The hardest thing I've had to learn as a founder:
The thing you built is not meant to be yours forever.
It’s meant to grow beyond you.
I white-knuckled that lesson for months before I believed it. I was worried that if I stopped hosting the Austin walk after three years, the whole thing might slowly fall apart.
Instead, it did the opposite.
In July 2025, when I stepped down on the walk’s 3rd birthday, I instantly got a rush of energy that helped me go from event host to connection architect.
We went from being in 2 cities to 7.
One year later, we’re now in 17 cities, with the systems to travel to 100 more.
Not to mention… this delightful newsletter, 2-3 new host applications per week, all of our socials finally popping off, and conversations underway with dream sponsors.
Letting go helped the walk spread like roots underground, into city after city, each one growing its own heartbeat.
So here’s a gentle reminder to loosen your grip, soften your jaw, drop your shoulders.
Let go, to let in.
Here's what happened because I finally did… 🧡
From our walking villages in 17 cities around the world:
Walk #208 in Austin. Four years ago, this was eight people and a tweet. Now, it's our 4th birthday. 🧡
Detroit walked this week, and welcomed a few new faces along the way.
Sacramento's crew, mostly returning walkers now getting to know each other on a deeper level. Only two new faces this week, and everyone else picked right back up where they left off. ☀️
Sacramento wrapped up the walk with mandarins on ice. Host Megan called it “soccer mom mode activated.” We call it the right kind of aftercare. 🍊
(Don’t see your city? We post the photos on Instagram or in each Meetup group after the walk. Otherwise this email would be longer than a CVS receipt.)
🏆 In Philadelphia, our hosts Stephanie and Brad sent us a selfie with rain coats and umbrellas, devoted to showing up no matter the weather. From regular attendees in Austin to stewards in Philly, one step at a time. 🧡
🏆 In Austin, a regular who calls himself “quiet by nature” shared how much the walk has helped him come out of his shell. By the end of the morning, we were already nudging him toward hosting. A future leader, planting himself.
🏆 In Sacramento, a self-described introvert subbed in as host while Megan was on vacation. Even after his bike got stolen (and then recovered) that same morning, he said he'd do it again in a heartbeat. The walk is a portal for growth. 🌱
One year ago, I let go of hosting the Austin walk.
The OG Walk, and the 8 AM Saturday ritual I'd hosted for three years and slowly built my whole identity around. For a month, I carried the decision like a smooth stone in my pocket, pulling it out, feeling my stomach flip, putting it back.
Then I loosened my grip. And everything expanded.
This is a piece from last October about what happens when you stop being the host and become the architect: the fear, the letting go, and the strange, wonderful thing that grows the moment you get out of its way.
This week on The Board Walks, people brought these topics:
"How do you connect with people when moving to a new city?"
"Are there any myths in your family?"
"What are some ways to sharpen your intuition, heart and gut versus brain?"
"Is life about learning or unlearning?"
"What will people do for fun in 10 years?"
Screenshot these. Steal with pride. Bring one to your next dinner party to shift the conversation from “meh” to marvelous.
Quick hits:
🎉 Share your favorite walk memory to celebrate our 4th birthday!
Fill out this quick reflection to make our team’s day.
Rambly voice notes are very welcome.
🌍 We're growing fast. If you've ever caught yourself thinking "I could bring this to my city," I'd gently point out: that thought is basically the application. Host with us →
🤝 Can you introduce us? We’ve had great conversations with potential sponsors lately, and we want to keep the momentum going! If you know someone who works at a brand on this list, we’d love an intro. See the list →
👀 Know someone who'd love this?! Forward them this email, or send them to our Meetup, where we're one of the fastest-growing groups on the whole platform. All we do is walk and talk. Go figure.
Some weeks you lead. Some weeks you let yourself be carried.
Saturday is a good place to be carried. No phone, no agenda, no one keeping score. Just a long walk and people who showed up for the same reason you did.
Come set the week down for a while.
Have a whimsical week,
Founder of The Board Walks
P.s. Is there something you've been gripping a little too tightly lately? Consider this your permission to loosen your hold on it, just enough to see what wants to come in. 🧡
