Charlotte Bowens: Founder of Conscious Gear and trailblazing innovator behind VestaPak, the world's first plus-size hydration vest. From university administrator to entrepreneur, she fearlessly reshapes the outdoor industry. Motivated by a personal health scare, she champions inclusivity and empowers the plus-size community to embrace an active lifestyle. Founding Story: A Transformation and a Vision It all started with a health scare that jolted Charlotte's life. An unexpected visit to the emergency room revealed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, severe depression, borderline diabetes, and a stark classification of "morbidly obese." The avalanche of this diagnosis could have overwhelmed anyone, but not Charlotte. Charlotte made a decision that changed her life's trajectory. Fueled by fear and a fierce determination to regain control, she took her first steps towards transformation at the gym. The journey was slow and arduous. On that initial day, she could walk for only 2 minutes at a modest 2 mph on the treadmill. But that wasn't the end; it was the beginning. Every day, Charlotte persevered, placing one foot in front of the other, pushing through every personal limit, and defying her own expectations. Sixteen months later, she crossed the finish line of her first 50-mile ultramarathon—an extraordinary feat of physical and mental strength. However, this triumph was also bittersweet. Charlotte felt proud of her incredible achievement and continued her ultramarathoning journey but as she looked for outdoor gear and apparel to accommodate her taller, curvier, and bigger body, she encountered a glaring problem. The market offered limited options that catered to her specific needs if any at all. Existing outdoor gear companies had overlooked a significant portion of the population, neglecting to provide functional and fashionable products for those with bigger bodies. It was during the challenging times of the pandemic that Charlotte made a solemn vow: if no one else was going to do it, she would. Conscious Gear was born, emerging as a symbol of resilience and innovation. VestaPak was nominated in October 2023 by USA Today as one of the top ten products for outdoor adventurers and is currently sold at REI. *** Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women. By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. Thank you for your invaluable support! *** Show notes: Who is CharlotteHer outdoor adventure journey which started with Girl ScoutsSelling Girl Scout cookies to fund camping tripsDiscusses her academic background in maths and science and her career in research administrationHer experiences as a teenage single mother of three, which led to a sedentary lifestyleMoving to Arizona and falling in love with trail running and ultra marathonsReassessing her lifestyle due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and clinical depressionPrioritising health and fitness, despite feeling overwhelmed as a single motherFirst experiences at the gymBeing scared and unsure but determined to make a changeBeginning to see improvements in her stamina and speed, which bolstered her confidenceCompleting her first 50-mile ultra marathonImproving her physical health and also restoring her desire to liveHer transformative journey from depression to feeling aliveInitially being sceptical about ultramarathonsCompleting a self-supported hundred-milerLooking forward to participating in longer races, including a 250-mile event in Phoenix and a 500-mile race in TennesseeThe addictive nature of long-distance runningChallenges in finding gearGoing to thrift stores and DIY solutions using a library sewing machineLimited options for bigger bodies in the athletic clothing marketThe birth of the business, Conscious GearFacing disruptions in ultrarunning due to the pandemicCreating hydration vests motivated by a lack of representation and optionsBeing nominated as one of the top 10 outdoor products in 2023Increasing engagement from women, particularly Black womenAddressing inclusivity in athletic wearRunning community and personal preferencesRunning philosophy and trainingThe importance of starting with what you can manageHelping the body adapt and grow stronger over timeRespect the body's limits and trust the process of improvementA powerful moment while trail running in MichiganHer deep spiritual connection to running in natureThe spiritual aspect of running and its connection to her identitySocietal expectations that often lead to feelings of needing to do everything ...
