We recently connected with Ivan Orozco and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ivan, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I never set out to build community, nor did I see it as my purpose, especially in my 20s. But organizing meetups and bringing people together naturally became a role I gravitated toward. It began simply, coordinating gatherings with my core group of friends after college to stay connected despite busy schedules. This foundation of fostering connections stayed with me as I navigated life, especially during the challenging post-2008 recession era, when many of us were in entry-level jobs. At work, I organized happy hours to build camaraderie and support among colleagues.
After seven years in the corporate world, I took a leap of faith, moved to O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, and began working as a Volunteer Coordinator for a nonprofit that helped residents build affordable homes. Each Saturday, I witnessed strangers come together to build not just houses but a stronger sense of community. That experience showed me the transformative power of collective action, reinforcing my natural inclination to create spaces for connection.
When I moved to Arizona just before the pandemic, my ability to build community faced new challenges. With volunteer opportunities limited and isolation taking its toll, I realized how essential community was to my well-being. This realization prompted me to reimagine how I could foster connection, even if the circumstances weren’t ideal.
Returning to the Pacific Northwest felt like a fresh start. I leaned into new activities like hot yoga and solo hiking, which helped me rebuild my sense of self and community. Solo treks inspired meaningful encounters with strangers on trails, sparking the idea for the Hikes & Mics Podcast. I wanted to capture and share the transformative stories of others in the outdoors—stories often rooted in healing, acceptance, and connection.
Through the podcast, I’ve met incredible individuals whose journeys have enriched my own. From interviewing fellow hikers to organizing backpacking trips, I’ve been inspired by the organic connections formed through shared love for the outdoors. Notably, meeting Justin from the Just Trek hiking club in Los Angeles was pivotal. His passion for building community planted the seed for creating my own hiking club.
That idea became reality with the launch of the Yakima Valley Trekkers. In our first year, we averaged two hikes a month, bringing strangers together to explore the trails. Hearing participants—many of them transplants to the Yakima Valley—say they’ve “found their people” has been profoundly rewarding. It’s a reminder of the power of shared experiences to unite people from all walks of life.
For 2025, my purpose is clearer than ever: to continue fostering a safe, inclusive space in the outdoors, especially for fellow BIPOC adventurers. Building community is not just something I do—it’s a role I’ve embraced, and I’m committed to creating opportunities for others to connect, heal, and grow together.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a first-generation Mexican-American, with both my parents originally from Mexico. They settled in the Pacific Northwest when I was five, and my introduction to the outdoors came through my father’s agricultural work and fishing trips. Growing up in a small town near the mountains, I developed a fascination with the big cities of Los Angeles and San Diego during visits to relatives—rather than the local forest and trails.
My relationship with hiking began humbly. My first hike, shortly after high school, was a steep, grueling climb up a nearby 5,000-foot mountain with multiple false summits. It left me so demoralized I swore off hiking for years. But six years later, a friend working at a National Forest ranger station encouraged me to try again. This time, we traded the steep summit for a short, rewarding hike to a waterfall, and I was hooked.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve channeled my love for the outdoors into the Hikes & Mics Podcast, where I aim to build community through conversations about outdoor experiences. The podcast started with in-person interviews on trails, hauling 25 pounds of recording gear to summits and trailheads. After a few successful interviews, an early snowstorm pushed me to pivot toward virtual interviews. This shift expanded my reach, allowing me to connect with hikers from across the U.S. and around the world, including the U.K., Australia, Canada, and Spain.
The podcast now wraps up its 8th season, featuring guests from all walks of life—day hikers, seasoned backpackers, families, couples, non-profits, and hiking club organizers. Every episode dives into personal journeys, memorable experiences, and outdoor adventures, ending with a fun round of This or That hiking-related questions. This year, I returned to the podcast’s roots, recording trail-side interviews with a lightweight, 2-pound setup, and I’m excited to do more in-person episodes and videos in 2025.
