girlfriends getaway
Finding your mojo By CANDY WAYLOCK
candy@northsidewoman.com
I
t is 125 feet from the cliff’s edge to the riverbank below, down an unforgiving rocky face that quickly disappears from view. But the gathered group of women sees only the challenge, not the equivalent of plunging nearly 13 stories straight down, attached only to a harness and rope. Leading the way is Molly Mathis, founder and owner of Mojo Active Adventures, who is redefining the concept of a “girls’ getaway.” “I’m a big believer in ‘if nothing changes, nothing changes,’” said Mathis of Alpharetta, who started Mojo to challenge the conventional ideas of exercise. “When it comes to working out, I’m always mixing things up to keep it fun and get the best results.” Over the past two years, she has taken groups to Colorado to hike Pikes Peak and raft the Arkansas River, and to Puerto Rico to paddleboard on the ocean, explore the caves that dot the island and zip line through rainforests. Her events are local as well, including a rappelling adventure in May to a little-explored area along the Chattahoochee River in Roswell. Here, her group of eight included six women who had never rappelled, but faced 6 | northsidewoman.com | june2014
their fears and plunged right in – or down in this case. While the idea is to push the limits of physical activity, Mathis believes in the whole package of health including mind and body. So for the “margaritas and manicures” mindset of a weekend away with the ladies, the excursions include a little pampering as well. “In between [personal fitness], we treat ourselves to nice accommodations, great meals, good wine, restorative yoga and most of all, amazing company,” said Mathis, noting the rappelling adventure ended with a wine tasting in downtown Roswell. Many of her clients include the core members of a group she has worked with for years as a personal trainer. As word got out about the home and away adventures, Mojo attracted a whole new group of women looking to break out of the gym. “With each Mojo trip I’ve taken, I’ve come home with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and peace,” said Trina Grogan of Alpharetta, who traveled with Mojo to Colorado two years ago. “There is such a positive focus on travel, fitness and ‘out of the box’ adventures that I might not try on my own.” Mathis, a graduate of the University of Florida and a native Midwesterner, has lived in Atlanta for nearly two decades. Like many mothers (she has two young sons), she was anxious to get back into shape after the kids were born, and started working with a personal trainer. After a few years, she earned a training certification and formed a core group of clients who have remained together for years. Two years ago, the group decided to take their show on the road, with Mathis organizing a trip and itinerary to Colorado – one of her favorite locales. “I put together a trip that offered a unique blend of physical and mental challenges with bonus rewards built in. With this first group, we hiked a 14,000-foot mountain, zip lined over canyons and tackled whitewater rapids,” said Mathis. Traveling with a group of women who serve as each
MARY ANN PEGG
Local woman leads fitness-focused adventure trips for women
Mojo founder Molly Mathis. Top, River rafting on the Arkansas River. COURTESY OF MOJO ACTIVE ADVENTURES
I see a real need for more opportunities for women to break away from the grind, support and champion one another. MOLLY MATHIS ► See GETAWAY, Page 8