What happens when naturism becomes more than being naked and opens the door to art, creativity, movement, and community?

In this episode of Hiking Without a Stitch, I’m joined by Isla, also known as Naturista Isla, to talk about her journey into naturism, her experiences as a nude art model, life in a clothing-optional community, and her work organizing the AcroNatural Festival at Lake Como Family Nudist Resort in Florida.

Isla shares how a life-drawing session in 2023 introduced her to art modeling and led to new experiences, friendships, and a deeper appreciation for body acceptance. We talk about what everyday life looks like in a nudist community, from gardening and walking her dog to potlucks, bonfires, and finding connection with people from different backgrounds.

We also discuss AcroNatural, an event bringing together naturism, acro yoga, circus arts, dance, meditation, music, and other creative activities. Isla shares her vision for creating a welcoming space where people can try something new, connect with others, and feel comfortable showing up as themselves, regardless of age, experience, or whether they arrive alone or with a partner.

Throughout our conversation, we explore body confidence, overcoming the fear of being judged, and the importance of respecting and protecting the clothing-optional spaces that allow these communities to thrive.

Naturism can be about so much more than taking your clothes off. It can be about friendship, self-acceptance, creativity, and discovering that you have more in common with others than you might expect.

AcroNatural Festival

Join Isla and the Lake Como community for AcroNatural, a festival celebrating naturism, movement, creative expression, and connection.

Featured activities include:

• Circus and flow arts workshops
• Latin dance lesson and social
• Fire handling and fire dancing
• Acro yoga
• Dragon staff and poi
• Aerial hammocks
• Drum circle
• Nature walks
• Silk fan dancing and poetry
• Hypnotic meditation
• Morning yoga and sound bath
• Talent show
• UV body painting
• Glow dance party

Registration details

• Online registration: $100
• Online registration period: October 8–November 4
• Online registration closes: November 4
• Tickets may still be purchased in person after online registration closes.

Location:

Lake Como Family Nudist Resort
20500 Cot Road
Lutz, FL 33558

Festival registration:
https://lakecomonaturally.com/acro/

Additional registration form:
https://form.jotform.com/lakecomonaturally/acro-g?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv4&fbclid=PAVERFWAVPdj5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAmZkaWQWURPk7ktNk16c7xXy6TJ4B57EjNmfTHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp68xOpjabCEICpLhvI_Lk6s6jifj_2dygv7Tohae43qq0fPUV-hLtF2F3tFg_aem_gzEmEKw8uOBOLqxbNyGFkQ

Connect with Isla and AcroNatural

• Isla / Naturista Isla: Instagram @naturistaisla
• Lake Como Community Life Drawing: Instagram @lakecomocommunitylifedrawing
• AcroNatural Festival: Instagram @acronaturalfestival

Join us for an honest conversation about finding your people, stepping outside your comfort zone, and building a community where everyone has room to be themselves.

Thanks for listening to Hiking Without a Stitch.

Get NAKED + Be Free + Be Kind

Follow the journey on Instagram: @HikingWithoutAStitch

Nudity is just the beginning. In this episode of Hiking Without a Stitch, Jon sits down with Captain Amy, joining from her colorful canal boat, to talk about naturism, body confidence, emotional regulation, and learning to live with intention.

Amy shares her journey toward feeling more comfortable in her own skin, along with practical ways to navigate difficult emotions, set boundaries, and shift your mindset toward what you want out of life.

We talk about stepping outside your comfort zone, the differences between naturism in the UK and Arizona, and some of Amy’s unique experiences, including naked fire performances and watching the sunrise at Glastonbury Tor.

Amy also shares her work creating welcoming, clothing-optional communities, including Bare Bun Boaty, Nudeventurous Camp, and the Naturally Curious Women panel. We discuss her podcast, Get Royally Unfucked, and her Body Confidence Upgrade challenge.

This conversation is about more than nudity. It’s about self-trust, communication, personal growth, and finding the freedom to be yourself.

Connect with Captain Amy:

• Website: https://barebumboaty.com
• Instagram / TikTok / Facebook: @barebumboaty
• YouTube / Instagram: @nudeventurous

Get NAKED + Be Free + Be Kind

Follow the journey on Instagram: @HikingWithoutAStitch

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my friend Julian to talk about how he got into naturism and what it’s been like finding community along the way.

