Empowered Outdoors was born from the shared love of the outdoors by three friends: Brooke, Brandy, and Melanie. You could say we’re a bit of a hiking family!

Brooke and Brandy are actually twin sisters who traded the sunshine of Florida for the stunning mountains of East Tennessee a few years back. Talk about a change of scenery! While the elevation gain was a bit of a shock at first, they quickly discovered the magic of the mountains and the incredible things their bodies could do. These two are also certified SCUBA divers and always have a travel bug buzzing. Brandy is the creative force with her artistic eye and design skills, while Brooke captures all the beauty through her amazing photography. And while they might be two peas in a pod, Brandy’s a devoted dog mom, and Brooke proudly embraces her “totally sane” cat lady status!

Melanie, a true Tennessee native, has always had the mountains in her blood. Growing up, she and her dad spent countless hours hiking, backpacking, and camping throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Her goal? To become a 900-Miler, meaning she’s on a mission to hike every single one of the park’s 900 miles of trails! Even though she’s lived in other states, her heart always calls her back to the Tennessee hills.

The three of us found each other in an online hiking group, and it was like instant trail magic! Melanie quickly became Brooke and Brandy’s honorary triplet, and we’ve been practically inseparable on the trails ever since.

Together, we decided to launch Empowered Outdoors to share our experiences and inspire other women to get outside and discover the joy and confidence that comes with connecting with nature. Here, you’ll find a friendly space where we share our favorite hiking stories, honest trail and product reviews, practical tips for staying safe on the trail, and advice on how to make backpacking adventures accessible on any budget.

We’d love for you to join our growing community! You can connect with us and other amazing outdoor women on Facebook, Instagram, and in our dedicated Facebook group. Or, follow along right here to learn the ins and outs of all things outdoors. We’re so excited to meet you and hear about your adventures!

So, whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or just dreaming of your first overnight trip, we’re here to support you, answer your questions, or just cheer you on. We can’t wait to see where your adventures take you too!