Nature, Identity & Community: Chelsea Murphy of She Colors Nature

Welcome to another episode of Paddle Like a Girl! This week, I sat down with Chelsea Murphy, outdoor advocate and founder of She Colors Nature, to talk about diversity in nature and building inclusive outdoor spaces. We discussed the joys and challenges of parenting in the outdoors, Chelsea’s personal hair and identity journey, and how nature can be a place for healing, wellness, and powerful community connections.

Meet Chelsea Murphy

Chelsea Murphy is a passionate outdoor advocate, speaker, and the founder of She Colors Nature—a platform dedicated to uplifting and amplifying Black women and families in nature. As a mother of three and a leader in the movement toward outdoor equity, Chelsea blends advocacy, motherhood, and adventure in a way that is deeply personal and widely inspiring. She’s known for her authenticity, vulnerability, and empowering voice that’s helping reshape the image of who belongs in the outdoors.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

• Diversity and Representation in Outdoor Spaces – Chelsea founded She Colors Nature to connect with other Black women in outdoor spaces and challenge the narrow stereotypes of who “belongs” in nature.

• Motherhood, Winter Sports & Micro-Adventures – She shared how her love of winter sports grew alongside her children and how even small, local adventures can build lifelong connections to nature.

• Authenticity Over Perfection – From cutting her hair to real-talk on social media, Chelsea emphasizes the importance of showing up as yourself, especially in advocacy work.

Q&A Highlights

Q: What was the moment that made you realize nature could be a space for advocacy?

• A: Chelsea spoke about noticing the lack of representation in the outdoors and realizing she could be the person to start changing that narrative—especially for her daughters.

Q: How do you navigate brand partnerships while staying true to your mission?

• A: She looks for brands that are accountable, open to tough conversations, and committed to supporting the community beyond performative gestures.

Q: What advice do you have for Black women interested in the outdoors but unsure where to start?

• A: “The desire to go is enough to start. Just go. Your presence is the point.”

Where to Listen & Connect

Catch the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favourite shows.

Follow Chelsea at @shecolorsnature

Visit: www.shecolorsnature.com

📌 Want more paddling inspiration? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on workshops, new episodes, and stories from the wild!