okay to hike in color-coordinated expensive gear or to hike in a dress and makeup. Your life is your life, your one wild and precious life. Don’t waste it worrying about being good at things.
Do it because you love it, and do it your own way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://my.trovatrip.com/app/host/public-profile
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_whatwouldellewoodsdo_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hobbithikers
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatwouldellewoodsdo?lang=en
