What does it mean to truly find your true nature in the Sierra Nevada? In this conversation, author Lisa Michelle joins Charlie on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast to share her journey from rodeo cowgirl to wilderness writer and the lessons learned along the way in the High Sierra.

Lisa’s new book, True Nature, blends memoir, adventure, and the emotional tug-of-war of sharing hidden places in a landscape that both challenges and heals. We explore what it’s like to paddleboard around Lake Tahoe, how encounters with strangers can change our paths, and why the Sierra continues to shape who we are.

From stories of connection on the trail to lessons about risk and safety, Lisa’s insights will resonate with hikers, writers, and anyone who has ever felt the quiet pull of the mountains. If you love the Sierra, this episode will inspire you to slow down, pay attention, and rediscover the power of wild places to transform your life.

• Lisa’s journey from rodeo to wilderness writing

• Paddleboarding solo around Lake Tahoe

• The challenges of sharing sacred Sierra places

• Connection and community on the trail

• Safety and lessons from close calls in the wilderness

• Finding self-discovery through nature and quiet moments

• Hidden gems and bucket-list dreams in the Sierra

• Why the Sierra matters for future generations

🔗 Get True Nature by Lisa Michelle: LisaMichelleStories.com
🔗 Discover more Sierra adventures: SierraRecMagazine.com

If you enjoy Sierra stories, please follow, rate, and share this episode to help us grow our community of outdoor adventurers and storytellers.

What do legends, eagles, and climbing dreams all have in common? They converge at Lover’s Leap near Lake Tahoe.

This week, host Charlie Pankey sits down with Petch, a longtime climber and guide who lives just steps from the base of this iconic Sierra cliff. Together, they explore:

• The history and mythology behind Lover’s Leap (Did they jump?)

• Climbing for beginners and advanced climbers alike

• The unique geology that makes the Leap feel like “climbing a ladder”

• Tales of guiding first-timers and watching them soar

• Stewardship and wildlife, including peregrine falcons and golden eagles

• Other climbing gems in the area like Phantom Spires, Sugarloaf, and Calaveras Dome

• What to expect at this summer’s Lover’s Leap Festival

• And the joy of sharing climbing with community

Whether you're a climber, hiker, or Sierra explorer, this episode delivers a rare inside look at a place where adventure and story meet.

🧗‍♂️ Learn more or book a guided climb: https://www.loversleap.net
🎧 Subscribe to hear more Sierra stories: Sierra Rec Now Podcast

Spotify Chapters:

• [00:00] Welcome + “Did They Jump?”

• [02:59] Petch’s Climbing Origins

• [05:44] Lover’s Leap Routes & Ratings

• [08:55] Phantom Spires, Sugarloaf, Calaveras Dome

• [12:01] Wildlife & Falcon Conservation

• [15:40] First-Time Climbers & Guiding Joy

• [17:30] The Climbing Community

• [20:23] History: Pony Express to Present

• [22:37] Exploring the Area Around the Leap

• [25:28] Guide Services + Lover’s Leap Festival

• [28:12] Popcorn, Gear, & Where Petch Climbs When He’s Off Duty

What does it take to turn a high school dream into a national nonprofit? Hanna Beth Bryce, founder of Dare to Be a Cowboy, joins us on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast to share how she started her mission at just 16 years old—and why helping others find purpose is at the heart of everything she does.

From breaking barriers as a first-generation cowgirl to organizing rodeo camps and youth clinics across the West, Hanna Beth’s journey is equal parts inspiring, emotional, and deeply grounded in community values. Whether you're a rodeo fan, nonprofit leader, or just someone chasing a dream—you’ll take away something powerful from this episode.

🎯 Topics Covered:

• What it means to be a first-generation cowgirl

• How Dare to Be a Cowboy began at 16

• The connection between kids and horses

• Using rodeo to teach responsibility and resilience

• Building confidence in young girls through mentorship

• The emotional bond with her horse, Moonshine

• Tips for getting involved or supporting this mission

📍 Learn more or support Hanna’s mission: https://www.dtbac.com
🎟️ Barrel Racing & Rodeo Camp Info: https://www.dtbac.com/events

#DareToBeACowboy #HannaBethBryce #WesternYouth #WomenInRodeo #SierraRecNow #NonprofitLeadership #BarrelRacing #RodeoCulture #RenoRodeo #FirstGenCowgirl #SmallTownDreams

00:00 – Welcome + How We First Met Hanna Beth
01:57 – What is Dare to Be a Cowboy and Why It Matters
03:38 – Starting Rodeo as a First-Gen Cowgirl
04:33 – Helping a Friend Sparked a Movement
06:21 – Barrel Racing Series + Upcoming Events
08:06 – Lucy’s Rookie Roundup Rodeo Camp
09:08 – Why Mentorship is the Heart of This Work
11:37 – Social Media, Authenticity, and Impact
14:39 – Journals, Goal Planners & Entrepreneurial Drive
16:44 – Sponsoring the Reno Rodeo Mutton Bustin’
18:01 – Where to Watch Rodeo in the Sierra
19:20 – What It Takes to Be a Barrel Racer
23:52 – The Emotional Bond Between Rider and Horse
26:02 – Summer Events and How to Get Involved
27:45 – What is Mutton Bustin’ and Why It’s a Crowd Favorite
29:31 – Sierra Fast Three: Favorite Spot, Gear, and Grub