Alina “Abstract” Drufovka is a Colombian-American painter and illustrator based out of Philadelphia, PA.  Alina has hiked the Appalachian Trail (2015 & 2017), the Pacific Crest Trail (2019) and the Israel National Trail (2018). Alina is an outdoor professional and hopes to inspire more women and people of colour to get outside and explore the trails!   Her Mission:  Help people reconnect with their journeys in wilderness through art.  Commemorate life on trail and the culture of long distance backpacking. Promote diversity in the outdoors.    “One of the most beautiful parts of creation is that an Artist has the freedom to not just recreate the world as we know it, but to craft a portal to a new world. Perhaps a better and more equitable one. And that is exactly my intention. “ — Alina “Abstract” Drufovka   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.     Show notes Growing up as a city girl Going to a summer camp in New Jersey How her life changed Stepping foot on the Appalachian Trail Knowing that she wanted a life of hiking and adventure Getting into the book and the movie of “Into the Wild” Growing up artistic Not wanting to put herself out there in case she failed Heading to college in Colorado Getting injured on her fist attempted thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2015 Planning for the trip and taking a semester off college Her first trail name “Swol”  Walking 1200 mils and having to leave the trail Dealing with knee injuries  Getting through the tough time period of recovery Heading back to the trail in 2017 and feeling nervous Meeting her boyfriend of day 1 of the trail Wanting to hike solo Self reflection on the trail Having 6 months of freedom Getting though the not so good days Living the dream and feeling very fortunate to be out there Feeling gratitude Doing art on the trail The end of the trail Heading to hike The Israel National Trail in 2018 Needing another goal in the diary Working for 6 months to save up the money Resupply, accommodation and water on The Israel National Trail The amazing network of trail angels Magical moments Hiking the PCT with her boyfriend The differences between the AT and the PCT Flip & flopping on the PCT and the frustrations Taking a step away from thru-hiking to focus on her art Blogging and sharing on social media  Wanting to be present on the trail  Nutrition on the trail Packing only 1 snickers! Finishing a hike and what happens next Writing a book! Wanting to share her experiences from trail The judgement on social media Becoming a full time artist Being stuck in Costa Rica at the start of the pandemic Building up her on-line business Connect with Alina and order her artwork Looking at a new stage of life Thinking about starting a family Motherhood and settling down Having a different dream to others Live your own life Accidental Van Life! Figuring out where home is going to be Wanting a simple life Final words of advice - “being one choice away from living a different life” The sliding doors moment by listening to a podcast and how it could change your life     Social Media   Website - www.thrudesigns.com    Instagram @abstract.hikes    Facebook @abstract.hikes