OVERVIEW

 

Scroll through this guide at your own pace... it has all the juicy details!

 

Each section covers a different part of The Board Walks experience:

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1. About Our Walks

2. The Golden Rule

3. What to Expect (From Start to Finish)

4. FAQs

5. What to Bring

6. Tips to Ace The Walk

7. Advice From Regulars

8. Real Talk: A Final Word

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Let's dive in...​​​​​​​​​​​

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​ABOUT OUR WALKS

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Before we get into the logistics, let's talk about what you're actually walking into.

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This isn't a casual event where you chat about the weather or make small talk with strangers. 

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This is where real conversations happen.

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The kind that make you lose track of time. The kind where you explore ideas, not resumés. The kind where someone asks "What's been on your mind lately?" and you actually tell them the truth.

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The Board Walks is:

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• A long walk for meaningful conversation – everyone brings a topic!

• A community of intentional humans who are curious, kind, and open-minded

• A recurring ritual to be present and reconnect with who you really are

• A portal for engineered serendipity and "I can't believe that happened!" moments

 

What it's not:

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• A casual walk or fitness event

• A standard networking event where people collect LinkedIn connections like Pokemon cards

• A place where "What do you do?" is the main question​

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We're here to explore ideas, ask big questions, and genuinely connect with people we'd probably never meet otherwise. Engineers and artists. Teachers and entrepreneurs. 22-year-olds and 67-year-olds. 

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People from all walks of life who share one thing: genuine curiosity.

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That's the magic. And once you experience it, you'll understand why people come back week after week – sometimes for years.

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THE GOLDEN RULE

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Bring the energy you want to receive.

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Want deep conversations? Ask deep questions. Want to feel heard? Listen first. Want people to be curious about you? Be curious about them.

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The walks are a mirror. What you give is what you get.

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Notice the energy you're bringing (before, during, after):

• Am I asking questions or waiting for my turn to talk?

• Am I fully here or thinking about what's next?

• Am I sharing the conversation or dominating it?

• Am I bringing lightness or heaviness?

 

I've seen this play out thousands of times while hosting 150+ walks in Austin. When you take responsibility for your energy, everything shifts. The conversation gets better. The connection deepens. The walk transforms.

 

Ask yourself before you arrive: What energy do I want to receive today? 

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Then bring that.

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WHAT TO EXPECT 

 

BEFORE THE WALK

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Arrive at the meeting spot a few minutes early. You'll see a group gathering — look for people who seem friendly and maybe slightly groggy (it's Saturday morning, after all). That's us.

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Your walk host will be easy to spot. They're the ones greeting everyone, probably holding their phone with the check-in page open, and radiating "I'm so glad you're here" energy.

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✨ What to do when you arrive:

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1. Introduce yourself to the host

2. Show them your RSVP to check in (RSVP is required – it helps us plan)

3. Let them know it's your first time (they'll make sure you feel welcome)

4. Grab some water or head to the restroom if you need

5. Take a breath and remind yourself: everyone here is curious, kind, and open-minded. Including you.

 

Pro tip: You won't be the only first-timer. Most walks have multiple new people. You're in good company.

 

OPENING CIRCLE (20 MINS)

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✨ What happens:

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The host gathers everyone in a circle. Don't worry – nothing too crazy. This is how we get everyone on the same page and share topics.

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The host will:

1. Welcome everyone and set the tone

2. Explain the Ground Rules so you know how to thrive on the walk (read them here)

3. Ask everyone to share: their name, what they're grateful for, and their topic

 

✨ Your turn:

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You'll share those 3 things for 60 seconds. That's it. Keep it simple. You don't need to explain your topic in detail — that's what the walk is for.

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Examples:

• "I'm Cameron, I'm grateful to be here for my third walk and feel uplifted by these conversations, and my topic is: What would you do if money wasn't a factor?"

