Flo joined Mountain Mentors for the first time as a hiking mentor. In this post, they share their thoughts on supporting another person with their goals while staying grounded in who they are and what they have to offer. They also share their unexpected joy in participating in (and leading!) some of the many group events that were held this summer.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi! I’m Flo, a queer outdoorsy nerd with chronic migraines. Nature and the outdoors have always been a central theme in my life. I love observing plants and animals. I studied environmental sciences, worked in bat conservation and started working in outdoor retail when I immigrated to Canada. I spend a lot of my free time hiking, writing, experimenting with art-making, or obsessing about storytelling. One of my goals for 2026 is to incorporate more cycling into my life.

In 2025, I joined Mountain Mentors for the first time as a hiking mentor.

What inspired you to become a mentor?

I come from a pancake-flat area of France, so when I arrived in Vancouver, the mountains felt intimidating. Working at MEC, being surrounded by people who loved the outdoors and went on all kind of wild adventures, was inspiring. Everyone was meeting me with encouragement and advice. It played a big part in integrating (often solo) hiking into my new life.

Curiosity, communication and contribution are my strongest values. When I was looking into volunteering options in 2025, Mountain Mentors — an organization that centers inclusion in the outdoors— seemed like a great fit. Supporting people and helping them achieve their goals makes me feel good, simple as that. I love to share my skills, especially around things that bring me joy.

Additionally, my social life was still hungover from the pandemic, and I wanted to meet new people, make acquaintances, go on adventures with potential friends.

What was one of the most delightful moments you had with your mentee this summer?

My mentee and I had great communication, which we worked on from the beginning. It made the process of going on outdoor adventures both safe and easeful. That way we were able to focus on the delight that is watching her dog zoom around the trail. Thanks, Tess!

Can you tell me about a time when something didn't go according to plan?

Our goal was to go on an overnight hike with my mentee and her dog. The forecast was pouring rain for our planned August weekend, so we switched to meeting indoors. We packed as if we were going out and discussed what gear we needed and how we could set up camp. This turned out to be useful in building confidence and trust. We had a backup backpacking weekend planned for September. Rain was on the forecast again and this time we pushed forward, with the understanding that we could turn around if needed. It ended up being damp and not wet, and we all had a good time.

Things going smoothly depends on a lot of factors, some of them out of our control. We helped our chances by setting progressive goals, and being willing to speak honestly and listen to each other.

Did you have any goals for yourself as a mentor this summer?

I wanted to know if it was a good fit for me. I tend to be nervous in social situations and lean into people-pleasing, trying to guess how people want me to show up and doing just that. At the start of the season, I made a commitment to myself to show up as I am, take up space when I need to, while being present for others. I did so imperfectly, and that was good enough.

You co-led a Mountain Mentors hike for trans and non-binary folks at the Arc'teryx Academy this year. How did that go?

I did! I was very nervous about it. I’ve never led a group hike and I’m more comfortable in 1:1 situations. My co-leader took care of the intro/closing facilitation while I was more focused on leading the actual hike. The event went well, we came back safely and everyone seemed to have enjoyed their time.

On a personal level, I see room for improvement in how I showed up, but dealing with the discomfort of being a beginner is something we all go through. I refuse to be hard on myself for that.

On a more general level, I appreciate that this event was organized. We need more opportunities for trans and non-binary folks to meet in the outdoors without being the odd one out.

Photo from the Trans and Non-Binary Hike at Arc'teryx Academy 2025 taken by Alex DeForge

What do you think the lasting impact on you will be after this season is over?

Stepping away from the screen and the news cycle, focusing on helping local people, building community, spending time together in the outdoors… this feels essential. It’s uplifting to be surrounded by other people’s enthusiasm for something I love.

When I’m tired and my brain is trying to convince me I am not good enough, this time with Mountain Mentors is a good reminder that I have something to contribute. We all do!

Is there anything else you'd like folks to know about Mountain Mentors?

The community events were a great surprise, and such a joy to participate in. I went to a hangout at the beach, a clothing swap and an art show. They were among the social highlights of my year.

The Mountain Mentors application is long, but it’s worth getting the time to fill it in. Not only will it increase your chances of being selected and paired with some who is a right fit, it’s also a great reflection exercise in itself. It helped me decide what I wanted to prioritize for my summer outdoor adventures.

Mentor Moments: Flo Godineau