Meet Chelsea Mccurdy

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chelsea Mccurdy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chelsea below.

Chelsea, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I truly believe my purpose, generally and in broad terms, is to be a safe harbor for others in the world that is a rough sea. My name, Chelsea, means “safe harbor” or “landing place,” and as a child, I hated it. I wanted a name that meant something like “fairy princess.” But now, I realize just how accurate my name’s meaning truly is. I am a guardian and a sentinel for my community.

I am a judgment-free space for other people living in larger bodies.

I am a safe adult and queer elder for the queer youth at Camp Brave Trails, where I spend my summers.

My Pilates classes are accessible for all body types and all fitness levels, just as my classes are psychologically safe for anyone who is recovering from an eating disorder or diet culture harm.

My group trips with my community, The Hobbit Hikers, are safe spaces for people who may not have a friend they can travel with, or for a beginner who is nervous to travel for the first time.

My group hikes are a safe harbor for hikers who have felt judged when hiking with others before. I will always be in the back, with the slowest hiker. You can be out of breath around me (and my group).

You can find solace and sanctuary on my group trips. You can trust me with your drink, you can trust me to take bomb bikini pics of you on a beach, and you can trust me with your secrets.

That’s my life’s calling – to be a safe harbor for others to heal, find love for themselves, and to find sanctuary in my presence.

And if you’ve never met me in real life, let me assure you that I am nothing but vigilant when it comes to protecting those safe spaces I have created. I do no harm, but I also tolerate no hate or judgment in my presence.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am the creator and founder of the group The Hobbit Hikers, LLC, which is an online community dedicated to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and empowering environment to advocate for self-love and body confidence through joyful movement and time spent in nature.

I am a Star Host with TrovaTrip, which means I am highly rated as a group travel host. I host group travel adventures where hikers and like-minded travelers spend time exploring the world together. So far, we have traveled to Yellowstone (twice), Yosemite, Costa Rica (twice), and Bali. Next year, we are traveling to Iceland (twice), the Galapagos Islands, Morocco, and Croatia!

I am also a content creator on TikTok where I post daily vlogs, hiking content, and videos documenting the adventures of The Hobbit HIkers.

On the weekends, I teach inclusive and accessible Pilates classes, and coming soon, I will be teaching Pilates online for those who don’t live in Arkansas and cannot come to classes in person! I am also a Communications Coordinator for a non-profit that serves Arkansas families, mothers, and babies.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The first and most important quality I possess is tenacity. I’m like a pitbull that got a hold of a porkchop- I am NOT letting go. I hate to be told I can’t do something because I CAN and I WILL do whatever I set my mind to. If you’ve ever just survived completely out of spite, well then come and sit by me.

Be tenacious – hold tight to your determination. Be intrepid and adventurous.

I am also very brave. A lot of us think that bravery is something you have to be born with, but that’s not true. Bravery is a skill you have to learn and practice. Being brave has nothing to do with fear, my friends. I am afraid all the time. Absolutely terrified. But I’ve learned that being brave is feeling terrified and doing it anyway. I do most things in this life terrified, but I would rather be OUT THERE terrified than stay inside bored and wondering “What if?” The fear of missing out has to be greater than your fear of action.

We get one life and I’m going to live the hell out of it.

The last thing that I think is important to remember is this: If you think you’re the smartest person sitting at the table, then baby, you’re at the wrong table. You can learn something from every single person on this planet, and it’s important to remember that you’re no more important than anyone else. The minute you let your ego take over, then it’s all over. Keep your mind open, keep yourself humble, and show respect to everyone. You’re not above anyone else, and you can learn something if you just keep that in mind.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I spend most of my life feeling overwhelmed. I work a lot and I am on the autism spectrum, so most of the world feels like sensory overload to me.

I am finally learning one of life’s most important lessons – you cannot tap into your true creativity if you don’t slow down.

Take a look at nature: nothing in nature blooms year-round. All life has a dormant period, a rest period, and a time to slow down. That process of slowing down is essential to growing and believe me, I know how hard it is to slow down when you want to do it ALL.

Every time I take an afternoon to lay in my hammock and watch the clouds, listen to the birds, and relax my body, I have so many ideas! My brain is like a garden just sprouting with new little flowers – each one a new idea I can’t wait to explore. You have to accept that winter is a necessity in order for there to be spring blossoms later. Let yourself rest.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_whatwouldellewoodsdo_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hobbithikersLLC
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatwouldellewoodsdo?lang=en

Image Credits

Chelsea McCurdy
Shelby Lane Varner