• "I'm Sarah, I'm grateful for all the friendly people who showed up today, and I want to talk about how to know when it's time to quit your job."

• "I'm Marcus, I'm grateful for my parents who are visiting right now, and I'm curious about the relationship between ambition and intuition."

• "I'm Jess, I'm grateful for this warm cup of coffee in my hand, and I want to explore the concept of 'home' and what it means."

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See? No pressure. Just share the thing you're curious about.

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✨ What if I don't prepare a topic?

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Please prepare a topic. It's your ticket to the event; and we find that people who don't bring a topic have a harder time connecting on the walk itself.

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Many people enter new conversations by asking "What was your topic today?", so if you don't have one, it makes things awkward.

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When all else fails, choose something you love so much you could talk about it for 2 hours. 

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Or pick from one of these:

• A question you're curious to explore

• A rabbit hole you've fallen down lately

• An obsession you want to geek out about

• A recent "aha!" moment that shifted your perspective

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The more "alive" your topic, the better the walk feels.

 

THE WALK BEGINS (2 HR)​

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✨ How it works:

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After the opening circle is complete, the host will say something like "Okay, it's time to walk!" and the group starts moving.

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Follow your intuition. Find someone whose topic or energy stands out to you. Break the ice by saying "What was your topic today?" or "I loved your topic. What made you bring it?"

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Here's the beautiful part: it's totally organic and unguided. There's no assigned groups or structured activities. You just start walking and naturally fall into conversation.

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Some people's ears perk up at certain topics during the circle, and they make it a point to talk to that person. Other people surrender to the flow and talk to whoever is near them. Both approaches are perfect.

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✨ The pace:

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We walk at a conversational pace — fast enough to get your steps in, but slow enough that you can actually talk. Think "brisk walk" not "power walk."

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We try to keep the group together so it's easier to float in and out of conversations.

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Note: If you have limited mobility and can't sustain a walking pace of about 20 min/mile, this event unfortunately isn't a good fit. It's designed for the group to walk in unison.

 

DURING THE WALK

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✨ How conversations work:

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You'll start walking with someone (or a small group of 2-4 people) and naturally fall into conversation. Maybe you were both intrigued by each other's topics. Maybe you happened to be standing next to each other when the walk started.

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Either way, you'll start talking. And here's what makes these walks special: people actually want to go deep.

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No one's asking "What do you do?" or "Where are you from?" on loop like at standard networking events (unless it's genuinely relevant to the conversation). We're diving straight into the good stuff.

 

✨ What makes a good conversation topic?

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The best topics are ones you're genuinely curious about.

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Topics that create magic:

• Questions you're actively exploring ("How do you know when to trust your intuition?")

• Recent realizations that shifted your perspective ("I realized I've been optimizing for the wrong thing...")

• Ideas or concepts that fascinate you ("I've been thinking about 'twin flames'...")

• Things you're trying to understand better ("What does it mean to be ambitious without burning out?")

• Rabbit holes you've fallen down ("I've been obsessed with the science of habit formation...")

 

Topics that tend to fall flat:

• Chronic venting about work, relationships, or people who aren't there to defend themselves

• Consistently looking for free advice, emotional processing, or validation

• Complaining without curiosity or openness to other perspectives

• Graphic details about difficult personal situations that might make others uncomfortable

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The difference? Curiosity vs. venting. One opens up possibility and invites exploration. The other closes the conversation down.

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If you catch yourself sharing something heavy and notice people getting quiet or their energy shifting, pause. Take a breath. Ask a question instead. The conversation will find its flow.

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✨ What if the conversation isn't clicking?

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Here's your get-out-of-jail-free card: you can leave any conversation, any time, for any reason.

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Our founder Elle coined the phrase: "I'm going to float away now!"

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If that resonates, steal it with pride. Or you can say something like:

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• "This has been great! I'm gonna go chat with someone else."

• "Thanks for this conversation. I really appreciate what you shared. I'm gonna catch up with that group ahead."

