Discover the roots of the racial diversity gap in outdoor recreation and how travel creators can help reshape the narrative. Lauren Gay shares stories of paragliding in Cape Town, gliding in Japan, visiting a nudist resort, and swimming between tectonic plates in Iceland. She then unpacks the historical roots of the racial diversity gap in outdoor recreation, the importance of authentic Black visibility in outdoor culture, and why nature has become both therapy and a spiritual space for her. Lauren also talks about co-founding the Black Travel Alliance, how the story of a destination changes depending on who is telling it, and the responsibility travel creators have to the communities and places they feature. She reflects on becoming an environmental and conservation activist, balancing tourism promotion with the dangers of overtourism, and why travel can foster greater empathy, human connection, and care for the natural world.
Black Travelers and the Outdoors: Lauren Gay on Nature, Adventure, Storytelling & Environmental Activism (Ep 409)
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Lauren Gay
Lauren Gay is a premier voice for amplifying Black voices in adventure travel and relatable outdoor recreation via her online brand and blog, Outdoorsy Diva. She is an adventure travel content creator, award winning podcaster, published photographer, speaker, consultant, YouTube travel show host, and on-air TV travel expert. As a travel writer and content creator, she has worked with over 100 brands and is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel, adventure and embracing nature as therapy. Lauren is a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel and is a founding member of the Black Travel Alliance.
What You'll Learn
- How history, safety, access and visibility have shaped the racial diversity gap in outdoor recreation.
- Why the person telling a travel story can fundamentally change which perspectives, histories and experiences get revealed.
- How travelers and content creators can enjoy and promote natural places while helping protect them from environmental harm.
Links From the Episode
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CHECK OUT LAUREN’S WEBSITE OUTDOORSY DIVA
CHECK OUT THE BLACK TRAVEL ALLIANCE THAT LAUREN CO-FOUNDED
CONTACT AND FOLLOW LAUREN
LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
- Lauren: Tampa (Florida)
- Matt: Asheville, North Carolina
WINES CONSUMED DURING THE INTERVIEW
#1 BOOK THAT LAUREN RECOMMENDS
#1 PERSON WITH WHOM LAUREN WANTS TO HAVE DINNER
TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TOP 3 BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Black in Marine Science (BIMS)
- National Audubon Society
- National Health Foundation
- National Park Conservation Association
- Sierra Club
PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN JAPAN MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
TOP 5 HIP-HOP EMCEES
OTHER ARTISTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN CALIFORNIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Arkansas
- Cape Town
- Capitol Hill (DC)
- Florida
- Iceland
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Lagos (Nigeria)
- Louisiana
- Medellin (Colombia)
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Texas
- Uzbekistan
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[2:50] Paragliding in Cape Town
[5:04] Gliding in Japan
[5:45] Going to a Nudist Resort
[6:49] Swimming Between Tectonic Plates in Iceland
[9:10] Historical Origins of the Racial Diversity Gap in Outdoor Activities
[15:31] Lack of Black Representation in Mainstream Outdoor Narratives
[16:57] The Importance of “Diva” in Her “Outdoorsy Diva” Personal Brand
[18:57] Nature as Therapy
[21:28] How Different Landscapes Bring out Different Versions of Lauren
[22:46] Co-Founding the Black Travel Alliance
[25:30] How Stories Change Based on Who Is Telling Them
[27:58] Visiting Harriet Tubman’s Home Town
[29:41] The Responsibility of Content Creators
[32:20] Becoming an Environmental and Conservation Activist
[35:46] How to Help Protect the Environment
[36:40] Balancing the Promotion of Outdoor Tourism with the Risk of Overtourism
[38:22] How Lauren Defines Adventure and Expands Her Comfort Zone
[41:07] How World Travel Has Impacted Lauren as a Person
[42:22] What Travel Means to Lauren
[43:50] The Lightning Round
[52:03] How to Meet, Contact and Follow Lauren
