Meet Kylie Bearse | Meteorologist, Creator of Approachable Outdoors

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kylie Bearse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kylie, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My whole life I’ve hated the question: ‘where are you from?’ Because I genuinely don’t have an answer that satisfies most people’s curiosity. I spent my childhood moving every three years for my dad’s job. Surprisingly not military, but rather just regular corporate America; my dad was a Regional Sales Manager for Hershey Chocolate (yes, I got as much free chocolate as my heart desired.)

Here’s the rundown: I was born in Burnsville, Minnesota then moved shortly after to Buffalo, New York where I stayed until I started first grade. Then it was back to Minnesota, this time in Eden Prairie where I finished fourth grade. From there we moved to Naperville, Illinois and the final childhood move happened in the beginning of Freshman year of High School to Mesa, Arizona. Through every move I’d only spend the school year in that city before heading to spend every summer in Cape Cod, Massachusetts with my grandparents. I spent more time in that little coastal town combined than in any other place I lived.

This was all in a world before social media, so with every move I would say goodbye to the friendships I’d made knowing I’d follow their lives through yearly Christmas cards. I got used to being the new kid and would usually find other transfer kids to befriend, but every time I found a solid group I’d be called into the familiar “family meeting” about where we were headed next.

Once we landed in Arizona my dad left corporate life and the rest of my family has now been there 17 years, but I didn’t stop moving. I packed up my bags for the University of Colorado Boulder knowing I wouldn’t be there beyond a few years because I was a journalism major: after college I was signing up for a life of jumping markets and moving with every contract which is exactly what I did.

My first job in news took me to Idaho Falls, Idaho as a weekend weather anchor and reporter making $19,000 a year. I signed a two year contract and counted down the days to my next adventure in a bigger city. I didn’t buy furniture that was meaningful, didn’t really decorate my apartment because I knew my days there were numbered. I had been doing it my whole life so it had become second nature to not get attached. Instead I made bucket lists, checking off all the things to do in that area because it was likely I wouldn’t be back. From Idaho I moved to Salt Lake City before Minneapolis called just about a year later. I was proud of the way I could stay unattached and easily move from one city to the next, the way my childhood prepared me for my future career, but it also kept friendships & relationships on the back burner. Up until this point every relationship I’d had ended because one of us moved, it kept things easy and uncomplicated.

But once in Minnesota my priorities started to change, for the first time in my life I was craving stability and a place I could finally call home. After an extensive job search with offers from top markets across the country, I made the decision to take a “step down” to a smaller role here in Denver – in the state had always felt the most like ‘home.’ Four years later I’m just days away from my anniversary of moving here, marking the longest I’ve lived anywhere consecutively and I’m so happy. I just bought a home, I’m working my dream job doing morning weather on Fox31, running a hiking website, Approachable Outdoors, plus I have a bundle of nieces and nephews nearby who I get to watch grow up. For the first time in my adult life I have finally found that work-life balance, I’m putting down roots and it feels wonderful.

There were times I resented the way I grew up, I certainly wish I had more life-long childhood friends and love the idea of having memories centered on one town, one community – but ultimately it prepared me for handling the path my career would take. Most importantly, it taught me the importance of family, relationships and making the most of every moment – no matter where I am.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love waking up every morning and getting to tell Colorado the weather, it’s my passion and I’m so grateful for the opportunity, but I’m most proud of the ways this job has allowed me to have an impact on my community. Working with non-profits to share their message, help raise money or find volunteers is what fuels me. There are so many people doing incredible work and to be able to give them a voice or help in whatever way I can gives me so much joy.

A few of my favorites include A Precious Child, helping families through hard times; Safehouse Denver, which gives survivors of domestic violence a chance to start fresh; and Children’s Hospital of Colorado & the Morgan Adams Foundation, helping to heal children across the Rocky Mountain Region.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s all about that balance of the outdoors and our food scene! We’d start every morning with a hike from Approachable Outdoors or drive into the mountains to explore a mountain town – Lake Isabel is my all-time favorite hike. I also love bringing friends to the Flatirons in Boulder or to explore Golden if we’re looking for a quick trail. After a solid morning workout in the mountains out of cell service, we’ll head into the city to bounce from restaurants for snacks and drinks.

A few favorite spots right now (they change all the time!) Cantina Loca, Uncle, Bellota, & Jovaninas Broken Italian for food. Ratio & Denver Beer Company for beer & Welton Room, the Tartarian & Five Nines for cocktails.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Growing up moving every few years made my immediate family very close and I’m so lucky we’ve only gotten closer into adulthood. My parents have been my rock through every move, helping me pack up and get settled in every new city. My younger brother has become my biggest cheerleader and is the person I now look up to the most.

Website: www.ApproachableOutdoors.com

Instagram: @KylieBearse

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyliebearse/

Twitter: @KylieBearseWX

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/approachableoutdoors

Image Credits
Dave Puente