Por Maricruz Zarate
I love how the phrase Yo Cuento is ambiguous and can take on several meanings. It can mean “I tell a story”, but it can also mean “I count” or “I matter”. The latter stands out to me the most because, for a long time, I didn’t think I mattered in the outdoors. I don’t look like your average outdoor enthusiast and I wasn’t until about 6 years ago when I discovered the beauty of nature and my passion for hiking and building community.
I was never exposed to the outdoors growing up and honestly, I didn’t think I belonged outdoors because of my size and inexperience. All that changed shortly after I moved to San Antonio, Texas. I went on my first guided hike at the gorgeous Friedrich Wilderness Park in 2018, and I was hooked! The peace I felt after the challenging hike was not what I expected. I was excited and eager to hike more and spend time in nature. So, my journey began.
I looked up local hiking groups and found a few on Facebook and on Meetup. I joined a beginner’s hiking group. I was not in the best shape and hiking was new to me, but I felt safe going with “beginners” and I was excited to participate and immerse myself in nature. Unfortunately, I was left behind on this hike. I couldn’t keep pace and the small group of hikers I was with continued on without me. The lack of compassion and empathy I experienced was heartbreaking. It was very disappointing, but little did I know that this negative experience would ignite a passion in me and launch me into the most positive experience of my life so far.
That moment motivated and inspired me to create a women’s hiking group, and not just any hiking group, but a group that would include plus-size women like me. I didn’t know what to expect, but I hoped that women would join me. I had always thought of myself as a follower, so this was way outside of my comfort zone. I was nervous and hesitant, but I felt in my heart that I could not be the only one who had been made to feel excluded in the outdoors. It couldn’t just be me. So, I took a leap of faith and created my first hike on Meetup.com. At first, I’d have small groups of women, but over the next few months, the group began to grow and ladies of all ages, shapes, and sizes started joining me outdoors.
I started the group over 5 years ago and it has grown to be more than I ever imagined. I’m thankful for the ladies who have come alongside me to help lead hikes all around San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. I’ve tried my best to model the values of compassion and empathy that I hold dear, as a reminder that the group’s focus is not on speed or distance; rather, the heart of the group lies in connection and growth. As a result, there is a sense of solidarity that emanates from our core principle – NO WOMAN LEFT BEHIND. I believe this promise gives each of us the courage to step outside our comfort zone and the freedom to be our most authentic selves. It connects us with women who want to build each other up, rather than race each other to the finish line. With a shared sense of unity, our group has grown from a hiking group into a sisterhood.
Through the years many friendships have been cultivated and lives have been changed for the better, including my own! Starting this group has stretched me in ways I never expected. It’s caused me to step out of my comfort zone and challenged me numerous times. This so-called follower is now a leader. My eyes have been opened to the importance of community, and it’s inspired and helped me grow in other areas of my life. I’ve had numerous ladies tell me how the group has changed their lives. With every cuento they share, my heart overflows with joy and reminds me how much yocuento and how every woman who hikes with us does too.