Sam Ortiz is a plus size, Latinx, rock climber, mountaineer, and founder of Climb Big.

<div>Sam Ortiz (she/her) is a plus size, Latinx, rock climber, mountaineer, and adventure photographer based in WA state. Sam is the founder of Climb Big, a group she started to make climbing more accessible to fat folx after struggling to find a place in the outdoors, herself.</div> <div> </div> <div>Sam hosts meet-ups with other female and non-binary plus size folx to offer a safer space to share her outdoor skills and discuss tips on finding gear for plus size bodies.</div> <div> </div> <div>Sam has done plus size modelling for outdoor brands like REI, Eddie Bauer, and Alder Apparel.</div> <div> </div> <div>New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out. </div> <div> </div> <div>The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out <a href="http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast&source=gmail&ust=1621388426659000&usg=AFQjCNG88x4AN8zBF362V7QhB1kfWxRhWg">www.patreon.com/<wbr />toughgirlpodcast</a>.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Show notes</strong></div> <ul> <li>Who is Sam and where she is based</li> <li>Growing up in Kentucky</li> <li>Growing up with 2 older sisters</li> <li>Growing up near the <a href="http://www.redrivergorge.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Red River Gorge</a></li> <li>Not feeling welcome in the outdoors</li> <li>Finding her footing in the outdoor world</li> <li>Not seeing people who looked like her </li> <li>Her dreams as a little girl</li> <li>Getting into photography through high school</li> <li>Being drawn to the outdoors</li> <li>Trying to figure out her place in the outdoor</li> <li>Applying for <a href="https://americorps.gov/serve" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">AmeriCorps</a></li> <li>Going to Juneau, Alaska</li> <li>Being sur