According to the Dalai Lama “the purpose of life is to be happy,” but without a bit of intention, our pursuit of happiness can easily get lost in the whirlwind of our day-to-day lives. Or, perhaps we’ve convinced ourselves that the path to happy requires a tremendous shift or some miraculous good fortune. Maybe we’ve told ourselves that we will be happy when ….

Yet research teaches us the key to infusing more happiness into our lives is more likely to be found in small shifts and simple choices. And, by walking. Yep, we know, it sounds too easy, but here are 9 reasons taking a walk can actually make you happier.

Long before 99 Walks existed, back when it was little more than an idea, a vision and a dream, Eric and I were on vacation with the kids in Colorado. As is usually my way, I was up before the sun and, while the rest of the family slept, I sat down in front of the fireplace with my favorite notebook and began writing 99 core values. These were things I believed in and ideas that I hoped would help guide the creation of this community.

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re big fans of giving the boot to bladder issues. We’re also big fans of using simple exercises, like walking, to help us deal with our bladder concerns. Now, we know what you’re thinking. Wait, what? Walking really helps?

Believe it or not, it does. There’s been plenty of research that shows there may be a correlation between walking and the relief of bladder issues, including incontinence. Who knew that a leisurely walk could be just what we need to keep the doctor away and our bladder leaks at bay? Here are 7 ways walking can help deal with pesky bladder issues:

The heat is on, but don’t let that trip up your summer walking! You just might be surprised at how many ways you can dodge the sweltering temperatures, and just how good walking in the sunshine is for you! Read on for a list of resources to help guide you as you walk your miles during the summer so you can stay safe, keep moving, and continue to crush your goals.

Happiness. It means something different to each of us. Sure, happiness can be defined as a mental state—a feeling of positive and pleasant emotions that range from quiet contentment to pure joy. But the truth is that happiness is not just a state to which you can travel and then reside—happily ever after. It is a journey and a practice.

At a time when life was full of life-altering changes, heightened stress and a build-up of anxiety, Pack Member Francine Edwards found a place of belonging and healing within the 99 Walks community and an intentional walking practice.

Sure, we look forward to the summer months … lazy days sitting by the pool, time for rest and relaxation, not to mention watermelon, summer cherries and picnics in the park. But along with those summer pastimes come rising temperatures and humidity, which can make being active outside, well, challenging. So what can you do to keep moving and get your walks in during these hot summer months? We’ve got some ideas for you.

Becoming a 99 Walks coach is a dream Coach Martine never knew she wanted to come true, until it did in the Spring of 2021. Since her new role, she has taken the step to embrace the 99 Walks community not only with her joyful spirit, but also with the understanding that each and every journey is unique, special, and a path to be celebrated. And you’re certain to see that in everything she does.

So many of us wrestle with an all-or-nothing mentality. Either we think that we need to devote every ounce of our being into something to keep up the momentum and execute it perfectly, or we shouldn’t bother for fear there is no way we can keep up. And though burning the midnight oil or pushing our bodies to extremes may not have resulted in anything negative in our twenties, a few more years and experience—and a lot more wisdom—tells us that finding time for rest is paramount to thriving.

We could give you a list of dad jokes, share a photo album of all the flashy ties and golf club keychains we’ve bought over the years, or entice you with a long list of sporting advice that we’ve heard our favorite fellas shout from the couch when watching a game. But, the impressions our dads and the father figures in our lives leave on us are so much more than the cliches and stereotypes. Instead, we focus on their steadfast love and wisdom that peppered our lives and made us who we are today. The guidance that has shaped us.

In honor of Father’s Day, we share with you our stories. Our most cherished memories with the men we call Dad, Daddy, Papa, Pops, and White-Haired Old Man. And we give thanks to the special role they play in our lives and are grateful for the solid advice we are now able to pass on to future generations.

