I’ve spent a lot of time hiking Michigan trails this fall, and I’ve come home with quite a collection of mushroom photos.
Some were tucked into fallen leaves. Others grew in clusters along old logs. There were bright colors, tiny caps, and shapes that made me stop and take a closer look. The more I noticed, the more I wanted to explore.
I love being active outdoors, but these walks have reminded me how much there is to enjoy when I give myself time to look around. Moving my body gets me onto the trail. Curiosity keeps me there.
A walk can give you more than steps
As a personal trainer and wellness coach, I talk a lot about building consistent movement into everyday life. Walking is one of the most approachable ways to do that.
Regular physical activity supports heart health, sleep, and mental wellbeing. A brisk walk can help build aerobic fitness, while shorter, gentler walks still provide opportunities to move more and spend less time sitting. You can start with what feels manageable and build from there.
But on the trail, those benefits feel much more personal. There’s somewhere to go, something to see, and a reason to keep exploring. A hill gets my legs working. A bend in the path makes me wonder what’s ahead. Then a mushroom catches my eye, and I stop for a photo.
That combination of movement and discovery is something I want more women to experience.
The small things are worth stopping for
The mushrooms have become a favorite part of my fall hikes because they’re so easy to overlook.
When I’m watching for them, I notice other things too: the texture of bark, the layers of leaves on the ground, and how much life is growing around a fallen tree.
It gives my attention somewhere different to go.
There’s research behind that feeling of a mental pause. Studies comparing nature walks with urban walks have found improvements in outcomes such as anxiety, mood, and repetitive negative thinking after time in nature. Everyone’s experience will be different, but there is evidence that our surroundings can contribute to how we feel during and after a walk.
For me, looking for those little details is a simple way to be more present. I’m paying attention to where I am instead of thinking only about what comes next.
These photos are a record of what caught my eye, rather than a mushroom identification guide. I leave wild mushrooms where they are and enjoy photographing them.
Building strength for the things we enjoy
These experiences connect closely with how I think about training. When I work with women, especially women in their 40s and beyond, I want to understand what they want their fitness to help them do.
Maybe it’s hiking comfortably with friends. Taking a longer walk on vacation. Feeling more capable on hills. Carrying a backpack and having enough energy to enjoy the day. Those are meaningful goals.
Strength training gives us a way to prepare for them. Squats, step-ups, carries, and other exercises can build strength we use outside the gym. Walking helps us gradually develop the stamina to spend more time exploring.
Having something enjoyable to work toward can also give training a clearer purpose. A stronger body opens up possibilities, and getting outdoors gives us opportunities to use that strength.
Make room for an exploring walk
You don’t need a long hike or a remote destination to try this. A nearby park, a short woodland path, or a familiar route with a few trees can be a starting point.
Choose a distance that suits your current ability and give yourself permission to stop along the way.
Look for one thing you haven’t noticed before. Listen to the leaves under your feet. Take a photo of an interesting texture or color. If you usually focus on pace or distance, try letting your surroundings guide your attention for part of the walk.
You can start with ten minutes. You can go with a friend. You can return to the same place and watch it change through the season.
More reasons to get outside
My fall hikes have given me plenty of movement, but they’ve also given me a reason to slow down, look closely, and stay curious.
That matters to me as a coach and as a woman who wants to keep enjoying an active life.
At Her Wellness Pause, I help women build strength, sustainable habits, and confidence for the lives they want to live. Sometimes that means a structured workout. Sometimes it means putting on your shoes, stepping outside, and seeing what you discover.
This fall, a surprising number of my discoveries have been mushrooms. And they’ve been a lovely reminder of how much there is to notice when we make time to explore.
If you’d like support building fitness and wellbeing into your everyday life, explore my online coaching at Her Wellness Pause.
