All The Elements community member, climber and EDI consultant Marie Uri is making climbing a space where everyone feels that they can belong, working with both United We Climb and Women’s Bouldering Festival. Here’s a 5 minute introduction to her work…
Image Credit Aleksandra Janiak
Marie, tell us in a few sentences about you and what you’re passionate about?
I’m a Keynote Speaker and EDI Consultant dedicated to transforming the climbing and outdoor industry. Through my work, I try to make outdoor spaces more approachable by sharing knowledge about everything from planning trips and packing gear to understanding outdoor etiquette. Too often, diverse communities face barriers that make these experiences feel out of reach, whether because of cost, access, or a lack of representation.
I love climbing and sharing that joy with others, and I put my heart into breaking down barriers and creating a community where people who haven’t always felt welcome in the outdoors can come as they are and feel they belong.
What does this involve?
The work involves building relationships with instructors, organisations, and people from diverse backgrounds to exchange knowledge and create more inclusive outdoor experiences. I believe it is important to experience these environments firsthand, both to understand the barriers that exist and to identify ways they can be removed. By actively participating in outdoor adventures myself, I can lead by example and demonstrate that the outdoors is a space where everyone deserves to feel welcome and empowered.
Why do you do it?
When I first started climbing, I fell in love with the sport, but it was difficult to find stories that reflected my own experiences. I loved meeting other climbers, yet I often felt something was missing. There is a special kind of connection that comes from meeting people who share similar cultural experiences and understand parts of your journey without explanation.
I didn't fully realise how important that representation was until I attended the Women's Trad Festival. Seeing so many women thriving in an environment created to support them was incredibly inspiring, but it also highlighted how few people who looked like me were there. It made me wonder how many others never participate because they don't see themselves reflected in the outdoor community.
Thankfully, that is beginning to change. Groups and communities such as Black Girls Hike, Black Girls Do Run, Wave Wahines, Black Trail Runners, and inspiring people like Tinuke and her adventures are creating visibility and showing what is possible. This is why I do what I do. I want people who look like me to know they are allowed to be in these spaces, that they belong, and that the outdoors is just as much theirs as anyone else's.
Image Credit Aleksandra Janiak
“I hope for a future where the responsibility for inclusion does not rest solely on those who have been excluded. I want everyone to feel free to enjoy nature without questioning whether they belong.”
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the work you do?
Honestly, most of what I do is volunteer-led. I get an idea, think "someone should do that", and then realise that someone is probably going to be me. I'm not sponsored and I'm not an ambassador for any brand. I just want more people to feel like they belong outdoors and have the confidence to give it a go.
Where do you feel most connected to the outdoors and/or nature and why?
I feel most connected when I see trees and water. I think it comes from my childhood and the memories I have of being outside. Being outdoors is soul-healing for me. It's where I feel most grounded and most myself.
What’s the best thing about being part of the ATE community?
The best thing about All The Elements is seeing all the different communities doing the work to make the outdoors more accessible and diverse. There's a real sense of shared purpose, and it's exciting to see more people finding their place in outdoor spaces.
Where can people find out more about you and follow your work?
You can find Marie on Instagram @mijosy and on Linkedin @Marie-Uri
