Meet Sheila Doherty of Hiking Unlimited

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Doherty.

Sheila, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Hiking Unlimited was started to help encourage every single person to start hiking. Hiking is a way to see the world and some incredible beauty, meet some amazing people, and be free. Hiking is a great form of therapy both mentally and physically.

I started Hiking Unlimited because I love the outdoors, nature and hiking. I wasn’t always a lover of hiking. I felt I was too slow or not strong enough to hike with other people. I struggled on what I thought were hard hikes, and I was too embarrassed to admit that I was struggling. When my siblings and their spouses were all going to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim in 2011, I declined to go. I am the youngest person in our family so you can imagine the sibling teasing I received for declining the trip. When my family members arrived from Iowa a few days prior to the scheduled rim to rim hike we went on a hike that was rated “moderate” by AllTrails. My sister-in-law used poles and was so slow on this “moderate” hike that I knew I would be upset if she did rim to rim and I did not. So, off we all went to the Grand Canyon. We started down on the south rim, crossed the river, and out the north rim. All of us completed the hike in less than 12 hours. I finished in good form and quite a bit earlier than my sister in law. That is when reality hit. It doesn’t matter how fast or how old you are, what matters is that you try and you take the first step! We both hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim, and we both have bragging rights!

When I realized some of my friends were also hesitant about hiking, I assured them that I would stay with them, go at their pace, and go as far as they wanted to go. I assured them that if they needed a break, I would be happy to take a break. If they wanted to turn around, I would turn around. So, I started Hiking Unlimited because I want to reach out to hikers of all abilities including people who want to start hiking. Many people feel the same way that I did and just don’t want to start hiking because of their fear or insecurity. I want people to know that everyone is welcome at Hiking Unlimited. Whether you prefer solo hiking, group hiking, overnight hiking and backpacking, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or just hiking in your neighborhood what matters most is that you start! Hiking is a fantastic form of exercise and therapy. If you take the first steps you can have a whole new abundance of opportunities and adventures that are waiting to be discovered. You can learn and accomplish so much and before you know it you will be faster, stronger, and maybe leading your own hiking groups!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Just like some hiking trails, it hasn’t been a smooth road. However, it has been a road I am so happy I continue to travel on. I have grown so much, and the more I learn I realize how much more I need to be open to. Social media is constantly changing between Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and now Tik Tok. The use of drones and blogs/vlogs are something I need to incorporate soon. My kids are savvier in the newer social media arenas and, in order to reach every age group, I really need to update Hiking Unlimited to include them. People have encouraged me to do t-shirts or monetize Hiking Unlimited but I really don’t want to do that. I have some t-shirts and if anyone wants to purchase one that is great. I do not advertise them and if I ever do sell them, I donate any profits to charity. Hiking Unlimited is about getting people outside, getting people to take the first step, meet new people, get physically and mentally stronger, build confidence and take hiking anywhere in the world you want to go!

Hiking Unlimited – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am most proud of the fact that Hiking Unlimited is free. I do not need to make any money. What makes me the happiest is helping a new hiker complete a hike. If we walk ten steps and need to break, then walk another ten steps and take a break all the way until we reach the summit, I am willing to do that! My biggest accomplishments are getting new people to hike. Not everyone loves to hike, but who knows when the hiking bug will bite you? Hiking Unlimited is fun and who doesn’t like to have fun! We even do some themed hikes. I like to hike and have everyone dress up on Halloween. If you don’t like to dress up you can go as a hiker! (This hike is super popular and everyone we meet on the trail smiles and comments). I also do an annual hike up Camelback to see the Christmas tree in our Christmas hiking attire. We like to dress up for Fat Tuesday, and St Patricks Day. We did a surprise birthday hike for someone turning 70!! Anything to have fun and make people smile. People all over the world can hike. I plan my vacations around hiking. The beauty of our world and all it has to offer is simply amazing. I am grateful for all the hikes I have done and hoping to complete so many more! There are no barriers to hiking.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is seeing someone else succeed. A lot of people think success is something that will happen in the future after making a lot of money, or finishing school. I see success as a short term goal. Every day you can succeed. Success is when people smile and laugh because they did something they didn’t think they could, like completing their first hike or after a hike asking me when we can go again! When someone opens up in the middle of the trail about a problem they are having, their child isn’t doing well at school, or any issue they are struggling with, they can talk about it and clear their head. At the end of the hike they feel so much better both mentally and physically …that is a success! Hiking is a great form of therapy. Being out in nature and accomplishing a hike is a great feeling. Hiking kept me sane through the whole COVID-19 lockdown. Success is simply being happy, giving people a reason to smile and feel good about themselves and their accomplishments. Success is best if it is shared and helps others succeed.

Contact Info:

• Email: hikingunlimited@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/hikingunlimited
• Facebook: Hiking Unlimited page

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