How it Began—One Foot in Front of The Other
Bridgette Mongeon established Houston Women's Hiking (HWH) Facebook group in 2017 when she desired to explore the woods, but friends and family had concerns for her safety. It's a reality that many women face, having to reconsider their adventurous pursuits due to feelings of vulnerability. We understand these concerns and are committed to creating a safe and supportive space for all our members.
As of the writing of this blog post, the group has grown to over 18,500 women. The Leader, Texas Highways Magazine, and Texas Country Reporter have all featured Houston Women’s Hiking.
The new memoir by the administrator of Houston Women's Hiking, titled "One Foot in Front of the Other: Art, Hiking, and Healing," was inspired by the many questions that group members often ask, such as, "How did it start? How did it grow? Why is this group so special?"
Bridgette acknowledges that while an administrator cannot create the trail magic that defines Houston Women's Hiking, she believes in it, embraces it, shares it, and hopes it continues to inspire others. The true magic of the group lies in the women who support one another, offering genuine care and assistance. The hike leaders who lead these excursions have overcome their own insecurities and have experienced profound personal growth, mental clarity, and physical healing through their involvement with Houston Women's Hiking.
"Not only is Houston Women's Hiking an incredible experience, but I also get to share it with one of my favorite people—my daughter, Christina Sizemore, who is a co-administrator," states Mongeon. They complement each other well, both loving the woods while bringing different talents to help the group grow. Christina wrote a heartfelt foreword for her mom's book, which can be read on Amazon. As Bridgette's editor noted, "Make sure the foreword is available on Amazon. I would buy the book just by reading the foreword."
A memoir reader expressed surprise at the book's size, but understands noting that it covers three interwoven aspects of Bridgette's life.
Art—Bridgette is a well-known artist. Creating art has led her to interesting stories, including encounters with B.B. King and Willie Nelson, as well as the tale of the unfortunate fall of Alice in Wonderland. Travel and camping have also been part of her artistic journey, providing her with opportunities for exploration.
Hiking—This aspect is self-explanatory, as the book focuses on hiking but through life and on the trail, The book is also about Houston Women's Hiking. However, Bridgette also shares some of the "trail magic" she has encountered through the experiences of herself and others, highlighting the healing they've found on the trails.
Healing—The healing component of the book was unexpected. After starting the hiking group in 2017, Bridgette fell seriously ill and was diagnosed with lung disease, with doctors giving her just two years to live. Spoiler alert: she defied the odds! Now, she hikes at a slower pace or with the assistance of oxygen. Bridgette hopes to continue enjoying hiking adventures, no matter how big or small, stating, "We each have our milestones and personal mountains." When describing her book, "One Foot in Front of the Other: Art, Hiking, and Healing," Mongeon explains, "It is part memoir and part self-help. It tells my story while providing probing questions and tools for others to use for themselves or to discuss in book clubs."
The book is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle, and Bridgette is excited about possibly being released as an audiobook soon, too! Recording an audiobook can be quite a challenge for anyone, and while she has some experience in voiceover work, her lung disease makes it a bit tricky. You might hear the crackles in her breath, but as one audio technician beautifully said, "If you were doing a commercial, I'd say edit it out, but this is your memoir." When Bridgette heard that, she was touched, and tears came to her eyes. She replied, "You've given me permission to breathe." She's ready to tackle this challenge head-on!
Bridgette would love to hear what you think about the book! She supports book clubs that want to use it in their groups and even leads her own in person and on Zoom. Discussions from the prompts at the back of the book lead some on their own personal journey. And offers her own online book club in person and on Zoom.
For readers who are local to Houston, how fun would it be to have a final gathering in Wonderland at her Alice in Wonderland Tea Party? Let's make it a delightful experience together!
See you in the woods.