• "I want to hear more about [that other person's topic]. See you later!"

• "I have a goal of talking to 5 people today. I'm going to float into another group!"

 

No explanation needed. That's literally the culture. It's in the Ground Rules speech at the very beginning, so everyone understands. People do this all the time, and no one takes it personally.

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✨ What if I want to stay with one person the whole walk?

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Also totally fine! Some people talk to 5+ people. Some go deep with just one or two. Both are perfect. If the conversation is electric, stick with it.

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✨ A quick note on conversation flow:

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The best conversations are a two-way exchange — like jazz, not a solo act.

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If you've been talking for more than a few minutes without asking a question or inviting someone else to share? Pause. Check in. Make space.

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Great questions to keep in your back pocket:

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• "Wait, can you say more about that?"

• "How did that change your perspective?"

• "What made you start thinking about this?"

• "Have you always felt that way?"

• "What's been lighting you up lately?"

 

These will breathe new life into any conversation.

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✨ What about people who are quiet?

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Not everyone shows up super chatty or outgoing. Not everyone wants to dive deep on the same things you do. And that's okay. Honor where people are.

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Some people show up to talk. Some show up to listen. Some show up to simply be present. All of it is valid.

 

You won't click with everyone, and that's completely normal. Some conversations will be electric. Others might feel like a mismatch. Both are part of the experience.

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The beauty of the walks is that you can float into new conversations anytime. No hard feelings. Just curiosity about who you'll connect with next.

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✨ Bathroom or water breaks?

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We only have one "break point" where we take a group photo. This also allows the group to shuffle and reform conversations naturally.

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There are no official bathroom breaks, but there are spots along the route where you can find public restrooms and rejoin the group afterwards.

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Pro tip: If it's your first time, we recommend using the restroom right before the walk and keeping it light on liquids so you can enjoy the event stress-free.

 

THE END (15 MIN)

 

✨ What happens:

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As the walk winds down, the group naturally reconvenes at the ending point (usually where you started).

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The host might:

• Thank everyone for coming

• Ask what you talked about or if anything remarkable happened (please submit a testimonial if so!)

• Remind people about next week's walk

• Invite people to a post-walk hang if they're feeling it that day

 

✨ Post-walk hangs:

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After the official walk ends, some people grab coffee, breakfast, or just hang out for another 20-60 minutes. This is totally optional and doesn't happen every time, but it's a great way to continue conversations or connect with people you didn't get to talk to during the walk.

 

YOUR FAQs

 

"What if I'm an introvert?"

 

Perfect. So are half our walkers (including our founder!). The walks are actually ideal for introverts because:

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• There's a built-in activity (walking) so it's not just sitting and staring at each other

• You can control how much you engage by choosing who to walk with

• The topics give you something concrete to talk about (no draining small talk required)

• You can leave conversations whenever you need space or new energy

 

Many of our regulars are introverts who say these walks have transformed their social confidence.

 

"What if I don't click with anyone?"

 

Statistically unlikely if you resonate with the walk's ethos, but let's say it happens.

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Here's what to do:

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• Try talking to different people (remember, you can change up conversations freely)

• Focus on listening and asking questions

• Come back next week — the group changes every time, so you might click with a completely different set of people

 

That said, most people find at least 1-2 people they really connect with on their first walk, even if it goes no further than a lovely conversation that expands your heart or mind.

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Here's the truth: There's no pressure to leave with someone's contact info. If it happens, it happens. But getting your steps in before noon with a bunch of curious people is a guaranteed vibe booster, no matter what. You literally can't lose with the walk. That's why we love it.

 

"What if my topic is stupid/boring/not deep enough?"

 

First: it's probably not. If you’re even worried about this, you’re going to fit in because you care.

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Second: the beauty of these walks is that ANY topic can go deep if the right people are curious about it.

