Collin Chambers leads those seeking self-empowerment and personal transformation on enchanted journeys through a magical union of Sacred Movement, Rituals & Ceremonies, as well as Walking, Hiking and Backpacking programs in amazing places all over the world.
Her own journey has taken her from hiking 2,180 miles on the Appalachian Trail to mystical sojourns throughout Peru, Nepal, Thailand, Europe, and India. Her world travels became a profound opening into the realm of energy and mystical work. Collin is a certified Yoga and Mystical Dance® Instructor, an Usui Reiki Master, and Shamanic Energy Healer, as well as a passionate advocate of the exploration of Wild Places.
Her passion for teaching self-confidence in nature led her to open a hiking and backpacking specialty gear shop, facilitating hiking workshops and gear demonstrations, and leading group hikes and overnight backpacking trips throughout the Southeast. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder, Backcountry Survival Instructor, and a “Leave No Trace” Trainer and teaches these and other skills through experiential one-on-one custom created mystical programs.
MY STORY
I have always been a curious seeker of adventure… The more magical and mysterious the better! As a young girl, you could always find me playing outside, deep in some kind of imaginary and thrilling venture. My past experiences are now something I appreciate because of the wisdom and skills that I often learned the hard way.
My mother will tell you my wild adventures began the day I was born. Rebellious and defiant, I chose my own path from the very beginning. Not one for following directions or appreciating the value of school, I began sliding down a slippery slope at an early age. I had emotional problems as well as body image issues even as an adolescent. In high school, it became evident I had serious drug and alcohol troubles as well as a blossoming weight problem. By college, I had tried every fad diet, miracle pill, and weight-loss gimmick known to mankind, joining the ranks of many whose weight goes up and down like a yo-yo, seemingly forever. Even during my tumultuous youth, I lost 50 pounds three times, gaining back, even more, each time, before finally hitting rock bottom.
In 1997 at age 26, disgusted and depressed- and all on my own, I conquered my worst addictions- quitting alcohol, smoking, and drugs, and losing over 100 pounds- which all began with simple walking. Every day. (Ok… and a Richard Simmons “Dancing to the Oldies” video tape which made me realize how much I loved dancing!) Because I had been nothing short of completely obsessed for years, and beating myself up the entire time, I finally realized it was actually ALL about my lack of love and acceptance of myself. So then began my journey of learning about self-care.
Several sober years, lots of courses and many self-help books later, I received my Graduate Gemology degree and went to work in the family diamond business. Although I was successful, met a sweet man in a hiking club that I later married, and made a wonderful income in a prestigious career, I knew I was not following my heart’s true desire. On the surface, I had everything I could want, but inside I felt devoid of all enthusiasm for life…except when I was outside in nature.
It finally registered that it was this passion for getting outside to hike and leading others into the wilderness that truly motivated me. So I decided to walk away from everything… a steady income, good benefits, and security, a loving family and friends, a large house with a pool, to open and operate a hiking and backpacking store in the north Georgia mountains. Although this was a wonderful experience, something was still missing from my life.
Life felt so tedious and boring, even owning my own business. I kept thinking to myself, “Where is the Magic???” The 9-6 workaday world felt like a cruel life sentence that was suffocating my spirit. I was so ready to put all my wildest dreams and ideas into action. In 2009, I left the husband, sold my backpacking and hiking business, and put all my belongings in storage, to thru-hike the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail.
My life changed forever on that cold March day at the top of Springer Mountain. I began a journey that would test me to my core- six months of the hardest journey I had ever known, as well as the most rewarding and liberating! The daily sense of accomplishment getting myself 10, 15, and even 25 miles further along this demanding path, and the amazing places I saw, kept me going despite physical pain and mental stress. Oh, did I learn a lot! Most importantly, I learned that I could count on myself (no matter what!). When I found myself in daunting situations, instead of having emotional breakdowns, I eventually found the ability to stay grounded and to muster courage out of thin air which came easier each time I faced a new challenge. I never realized how powerful I was! I now know, I can do anything!
