Thrive Clues

Helping active women
decipher clues to a
vibrant life

02/14/2026

In Blog 199, I discuss newfound courage in triple roles as leader, student, and co-leader along with a personal essay about what it means to belong everywhere. Belonging Without Shrinking is live at https://thriveclues.com/belonging-without-shrinking/ against a backdrop of photos from Juanita Bay Park, SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve stewardship, and a walk around Jackson Park Golf Course with Ajax.

What does it mean to belong in every role we step into? A reflection on growth, identity, and finding the courage to try something new.

02/04/2026

Blog 198 shares recent photos and insights on trust and personal growth from hike leads on Rattlesnake: Grand Prospect and Carkeek Park with Ajax:

On two recent hikes, I realized that growth is less about becoming someone new and more about learning to trust what the trail teaches.

01/25/2026

On the morning of the Volunteer Celebration at the Mountaineers clubhouse, I paused to reflect on a busy January and the upcoming, exciting five months with trip leads, seminars, a backpacking course, new clients, and my first ever podcast. And I realized how much I've changed in the past year. Blog 197 is now live at https://thriveclues.com/trust-defeats-eek-at-the-edge-of-change/ featuring images from Pratt River Trail, Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie, Saint Edward State Park, Union Bay, and Hamlin Park.

Mixed feelings often appear before growth. A reflective story about trust, courage, hiking, and showing up fully during a season of change.

01/09/2026

Following an emotionally challenging three weeks, I celebrate following through with my intentions to lead Mountaineers outings to Whittaker Wilderness Loop, Mt. Si/Teneriffe Trailhead Lollipop loop, and Saint Edward State Park. AND do the Polar Bear Plunge. All imperfectly. But instead of trying to please everyone, I'm changing my intention for 2026. Blog 196 is live.

A reflective winter essay about learning from mistakes in ever changing conditions, and beginning again—right where you are.

12/25/2025

Happiest of holidays. This week I experienced awe and agony within hours of each other. Today, I reflected on how similar they are and what they have to teach me. Blog 195 is live, the last for 2025. https://thriveclues.com/awe-agony-and-the-space-between/ shares my story with photos from a mentored lead hike on Big Tree Ridge and of Ajax's recovery.

A day of awe and agony revealed how joy, grief, and caring shape us. How fleeting moments teach us about love, wilderness, and mettle.

12/12/2025

Recent flooding in the Pacific Northwest had me contemplating safer ways to enjoy nature. In Blog 194 I share photos and revelations from recent outings to Whittaker Wilderness Loop, Squak's May Valley and Central Peak, Magnuson Park, Boeing Creek / Shoreview Park, and Jackson Park, as well as a shift I noticed from last year to this year at the Mountaineers' North Sound Leadership Conference.

How I navigated December’s recent PNW storms by noticing quiet openings in nature when floods threatened to wreak havoc on my life.

11/28/2025

Blog 193 is live: https://thriveclues.com/choosing-my-own-path-toward-enough/ Courtenay Schurman reflects on the past two weeks, including a lovely Thanksgiving celebration, trips to Otter Falls, Big Creek Falls, Garfield Ledges, and a pre-Thanksgiving ramble on Tiger. What does "enough" mean for YOU? Check out a few journaling prompts. Happy holidays!

A season of gratitude, deepening courage, and choosing my own trail toward growth and renewal as I grapple with "enough."

11/13/2025

Blog 192 shares photos from hikes to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie, Rattlesnake's Grand Prospect, and Meadowdale Beach Park for a Plein Air volunteer celebration with WTA. In it, I share whisperings of what it all means and what I'm longing for. I also include three journal prompts for you to dive deeper.

A hike leader’s reflections on Mountaineers awards, volulnteer connections, and rediscovering personal rhythm in nature.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! Blog 191 includes the story behind receiving the 2025 Mountaineers Service Award with photos from a hike to Granite Lakes, a brain-based class we taught at the Mountaineers, and highlights from my trip to visit my parents in Asheville. I commented to my mom, "I'm just doing me" -- seemed like an apt title.

On receiving the 2025 Mountaineers Service Award and the years of steady leadership, service, and mountain venturing that led to it.

10/12/2025

As the rains return to the Pacific Northwest, I've been reflecting on the past season of leading hikes with CHS/Mountaineers, teaching seminars, and hosting Write on the Sound in Edmonds. Learn more about the take-aways and what's coming next in Blog 190:

After a season of hiking, teaching, and leading, Courtenay reflects on resilience, renewal, and how completion makes space for what’s next.

09/28/2025

Want some inspiration? Read about Body Results client Susan Agar's experience getting to the top of the world this summer. She became the oldest American and British woman to do so. In an interview with me she shared her "Four P's of Everest" which I share in Blog 189, now live at

Learn more about Body Results client Susan Agar's successful climb of Everest, demonstrating that you can chase your dreams at any age.

09/21/2025

In this week's blog post (188) I reflect on my second graduation hike with The Mountaineers' Conditioning for Hiking Series (CHS-2) and how the obstacles -- or rather, overcoming them -- led to my most memorable and cherished hike of the season. Two down, two to go. What will the next two teach me?

An 18-mile, 5,000' hike with smoke, wind, and forgotten food became my most memorable hike. Learn how desire and obstacles create growth.

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