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We've had incredible conversations about:

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• How to make the perfect scrambled eggs (turned into a discussion about perfectionism and control)

• Whether hot dogs are sandwiches (turned into a philosophical exploration of categories and definitions)

• The logistics of moving apartments (turned into a conversation about transitions and letting go)

 

Bring whatever's genuinely on your mind. Trust that someone will be interested. As long as you have good intentions and genuine curiosity, it will work out.

 

"What if I can't think of anything to say?"

 

Then ask questions. The best conversations happen when someone asks:

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• "Wait, can you say more about that?"

• "How did that change your perspective?"

• "What made you start thinking about this?"

• "Have you always felt that way?"

• "What's something that's been on your mind recently?"

 

You don't have to be brilliant or witty. Just be curious. That's the whole game.

 

"Will I be the only new person?"

 

Nope.

 

Most walks have several first-timers. And even if you were (which you won't be), everyone remembers being new. Our community is incredibly welcoming.

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"What if I'm way older/younger than everyone else?"

 

Our walkers range from early 20s to late 60s (and sometimes beyond). The diversity is actually part of what makes the walks special: you'll have conversations with people you'd never meet in your normal social circles.

 

A 25-year-old and a 55-year-old talking about career transitions? A recent grad and a retiree discussing what "alignment" means? These are some of our best conversations. 

 

Curiosity has no age limit.

 

"What if someone makes me uncomfortable?"

 

First, you can leave the conversation. Just say "I'm going to catch up with another group" and move on. No explanation needed.

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If the behavior is more serious (i.e. violating Ground Rules), let the host know or fill out this form. We take community management seriously and we will handle it.

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The vast majority of walks feel positive and uplifting. But humanity is a mixed bag of jellybeans, and some flavors are sour. If something feels off, speak up. We've got your back.

 

"Do I have to exchange contact info with people?"

 

Absolutely not. There's zero pressure to exchange contact info, social media, or anything else.

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Some people naturally connect and want to stay in touch. Great! Others prefer to keep the walks as a sacred Saturday morning ritual without extending it into their regular life. Also great! 

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(For example: our founder never asked anyone for their contact info across 3 years of hosting. If someone asks, you can simply say “I don’t give out my contact information.”)

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Do whatever feels right for you. The walks are valuable whether or not you make plans outside of them.

 

"What if it rains/snows/is freezing?"

 

We walk in almost all weather (unless it's dangerous). The host will let you know if a walk is canceled due to weather, but honestly, some of the best walks happen in less-than-perfect conditions. There's something bonding about walking in the rain together.

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Dress appropriately and bring an umbrella if needed.

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Fun fact: One time in Austin, over 80 people showed up to walk in a hail storm, and it became one of the most iconic walk memories that people still talk about to this day.

 

"Can I bring a friend?"

 

Yes! But make sure they RSVP too.

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Important: So many times, people bring a friend and that friend panics after finding out they need to bring a topic. Don't put your friend on the spot! Send them the event link ahead of time so they can come prepared and set up for success.

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And here's a tip: don't stick to your friend the entire walk. Part of the magic is meeting new people. Split up, have your own conversations, and reconnect afterward to share stories about who you met and what you talked about.

 

"What if I'm not in good shape?"

 

We walk at a conversational pace, not a fitness pace. If you can walk 5 miles over 2 hours (that's about 20 min/mile), you're good. Most people do this without even thinking about it.

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And remember — the group spreads out slightly. Some walkers are a bit slower, some a bit faster. You'll naturally find people walking at your pace.

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Note: We don't recommend this event for people with limited mobility. It's designed for the group to walk in unison so people can "float" in and out of conversations.

 

"What if I need to leave early?"

 

We prefer that everyone stays for the entire event, especially if it's your first time (the magic really kicks in around mile 3).

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If you need to leave early, let your host know at the beginning. We recommend peeling off after we take the group photo, because it's a natural break and doesn't disrupt the group's flow.

