Mind And Mountain

Who we are:

We’re a team of passionate individuals dedicated to creating a space for folks to build mind & body strength that supports healing, joy, outdoor recreation, & changing the world. We get it – outdoor activities can be super rewarding, but they can also be challenging and leave you feeling drained. That’s why we offer online training programs designed to help you build strength & resilience, so you can fully enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re an experienced outdoor enthusiast or just getting started, we’re here to welcome, guide, and support you along the way.

In our programs, you’ll find a supportive and inclusive community of like-minded individuals who share your love for outdoor recreation. We’re here to encourage each other, share stories – good and bad – and to create lasting connections together. Our communities are a place where you can ask questions, seek advice, and find inspiration from fellow outdoor enthusiasts who ‘get it’.

Our unique and efficient workouts are tailored to help you build a strong body & mind – whether you’re hitting the trails, skiing down the slopes, or simply soaking in the views. We believe in the transformative power of outdoor recreation, and that nature is healing. We want to empower you to take on the challenges that come with outdoor recreation with confidence and ease.

Our offerings:
Our online training programs let you train from anywhere with internet access, so you can fit in robust workouts no matter how busy your schedule is. We understand that your time is precious, and you want to make the most of it outdoors, rather than being stuck in a gym or sidelined by injuries.

We offer seasonal training programs designed to meet your needs throughout the year. Whether you’re looking to build sturdy summer strength for activities like backpacking or paddling, improve your balance during the transitional seasons, or enhance your stamina for winter skiing adventures, we’ve got you covered. We use an Annual Training Cycle that includes training plans for each season, so you can build and rest intentionally and align with nature’s rhythms. In addition to our Year-Round offer, our seasonal programs are: Summer Strong (April-Aug), Balance Training (Feb-April & Aug-Oct), Ski Babes (Oct-Feb), and an exciting new healing group called the Winter Healing Circle.

At the heart of our training philosophy is Mindful Interval Training, a holistic approach that supports both the body & mind. This method, centered around “challenge by choice” bodyweight training, also incorporates mental-health and trauma-informed practices, providing a safe and supportive environment. By integrating this approach with periodization, our programs promote sustainable growth by alternating between intense and gentle workouts over a 6-week training period. We know that building functional strength is essential to enjoying outdoor activities without getting injured. And the best part is, you don’t have to sacrifice other priorities or follow a perfect workout plan to get strong. By embracing a Mindful Interval Training approach, you’ll develop not only physical strength and endurance but also mental resilience, self-awareness, and muscle memory that directly translate to your outdoor activities.

Let us help you get strong and have more fun outside – try our free 2-week workout trial! https://www.mindandmountain.co/two-week-trial

What sets us apart:
We’re all about celebrating fitness that uplifts and supports your body, without shame. Taking care of ourselves and nurturing inclusivity is at the heart of what we do. We’re on a mission to cultivate an outdoor-rec culture that helps everyone feel welcome in the outdoors. Our programs are all about cultivating functional strength that works hand-in-hand with your body, nervous system, and your busy life. Through using a blend of ‘gentle and firm’ techniques that honor your boundaries and never pressure you to override.

We prioritize mental health and acknowledge that exercise can support it. However, we reject the “no-pain, no-gain” mindset and instead focus on gradual challenges that shift our relationship with our bodies. By increasing our capacity to handle difficult situations without overriding our nervous system’s cues, we can develop capable nervous systems that enable us to tackle challenging workouts, mountains, and life without fear, overwhelm, or shutdown. Our programs also wholeheartedly embrace an anti-diet culture and prioritize body-positivity in our nutrition and training approaches.

Our aim is to empower through simple and effective exercises that develop functional strength, stability, and balance. Our goal is to build a community where everyone is welcome, and where we can all work together to build strength, resilience, and confidence in the great outdoors.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of outdoor recreation and adventure fitness, regardless of their financial situation. We are dedicated to making our programming more financially accessible to all. To achieve this goal, we have created our Sistering Support program. This program is inspired by the building term “sistering”, where a beam that is holding up too much weight is supported by additional beams on either side. Just like this building technique, our Sistering Support mutual-aid program is designed to provide additional financial support to those who need it most.

How it began:
Our founder, Sarah Histand, is a proud lifelong Alaskan, growing up on Dena’ina Land in Soldotna. Sarah developed a deep connection to the natural beauty and rugged landscapes of Alaska as a child and has carried this love with her throughout her life. While studying for her Masters in Social Work, she began working as a fitness trainer at a local gym in Valdez. Being an avid outdoor adventurer herself, Sarah spent countless hours exploring the Alaskan wilderness through activities like backpacking, biking, and packrafting. Immersed in these adventures, Sarah came to greatly appreciate the profound impact of mantras, mindset, and nervous system skills for handling challenges in the backcountry. She witnessed firsthand how the outdoors could be transformative, shaping not only outdoor experiences but also lives in remarkable ways. This understanding fueled her passion for promoting the transformative power of outdoor recreation and its ability to create positive change.

During her time as a fitness trainer, Sarah noticed how her clients’ mental health struggles outside the gym were impacting their physical training. Drawing upon her background in mental health, she started developing mindset tools and intentional workouts that focused on building mental resilience alongside physical strength . After earning her Master’s degree, Sarah was inspired to establish Mind & Mountain to continue sharing her unique blend of fitness and mental health support, with the goal of helping others build confidence, strength, and endurance for their outdoor adventures. For over a decade, she has helped people develop true, embodied strength that allows them to listen to their bodies and provide them with what they need without guilt or shame. Sarah is well-versed in helping people enjoy outdoor activities without feeling the need to strive for perfection or override nervous system signals, which can be common issues in the adventure and fitness industries.

Sarah now lives in Anchorage with her partner, Luc. Together, they prioritize spending as much time as possible outdoors, whether it’s exploring the Alaskan backcountry, mountains, rivers, or simply enjoying good books from the tent.

Interested in learning more about Mind & Mountain? Check out our website here https://www.mindandmountain.co