After a thorough search and interview process, Heliconia is thrilled to announce Stella Blashock as the new host of the Epic Trails television show and BackpackingTV YouTube channel.
Stella Blashock, a long-distance hiker, educator, vlogger, yogi, and poet, is passionate about connecting with the wilderness through backpacking and hiking. Once a high school math teacher, Stella’s mission is to create beautiful hiking and backpacking content in hopes of empowering and encouraging others to embrace the beauty and wonder of nature. She has hiked over 6,000 miles in the last five years alone, documenting and sharing her journey along the way.
“Backpacking has pushed me to my limits and made me take stock of my restrictive self-beliefs,” reflects Blashock. “I went from thinking ‘I could never hike that far or climb that mountain’ to thinking ‘I wonder if I can hike that far and climb that mountain.' The paradigm shift from doubt to curiosity gave me the strength to push myself, and I found that by taking it one step at a time I can get there – to that summit, to that lake, through the bugs or bad weather. I learned I could do it! This was transformative not only for my hiking and backpacking life, but also for my everyday life. I am so thankful.”
Stella's extensive experience in the world of backpacking and hiking, and her ability to connect with both nature and her online followers, makes her the perfect fit for the Epic Trails media project. She brings a unique combination of expertise, enthusiasm, and storytelling to the project, which is sure to captivate viewers and inspire them to embark on their own outdoor adventures.
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"Stella has a passionate and dedicated following,” lauds Brendan Mark, Heliconia Vice-President. “Her optimistic, genuine, accessible take on outdoor adventure resonates strongly with both novice and expert hikers alike. Her love for the outdoors is infectious, and we’re so excited to be working with her as she inspires a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.”
Heliconia is currently filming Season 7 of Epic Trails, with four episodes set to premiere in the Spring of 2024. Episodes air nationally in the US across the Bally Sports Network, Outside TV and PBS. Tourism destinations interested in inviting Stella to explore their region’s outdoor offerings are encouraged to reach out to Stefanie Manton, Heliconia’s Tourism Partnership Strategist, at [email protected]. Learn more about Stella and the Epic Trails media project..
About Epic Trails
Epic Trails is an exciting and inspiring adventure travel media series that follows outdoor content creator, Stella Blashock as she explores the people, places, and adventures surrounding the world’s top hiking destinations. Each 30-minute TV episode airs in the US on Outside TV, nationally on Bally Sports Network and PBS, and internationally through a global network of channels in Europe and abroad. Episodes of Epic Trails aired over 5,000 times in 2022 alone. Learn more about the series at www.heliconia.ca. Networks or partners interested in Epic Trails are encouraged to reach out to Heliconia’s Vice-President, Brendan Mark, at [email protected].
About Heliconia
Heliconia’s goal is simple – to get more people outside and to help them become lifetime outdoor participants. The award-winning video production company does this by showcasing outdoor adventure and adventure travel through inspiring and educational content with industry-leading influencers. Heliconia currently produces seven unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, Hook Line & History, Road Trip Angler, and Outdoor Eats. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.