Walk with Jessica DeAngelo: Finding Clarity, Creativity, and Yourself Outside

Mar 31

Episode 8 Summary: Jessica DeAngelo shares how a simple daily practice — 30 minutes outside, in motion, without technology — helped her shift from feeling scattered and overwhelmed to more clear, creative, and present. This conversation explores how time in nature changes the way we think, and what becomes possible when we give our attention space to reset.

SHOW NOTES

What happens when we stop trying to think our way through everything?

In this conversation, I sit down with Jessica DeAngelo to explore how clarity, creativity, and presence begin to return when we step outside — and give ourselves space to think differently.

After a moment with her young daughter that made her realize how disconnected she had become, Jessica began a simple experiment: 30 minutes a day in nature, without technology. What followed wasn’t a quick fix, but a shift — from scattered attention to clearer thinking, from constant input to something more grounded.

We talk about what a “hike” actually means (and what it doesn’t), why movement changes how we think, and how consistent time in nature helps quiet the mental noise that keeps us stuck.

This isn’t about doing something extreme or stepping away from your life. It’s about noticing what becomes available when you give your mind and body a different environment to work in.

Key Themes

Creativity as something we access, not force
The difference between being physically present and truly attentive
Nature as a support for nervous system regulation and cognitive clarity
Redefining “hiking” as an accessible, everyday practice
Movement as a pathway to clearer thinking
Consistency over intensity in building a relationship with nature
Integrating nature into modern life, not escaping it

Key Takeaways

You don’t need a dramatic change — a simple, consistent practice can shift how you think and feel.
Time in nature helps reduce mental overload and improves focus on what actually matters.
Movement plays a key role in unlocking creativity and perspective.
Stepping away from technology creates space for more intentional attention.
The goal isn’t perfection; even imperfect time outside can be meaningful.
Often, the value of nature isn’t in giving answers, but in helping us ask better questions.

“Nature does not always give us answers, but it often helps us hear ourselves again.”

Reflection Prompt

Where in your life are you trying to think your way through something that might need to be walked through outdoors instead?

Connect with Jessica

Jessica DeAngelo is the founder of Hike to Become and author of The Wild Advantage. Her work helps leaders and teams use nature, movement, and time away from technology to unlock clarity, creativity, and focus. Her book page describes her as founder of Hike to Become and creator of the Hike to Become Challenge, with work spanning leadership and executive teams.

Website: Jessica DeAngelo / Hike to Become
LinkedIn: Jessica DeAngelo

Resources Mentioned

The Wild Advantage: Why Your Brain on Nature is Your Boldest Business Move
The Hike to Become Challenge
Text HIKE to 33777 to join the challenge
The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer

Prefer to read? The full transcript is below.

