EARTHMOVERS co-host Stefanie Flippin talks to Zagdaa and Tuvshin Baatar of Nomadic Adventure Club. Originally from Mongolia, and having grown up living a nomadic lifestyle, the Baatars have a deep appreciation for the power of nature and sharing that with community.
"You cannot act in a different way in the mountains," says Zagdaa. "You have to be yourself."
The Bataars have a lifetime of experience in the outdoors, but their way of living changed dramatically when they came to the US: time in the outdoors gave way to working long days to establish their family in the States. Over time, they recognized the need to get back out into nature. Their own journey back to climbing mountains and exploring the trails near their home in Northern California led them to trail racing, and it led them to wanting to share these experiences with other families like theirs.
The Bataars started organizing group hikes and set to learning how to lead others up big mountains, and the Nomadic Adventure Club was born. That was over a decade ago. The organization is now a 501c3 nonprofit organization and has become a source of support and community, especially for immigrant families, focused on trail running and mountain climbing.
The Bataars themselves have become accomplished trail runners and racers, and Zagdaa sits on the Advisory Council of the Broken Arrow Sky Race; the couple also volunteers a lot of their time to trail races and the trail community. In addition to all of that, the Bataars are wine makers, and proud parents.
In this conversation, Stefanie and the Bataars talk about the Bataars growing up in Mongolia, the challenges and joys of moving to the US and raising their children, getting back into the mountains and trail racing, and their deep passion for building community and getting others into nature. They also talk about their wine making venture, which has community ties as well.
Here, Stefanie brings her own experience as a coach—in particular, she has coached Zagdaa for several years—as well as her experience as a professional ultra runner and racial equity advocate.
EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: https: @earthmoverspodcast
Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com
From this Episode
Zagaa Baatar on Instagram: @zagd_nomad
Tuvshin Baatar on Instagram: @tuvshin_nomad
Nomadic Adventure Club on Instagram: @nomadic.adventure.club
Nomadic Adventure Club website: nomadicadventure.club
Broken Arrow Skyrace on Instagram: @brokenarrowskyrace
EARTHMOVERS Hosts
Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4
Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir
Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin