How the River Helped Me Become Myself with Rian Garn | Go Wildly Podcast

What does it mean to find your place in the world — and finally feel at home in yourself?In this episode of the Go Wildly Podcast, we float with river guide Rian Garn to talk about a life shaped by wild places, long river miles, and the deeply personal journey of becoming who you truly are.Rian grew up in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson, Arizona. After her first overnight canoe trip down the Gila River at 14, she was hooked. Over the next decade she chased river miles across the West — rowing trips through the Grand Canyon, Idaho, and Utah while building a deep love for moving water and the communities that form around it.Eventually a seasonal job at a remote lodge on Oregon’s Wild & Scenic Rogue River changed the course of her life into a career guiding river trips, running gear boats, and building a life around the river corridor. But this conversation goes far deeper than river guiding.Rian shares the story of coming home to the river — and coming out as her authentic self. We talk about her journey of transitioning, transforming, and transcending while building community within the river guiding world.We explore how outdoor spaces and guiding communities can become places of belonging — and how leaders in the outdoor industry can foster inclusive, supportive environments for queer and gender-nonconforming people.This episode is about wild rivers, resilience, identity, and the powerful feeling of finally meeting yourself in the places that shape you. Whether you're a boater, paddler, outdoor explorer, or simply someone who feels pulled toward wild places, this conversation explores the meaning of river life and the lessons water, and women, can teach us.In this episode we discuss• Growing up exploring the Sonoran Desert• First backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon• A first Grand Canyon rafting trip from hell• Discovering the Rogue River• Transitioning from lodge hand to professional river guide• The Lochsa River and Idaho river culture• Hormone Replacement Therapy• Building queer-inclusive outdoor communitiesAbout Go Wildly PodcastGo Wildly is a storytelling podcast based in Southern Oregon exploring outdoor culture, adventure, and the people whose lives are shaped by wild places. Each episode features guides, scientists, artists, and everyday locals who are building meaningful lives connected to the outdoors.Real people. Real stories. Wild places.If you love outdoor podcasts, rivers, community, or understanding the landscapes you move through — you’re in the right place.🎧 Follow Go WildlyYouTube: @gowildlypodcast Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypo...Instagram: @gowildlypodcast Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.comContact: [email protected]🌿 About Rian GarnRian Garn is a River guide who divides her seasons between the Rogue and Idaho, where she serves as the Lochsa River Area Manager for ROW Adventures. She also guides multi-day wilderness expeditions on legendary rivers like the Middle Fork of the Salmon. 🔗 Guest LinksInstagram: @queen_rian_loves_youROW Adventures: www.rowadventures.com/multi-day-rafting-trips🔥 Listener DiscountUse code GOWILDLY for $100 off any multi-day river trip with ROW Adventures in 2026 or 2027. Not valid in combination with any other discounts, offers, or promotions. Subject to availability and confirmed departures. No cash value. Valid on new reservations only.🛠 CreditsHosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly PodcastTheme Music: “Rainmaker” by Jared MastersKeywordsGo Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, river guide life, Rogue River rafting, Idaho river guiding, Lochsa River, Middle Fork Salmon River, whitewater rafting podcast, rafting culture, Grand Canyon rafting, outdoor adventure podcast, LGBTQ outdoor stories, queer outdoor community, inclusive outdoor culture, Oregon rivers, Idaho rivers, Rogue Valley podcast, wilderness storytelling podcast, place-based podcast