We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Amy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was a female solo learning hunter who could not find specific advice or encouragement in the hunting and outdoor community for women only. The podcast grew from a need and want for connection and growth in my own goals. The conversations grew and every single conversation led to one or more after that. Referrals for more connections came organically. It has been amazing to grow and mature in my own love of the outdoors as well as finding connection and friendships along the way.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When people describe me to others I am very proud to say they know my heart and passion line up with my every day life. There is not a difference in my private life, professional life and my outdoor life. These lives are seamlessly one. Going from a late onset hunter learning how to do this alone to a single mom giving back to my community through not just the podcast, but working for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and advocating for women and other minorities in the outdoors nationally. This has not been an easy climb. It has been full of mountains and valleys. I have been told there is no room for women in this arena. I have been accepted but not supported. I have been used as a checked box only to surprise those involved that I have merit and a place at the table. It is now earned not just given. It will continue to be a long road but I have learned through my own story as well as others that women have a voice unlike the white male dominated voice in the outdoors. We have a voice to make a difference. The voice that is a bit softer and easier to cross boundaries in conversations that may not have been accepted otherwise. There is a responsibility to use it! To not just be a consumer but a person who is active in the conservation of resources and a teacher.
Her Wild Outdoors is not just a collection of stories. The podcast is a resource and I claim to be a keeper of history.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Tennessee has been an amazing state to live and grow up in. I would love to take visitors across the different regions and the diverse change in flat land areas to the most diverse river in our area to the plateau filled with hiking, boating, fishing and waterfall viewing. The eastern Tennessee mountains are a part of the Appalachian Trail. The Smokey Mountains are full of trout filled rivers and creeks, waterfalls and wildlife from black bears, deer and elk. Nashville itself is one of the fastest growing city in the southeast if not nationwide. The city life has grown our numbers of people joining as residents based on all the things you can be involved in, mostly the outdoor opportunities.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Every single woman and a few men who have offered their time and commitment to sharing their stories on the podcast. I am a member on the board for wildHerness. These women have dedicated their lives and time to loving on any person who identifies as female. It is a nonprofit that teaches all about the outdoors, not just hunting and fishing. You can learn foraging, camping, bee keeping or even gardening. There are a few camo companies out there that have been supportive and focus on quality of gear for women in the outdoors. Three companies that have done it right are Azyre, Ditale Outdoors and Ottomatic Threads. They make sizes available for every different shape of woman.
Website: https://herwildoutdoors.podbean.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyhall_hunter/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/herwildoutdoors/?hl=en
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amy-hall-903a2529
Youtube: @herwildoutdoors1946
Other: Work: https://tnwf.org/
Image Credits
Mossy Oak Turkey Photos: Nathaniel Maddox White/Gray and Green camo photos: Jimmy Tillman