In this week’s episode of Outdoorsy, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andy Neal, and let me tell you, this conversation blew me away. Andy is a plus-size model, mental health advocate, and content creator who's using his platform to break down barriers in the outdoor industry.
He’s worked with major brands like Columbia Sportswear and REI, but what makes Andy truly special is his mission to create inclusive spaces for all bodies and voices in the outdoors—whether you’re plus-size, LGBTQ+, a person of color, or a beginner unsure of where to start.
We covered so much ground in this conversation, from Andy’s background as a conservative pastor to his transformation into an advocate for mental health and inclusivity in outdoor spaces.
Watch the full video episode here or listen wherever you typically get your podcasts. If you'd prefer to read the recap, let’s dive in below.
Redefining Outdoorsy: It’s About Going Outside, Not Conquering Nature
One of the first things we tackled was the idea of what it means to be "outdoorsy." Like so many of my podcast guests, Andy made it clear that being outdoorsy doesn’t have to fit the mold we often see in outdoor ads—whether it’s the rugged ultra-athlete climbing mountains or someone decked out in the latest gear. For Andy, it’s simpler.
"Being outdoorsy means going outside, however that looks for you." - Andy Neal
He shared a little about his background growing up as a self-described "stereotypical city kid" in Southern California and Las Vegas. For Andy, the outdoors wasn’t part of his life until later on, when he and his wife moved to Southern Oregon. That move forced him to adjust to a slower, more outdoors-focused lifestyle, but it wasn’t easy. In fact, Andy admitted he hated it at first. The idea of bugs, the quiet, the small-town life—it all felt foreign to him after years in big cities.
But then something clicked. During a challenging period in his life, Andy’s therapist suggested he try going for a hike. He took that advice, and as he described it, it was love at first sight. The outdoors gave him a sense of purpose and healing that he hadn’t found anywhere else.
Breaking Free from His Past: From Conservative Pastor to Inclusivity Advocate
Andy’s story is layered, and one of the most powerful parts of our conversation was hearing about his transformation from a conservative Southern Baptist pastor to an advocate for inclusivity and diversity. For 15 years, Andy was a youth and music pastor, deeply rooted in evangelical culture. He openly shared how his faith community was often anti-LGBTQ+ and how their teachings started to clash with what he was experiencing, especially when he began working with LGBTQ+ teens in his youth group.
It was a slow process, but eventually, Andy realized that the rigid beliefs he was raised with didn’t align with who he was anymore. Leaving the church wasn’t easy—it was messy, and he struggled with what to do next. This was also around the time he and his wife adopted three children from foster care, two of whom have special needs. These personal challenges pushed Andy to explore new ways to find meaning, and that’s when the outdoors came into play.
Mental Health and the Outdoors: Finding Healing Through Nature
One of the most powerful themes in Andy’s story is the role nature played in his mental health journey. Andy shared that after he left the church, he felt lost, disconnected, and unsure of what his life’s purpose was anymore. He turned to therapy, and through that, his therapist encouraged him to get outside.
For Andy, hiking became a form of therapy (but let's be clear: It does NOT replace actual therapy!). He talked about his first solo hike on a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, where everything clicked for him. He described standing on a bluff, looking out over the Rogue Valley, and feeling an overwhelming sense of peace and connection with something bigger than himself. It was in those moments that Andy found his new purpose: advocating for mental health in the outdoors, particularly for people in marginalized communities who are often left out of the conversation.
He’s passionate about reminding people that nature can be a supplement to mental health care, but it’s not a substitute. He shared how some of his followers have told him they’ve quit therapy or stopped taking medication after going for a few hikes, and Andy is quick to caution against that. “Therapy and the outdoors go hand in hand,” he told me, and I couldn’t agree more.
Plus-Size Representation in the Outdoors: It’s About Time
Andy’s work as a plus-size model has been groundbreaking in an industry that has traditionally catered to a specific (read: slim, able-bodied) image of what it means to be outdoorsy. He shared how, early on in his outdoor journey, he struggled to find gear that fit him. Clothing brands weren’t making plus-size gear, and even when they did, it was only available online, leaving people like Andy without the option to try things on in-store.
But things are changing, thanks to advocates like Andy. He’s worked with brands like Columbia Sportswear, Eddie Bauer, and REI to create more visibility for plus-size individuals in the outdoor space. Andy went from thinking he needed to hike more to fit into outdoor gear to being one of Columbia’s plus-size models just a few years later. It’s incredible how far things have come, but Andy is quick to point out that there’s still a long way to go—especially when it comes to making plus-size options available in stores.
Challenging Toxic Masculinity in the Outdoors
Something I really appreciated about Andy was how open he was in discussing toxic masculinity, particularly in outdoor spaces. He acknowledged that for a long time, outdoor culture has been dominated by the idea that men need to “conquer” nature. Whether it’s the image of men hunting, fishing, or hiking to prove something, the outdoor world has often been a space that excludes women, LGBTQ+ folks, and people of color.
Andy’s approach to masculinity in the outdoors is refreshingly different. He talked about the importance of deconstructing the idea that men need to dominate or control nature. Instead, he focuses on connection, healing, and community.
“Nature isn’t ours to conquer. We are nature. We’re interconnected with it, and that’s where the power lies.” - Andy Neal
One of the most impactful moments of our conversation was when Andy shared how he recognizes his privilege as a cisgender, heterosexual white man in the outdoors. He talked about how he’s been in situations where, because of his appearance, he could see the fear in others’ eyes—whether it was a woman hiking alone or a person of color unsure if he was safe to be around. He’s hyper-aware of how his presence affects others, and he goes out of his way to make sure people know he’s a safe person. This kind of self-awareness is rare, and it’s part of what makes Andy such an incredible advocate and ally.
Andy’s Advice: The Outdoors is For Everyone
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing Andy’s advice for beginners or anyone who feels excluded from the outdoor community.
"Start small. You don’t have to hike the Pacific Crest Trail on day one. Just go to a local green space, take a walk, or sit by a river. The outdoors is for everyone, and you belong here." - Andy Neal
He also talked about the importance of finding community. Whether it’s through social media, local hiking groups, or online forums, there are so many ways to connect with like-minded people who share your values. For Andy, seeing people like Jenny Bruso from Unlikely Hikers opened his eyes to the fact that there was a community of plus-size hikers out there, and he wants to continue growing that space for others.
What’s Next for Andy?
Andy has some incredible projects on the horizon, including leading group hikes for mental health and working on a documentary about the intersection of mental health and the outdoors. He’s also training for a massive undertaking: hiking the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail to raise awareness for the mental health crisis in Oregon, particularly for children and teens. His dedication to both his personal growth and his advocacy work is nothing short of inspiring.
Final Thoughts
This conversation with Andy Neal was one of the most meaningful I’ve had on Outdoorsy. His journey from a conservative pastor to an outspoken advocate for inclusivity, mental health, and plus-size representation in the outdoors is nothing short of inspiring. I hope you all take away as much from this episode as I did—whether it’s finding healing through nature, confronting toxic masculinity, or simply knowing that you belong in outdoor spaces, just as you are.
You can follow Andy’s adventures and advocacy on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube! And if you’re feeling inspired to connect with a like-minded community, don’t forget to check out the Outdoorsy Patreon, where you can join our inclusive Discord community and gain access to bonus content.
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