THE JOURNEY BEHIND THE JOURNEY
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched--
they must be felt with the heart. ~Helen Keller
they must be felt with the heart. ~Helen Keller
A Passion Rooted in the Wild
For as long as I can remember, I've loved spending time in nature—whether it was boating, hiking, or gardening. But everything changed at age 19. A friend and I hitchhiked out west with backpacks for the summer, spending several weeks at a time deep in the backcountry.
The adventure travel bug bit hard!
I couldn't believe how beautiful and expansive the environment was. I fell in love with the raw wonder and breathtaking landscape. Although initially extremely challenging, something shifted along the way. The steady rhythm of movement, sleeping under the open sky and my awakened senses created a meditative freedom unlike anything I had ever experienced. I knew that nature would forever be one of my greatest teachers.
After instructing for Outward Bound and the Wilderness Education Association, I dedicated my path to creating outdoor personal growth opportunities for others.
For as long as I can remember, I've loved spending time in nature—whether it was boating, hiking, or gardening. But everything changed at age 19. A friend and I hitchhiked out west with backpacks for the summer, spending several weeks at a time deep in the backcountry.
The adventure travel bug bit hard!
I couldn't believe how beautiful and expansive the environment was. I fell in love with the raw wonder and breathtaking landscape. Although initially extremely challenging, something shifted along the way. The steady rhythm of movement, sleeping under the open sky and my awakened senses created a meditative freedom unlike anything I had ever experienced. I knew that nature would forever be one of my greatest teachers.
After instructing for Outward Bound and the Wilderness Education Association, I dedicated my path to creating outdoor personal growth opportunities for others.
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Turning Passion Into Purpose
In 1997, one of my dreams was realized with the establishment of Soltreks, a successful outdoor behavioral health program for adolescents, young and older adults and families. I witnessed again and again how time in nature, meaningful challenge, and authentic connection can awaken resilience, healing, and a deeper sense of self. And I saw families reunite with deep understanding and forgiveness. Those experiences continue to shape the way I walk alongside others today. |
Wind River Range, Wyoming
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The Threshold of Uncertainty and Global Connection
A cancer diagnosis in 2012 invited me into one of the most uncertain seasons of my life. While healing physically, I also found myself navigating fear, loss, and the lingering uncertainty that often follows recovery.
A cancer diagnosis in 2012 invited me into one of the most uncertain seasons of my life. While healing physically, I also found myself navigating fear, loss, and the lingering uncertainty that often follows recovery.
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I focused my uncertainty into visualizing and renewing my strength to be of service.
During my healing, I felt called to volunteer with children in another culture. That dream came to life at a Delhi pre-school in India. I quickly learned that play, laughter and love are universal languages that require no translation. During this pivotal time in my life, I transformed my fear into possibility. It was an opportunity to |
Volunteer ⎹ New Dehli, India
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reevaluate my way of living, how to move forward and coexist with struggle and gratitude; to see that fear is universal, and that building connections with others across the globe can deeply impact our broader vision of the world. The experience reminded me that beneath our different cultures and circumstances, we share the same hopes, fears, and longing to belong.
Healing and the Birth of Barefoot Souls
I returned to adventure in 2014 with an invitation to co-guide a women's trip through Tuscany. What a blessing. As I continued to heal the emotional scars from cancer, I felt called to hike on my own over a historic route from Switzerland into Italy.
I imagined each step toward the mountain pass as an opportunity to meet myself with greater courage. The breathtaking beauty and profound joy I experienced at the pass expanded my vision, revealing a landscape of limitless possibility that continues to shape my path.. As I learned to trust my heart and listen more deeply, the mountains once again, became a place of profound renewal – a place where I remembered who I am.
That first solo hike planted the seed for what would become Barefoot Souls and I returned home to design the what's now known as the Swiss Alps Adventures.
Healing and the Birth of Barefoot Souls
I returned to adventure in 2014 with an invitation to co-guide a women's trip through Tuscany. What a blessing. As I continued to heal the emotional scars from cancer, I felt called to hike on my own over a historic route from Switzerland into Italy.
I imagined each step toward the mountain pass as an opportunity to meet myself with greater courage. The breathtaking beauty and profound joy I experienced at the pass expanded my vision, revealing a landscape of limitless possibility that continues to shape my path.. As I learned to trust my heart and listen more deeply, the mountains once again, became a place of profound renewal – a place where I remembered who I am.
That first solo hike planted the seed for what would become Barefoot Souls and I returned home to design the what's now known as the Swiss Alps Adventures.
My Purpose Today
Today, each time I return to those mountains, I experience the same sense of wonder, gratitude, and possibility that first called me there. As I live in process and practice, I'm clear that my life purpose is to walk alongside others as they discover how much stronger they are than they believe, that the mind often creates limits where none truly exist, and that nature has an extraordinary way of revealing our innate wisdom, resilience and capacity to remember who we truly are.
My collective experiences inform my work, integrating:
Walk Along Side Me
If you're standing at the threshold of change, longing for a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and aligned with who you truly are, I'd be honored to walk alongside you. Together, we'll immerse in experiences that invite lasting transformation.
Today, each time I return to those mountains, I experience the same sense of wonder, gratitude, and possibility that first called me there. As I live in process and practice, I'm clear that my life purpose is to walk alongside others as they discover how much stronger they are than they believe, that the mind often creates limits where none truly exist, and that nature has an extraordinary way of revealing our innate wisdom, resilience and capacity to remember who we truly are.
My collective experiences inform my work, integrating:
- Trauma-Informed Coaching
- Embodiment Practices
- Nature Immersions
- Process Arts
Walk Along Side Me
If you're standing at the threshold of change, longing for a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and aligned with who you truly are, I'd be honored to walk alongside you. Together, we'll immerse in experiences that invite lasting transformation.
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Stories From the Field, Episode 79
Uncovering the inspiration behind Lorri's transformative journeys. The podcast story. |
Lorri Hanna
Founder and Transformational Coach |
Credentials and Practice Areas
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The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.
- Oprah Winfrey