Meet
Dr. Alexandra Swanson, MBA, PE, Ed.D: Architect of Move The Journey
A champion for new ideas in outdoor recreation, Dr. Alexandra Swanson brings 14 years of leadership & management experience to the ORec industry. She has a unique outlook as both a military veteran, and a University of Southern California Doctoral graduate in Organizational Change & Leadership. Her research specialized in Public & Private Sector ORec cross-functional partnerships & DEI initiatives. The Doctor is also skilled in professional development, helping leaders develop their own strategic planning and improve employee engagement.
Dr. Swanson’s on a mission to inspire other professionals & organizations to: (1) establish ORec both as a long-term career path for young leaders, (2) drive ORec as a continued & growing economic force within U.S. industry, and (3) improve relationships between Private-Sector ORec product/service businesses and Public-Sector Parks, Land & Environmental agencies.
The Doctor has over 3000 hours of personal experience in various outdoor sports from land to sea. She is an accomplished Divemaster, Thru-Hiker, and has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro with her eyes set next on Denali. Though you can find her often traveling to 30+ countries and just as many states (using carbon offsets), she calls Colorado home.
MOVE THE JOURNEY Mission
Change is a Constant - at home, at work, in ourselves. Move The Journey is a concept that you can grow change by being intentional with what Dr. Allie calls “kinetic growth.” Kinetic Growth uses travel & the outdoors to help you move forward personally while simultaneously gaining professional skills, rather than stressing & stagnating at home. Move the Journey helps connect how playing with the world around us can translate to us as leaders in our communities, homes or organizations.
Here ideas are shared! From the simple - like the best ways to pack for your first kayaking trip - to the intricate - such as the application of Dr. Carrol Dweck’s Growth Mindset Theory to backpacking can help you in the office come Monday.
We Educate, We Entertain, and, most importantly, We Inspire Each Other through a common interest in adventure.
FAQs
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It teaches: problem solving, resilience, patience, practice new skill development, growth mindset, risk mitigation and decision making, planning, crisis management, social skills in new environments, and so much more! Also, it can help you just change your environment (relaxing or otherwise) and help you get out of your own way!
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Right now, the best way to be involved is to engage in the conversation! Comment on the blogs, speak to other readers, and share posts both on your personal and professional social media platforms. Just get the word out!
Interested in writing an article yourself? Collaborate with me! See the Contact page for more.
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U.S. citizens are not taking their vacation time. They’re no longer leaving work for a “midlife” crisis, because they just can’t afford to. They are burning themselves out continuing their careers and forgetting their most valuable and scare commodity - time.
The hope Move The Journey presents is that maybe…just maybe… you can give yourself the grace to enjoy something new and exciting while changing the perspective from “waste of time, I’ll get behind” to “I’m a much better person for these experiences”
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Coming from the military, it’s extremely common to see troops that just don’t know how to translate their skills to a new, private sector career. Likewise, as I looked at joining the Outdoor Rec industry myself, I recognized how much of its employment was entry-level.
Move The Journey started as a way to show people to take members in these professions more seriously. It has now grown into an idea of how desk-bound, adventure-starved office workers can find VALUE in using their free time (and vacation!) to learn about themselves and become better leaders for it.
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EVERYONE can find their place as a leader. In your family, in your community, in your rock climbing whatsapp friend chat room!
The outdoor & adventure travel communities are great places to learn about yourself regardless of what type of leader you are, or where you see “leadership” in how you perceive yourself.