We get it. Finding motivation does not always come naturally. Even though we know it’s within us to dig deep and make it happen, sometimes finding a way to trick your mind into doing the task that just seems downright hard is key to propelling you forward. And because we’ve all been there, we’ve put together a list of our favorite hacks that help keep us moving and walking toward better health and wellness.

For the past 15 months, your life has altered dramatically. You probably found yourself at home more, trying to stay connected over video calls, and frankly, you may have found yourself visiting the refrigerator a bit more often than necessary. But the time has come to slowly ease away from that lifestyle, back into some semblance of “normal,” defining your priorities and getting back into healthy habits.

And though that may seem a little intimidating, you may just find that a regular walking practice is the best way to start walking your way out of the pandemic. And here’s why.

Here I am, strapped to a parachute and tucked into an instructor's harness standing at the edge of an open airplane door 10,000 feet above the ground. I have endured several hours of training and signed what feels like a ream of paper acknowledging that I could die by the end of the day. The instructor says “ready?” My adrenaline surges. My stomach drops. I am terrified.

Sure, the best shoe for a walk is a good quality sneaker with the support and cushioning just right for your foot, but sometimes, you just gotta air out your feet and throw on a sandal. And if you’re wanting to feel the breeze on your toes and keep the sweat at bay while also on a walk, well, it just might be time to invest in a good walking sandal. Following are 9 member recommended favorites that just might bring some relief to your feet during these warm-weather months.

At a time where finding a quiet moment for herself was hard to come by due to the start of the pandemic, Julie Erichsen found the solace she needed, and the opportunity for self care, by creating an intentional walking practice. And she did this with the help of 99 Walks.

We all walk for different reasons. Sometimes, walking provides the chance to breathe fresh air and enjoy some peace and quiet. Other times, walking delivers relief from the day’s stress, boosts our mood or creates the space we need to solve a problem. And sometimes, walking is a time to up our fitness and challenge our limits, and there is no better way to do that than with a coach in our ear, helping us go a little faster, work a little harder and giving us the inspiration and motivation we need to reach our next goal or reset our mind.

That’s where 99 Walks walking classes come in. The coaches do the planning for us.

Mothers. They are a constant. A person always there, often in the background, sometimes taken for granted. A go-to to heal our hurt feelings and kiss our skinned elbows. To care for us when we’re sick, and cheer for us from the sidelines. To always remember the after-game snack, and bring an extra for the one that showed up unexpectedly. To be willing to listen at any time, day or night.

No, mothers aren’t always the one giving out sage advice, or preaching lessons. They are the ones that show us how to live through their actions—quietly, not seeking acknowledgement. Just doing it out of love. And so it is on this Mother’s Day that we take a moment to honor our mothers and reflect on what we learned from them. We do it as a reminder to be grateful for the steadfast, unconditional love that we knew was always there, and always will be.

With milder temperatures, longer days of sunshine and the sounds of Spring singing a sweeter tune, you might just find yourself outside more often. And though the fresh air beckons, there are some things to keep in mind to keep you safe, healthy, and enjoying everything this season has to offer. Following are 9 things to consider as you head outside this Spring.

Throughout our lives, we are told to keep going. Don’t quit. Hang in there. One step at a time. Just keep moving forward. And often that is good advice. Forward momentum is fantastic and sometimes all you can do is put one foot in front of the other and do the next thing. It is advice that has gotten me through more difficult times than I can count.

But frequently the magic is not found when you simply keep going, doing the same things, the same way, over and over again. Instead, often the magic is in continuing to learn, explore and discover. The magic is continuing to grow. The magic is in knowing that you can continue to grow.

We’ve all been there. Wires that get caught in our arms as we power forward, earpieces that are too big, too small or fall out, sound quality that’s just...meh. It’s enough to make you wonder, hmmm, are all earbuds created equal? The answer, nope.

Whether your jam is listening to music, being inspired by a podcast, or being guided by a coach in a walking class, you need to love your earbuds when you head out for a walk. So we’ve asked the 99 Walks HQ team to share their favorites: