Sonja Weick likes to do hard things. That’s how she ended up competing in Eco Challenge: Fiji and being featured on the Amazon Prime show about what’s billed as the world’s toughest endurance race. But all is not always sunshine and big wins in Sonja land — something the reality program showed viewers worldwide. In this episode Sonja Weick talks about her journey into the outdoors, how it has impacted her mental health and how doing hard things outside – no matter what they are – can change you.
[2:32] Sonja Weick’s favorite outdoor space
[4:31] How Sonja became a person who likes to go outside
[7:33] Sonja tells us about Eco Challenge
[16:33] Why doing hard things outside is important to Sonja
[17:55] The differences between Eco Challenge and Ironman
[24:21] What outdoor users and athletes have to think about when they take on hard things
[28:00] Sonja talks about her panic attack during Eco
[35:26] How she got through it
[41:55] How outdoor life impacts her mental health
[43:55] Do endurance activities outside have a bigger impact on mental health than other types of activities?
[49:17] Sonja’s tips for using endurance sport outside for mental health
[53:25] Sonja’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[57:30] Sonja’s favorite outdoor moment