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A Day of Inspiration and Connection
HikeQueen Buddies community hosted their inaugural WOW (Women Outdoors & Wellness) Summit on September 27, a day dedicated to empowering women to prioritize their wellness, embrace the outdoors, and connect with a community that uplifts and inspires.
The summit brought together over 100 attendees for an experience filled with powerful conversations, shared stories, and collective energy.
The event was organized by the HikeQueen Buddies core team—Gunjan Utreja, Madhavi Potharaju, Priti Dwivedi, and Saritha Mallu, and emceed by vol Pratibha Sharma and Suman Athaghara, incredible volunteers, and an engaged community, have proven that when women come together with a shared purpose, magic happens.
“For far too long, said the organizers, “women have been conditioned to care for everyone else before themselves. WOW Summit exists to change that narrative—reminding women that prioritizing their own wellness isn’t selfish; it’s essential.”
Reflections
The thought-provoking panel discussions included speakers such as Ron Schneidermann, Sonali Desai, Camilo Barcenas, Vivek Thiruvengadam, and Vee (Vandita) Joshi. Panelists shared their inspiring journeys across outdoors, wellness, and sustainability, reminding attendees of the transformative power of nature and the importance of staying aligned with purpose.
One participant commented, “The group spirit was incredible, especially hearing the powerful experiences of the ladies who completed those iconic long-distance hikes.”
The key messages intended to inspire participants focused on:
Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. When we prioritize our own wellness, we show up stronger for everyone around us.
Stay grounded in humility and aligned with your values. These are the non-negotiables that guide meaningful impact.
Purpose is the fuel that transforms effort into motion and action into legacy..
True innovation empowers. The right tools build confidence and open the outdoors accessible to all.
India Currents was a media partner of the event, which was sponsored by Qubit Fit, GOES Health, Mission Ridge Dentistry, FaroGear, Backcountry, Florae&you, and TIFA.
Participants enjoyed building a community that celebrates women, the outdoors, and wellness.“What a beautiful sight when more than half the room walked up on stage as volunteers! That’s what an engaged, thriving community looks like: one where everyone feels ownership and joy in nurturing it.”