Today we’d like to introduce you to Tory Mather.
Hi Tory, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been interested in writing – I have journals in my house from age 6 onwards! I started my first blog in college, was an English major, and interned for a magazine. However, life happened and my career took me in a different direction.
When I moved to Ohio in 2021, I quit a job I hated and had some time in between starting my next job. Since I didn’t really know many people, I started exploring the outdoors. I had a hard time finding good information about some of the trails I did so I had an idea to start sharing information about hikes. I started MyTrailsAreMany.com in December 2021.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think one of the hardest things about creating content for my blog or social media is that it can feel very lonely. You’re just one person creating off on your own and I am definitely my own worst critic. Social media is designed for us to compare highlight reels of our lives and thus creates a feeling of FOMO. When I first started, I was frustrated that it felt like I got no traction because I knew my information was good. However, things take time and being able to share struggles with fellow content creators has helped me not feel so lonely. I also try to share mistakes I made and the low moments as well so people don’t feel alone in their outdoor journey.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an outdoor content creator, sharing my adventures on social media and my blog. I am most proud of my detailed backpacking trail guides on my website. Planning a backpacking trip can be super hard and mistakes in information about water sources, mileage or other key trail factors could lead to a really big problem. When I write a backpacking trip itinerary, I include all of the important information including what I wish I had done differently. I feel that I have a relatable style of communicating information and I love making people laugh. My favorite thing is when someone messages me that one of my videos is funny.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I went to a conference on a whim last year because I got a ticket for volunteering (but still had to pay for flights and hotels which were not cheap). I didn’t know a single person going into the conference and was so nervous before the trip but through that risk, I met so many other great writers and creators. That conference was the turning point for me where I felt way less lonely and more confident in my creative process and output.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mytrailsaremany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torytalkstrails/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551018273956&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@torytalkstrails
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@torytalkstrails
Image Credits
All photos by Tory Mather