That I exist at all is a minor miracle. My parents were German Jewish refugees. My mom, Ruth, arrived in New York Harbor on a boat called the Gerolstein. My father's boat was the Albert Ballin. Many refugees - including relatives of mine - did not make it to these shores. I grew up knowing what a gift this country is. I grew up in love with this land.

I also grew up knowing that I would throw my whole heart, body, mind and spirit into the fray to uphold the promise of America. 

These times seem custom-designed to make me feel afraid - for friends, family members, neighbors… The best way I know to shift out of fear and into a new paradigm is to put myself in motion. As a newly certified yoga instructor, I have come to deeply appreciate the power of breath and body. As a religious professional, I have come to deeply appreciate the power of compassion and faith. As a spiritual pilgrim (I have undertaken a pilgrimage as part of my spiritual practice), I believe in the power of “walking the talk.” I want to put these values into motion, moving at human speed across our beautiful country and connecting with the land and the people we meet along the way. I know that transformation arises when we put love into action, and that is why I walk.

In the late 1980s, sometime after college and before life, my wife and I biked across the US, on a youthful adventure.  We never expected to discover such a country of hospitality, care, easy connection, and empathy.  Seattle to DC on two wheels completely changed my sense of my country, and of myself. I became a more optimistic person, a believer that possibilities were as wide open as the great blue sky over seemingly endless Montana.  

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Liberty Walks, for me, is about re-connection with that journey, and that country.  I still believe that in small towns, rural hamlets, suburbs and big cities across the US, in what are now called red and blue spaces, the basic decency and humanity of everyday life hasn’t changed.  We may have different news and stare at different scrolling-screen-streams, but deep down we want our families to be safe and happy and healthy, and we want to live near neighbors who will help us out as we will help them in times of unsafely, unhappiness and sickness.  We don’t as a people want to be divided. We still can come together if we take the time to slow down, talk face to face, listen, learn and take a walk together.  

As a Union Electrician for two decades, Tanya learned that through genuine conversations and collaboration, we can light up not just our surroundings but also our understanding of one another.   Tanya is currently working towards getting her Master's in clinical mental health counseling.Why I’m Cheering: I believe in the power of pilgrimage and acts of faith to change the dialogue of our nation: to soften the lines that divide us so we can focus on the real problems at hand in this time.  We need more people putting their bodies in motion as an embodiment of their vow to create a beautiful world for all beings.  

I was first drawn to Liberty Walks by the simple yet powerful idea of unity through walking. I’ve always valued conversations with people from all walks of life, and I’ve learned, through a previous pilgrimage, that a long day on foot followed by a shared meal often leads to deep connection and understanding across differences.
 

What began as a role focused on website design has grown into something much more. I’m now creating an independent documentary about the walk, and I’m incredibly excited to see where this journey leads.