We started our Ambassador program to celebrate the good doers – those who are cultivating community, lifting up others, and leaving their corner of the world a better place through representation, education, and giving back. We’re big on finding your version of “doing good” wherever you are.
Toad Ambassador Andrea is an outdoor advocate based in Anchorage, Alaska, who seeks to inspire others to get outside while sharing her adventures on @andreainalaska. Her life revolves around a diverse array of pursuits, from rock climbing to mountain biking and mountain running. When she's not playing outside, she’s working toward a degree in Journalism and Public Communications at UAA with the hope to give back to the Alaskan community that has given so much to her.
We chatted about trail and mountain running, rock climbing, connection to community, creating more inclusive outdoor spaces, and how to get outside… even when you don’t know where to start. Read on!
Toad: Thanks for chatting with us, Andrea! We love following your adventures. Tell us a bit about your backstory: When did you first start playing outside? How long have you called Alaska home for?
Andrea: Happy to be here! I grew up in Minnesota, where spending time outside meant camping, cabin weekends, and canoe trips with my family. My parents taught me how to build fires, fish, and hike from a young age, and that’s really where my love for the outdoors started.
In 2016, I took a solo trip to Juneau, Alaska, where I spent my time backpacking, hiking, and exploring. I completely fell in love with the place. I’d never felt that way about anywhere I’d visited before. On my flight home, I had this overwhelming feeling, like a magnetic pull, that Alaska was where I was meant to be. Six months later, I made the move to Juneau, and I haven’t looked back since.
Toad: You have such a fun array of pursuits to get outside, no matter the temperature! What activities do you get up to regularly?
Andrea: I now live in Anchorage, and it’s the perfect central hub for all my outdoor pursuits. I love doing just about everything: trail running, rock and ice climbing, mountain/fat/road biking, Nordic skiing, hiking, wild ice skating, you name it.
Trail and mountain running are definitely my main sports. There’s just something about the feeling of total freedom that comes with disconnecting from everything and running wild in the mountains that I love. It puts things into perspective and makes any stress or problems feel small in the grand scheme of things.
Over the past few years, I’ve gotten really into rock climbing. I love that it’s a mix of strength, skill, and problem solving. Every route is like a puzzle that takes trial and error to figure out. Climbing has also built my confidence in the mountains, when I find myself scrambling up steep terrain or pushing my comfort zone, I can stay calm knowing I have the skills to handle it.
One of my favorite places to climb in Alaska is Hatcher Pass. It’s basically one big alpine playground, surrounded by mountains in one of the most scenic landscapes in Southcentral Alaska. There’s a great mix of bouldering, trad, and sport climbing, and most routes involve a long approach, which, to me, is just part of the adventure.
Toad: How do these activities keep you connected with your Alaskan community and what does this community mean to you?
Andrea: One of the things I love about Alaska is the sense of community that comes with it. It’s really easy to find yourself surrounded by like-minded people who are just as passionate about the outdoors as you are.
Take the running scene, for example. When I first got into mountain racing, I suddenly had a whole new group of friends. The running community here is so supportive; everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed. I often run into other runners on the trails, and no matter the conditions, whether it’s the best day ever or the absolute worst weather in history, there’s always this shared joy. Even when we’re both suffering, I’m still like, “Hi! So happy we’re both out here running — ENJOY!” Haha. Runners are always happy to see other runners.
Toad: We love a good “share the stoke” moment! Relatedly, what does a more inclusive and welcoming outdoors look like to you?
Andrea: I think a big part of creating a more inclusive and welcoming outdoors starts with the message that everyone belongs, regardless of race, identity, or physical ability.
Personally, I love showing that women are total badasses in the outdoors. Society often tells women that these types of sports are too dangerous, that they’re not strong enough, physically or mentally, but that’s just not true. Through my posts and storytelling, I want to challenge that narrative and encourage more women to take up space in these spaces.
I’m lucky to have an incredible group of supportive women around me, and most of the time, we’re out there pushing our limits, seeing how far we can run, how high we can climb, and just having the most fun romping around in the mountains together. No matter what we’re doing, we’re always cheering each other on.
Toad: On the note of cheering each other on: What advice would you give to someone who wants to get outside, but doesn't know where to start or how to balance outdoor adventures with the general busyness of life?
Andrea: For someone just beginning, I’d say start small, build up your confidence, and most importantly, have fun. A lot of people hesitate to get outside because they don’t have a group to go with or a built-in outdoor community yet, and that’s totally okay. When I first moved to Alaska, I was in the same boat. I started by researching places to hike, run, and explore that felt within my comfort zone. Sometimes, I’d just go somewhere to journal, have a picnic, or take photos. It was a great way to ease into the outdoors without feeling overwhelmed.
Right now, I’m juggling a full-time job, studying Journalism and Communications at UAA, and balancing time with my partner, friends, family, and pets. It can be a lot. The way I make it work is by finding small breaks in my day to get outside, even if it’s just for a short period.
I’ve also learned the importance of setting boundaries, knowing when to say no or step back so I can prioritize my own self-care. Taking care of myself first allows me to show up as my best self for others, and for me, that usually means getting outside and moving my body.
One small but impactful change has been limiting mindless scrolling on social media. It’s so easy to lose 30 minutes to my phone, only to realize my break is over and I haven’t actually rested or reset. Prioritizing even small outdoor moments makes a huge difference.
Toad: Last question that we ask our Ambassadors: What does “doing good” mean to you?
Andrea: To me, “doing good” means giving back to the community that has given me so much. I try to do that every day, through storytelling, practicing kindness, and inspiring others to get outside. As an aspiring journalist, I want to write pieces that help shape an outdoor space where people can support their mental health, find connection, and most of all, feel free to be themselves.
