Your Virtual Outdoor Bestie
Sarah Borgen
It’s been one heck of a ride…
REMINISCE ON MY RECREATIONAL ROAD MAP
Like anybody, my journey to get here has been full of speed bumps, u-turns, and lots of incredible summits. I believe that vulnerability keeps us connected, so I’m proud to share my story with you.
New Jersey
Trailhead - 1994
I was born shortly after my parents moved to New Jersey from California. They moved around often, so I grew up listening to their amazing stories of travel and adventure. I knew early on that I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Illinois
1997
At three years old, I joined my parents on their next big adventure. We welcomed my sister Michelle to the family shortly after settling in Chicago. With extended family living nearby in Wisconsin, we spent many weekends on the lake.
2000
It was around this time when I realized just how special it felt to spend time immersed in nature. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city was formative for me.
2008
I took a road trip through the Canadian provinces along the US border with my mom, grandparents, sister, and cousin. We saw Banff and Jasper before heading to Glacier National Park in Montana, and it was here that I decided that someday I’d move out west.
2009
In high school, I got more involved in the theater as a crew member. As costume chief for most productions, I felt fulfilled seeing my creations come to life onstage. This is also the year I started therapy.
2011
My dad was diagnosed with cancer, resulting in a long-term hospital stay with my mom at his bedside. I spent a very stressful senior year of high school caring for my sister.
2013
I attended community college while working full-time at Barnes & Noble. While working towards my associate’s degree, my home life felt strained, and I spent little time outside. As a coping mechanism, I began obsessing over my body, how it looked, and what I ate.
2015
I headed to Eastern Illinois University to complete my Secondary Science Education in Chemistry degree with a Biology Minor! Most days, I was up at 4 a.m. to work a shift at Starbucks before attending classes full-time. I stepped into a gym for the first time and quickly developed an unhealthy relationship with working out, effectively self-harming through exercise.
2016
My memories of my senior year of college are sparse. I was unhealthy both mentally and physically, just trying to get by. My roommate invited me on a hike at a local state park, and I will be forever grateful that I accepted. For the first time in years, I spent time outside.
I LEGITIMATELY SHIT MY PANTS ON THIS HIKE. WORTH IT!
I spent spring break in Yosemite National Park and cried as I drove in, struck by its beauty and marvelousness.
2017
I continued to work out multiple times a day while applying for jobs in the top districts in nearly all 50 states (yes, Hawaii and Alaska included). Eventually, I landed a position at one of California’s best high schools.
California
2017
I made the trek out to California, packing everything I needed into my Hyundai Elantra and stopping at various landmarks along the way. It felt natural to leave my hometown in the rearview.
One of my most memorable stops was in Elko, Nevada. I was conceived here! TMI? No such thing.
My first semester of teaching was tough. I had minimal downtime and began to question if teaching was right for me, all while working an extra 20 hours weekly to afford the cost of living in the Bay Area.
2018
While teaching summer school, I found time to get outside and explore, taking weekend trips and falling back in love with nature (and how I felt when surrounded by it).
I began sharing more about these trips on social media!
In the fall of 2018, I kicked off my most challenging school year to date. While I enjoyed teaching my favorite classes and students, my job conditions weighed on me, making it impossible to enjoy my day-to-day.
2019
My district made cuts, and I was being let go. I wasn’t sure if the tears I held back were sadness, fear, or joy. A few days later, I left school, called a moving company, and told them I needed to move from San Jose to Seattle. When they asked me for a destination address, I didn’t have one to share. All I knew was that I needed to get there.
Washington
2019
After much hard work, I landed a teaching position in Washington. I joyfully called the moving company, and before I knew it, I was unpacking my things in an amazing Seattle community. I spent the summer exploring my new neighborhood and healing emotionally.
I began transforming my relationship with work, reclaiming my free time on the weekends and going on hikes with my roommate
2020
Along with the rest of the world, my school shut down amidst the pandemic. As stressful as it was to adjust to virtual teaching, I enjoyed eating breakfast, grocery shopping, and reading in my free time—my basic needs were met in a very bizarre way. But when these small joys wore off, I realized that teaching amidst a pandemic wasn’t sustainable for me. I needed to find pride in something other than work.
I spent the summer outside – from socially distanced picnics in the park to solo hikes to books on the patio. I also dove into cooking, focusing on what was going into my body instead of how much. I built connections between how I fueled my body and how it performed on the trail.
2021
We returned to school, but I felt like a new teacher. I was ready to prioritize work-life boundaries because work was no longer my entire life. I created the Redmond Hiking Squad as a way to stay connected with co-workers over the summer, completing weekly hikes together.
I was so proud of what my body could do that I stopped focusing on what it looked like. My new criteria for loving my body was how it felt on the trail. This was such a refreshing milestone.
Now
Since the summer of 2021, I’ve been tapping into nature to celebrate my body and all it can do. I began posting on Instagram more frequently to remove barriers to entry and educate others on the great outdoors. By combining my passions for education and the outdoors, I created Exploren Borgen.
Our next adventure
Want to hit the road alongside me?
Let’s swap stories IRL! As an outdoorsy educator, bringing people together for shared adventuring is one of my favorite opportunities. You can join me on my next trip or at the trailhead!
Our next adventure
Want to hit the road alongside me?
Let’s swap stories IRL! As an outdoorsy educator, bringing people together for shared adventuring is one of my favorite opportunities. You can join me on my next trip or at the trailhead!
Nemo Foam Seat Pad
REI Trailmade Trekking Poles
Osprey Tempest 20 Pack
Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Waterproof Boots
Gear I actually swear by
My non-negotiables include…
Well, peanut butter M&Ms, for one…but if you’re looking for my recommendations on gear, trail recipes, and destinations, you’ve come to the right spot.
We might make a good team
Full transparency, I only share recommendations that I absolutely love. Think I’d love your brand? I want to hear from you! Get in touch to access my media kit.
A love letter to Washington
HUNDREDS OF DESTINATIONS WORTH EXPLOREN
I’m on a mission to see as much of Washington as possible, and in an effort to take you along for the ride, I created this interactive map. You can sort, filter, and read my notes on some of Washington’s most loved places – and dozens of hidden gems.
Let's keep in touch, bestie.
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