A personal highlight last year was a backpacking trip in the Enchantments in Washington State, after a decade of trying to secure a permit. The group included three podcast guests and two college friends, making it an unforgettable experience. Backpacking is a new avenue I’m exploring, inspired by incredible guests like Tami and Kelli, who shared their love for the wilderness on the podcast. I hope to organize more trips with both podcast guests and others I’ve met along this journey.
On the local front, my hiking club, Yakima Valley Trekkers, has been growing steadily, with over 200 registered hikers. Our end of the year hike has 40+ hikers registered to hit the trails in the Channeled Scablands in Eastern Washington. For 2025, we’re planning to expand our offerings, with some of our regular members stepping up as hike leaders to provide even more opportunities for community members to enjoy the outdoors.
Ultimately, what excites me most is fostering connection—whether through the podcast, on the trails, or within my local hiking community. I’m driven by the belief that the outdoors is a place for healing, exploration, and shared stories, and I’m passionate about creating spaces where people from all backgrounds can feel welcome and inspired.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Adaptability: Stepping out of my comfort zone has been a recurring theme in my journey. Early on, I was hesitant to do things alone, so I started small—going to a movie by myself, followed by having a sit-down meal solo. Those seemingly minor steps eventually built my confidence for solo hiking and travel. Interestingly, when I became too comfortable doing things alone, I challenged myself again by joining group activities and meetups. Each step outside my comfort zone, whether toward independence or social connection, taught me something new about myself. Growth doesn’t happen without discomfort, so my advice is to embrace those moments of unease—they’re often the first step to unlocking your potential.
Effective Communication Skills: Clear and compelling communication has been essential throughout my journey. Whether recruiting volunteers, creating podcast content, or organizing hikes for Yakima Valley Trekkers, the ability to tailor my message to resonate with different audiences has been crucial. From engaging social media posts to heartfelt narratives that connect volunteers with a cause, effective communication is about understanding your audience and delivering your message with clarity and authenticity. For anyone looking to develop this skill, start by practicing in everyday scenarios—write more, speak up in meetings, and seek feedback to refine your approach.
Relationship Building: At the heart of everything I do is the ability to connect with people. Whether it’s through one-on-one conversations with hikers or fostering a sense of community among podcast guests and listeners, building relationships has opened doors to collaborations and brought fresh insights. These connections remind me that we’re stronger together, and they’ve helped me navigate challenges and celebrate successes. My advice is to be genuine in your interactions—listen more than you speak, show up consistently, and invest time in relationships that align with your values and goals.
For those just starting out, start small, but start now. You don’t need to have it all figured out to take your first steps. Build foundational skills through consistent practice, seek feedback, and approach every challenge with a growth mindset. Remember, the path isn’t always linear—there will be detours and setbacks—but each experience is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and move closer to your goals.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
This Fall has been one of the busiest seasons I’ve experienced. Balancing my professional responsibilities, the podcast, the hiking club, and my personal life has been both rewarding and exhausting. I find myself waiting for a moment to catch my breath, especially as the holiday season approaches.
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating opportunities that come my way. Some have expiration dates, and others linger, but they all require me to ask, “Do I have the bandwidth or capacity to take this on?” I’ve learned that opportunities often don’t wait, and growth requires a willingness to embrace the uphill climb, even when it feels daunting.
At the same time, I’ve come to accept that saying no doesn’t mean failure—it can mean the timing simply isn’t right.
What surprises me most is how often my capacity exceeds my expectations. When I lean into the challenge, I often find I’m more capable than I give myself credit for. My approach now is to assess each opportunity thoughtfully, prioritize what aligns with my values, and trust that the right path will reveal itself—even if it means letting go of something to focus on what truly matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hikesandmics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikesandmics/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hikesandmics
- Other: https://www.meetup.com/yvtrekkers/
Image Credits
Brittany Anne Photography(Portrait photos only)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
