We had the good fortune of connecting with Irene Ogeto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Irene, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Being out in nature and hiking makes me happy. I truly love the outdoors. Hiking allows me to refresh and re-charge. When am outdoors, I feel free and filled with so much gratitude. Nature really is my therapy. The more I hike the more I’m reminded just how powerful nature is. As I get older, I pray that God will give me strength and continue to keep me in good health so that I can continue to venture out in nature.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a high school educator. Being a teacher is something that I always wanted to do. Everything has been so different with teaching the past two years due to Covid. Navigating online teaching, hybrid schedules, technology, social distancing, masks, etc. was challenging. Despite all the adjustments, I’m happy to have the opportunity to live a life of service in education. I love my job and making an impact in the classroom.

When I’m not in the classroom teaching math, I’m outdoors on an adventure. I got introduced to the outdoors through a camping trip I planned while I was in college. I left that trip knowing that I needed to make the outdoors a part of my daily life. Now more than ever, I am passionate about the outdoors. I love to hike. I love to go camping. I love to be surrounded by nature. Besides improving my physical health and wellness, I’ve learned so many life lessons from being outdoors. One thing I’ve learned through hiking up many mountains is that challenges in life come to make us stronger. Hiking up a mountain is so tough. It literally drains you. It reminds you of how small you really are. There have been so many times that I’ve considered calling it quits while hiking but something amazing happens when you reach the top. It’s that feeling you get when you accomplish something so difficult. Life is not easy. The challenges come and go. Some are easier to overcome than others. When I climb that mountain or when I wake up everyday at 5AM or when I decide to run a 10K or when I learn a new editing skill…. I keep pushing myself to take on the challenges because it’s in these challenges that I’m reminded of how strong I am. The challenges in life are what make me a wiser and stronger woman and I’m learning to embrace them. It is my hope that through my blog, Black Hiking Queen, I am able to educate and inspire others to experience nature and the profound effects it brings.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a friend was visiting Dallas, I would take them through all the amazing hiking spots that the DFW Metroplex has to offer. We would go hiking at the Cedar Ridge Preserve, Cedar Hill State Park and Arbor Hills Preserve. We would go canoeing at White Rock Lake and biking along the amazing Santa Fe Trail near White Rock Lake. We would get coffee at Fiction Coffee. We would stroll through the Bishop Art’s District and Deep Ellum area to eat at all the amazing restaurants Dallas has to offer. We would visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents deserve much credit and all the recognition because they are the reason I am alive today. My parents have always and continue to support me in all my outdoor adventures. They always encourage me to set high standards and remind me to never give up.

Website: blackhikingqueen.com

Instagram: @blackhikingqueen

Twitter: @blckhikingqueen

Facebook: Black Hiking Queen

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BlackHikingQueen

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.