Victoria Bruce is a 39-year-old writer, adventurer, and single mom who hiked New Zealand’s 3,000-kilometer Te Araroa trail with her seven-year-old daughter, Emilie. (@adventures_with_emilie)

Victoria’s journey stemmed from a desperate need to escape the crushing stress of city life and heal from complex post-traumatic stress disorder, a legacy of her difficult childhood. Through six months of hiking, she discovered a deeper connection with her daughter, her country’s wild landscapes, and herself.

We discuss the physical and emotional trials of walking the length of New Zealand, including nights spent battling windstorms and Emilie’s determination to hike 30 kilometers for the promise of ice cream. Victoria reflects on the economic and lifestyle trade-offs that allowed her to make this leap, and how hiking transformed her parenting, career, and mental health.

Victoria shares her post-trail life, including her move to a 100-year-old cottage on New Zealand’s west coast, a part-time freelance writing career, and ambitious new goals like thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail. She also opens up about her unconventional and challenging young adulthood, navigating foster care and addiction recovery.

Finally, we explore the delicate balance of adventuring as a parent: considering your child’s needs, avoiding the pitfalls of neglect, and embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes time, connection, and wilderness over material wealth.

Victoria’s award-winning book is Adventures with Emilie, available everywhere.

Full transcript: dirtbagrich.com/victoria