Hey There! I’m Courtney!
and it feels like you’re in the right place (or at least a place where you’ll hear some unfiltered stories about mountains, mishaps, and figuring it all out one hike at a time).
About Me
Growing up in the Midwest, where the highest elevation was barely enough to mess with your ears, I was as far from a “mountain climber” as you could get. The closest I came to being an athlete was a brief (emphasis on brief) stint on the cheerleading squad and Volleyball team in middle school and an even shorter attempt at joining the high school dance team.
Spoiler Alert: I was not a natural. My family didn’t do the whole “outdoor adventure” thing, so when I saw real mountains for the first time living in California, I just thought, “Cool background, but pass.”
Fast forward a few years, and I moved to Seattle,
where, believe it or not, mountains are a thing. In 2017, a friend convinced me to join him on a climb up Mt. St. Helens. I was dragging myself up while my new buddies—who made it look easy. I knew I’d have to work twice as hard to get half as good, but something clicked on that mountain, and I decided right then to figure this whole hiking/climbing/running thing out.
The Climb That Changed Everything
I was officially hooked. That climb got me into the world of mountaineering, which, by the way, was a wild choice for someone who’d only just started taking her own fitness seriously. My first trainer turned out to be slightly unhinged (there are stories there), but it was all part of the journey. I started running, hiking, and learning how to push myself, slowly building that elusive “base fitness” everyone talks about. Some days, it was just about putting one foot in front of the other. But even on the worst days, I realized something: every trip up the mountain was a trip into understanding who I was.
Where It’s Taken Me
Since then, I’ve climbed Mt. Baker, made a tough attempt on Rainier, and taken on a couple of ultras. I’m usually last in line, and if there’s an award for “Most Likely to Finish a Race Dead Last,” I’d probably win. But here’s the thing: I’m out there, and that’s what matters. Climbing has a way of humbling you and hyping you up all at once. It’s not about speed for me; it’s about seeing what I’m made of, one climb, one run, one big, sweaty adventure at a time.
My Numbers So Far
Marathon Finishes
Hikes
Running Miles
MY PROGRESS
Now, The Content Life
Today, I’m here sharing my journey with you on YouTube and Instagram as Imposter Courtney (because, yeah, I sometimes feel like one). I’m all about showing the messy side of trying, failing, trying again, and finding beauty in the struggle.
My podcast, You’re Not Qualified, is full of conversations with people who are also on these crazy, unpredictable journeys, tackling things that scare them, which, in my opinion, is the best way to live. If you’re down for real talk, ridiculous photos of me in the wild, and a community of people just winging it out here, then welcome!
