Why "No Man's Land?"

So far, reviews for my memoir No Man’s Land: Unpacking One Woman’s Worth on the Colorado Trail have been powerful.

One huge lesson learned: I totally underestimated male readers and how much my story might connect with them. Despite the title, countless men have taken a deep dive into this female-forward memoir with open minds and hearts, and have offered nothing but support.

So, why did I choose the title No Man’s Land?

The term refers to a stretch of terrain between opposing forces—unknown, exposed, and dangerous. It’s the landscape between what we know and what we have yet to discover.

For me, navigating the landscape of the Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango mirrored the difficult, unknown journey between despair and healing—an internal battle between who I had been and who I could become. It was where I confronted the hidden enemies of depression, suppressed trauma, and the impossible weight of expectations that so many women carry. It was also where I finally learned how to lighten my heavy load to survive.

Again, despite the title, this is not a book against men. Some of my favorite people, past and present, are men. But like nearly all women, I needed to step away from their voices for a while—and my tendency to put their needs above my own—so I could take care of myself.