Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Fortune.
Hi Lee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up in Lower Alabama, some of my earliest memories are woven through the forests and mountains my parents introduced me to. Family vacations meant camping and hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and other areas. The local adventures likely helped shape me most though – my mom would often take my sister and me into the nearby woods of our home with no trail, no destination, just curiosity. We’d find a perfect spot and just have a picnic. That sense of wonder and desire to explore stayed with me.
After college, I moved to North Carolina seeking something bigger. The mountains there offered longer day hikes, big views, waterfalls, rock climbing, and eventually an opportunity to be a hiking and climbing guide in places like Linville Gorge. I found joy in helping people discover these spaces safely, to feel what I felt.
A few years ago, health challenges sidelined me. For someone whose soul had been nourished by the outdoors, it was devastating. It took time (several years) to be able to find myself back exploring the outdoors. But I did.
Now, I routinely take on longer day hikes, off-trail adventures (especially to hidden waterfalls), leading group hikes, even dipping my toes into trail ultramarathons—the mountains and outdoors have become my constant again. I share a lot these experiences on my YouTube channel, hoping others find what I found. I’ve set two Fastest Known Times (FKTs): the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Segment One (The Peak to Peak Challenge) and the Mitchell Vertical Mile. My real passion though is the annual Hike for Healing event, where I blend my love for the outdoors with a mission to make a real difference.
For me, hiking and outdoor adventuring isn’t just self-care. It’s soulcare—the mental clarity, the physical challenge, the spiritual renewal all woven together. It’s how I remember who I am.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The largest struggle was a few health challenges. I initially tore one of my quadriceps, leaving me walking with a cane for over 5 years. Once I was able to progressively overcome this physical struggle with help of several doctors and physical therapy, I also discovered that i had a heart issue. Once we discovered the exact diagnosis, i was then able to adjust my diet and began exercising, which primarily included hiking and training for bigger hikes.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my day job, I manage a team of technical writers in a Learning & Development department. My team creates and maintains documentation for all of our company’s processes and partners with our instructional designers in creating cohesive content for our front line representatives, with a focus on adult learning.
What matters most to you?
My parents helped me understand the gift of the outdoors. Now I want to instill that same understanding to my own kids and friends—not just access to beautiful places, but the understanding that nature heals, that resilience is real, and that the best adventures are the ones we share with others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bootsonthetrail/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeandcindy.fortune/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BootsontheTrail