Julian and I have hiked naked and spent time together in nature here in Arizona, so this is a pretty personal conversation. We talk about his first experiences, his wife’s part in his journey, and how social media and mutual connections helped him meet other people interested in non-sexual nudity.

We also get into something I think is really important: how do you meet people safely when you’re getting into this? Julian shares what he’s learned about setting boundaries, getting to know people beforehand, meeting in comfortable environments, and making sure everyone is on the same page.

And we talk about one of his more unique experiences—traveling to Australia with his wife and taking part in a clothing-optional afternoon boat trip.

This conversation is about getting more comfortable with yourself, finding community, trying new things, and learning how to do it in a way that feels right for you.

If you’ve been curious about naturism or meeting other people who enjoy non-sexual nudity, I hope Julian’s story gives you something to think about.

SHOW NOTES

Mira Vista Resort — Tucson, Arizona
Mira Vista is a clothing-optional resort in the Tucson area where Julian and I recorded this conversation. Their website has information about day visits, accommodations, events, and the resort’s policies.

Mira Vista Resort

A reminder about meeting people:
If you’re meeting someone new through social media or online, take your time. Talk beforehand, make sure you’re looking for the same kind of experience, set your boundaries, meet somewhere you’re comfortable, let someone you trust know where you’ll be, and make sure you have your own way home. And as always, do what you’re comfortable with.

Thanks for listening to Hiking Without a Stitch.

Get NAKED + Be Free + Be Kind

Follow the journey on Instagram: @HikingWithoutAStitch

What does it actually feel like to show up for your first naked 5K? And what makes an event like the Bear Buns Desert Run at Shangri-La Ranch feel less intimidating and more like a welcoming community experience?

In this episode of Hiking Without a Stitch, I sit down with my wife, Olivia, to talk about our experience attending the Bear Buns Desert Run last year at Shangri-La Ranch in New River, Arizona.

I was excited about the idea of running the race naked, but I also wanted to see what the experience would be like for Olivia, who had some nerves and uncertainty about stepping into this side of the naturist world. We talk about what we were expecting going into it, what it was actually like once we got there, and whether it was as awkward as she thought it might be.

I also sit down with Cyndi, the owner of Shangri-La Ranch, who’s very involved in the daily operations of the resort. Cyndi gives me an inside look at the ranch, its history, the community there, and how the Bear Buns Desert Run came to be.

Shangri-La Ranch is a clothing-optional naturist resort and residential community established in 1959 and nestled in the Sonoran Desert foothills of New River, Arizona. Cyndi shares what goes into running a place like this, how the community has grown, and what makes events like the Bear Buns Desert Run such a great opportunity for people who are curious about non-sexual nudity and trying something new.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What it’s really like to arrive at a clothing-optional resort for the first time.
• Why I think events like the Bear Buns Desert Run are a great opportunity for first-timers to experience non-sexual nudity.
• What the atmosphere was like at the start line, on the course, and with the residents cheering runners on.
• How a couple can navigate a new experience together without pressure or judgment.
• What goes into putting the Bear Buns Desert Run together and what makes it approachable for runners, walkers, and first-timers.
• How shared vulnerability and stepping outside your comfort zone can create memorable experiences.
• What makes Shangri-La Ranch more than just a place to visit and how community is built through events like this.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a nude 5K is actually as awkward as it sounds, what it’s like to visit a clothing-optional resort, or what happens when you try something new with your partner, this episode gives you three different perspectives on the same experience.

Sometimes the best way to get past the nerves is to simply show up.

Learn more about the Bare Buns Desert Run

https://4peaksracing.com/events/bare-buns-desert-run-2026/

Learn more about Shangri-La Ranch

Shangri-La Ranch is a clothing-optional naturist resort and residential community in New River, Arizona.

https://www.shangrilaranch.com/

Get NAKED + Be Free + Be Kind

Follow the journey on Instagram: @HikingWithoutAStitch

What happens when the host becomes the guest?

In this episode of Hiking Without A Stitch, we’re flipping the script! Northman returns to the podcast — you may remember him from Episode 17 — but this time, he’s the one asking the questions.

