Walking Between Worlds

On Writing, Resilience, and Building Something That Matters

(Not that I’d ever walk a tightrope in heels.)

There’s a funny thing that happens when you try to straddle two different identities, two different audiences, two different platforms. Some days, it feels like a balancing act—graceful, intentional, almost elegant. Other days, it’s like trying to ride two horses at once, both of them galloping in opposite directions.

On Substack, I’m immersed in Outdoor Book Club, a space where women who love books and the outdoors come together for community and adventure. The conversations here feel real—honest exchanges over stories, shared experiences, and a deep love of nature. It’s a space where I feel most like myself.

Over on LinkedIn, I’m working to position myself as a thought leader in the veteran space, particularly on transition, resilience, and identity after service. But honestly? LinkedIn often feels like a sea of AI-generated posts talking at each other, and I find myself wondering if anyone is actually listening. (I suspect, at the very least, the Universe is.)

At first glance, these worlds might seem disconnected. But the truth is, they’re deeply intertwined. While books and hiking bring us together, Outdoor Book Club is ultimately about resilience—finding strength in nature and in each other. And that resilience? I first learned it in the military.

Mission, Tribe & Grace is about taking action—how veterans can lead change in their own lives and communities. And that same mindset is what fuels Outdoor Book Club: the idea that adventure, challenge, and connection are transformative forces.

And, of course, in both of these worlds, I move through the landscape as a visually impaired woman—navigating terrain that is both literal and metaphorical. Sometimes I see things clearly; sometimes they disappear into the periphery. But whether I’m writing about veteran leadership, leading a book discussion around a campfire, or figuring out how to build an online community that actually feels like a community, it all comes back to the same thing: connection. To people, to purpose, to something bigger than myself.

As I prepare to launch Mission, Tribe & Grace, I want to acknowledge that this is a season of both hustle and reflection. I want the book to do well—not just for me, but because I believe in its message. But I also know that the best things I’ve built haven’t come from relentless promotion; they’ve come from genuine relationships, from showing up, from sharing what I know in a way that invites conversation rather than just broadcasting into the void.

So if you’re here, reading this, know that I appreciate you. Whether you’re part of Outdoor Book Club, a fellow veteran, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good story, I’m grateful to be in your inbox.

Thanks for walking between worlds with me.

—Jill