Meet Ashley Robinson | Nature & Adventure Blogger

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

Hi Ashley, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?

Gratitude is the life hack. I have used gratitude to aid me in so many ways. There were moments in my journey where I could only focus on lack; some area of my business or myself just wasn’t where I wanted it to be. I was at a point where I needed a mental shift. I started a gratitude journal February 2020. 

It was the consistent focus on gratitude that created a paradigm shift. Being in gratitude helped me to stay focused on positive outcomes created through the synergy of discipline, faith, and creativity. I view lessons not as hardships but as successes in progress. Gratitude helped me see every experience as progress toward my ultimate success.  Gratitude confirms everything is just as it should be. It has helped me manifest so many goals, experiences, possessions into existence. I encourage everyone to practice moments of gratitude daily. Either by starting a journal to express gratitude in written form or simply taking a moment to check in with yourself.  

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My work is about highlighting my reconnection to and perpetual beauty of nature, through outdoor recreation.  Outdoor recreation including hiking, trail walking, water sports, mountain biking, nature and landscape photography. I want my art to inspire communities at large, especially Black and underrepresented communities, to explore the nature around them. I also want others to be inspired by the beauty and peace of mind that nature guarantees. I am originally from the “D”, Detroit, MI. During the pandemic, I started walking trails which took me from my home to the Detroit riverfront. It was during that time I began to recognize the comfort and joy I received while being in nature. I began developing my passion for trail walking, hiking and nature photography. During a time of utter chaos, I found a healing balm to help remove anxiety induced ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts) and fill my spirit with joy. 

I moved to Phoenix in January 2022, which has been a dream since I was eight years old. I was always enamored with mountinous red rocks and desert terrain. I knew I had to take advantage of the wealth of nature in this beautiful state. I had to show others back home and around the world the beauty of the valley but also the wonderment one feels while being immersed in nature. 

I learn a new lesson each time I engage in one of my outdoor passions. I feel like the most beautiful and creative version of myself in nature. I want others to experience those vibes and lessons through my art, especially Black and marginalized communities. I want to give the world inspiration from moments the rat race makes fleeting; allowing myself to be one with nature and capture those moments, does just that.

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.

Of course we’d be in nature. We’d hike Jacobs Crosscut Trail in the Superstition Mountains, which is one of my favorite places in the valley to hike and photograph. We’d do some water sports, which is so picturesque in the desert, like go tubing along the Salt River in Tonto National Forest. As well as jet skiing on Saguaro Lake, after watching wild horses graze. I’d also set up a sunset horseback ride in South Mountain.  

After the fun in nature, we’d go to Old Town Scottsdale. I love the walkability to different bars, restaurants, and shopping. You get the best of the southwest; old western feels mixed with modern aesthetics.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My tribe deserves the biggest shoutout. They love and support me like a verb! Upliftment is plentiful! Belief in my purpose to be successful in the outdoor creative space is constant. Starting with my beautiful girlfriend Toni, my mother, my sisters Daisha and Alex, my close friend Brittany, and my nature buddy, Mary. They are the biggest supporters and believers in my craft. They encourage and have faith in me which, enables me to show up in my purpose, with intention. My gratitude for them cannot be measured. Shoutout to each of their spirit’s positive impact on my world! 

Shoutout to my tribe’s endeavors as each is a creative entrepreneur. This fact provides me added inspiration. Please support their platforms via Instagram and Spotify:

Toni: @phatttoni 

Daisha: Plutopia Podcast on Spotify 

Alex: @affluentesthetics

Brittany: @curvequeen 

Mary: @blackhikerbabe

Instagram: @analkebulanqueen