 

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WHAT TO BRING

 

Required:

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• Yourself

• One thoughtful topic (this is your ticket!)

• An open mind

• Your RSVP confirmation

 

Recommended:

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• Water bottle

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Weather-appropriate clothing

• Sunglasses/sunscreen (if it's sunny)

• Your phone (for emergencies, but you won't use it during the walk)

 

Not needed:

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• Notes or prep materials

• Business cards

• Your impressive credentials

• The most profound topic that will blow everyone's mind

 

ACE THE WALK

 

Before you arrive:

 

✅ Think of one topic you're genuinely curious about (doesn't have to be earth-shattering) 

✅ Get a good night's sleep and aim for ample hydration the day before 

✅ Eat a light breakfast – our favorite is a banana with peanut butter

✅ Arrive 5 minutes early 

✅ Use the restroom before the walk starts 

✅ Read the Ground Rules so you know what to expect

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During the walk:

 

✅ Introduce yourself to people you don't know 

✅ Ask questions when you're curious 

✅ Be honest if you don't know something 

✅ It's okay to be quiet sometimes – you don't have to fill every silence 

✅ Try talking to at least 2-3 different people 

✅ Leave your phone in your pocket during the walk 

✅ Notice when you've been talking for a while without asking questions (then ask one!) 

✅ Check in with yourself if you sense the energy shifting and course-correct with curiosity

 

What NOT to do:

 

❌ Don't pitch, sell, or promote anything 

❌ Don't monopolize conversations — share the mic 

❌ Don't make it romantic (save that energy for literally anywhere else) 

❌ Don't feel like you need to have all the answers; curiosity is more valuable than certainty

 

ADVICE FROM REGULARS

 

From people who want to see you win:

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"I wish I'd known how welcoming everyone would be. I was so nervous, but within 10 minutes I felt completely at ease." — Laura, NYC

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"I wish I'd known I could leave conversations without it being weird. I spent the first half of the walk with one person who wasn't a great fit, but I didn't know I could just... move on. Once I learned that, the walk got way better." — Marcus, Austin

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"I wish I'd known that my 'boring' topic about organizing my closet would lead to an hour-long conversation about minimalism, identity, and who we're trying to impress. Just bring whatever's on your mind." — Jess, SF

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"I wish I'd known that being an introvert wouldn't be a problem. The walking actually makes it easier. You're not making eye contact the whole time, and you can take breaks by just walking quietly for a bit." — Lin, Columbus

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"I wish I'd known how quickly two hours would fly by. I thought 5 miles sounded exhausting. Instead, I looked at my watch and couldn't believe it was over." — Arth, Austin

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"I wish I'd known to bring a topic that I was actually curious about, not one I thought would make me sound smart. The moment I stopped performing and started genuinely exploring, everything clicked." — Jordan, Denver

 

REAL TALK

 

We won't promise that your first walk will be perfect, that you'll find a best friend, or that it will completely change your life in 2 hours.

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(Though it does happen. We've seen people meet their closest friends, find their business partners, discover their next career move, and have breakthrough realizations that shift everything.)

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But here's what we will tell you: it will probably be better than you expect.

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Most people show up nervous and leave thinking "When can I come back?"

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Because once you experience what it feels like to:

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• Have a real conversation with a stranger

• Drop the social performance and just be curious

• Tuck your phone in your pocket and be fully present

• Walk 5 miles and barely notice because you're so engaged

• Leave feeling more connected to yourself and others

 

... You'll understand why people keep coming back. Week after week. Sometimes over 100 times.

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Your first walk might feel a little awkward at first. That's okay. That's growth. That's by design. This walk is built for productive discomfort — those "off" moments show us where we need to grow.

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But by mile 3? You'll probably forget you were ever nervous.

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And by the end? You'll be planning to come back next week.​​

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See you on the trail,

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Elle Beecher, founder of The Board Walks