Out & Back with Alison Mariella Désir

Finding Your Footing

At just 12, Cecil Sherwood taught himself to ski using a pair he found at a rummage sale. Now an avid all-terrain climber, mountaineer and guide, Cecil has never let his circumstances prevent him from getting outdoors. He coaches Alison to face her biggest fear: heights! She attempts to scale a massive boulder at Little Si, and the two discuss representation in the climbing world.

Finding Your Footing

8m 16s

  • All Hands In: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    All Hands In

    27m 3s

    Alison Mariella Désir relocated from Harlem to Seattle with her family. As an athlete and community activator, Alison explores the Pacific Northwest alongside changemakers reclaiming space for BIPOC voices in the outdoors. Now four years in, she hosts her first trail race and reconnects with past guests to explore resiliency and the networks of support needed to feel empowered in this space.

  • Carving a Community of Color: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Carving a Community of Color

    S3 E8 - 8m 30s

    Snowboarding makes Tina Blakey feel like a kid again as she floats down the slopes, carving her path in the powdery snow. Despite the sport’s history of exclusivity, Tina is committed to building a welcoming community for underrepresented individuals on the mountain. She invites Alison to join her near Mount Rainier, where they share the exhilarating thrill of shredding down the mountain together.

  • An Ecosystem of Diversity: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    An Ecosystem of Diversity

    S3 E7 - 8m 30s

    Ebony Welborn and Savannah Smith met at an environmental nonprofit, discovering their shared passion for marine science. They co-founded Sea Potential, an organization that connects BIPOC individuals to marine ecosystems. In the magical tidepools of Puget Sound, they guide Alison through a world of marine life, showcasing how they foster meaningful connections between individuals and the water.

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