So what started out as an arduous physical test of endurance, turned into a gratifying system of whole health- mentally, emotionally, spiritually AND physically, simply by walking in nature and being present. The simple beauty of walking, with only the purpose of walking, every day, opened my eyes in a way I never suspected and filled me with wonder and gratitude. When I arrived six months later at the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Mount Katahdin, my journey was only just beginning…
My curiosity and desire to bring more magic and mystery into my life propelled me to take even bigger leaps of faith. It was the intuitive messages and signs I received that really showed me an exciting spiritual path was calling to me. And so I was led to mystical Peru, where for nearly a year I immersed myself in yoga, energy medicine, shamanic healing rituals, as well as ancient Incan magic. Although I had been on a spiritual path for quite some time, the universe was unmistakably showing me how significant this is in my life. Peru awakened my magic in every way possible. I learned there was definitely something bigger calling to me and I began a journey that was nothing short of an enchanted fairytale, teaching me to remain open and trust.
After Peru, I was eager to continue following the breadcrumbs of Spirit. I was called to Thailand where I lived in a modern-day mystery school learning ancient women’s practices and ceremonial rituals. It was here that I truly discovered the power of our inherent divine feminine nature. I recognized my inner strength and beauty through the art of Mystical Dance with a tribe of amazing women. It was there that I uncovered the magic of sacred movement, the dance we all have within, that moves through us, not so much as performance, but an expression of our divine being. Through this primal dance, I was finally learning to love my body.
My whimsical path then led me to India where I lived in an ashram learning traditional Tantra yoga. The ceremonies, rituals, and yoga I learned in that little village south of Goa are some of my favorite spiritual practices to this day. I clearly saw how my daily rituals positively influenced the outcome of my day. The gift of this experience was learning the importance of self-love through self-discipline.
After bidding farewell to India, I found myself in Nepal, where I practiced new and different styles of meditation and yoga. Trekking in the Himalayas was nothing like I had ever experienced. I serendipitously found a delightful guide who helped me experience the wild and rugged side of this amazing place- exploring these giant mountains and sweet little villages, day after day. Nepal felt ancient and primordial- and reminded me once again how walking in nature can be an extraordinary and life-changing way to practice being present.
Another significant and unexpected realization I had while traveling solo for all these years was the beauty of living in community. Whether it was the amazing nomadic tribe I found myself apart of along the Appalachian Trail, or the greater healing family in which I was a part of in Peru, the diverse international community I was welcomed into in India, or the Osho commune in which I lived in Nepal, I found myself surrounded by delightful, like-hearted people everywhere I went. The people were as much a part of the experiences as the places themselves. Growing up in the busy city of Atlanta, I had never experienced having a tribe before. I have been on a quest to create this same sense of true connectedness, ever since. Because it is our intrinsic nature and common desire to belong to something bigger than ourselves, community helps us connect through our similarities as well as celebrate the elegance of our diversity.
Experiencing the magic and mystery of all these cultures helped me recognize that it is wholly within my power to create a truly enchanted life. The magic is all around us, we simply have to choose to see it, and my spiritual path has led me to the tools to do just that. Today, I have learned to listen to and trust my intuition and my body. I nourish myself wholly in every way that supports thriving- not just surviving. My daily walks, which I consider my most important spiritual practice, help me feel fully alive, centered, and grounded and reveal the wondrous magic all around us, everywhere!
My hiking and backpacking journey continues to this day, and I am so thrilled to be able to share my passion with others. It has become my divine purpose to create a fun and whimsical path of transformation to health and happiness, using simple tools that are easy to integrate into even the busiest of lives.
Collin Chambers
Award-winning Author
Leave No Trace Master Educator
Certified Wilderness First Responder
Certified Backcountry Survival Instructor
Certified & Experienced Yoga Instructor:
Ashtanga-Vinyasa 200hr
Traditional Tantra Yoga 500hr
Laugha® Yoga
Certified Mystical Dance® Instructor
Certified Usui Reiki Master
Ordained Minister
Graduate Gemologist
Master of Ceremonies &
Awakener of Magic