Entrusting mind body and spirit to the elements

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The WOW gals

 Yvonne Dean - Publisher & 'Experienced One'

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The seed for this magazine was planted after our first BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman), a terrific women’s weekend full of adventure, camaraderie, mishaps and laughter, put on by the BC Wildlife Federation. The idea lay dormant, but always quietly brewing in the background, until the day I quit my job as a graphic designer at the local newspaper. I expressed this germ of an idea to Livia, my outdoors companion, who immediately blurted out, “I’ve always thought we should do that!” And so, ‘Women’s Outdoor World’ was born, a venue where we could combine our respective talents, experience and passion for the outdoors. We studied and researched until our heads were swimming with ideas and figures. We met over coffees and machiaddos until we outgrew the local coffee shop. This endeavour has survived baseball tournaments, Legion conventions, holidays, grandchildren, weddings and busy lives. Some of the vacations you will hear about, whether fishing in the tropics or icefishing, backroad adventures and misadventures, or venturing into BC’s great unknown wild country. I hope that relating some of my favourite experiences will inspire women to embrace the outdoors for themselves. In the process, I have met many women who share my enthusiasm for the outdoors, and you will read their stories. There are many more women who want to make the outdoors part of their lives, but aren’t sure where to start. Women’s Outdoor World will provide information to the novice outdoorswoman, as well as offer some new experiences to the more seasoned adventurer. Livia and I are pleased to bring this magazine to you. We hope it will inspire you to embrace the outdoors, in whatever manner you choose. Let the outdoors fill you with wonder, let it energize and enthuse you, and above all, may you find the peace and serenity that it possesses, if you will just let it teach you its lessons. Yvonne Dean

 Livia Mior         Oversee'er of stuff            

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Growing up in a satellite city just outside Canada’s biggest metropolis is not necessarily where one would expect to find one of the founders of a magazine dedicated to bringing the experiences of the great outdoors to women. Born in Brampton Ontario, it was not long after she learned to walk that physical activity became a passion in her life. Neighbors with a view into her backyard as a child were amazed at the time she used to spend in the pool each day (which led to her having to endure the nickname ‘Fish’ for many years). Becoming amphibious only when other more thrill-seeking activities presented themselves led to Livia’s involvement in many sports by the time she entered high school. Whether as a member of a school sports team, or one of the many community sports she participated in over the years, she has always been a promoter of an active lifestyle for women and their right to enjoy this lifestyle equal to their male counterparts. Even those sports reserved for “boys only’ did not escape her participation. If she could not compete on the field she looked to contribute in other ways and became a coach, fan and even yes a cheerleader for many years. Livia sought to continue her love of sports and the outdoors by moving to British Columbia in 1992. Already a devoted skier, Livia soon fell in love with the Vancouver winters and also came to appreciate what each of its other seasons had to offer. Whether rollerblading the seawall, hiking Golden Ears, mountain biking in Whistler or surfing in Tofino, Livia is passionate about them all. This passion has only increased with Livia’s tenure in Vancouver and her marriage to her husband Mike, another avid outdoor enthusiast, allowing them both to continue to experience many new outdoor adventures together. Whether it is weekend hunting getaways, annual fishing expeditions or family boating trips, Livia continues to be fascinated with what all the world has to offer and actively encourages her two girls, now eight and ten, to enjoy these experiences to their fullest. Wanting to enhance the lifestyle of women everywhere, Livia is dedicated to bringing the most up to date, educational, and entertaining information to her readership.