Thrive Clues

Helping active women
decipher clues to a
vibrant life

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.

09/08/2025

In Blog 187 I reflect on our recent 2-day family backpacking trip to Cascade Pass and Basin Creek Campground. Doubtful Falls and our beautiful little creek-side camping spot, along with ripe berries and ethereal photo opps from smoky air, all contributed to a gem of a trip and memories that we'll look back on for years.

Discover how letting go of expectations led to solitude, family connection and unexpected beauty at Basin Creek Campground and Doubtful Falls.

09/03/2025

https://thriveclues.com/pivot-toward-wonder-how-to.../ Blog 186 shares my experience with recent visits to the Washington State Fair, the Coast, and my husband's superhuman efforts to obtain a backpacking permit in the North Cascades National Park. I realize I'm closer than ever to experiencing real-time pivots when things don't go as planned -- and appreciating the wonders on the alternate paths we DO get to experience on this path called LIFE.

Life rarely goes as planned. From fair ribbons to trail permits, here’s how I learned to pivot from disappointment to joy by embracing change.

08/25/2025

Multiple hikes this past week have given me plenty of fodder for reflection. Blog 185 shares photos from Blanca Lake, Tuscohatchie-Pratt-Olallie Lakes, and Mt. Pilchuck as I think about adjusting expectations heading into the final summer month of CHS hikes.

Discover how three summer hikes taught me lessons in adjusting expectations, finding connection, and embracing the trail as it is.

08/15/2025

In blog 184 I discuss the idea behind "guiding intentions" and how they can make a huge difference for your multi-day adventures, beyond just reaching your objective. Set against photos from a recent Mountaineers CHS-1 hike I led to Rainbow and Island Lakes, I share some examples from clients and hikers to help inspire and motivate you for any longer upcoming trips.

When most people prepare for a multi-day adventure—whether it’s a trek to Everest Base Camp, Bhutan’s Snowman Trek, or the Tour du Mont Blanc—their focus tends to be on the big, external goals: reaching the highest point, completing the route within a certain timeframe, or logging a specific...

08/06/2025

As my summer hikes get longer and my confidence increases, I ponder using general principles from the trail to aid me in work and life. Set against a backdrop of photos from recent hikes to Teneriffe and Trap Lake, I share five tools that might help you build your confidence, wherever you may be struggling.

Build confidence the way you train for a long hike—step by step. Discover tools to turn self-doubt into steady progress at work and beyond

07/27/2025

In Blog 182 Courtenay Schurman reflects on "what is enough" as she shares stories and photos from three hikes she led this week: to Mirror Lake, Wallace Lake, and Olallie/Talapus Lakes. In each vignette she shares takeaways to get you thinking about what "enough" means to YOU. Do you have an idea for a blog post about change? Submit it! We may answer it in August!

Three recent hikes to Wallace Lake, Mirror Lake, and Talapus and Olallie Lakes provided me with reflections on "enough."

07/17/2025

Recent outings on Rattlesnake Traverse, Thompson Lake, and Mt. Defiance have brought up the importance of staying hydrated on longer, higher, hotter hikes. Here a coach shares her personal experience and tips to thrive during summer alpine adventures.

Stay safe on hot hikes with hydration strategies, cooling tools, and planning. Tips from a coach who’s learned the hard way—and adapted.

07/05/2025

Independence Day weekend seemed like a great time to reflect on four years of blogging, set against a backdrop of photos from six hikes over twelve days.

Blog post 180 is longer than usual. It's a 3,000-word look at how four years of blogging, hiking, and leading have shaped the way I see movement, nature, writing, and change. It’s part memoir, part field guide, part love letter to change. Scroll to what speaks to you or savor each section slowly. I did while writing it. Enjoy.

This personal essay is a 3,000-word look at how four years of blogging, hiking, and leading have shaped how I see nature, movement, and life.

Address

Seattle, WA
98125

Website

http://thriveclues.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Thrive Clues posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Thrive Clues:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Seattle?