Susan:
Well, hello Jessica. It’s lovely to connect with you today.
I’m excited that we were connected by a mutual LinkedIn human who thought we should get to know each other. Once I learned about what you were up to, I immediately thought, yes — let’s do this. I’m grateful you felt the same when I asked you to be part of this.
Jessica:
I’m honored. And I think that’s also the magic of LinkedIn. We were joking before we got on here — it was a newer contact for both of us. Essentially, an almost stranger put us in touch. How magical.
Susan:
I love that. Helping good people connect with other good people.
Let’s jump in. As I was preparing for our conversation, a few stories and ideas bubbled up. I thought we could start at the beginning — your origin story.
Let’s start with the 6 a.m. hike in Idaho in January. What was going on in your life that made you say yes to that?
Jessica:
Yeah. It’s a story I have mixed emotions about sharing.
It was December 23rd, 2023. I was playing with my two children — my daughter was three, my son was one. We were in our upstairs loft, surrounded by toys. It was a Saturday morning, and I was supposed to be spending quality time with them.
But my phone dinged. I was in the middle of building my consulting practice, working around the clock. It was a client email. I looked down and started responding.
A few minutes later, I realized the room had gotten way too quiet. If you have toddlers, you know that moment — something is either very wrong or very broken.
I looked up, and my daughter was standing right in front of me. She said, “Mom, put down your phone.”
That moment hit me. I was physically there, but I was completely disconnected. And I didn’t know how to fix it.
Whenever I come up against something I can’t fix, I go to a trail. I leave my phone in the car and walk. I don’t always find clarity immediately, but something shifts.
So that’s what led me to that hike. I had just left corporate, I was building a business, raising two young kids, working constantly — and I had a “what am I doing?” moment.
Susan:
Yes. I remember those days.
It’s interesting you mention the phone. In a previous episode, Micah Mortali talked about the “green mirror” versus the “black mirror.”
Your daughter told you to put down the black mirror… and you chose the green one.
What did that first hike look like?
Jessica:
It was January in Idaho, so very white — snowy, quiet.
I hiked up what I jokingly call a mountain, but really it’s a foothill. I sat and watched the sunrise. I started asking myself the usual questions: What went wrong? How did I get here? How do I fix it?
But nothing came.
Then I had this moment — maybe I’m asking the wrong question.
Instead of “What’s wrong?” I asked: When was this not a problem? What was true then that isn’t true now?
That’s when I realized I had stopped hiking. I had always been happiest and healthiest when I was walking in nature regularly.
So I made a decision: January has 31 days. What if I just hiked every day?
Susan:
I love that.
Can we pause and deconstruct “hike”? Because for many people, that means something big and overwhelming.
What did hiking actually look like for you?
Jessica:
That’s such an important question.
My first thought was something extreme — hike the Pacific Crest Trail, go on a safari. But quickly I realized that wasn’t realistic. I had two toddlers at home.
So I simplified it.
A hike is just a walk in nature. That’s it.
I created a simple framework to remember it:
- H: Hiker walk — movement
- I: In nature
- K: Keep technology off
- E: Every day
I committed to 30 minutes a day for 31 days.
Susan:
As you’re sharing that, I’m reflecting on my own experience walking the Camino. No headphones, no distractions — just being outside.
There’s something different about being outside with intention.
It’s like the difference between sitting across from someone and truly engaging versus just going through the motions.
Jessica:
Exactly.
And what’s interesting — you mentioned noticing a shift around day three. There’s actually science behind that.
Three days of nature immersion can increase creativity by up to 60%.
Susan:
That’s fascinating.
Jessica:
For me, the first week was the hardest. Getting out the door, being alone with my thoughts — we’re not used to that anymore.
But around week two, I had a breakthrough.
I realized I was burned out because I had recreated my corporate life in my consulting business. No wonder I felt stuck.
Then I had a thought: If hiking is this powerful for me, what if I brought it into my work?
I ended up taking a group of executives on a hike during a keynote.
Susan:
How many people?
Jessica:
Forty-two.
Susan:
That’s not a small group.
Jessica:
No, and logistically it was a challenge. But the difference before and after the hike was incredible. Energy, engagement, clarity — completely different.
That’s when I realized this wasn’t just personal. This could change how people work.
Susan:
Movement builds momentum.
And this feels different from “innovation time.” It’s not sitting and thinking — it’s moving and letting ideas emerge.
Jessica:
Exactly.
And I don’t want people doing this once a week. I want consistency. Thirty minutes a day.
I’ve worked with executives who reported:
- 43% decrease in stress
- 52% increase in focus
- 43% increase in creativity
- 33% increase in presence
The prescription is simple — go outside, move, unplug.
Susan:
That’s powerful.
Are you seeing impacts beyond work?
Jessica:
Yes.
One story stands out. A man named Rick struggled on a hike I led. The next day, he told me he wasn’t upset with me — he was upset with himself. He realized he wasn’t as healthy as he thought.
Later, he told me he had changed his habits, lost weight, and was able to spend active time with his grandkids again.
That’s the kind of impact this can have.
Susan:
That’s beautiful.
There’s something about nature creating space for reflection — for seeing yourself differently.
Jessica:
Yes. But people have to be open to it.
Susan:
What about people who feel like they don’t have 30 minutes?
Jessica:
I get that question a lot.
First — most people do have 30 minutes. It’s about priorities and boundaries.
But also, this is not about perfection.
If you only have 10 minutes, that still reduces stress.
20 minutes supports emotional wellbeing.
30+ minutes is where creativity really activates.
And sometimes, you bring your kids. Or take a walking meeting. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Susan:
Yes. Even being outside at all has benefits.
But movement adds another layer.
Jessica:
Exactly.
Susan:
One thing that came up for me — it feels like layers start to peel away the longer you walk.
Jessica:
That’s a great way to describe it.
Susan:
As we wrap, anything else you want to share?
Jessica:
Yes — my book, The Wild Advantage, dives deeper into the science.
And I offer the Hike to Become challenge for free. Anyone can join by texting HIKE to 33777.
I just want more people outside, experiencing this.
Susan:
We’ll include that in the show notes.
Natural Favorites Segment (Condensed)
Susan: Favorite weather?
Jessica: Light rain in the forest. It’s incredible — the smells, the feeling.
Susan: Favorite time of day?
Jessica: Early morning, before sunrise.
End of Transcriptn text goes here

Susan Bailey