Sylvia Malan-Gonzalez: Why Hiking is for Every Body | Fat Positive Hiking, Confidence & Community

Sylvia Malan-Gonzalez is a Fat Positive Hiker from Portland, Oregon, on a mission to show that hiking really is for every body.

Although she enjoys being active, Sylvia didn't fall in love with hiking straight away. Getting started wasn't easy. Finding affordable gear that fit, overcoming self-doubt, and navigating the outdoors in a body that isn't often represented in the hiking world all presented their own challenges.

Instead of giving up, Sylvia set herself a simple goal: hike twice a month. One trail at a time, she built confidence, found supportive communities, discovered the gear that worked for her, and eventually climbed Mt. St. Helens—proving to herself that she was capable of far more than she ever imagined.

In this episode, Sylvia shares what it means to be a Fat Positive Hiker, why she embraces body neutrality over chasing weight loss, and how learning to trust herself has transformed both her relationship with the outdoors and with her own body.

We also talk about overcoming fear, dealing with judgement, finding hiking partners, using hiking poles, building strength in the gym, and why losing your hiking mojo doesn't mean your adventure is over.

Whether you're completely new to hiking, returning after time away, or simply looking for encouragement to take that first step, Sylvia's story is a reminder that the outdoors belongs to everyone.

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Show notes

• Growing up and living in Portland, Oregon, USA
• 39 years old
• English teacher
• Married for 29 years
• Half white and half Latina 
• Growing up in a very creative environment 
• Her parents running - Miracle Theatre Group! 
• Getting to go to Outdoor School and spending time in nature during Middle School and High School 
• Working as a Youth Counsellor 
• Not liking hiking at first 
• Liking being active and going for walks 
• Trying to get into hiking and struggling at first
• Not being able to get the gear
• Setting a personal goal other hike twice a month
• Figuring out what gear worked for her and her both
• Using athletic gear that she used for the gym
• Starting to read more about what clothes she would wear
• The basic essentials you need to take with you
• First aid, electrolytes 
• The lack of brands for plus size people 
• How the market for making clothes for bigger people is no longer there anymore