In 2012, Aubri Drake took their first step into endurance sports. A work conference far from home had Aubri, a transgender individual who had just started their gender transition, feeling isolated, hopeless, and suicidal due to multiple negative experiences around their gender presentation. “I was stuck at the hotel for another two days, and the stress was suffocating,” Aubri recalls. With no access to green spaces and after walking around the unfamiliar city only heightening their distress, Aubri found themselves on a hotel treadmill, pushing their limits by running a 5K at full speed. Those first steps on the treadmill would start the journey of an endurance athlete.
“I didn’t grow up hiking or spending time outdoors. At the time, running was excruciating for me, and I was in such a bad mental place that I hoped it might kill me,” Aubri shares. But the run didn’t kill them—instead, it sparked a transformation. Running became a way for Aubri to process the overwhelming stress of their work and gender-related challenges.
When they returned home, Aubri canceled their gym membership, finding that no local gym could provide a safe place to change. Instead, they took their newfound passion outdoors, braving the elements and finding solace in nature. What started as a way to cope with stress soon became a transformative journey of self-discovery and adventure.
Backpacking the Appalachian Trail: Pushing Beyond Limits
In September 2013, Aubri made a bold decision that would forever change their life. With no prior backpacking experience, they embarked on a solo 92-mile trek across the Massachusetts portion of the Appalachian Trail over four days. “I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Aubri admits. “I had never hiked more than eight miles in a day, and I thought I could walk three miles per hour for eight hours a day. What I didn’t know was how difficult it would be, but I also didn’t know how to quit.”
This adventure was no easy feat. Aubri endured blisters, chafing, and even hypothermia, crying every day of the hike. But they pushed through. “On the last day, as I stood on the final mountain peak, I looked back and saw the first mountain I’d climbed 75 miles away. I felt a sense of awe and magic. I walked all that way, carrying only what I needed on my back.”
That solo backpacking trip was a turning point for Aubri. It not only gave them a sense of accomplishment but also set the stage for future adventures. From that moment on, they were hooked on outdoor endurance sports. Running and hiking became an integral part of their life, pushing them to go further, faster, and deeper into self-discovery.
The Power of Endurance: Why Aubri Keeps Going
Since that pivotal 2013 trek, Aubri has tackled some of the most challenging endurance feats. They’ve thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, completed numerous ultramarathons, and set over 20 Fastest Known Times (FKTs). But what keeps Aubri coming back to these grueling challenges?
“I feel most like myself when I’m outside,” Aubri says. “Being outdoors makes me feel free and accepted in a way that I rarely experience in the human world. Nature doesn’t judge me for being transgender; it just lets me exist.” This feeling of belonging and acceptance has been a constant motivation for Aubri to continue exploring the outdoors.
Aubri’s achievements also serve as a beacon of inspiration for other transgender and nonbinary athletes. “One of the most prevalent messages we hear is that queer and transgender people are ‘unnatural.’ But spending time outdoors reminds me that I am perfect, I am natural, and I am exactly who I’m meant to be,” Aubri reflects. This realization fuels their drive to continue pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes.
Lessons for Transgender Athletes: What Aubri Hopes to Teach Others
Aubri’s journey isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about paving the way for others. Through their adventures, Aubri has connected with hundreds of other LGBTQ+ athletes, from hikers and runners to cyclists and endurance adventurers. “What I’ve learned is that none of us are truly alone,” Aubri says. “We’re surrounded by so many queer and transgender people who came before us, and there are many more who will follow.”
Aubri hopes their story will inspire other transgender endurance athletes to embrace their identities and pursue the journey that will challenge the physical and mental limits they once thought impossible. “I want to show people that they can take up space and be unapologetically themselves. Endurance sports are just another way for us to push through the pain and thrive.”
Aubri’s Advice to New Endurance Athletes
For those just starting their endurance journey, Aubri offers some simple, heartfelt advice: “Find something you love and dig into the process. Enjoy the journey rather than focusing solely on the destination.” Aubri encourages athletes to build a supportive community around their passion. “Find people who love doing the same thing at your speed. Friends make everything better.”
They also caution against getting caught up in what others are doing. “Don’t get distracted by shiny races or other people’s goals. Stay true to why you started in the first place—because it brings you joy.”
The Future of Aubri’s Endurance Journey
Today, Aubri continues to thrive as a leader in the endurance sports community. They’ve completed major long-distance trails, set FKTs, and even dabbled in road running with a 5K PR of 22:15. Their writing has been featured in various publications (like Treeline Review), and they are proud of the role model they’ve become for others in the transgender and LGBQ+ communities.
Looking back on their journey, Aubri is most proud of simply surviving and thriving in a world that often tells them they shouldn’t exist. “As a teenager, I never thought I’d live past 25. Now, I’m in my late 30s, and I’m so proud to be a possibility model for others. I’ve become the person I needed to see when I was younger.”
Through their continued adventures, Aubri hopes to inspire everyone, not just transgender endurance athletes, to embrace these sports and the journey. They want to let others know that it is not just for the physical challenges but for the mental and emotional growth sport fosters.