Jon sits down with Northman to talk about his personal journey into naturism, nude hiking, and everything that led to creating Hiking Without A Stitch. From those first nervous experiences to finding confidence, community, and freedom outdoors, this conversation gives listeners a chance to get to know the person behind the microphone.

They also discuss the current state of naturism, the stigma surrounding non-sexual nudity, finding community, public perceptions, and whether society may actually be more open to naturism than we think.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Shangri La Ranch

https://shangrilaranch.com/

Bare Buns Desert Run — 4 Peaks Racing

https://4peaksracing.com/events/bare-buns-desert-run-2025/

Bear Naked Granola

BEAR NAKED TRAILS

Powers Cabin & Mine — HikeArizona

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=638

Hiking Without A Stitch — Website & Contact

https://hikingwithoutastitch.merlin-site.com/

Thanks for listening to Hiking Without A Stitch!

Get NAKED + Be Free + Be Kind

Follow the journey on Instagram: @HikingWithoutAStitch

What happens when you grow up in a home where nudity isn’t something to be ashamed of?

In this episode of Hiking Without a Stitch, Jon sits down with James, a third-generation nudist currently based in Austin, Texas.

James shares what it was like growing up in a naturist family, how his relationship with his parents shaped his views on bodies and communication, and what he experienced after moving to New York and encountering a very different attitude toward body acceptance.

Jon and James also talk about James’ new non-landed naturist group, Barely Social, and his goal of creating a welcoming community for people who are curious about naturism but may not know where to start.

They talk about getting younger people involved, breaking down the shame surrounding nudity, hiking and outdoor activities, and why sometimes people aren’t looking for another club—they’re looking for a community.

Follow Barely Social on Instagram and learn more about the community James is building.

Instagram — Barely Social Austin

A naturist resort in Texas and one of the places discussed as part of the Texas naturist landscape.

Star Ranch

Hippie Hollow is a clothing-optional beach on Lake Travis and a well-known naturist destination in the Austin area.

Hippie Hollow — Travis County Parks

Get NAKED + Be Free + Be Kind

Follow the journey on Instagram: @HikingWithoutAStitch

Join Jon as he sits down with Erin, better known online as Single Girl in a Nudist World, for an honest conversation about confidence, community, and the realities of modern naturism.

After struggling with body image following major weight loss, Erin shares how a visit to a nude beach in New Jersey changed the way she saw herself and introduced her to a welcoming community she never expected to find.

Together, Jon and Erin explore the importance of boundaries, consent, and creating safe clothing-optional spaces—especially for women. Erin opens up about being objectified online, why respect is essential in naturist environments, and how even small acts of kindness can help people feel like they belong.

They also discuss the future of naturism, the need to attract younger generations, and Erin’s creative approach to community building through events like nude skating, nude laser tag, women-focused retreats, and other fun, non-sexual social gatherings.

Whether you’re a lifelong naturist, curious about the lifestyle, or simply interested in conversations about body confidence and authentic community, this episode offers an open and thoughtful look at what naturism is really about.

Follow Erin’s journey: https://www.instagram.com/singlegirlinanudistworld

Get NAKED + Be Free + Be Kind

Follow the journey on Instagram: @HikingWithoutAStitch

In this solo episode of Hiking Without a Stitch, I leave the studio behind and head into a new place deep in Arizona’s National Forest. What unfolds is an honest, unfiltered walk through the wilderness — sharing the thoughts, struggles, and moments of clarity that naturally come with each step.

Nature has a way of reminding us of the simple act of slowing down long enough to listen. This isn’t a polished conversation or a carefully planned interview; it’s just me hiking, noticing the world around me, and speaking honestly about what’s on my mind.

Along the trail, I reflect on life, challenges, mental health, and the moments that remind us why getting outside matters. Whether you hike clothed or unclothed, this episode is an invitation to step away from the noise, be present, and reconnect with yourself.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, stressed, or disconnected, I hope these Thoughts From the Trail remind you that sometimes the most important conversations happen when we’re simply walking forward — one step at a time.

Get NAKED + Be Free + Be Kind

Follow the journey on Instagram: @HikingWithoutAStitch