Vivianette Ortiz is a Latina originally from Puerto Rico. She grew up in the beach and mountain town of Patillas, Puerto Rico. She grew up running the hills of her hometown, bodyboarding, loving the ocean, and playing hide-in-seek barefoot through the farmlands.  Vivianette moved to North Carolina at the age of 17. She is a dedicated mother, daughter, and granddaughter. For a long time, she worked countless hours daily with 2 or 3 jobs at a time. Her adventurous soul went dormant for many years due to everyday responsibilities. Since arriving in North Carolina she has always gone back to the island to visit family and enjoy the feeling of freedom there. Going back to the island would help the homesickness she felt here on the mainland. Due to Covid restrictions, her traveling ceased for a while she found herself extremely homesick and depressed.  Through social media, she found a North Carolina hiking group page. Discovering the outdoors again provided her with a connection to home. Her love for nature and the Latino community led her to be one of the founders of the group Latinos Aventureros en las Carolinas. She is proud to combine her love for the outdoors with her passion for the Hispanic community through her role as the Executive Director of Latinos Aventureros.  She has completed over 130 hikes throughout the Carolinas in 2022, and 76 hikes in 2021.  In 2022 was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Peru, and completing the Inca Trail. She hopes to start the Appalachian Trail by sections in 2023.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out.  You can support the Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you.    Show Notes Who is Vivianette Her passion for going outside and travelling  Working as a disability rights advocate Growing up in Puerto Rico Being an ocean girl and her passion for the water Not being encouraged to spend time in the outdoors Being dedicated to work and working 2/3 jobs to support her family Being a single mother Moving to North Carolina at 17 years old The impact of Covid Being very depressed and looking for things to do Joining a social media friend for a hike Her first memorable sunrise hike on Roan Mountain  The gradual change after going on more hikes Finding her passion of spending time in the outdoors Practical tips and advice  Hiking with her children Starting Latinos Aventureros in October 2021 Building a camping gear closet  Being able to take families out camping  Doing the Inca Trail in 2022 Planning for 2 years  The challenges of the trail  Just keep going  The mental side of hiking  Why self motivation is important Plans for 2023 Finding education and training for the leaders The importance of resting and figuring out what your body needs Making time to go hiking on her own Hiking without an agenda Plans for section hiking the Appalachian trail in 2023 Support, sponsorship and funding for the Latinos Aventureros The Year of the Trail  Disability rights and hiking  The need for disability rights advocates  Looking up trails on line to see if they are accessible  All Trails App How you can use your voice  How to connect online Advice for women who want to get out hiking and spend more time in the outdoors Why it’s ok to ask for help Words of encouragement in Spanish    Social Media Instagram @vivi.la.exploradora Facebook - Vivianette Ortiz Facebook Group - Latinos Aventureros en las Carolinas Linktree - https://linktr.ee/latinosaventureros