This episode is brought to you by REI Co-op, which believes that life outside is essential.

Research demonstrates numerous physical and mental benefits to heading out your door.

Unfortunately, one in three Americans simply don't have outside spaces close to where

they live.

Challenges range from a lack of public transportation to a highway that cuts off a neighborhood

from a park to systemic issues.

It's a problem that affects the entire country, which is why REI is on a mission to get every

American outside in five minutes or less.

The movement is called outside in five, and it includes a combination of support for

local community-led organizations and a national campaign to pass the outdoors for all act.

Whether it's re-greening city blocks, creating safe bike lanes, or simply making our outdoor

spaces more equitable, together we can make getting to the park, a walk in the park.

Learn more and take action at REI.com-forward-slash-outside-in-five.

From outside magazine, this is the outside podcast.

When someone sets off on a challenging and wild adventure, they're the usual reasons.

Simple wanderlust, a need to escape the constraints of everyday existence, a passionate desire to

see a far-flung corner of the planet.

But for some people, the choice to head out there is different and very personal.

A couple years ago, writer Pam Houston became seriously ill, and for a long time she stayed

that way, becoming so weak that she could barely function.

In her case, medicine alone wasn't going to make her well again.

What she really needed was a reason to go on.

...