EP 523- Ripples of Change: Kayaker Haley Stuart’s Advocacy for Rivers and Indigenous Communities (replay of EP 493)

In episode 523 of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, I'm talking with Haley Stuart, filmmaker, environmentalist, and whitewater instructor. Haley joins us to discuss her work protecting rivers, collaborating with communities across the Americas, and raising awareness about mega hydroelectric impacts. Her journey inspires meaningful action for lasting environmental change.

Show Notes

What if I told you that rivers could teach us more about life than a self-help book ever could?

What Happened:

When Haley Stuart first dipped her paddle into a river, she wasn’t chasing adrenaline—she was running headfirst into her fears. Growing up in suburban New York, she didn’t even know kayaking was a sport. It wasn’t until she attended a kayaking-focused high school (yes, those exist!) that she realized rivers weren’t just a setting for adventures—they were life itself, rushing and relentless, filled with twists, turns, and lessons.

At first, the sport terrified her. But over time, the pull of the water and the tight-knit community of paddlers won her over. What started as a hesitant curiosity turned into an unshakable passion. Traveling the world, Haley discovered the hard truth: many of the rivers she loved were under threat—from dams, mining, and neglect. She couldn’t sit by and watch them disappear.

That’s when everything changed.

She met indigenous communities who lived alongside these rivers, fighting daily battles to protect what had sustained them for generations. Haley realized something profound: saving rivers wasn’t just about ecology—it was about people, too. And through her work, she’s helping amplify their voices, blending storytelling, conservation, and sheer grit to make an impact.

Principle:

The heart of Haley’s story? Real change starts when we listen. Listen to the rivers, the people who live near them, and the truth about what’s really happening in the world’s wildest places. Many of us dream of adventure, but few think about what happens when those landscapes are lost.

It’s not enough to explore the outdoors—we need to protect it.

Transition:

Too often, we underestimate the power of our choices—what we support, what we fight for, or even where we decide to paddle. We think, "Someone else will handle it," or "What difference can I make?" But here’s the truth: you matter more than you think.

Haley’s work reminds us that our adventures and the decisions we make along the way can transform the fate of entire ecosystems and the communities they sustain.

That’s Why:

That’s why this week’s episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast is a must-listen. Haley’s journey from nervous kayaker to river conservationist will inspire you to think differently about the waterways we all rely on—and how you can play a role in preserving them.

Call to Action:

Are you ready to discover the adventure, responsibility, and heart that comes with loving rivers? Tune in to hear Haley’s story. Don’t just explore the outdoors—help protect it for the next generation.

Amazonian Rivers Initiative

Rios to Rivers

Tuichi River

Paddle Tribal Waters & Kayakimün

👉 Click here to listen now!

The Women Behind Still River, Silent Jungle

TEDx talk by Hayley: Dammed if We Do: A Closer Look at the Dangers of Mega Hydro

Amazonian River Allies Bolivia (ARA Bolivia)

Follow up with Hayley here: hayley.stuart@riostorivers.org