Sylvia Malan-Gonzalez: Why Hiking is for Every Body | Fat Positive Hiking, Confidence & Community
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
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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Listen to Sylvia Now!
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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
Being a Fat Positive Hiker and what that means
How the body positivity message has changed via influences over the years
Centering herself in body neutrality
Not wanting to focus on weight loss
Loving yourself and losing weight are two separate entities
Loving yourself no matter what stage you’re at
Seeing health at every stage
Setting a personal hiking challenge
Founded by Karla Amador
Using hiking poles and how they helped her
Finding other people to go hiking with
Using All Trails
Sharing and tracking your hikes
Building a hiking community
Making friends through the hiking community
Being held back by fears
Overcoming fears and the lessons learned along the way
Climbing Mt. St Helens
Being a fat person and being afraid of getting hurt
Judgement from other people
Being encouraged by her friend to climb Mt. St Helens
What is the real fear
Why it is more of a mental thing
Losing hiking mojo and how to handle that
Setting hiking goals for 2026
Leading group hikes
Getting into strength goals
Going backpacking and camping!
Sharing on Instagram
How to connect with Sylvia
Final words of advice
"You can do hard things and still have fun while you're doing it. Who cares what people think of you? This is your life. Don't be afraid."
Social Media
Instagram: @SilverMTNGoat
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