What we’re about
Join BTB on Facebook!
Send us your event suggestions on the BTB Facebook Chat!
Welcome! Beat the Blues exists to provide nature hikes, campfire gatherings, weekend adventures, group travel, & other unique events for those who want to have new experiences and meet similar positive minded people doing the same.
I’m Michael. A few years back I found myself feeling isolated & trapped indoors during the pandemic. Taking accountability, I became passionate about meditation, fitness, personal growth, and other wellness practices. As a result, I discovered the importance of nature for my wellbeing, as well as pushing the limits of my comfort zone. This has led to interests in primitive camping, backpacking, and traveling to serene locations all over the country.
My desire is to bring people together to live fearlessly and authentic. We will provide fun & adventurous activities that push self-limitations, promote mindfulness, and bring us in touch with our true selves in order to raise our vibe for the greatest good. So, if you're feeling apprehensive about joining us, rest assured you will meet a wonderful, welcoming group of diversified participants that will quickly make you feel right at home!
Please join our community initiative of beating the blues and raising inner wellness at our next event or message me with any questions you may have!
Upcoming events
99
Deer Lakes Hike and Dough Daddy Brewery Gathering
Deer Lakes Park, Mahaffey Rd., Tarentum, PA, USWelcome to the Beat the Blues! Join us for a guided hike of the Deer Lakes Park forest trails. Afterward we will gather at Dough Daddy Brewery for food and drink. They have an outdoor area equipped with heaters and firepits.
Before your first hike with us, PLEASE READ all of the following:
Attendance: The event is limited to 40 in order to account for all hikers and respect the peace of the park. If you cannot attend due to unforeseen circumstances, release your reservation at least a day in advance so any waitlisted participants can plan to come.
Meeting location: Deer Lakes Park, upper most parking lot, located on Cattail Dr. All hikes begin at the designated time with no exceptions! We will be hiking in all conditions unless notified in advance.
After location: Dough Daddy Brewery, 4381 Gibsonia Rd, Gibsonia, PA 15044
Must bring: your phone, water.
Regarding safety: 90% of the hike will be dirt/gravel forest trails. The trails are hilly and can be muddy. We may cross several streams. Hiking boots and poles are encouraged so that you do not fall. While this group cares about your safety, all participants hike at their own risk.
Regarding endurance: hikes last about 2.5 hours and stretch for 6 miles. PLEASE take this pace into consideration before attending as you will be expected to keep up. If you cannot, you will kindly be asked to return to the cars or hike by yourself at your own pace. Do not lose sight of the hiker in front of you. If you need to leave the hike early, you can use the address pin on this page to return to the cars, so be sure to have your phone with you. Please let one of the hike hosts know before leaving so we are not looking for you unnecessarily. Bring water. Bathroom facilities exist at the start & end point.
Dogs: behaved dogs are allowed at Deer Lakes and outside parts of Narcisi.
Message me with any other questions that you may have. See you soon!
Michael
P.S. If you've been positively influenced by BTB events, please consider donating to help us with hosting fees and future event funding! You may donate via Venmo @mikefitz3720 or through Pledge on our main Meetup page.40 attendees
Learn to Unicycle! (Butler Wobble)
Butler YMCA, 339 N Washington St, Butler, PA, USJoin us at the Butler YMCA to learn to ride a unicycle! Repeats every Saturday except for the last Saturday of the month into March. Unicycles of all sizes provided, bring your own helmet (bicycle or skate). Free and no YMCA membership required. You must fill out a waiver and provide ID.
Anyone can learn with enough practice. Start by riding along with a hand on the bleachers, gradually gain confidence as your brain learns to balance on all axes. Most people take 2 or 3 sessions to be able to get off of the bleachers, and a few more to ride a loop around the gym. Feel like you are about to fall? Simply lean forward and step off the unicycle and let it fall to the ground behind you.
Learning works best if you can join every week or every other week to get consistent practice. In addition to the time it takes for the brain to learn, there is a moment of letting go required to get away from the bleachers.
The Butler Wobble has a great track record, only injuries after running for years are things like a splinter from finding a rough spot on the bleachers. That being said, this is a ride at your own risk event and you must sign a waver with the Y the first time you join.
More experienced riders also welcome. Learn to shoot baskets from a unicycle and get tips from experts!
Kids also welcome with adult supervision (smaller unicycles will be available). Generally more appropriate for 8+, but if you have a younger kid that is peddle biking and likes to try new things, may be worth a try. Kids as young as 5 have learned successfully. Keep in mind that the space is reserved for unicycling - not running around and playing.
Note: I am posting this every other week based on my own schedule, but you are welcome to attend in between week (just remember last Saturday of the month there is no event).
To attend, please register for the class ahead of time. This is a free process and only needs to be done once per season:
https://ops1.operations.daxko.com/Online/2204/ProgramsV2/OfferingDetails.mvc?program_id=TMP38406&offering_id=SES2390266&location_id=B230&filter=H4sIAAAAAAAEAG1SXW-DMAz8L36mUkLHpvE7uqdqitJgmDWIqySsQlX_-5JSvtZJPIQ753w-5wraK66hvELHFUIJDhvywelAbBUb0zuvThguiBYy8EG7EKtykRc7KXZ7eZBF-SJLISKLtpo5uRPFId-XxXv84JaB0QEbdoOiykNp-7bNoGUzNlphXNfoyDYqDGeM6PEz25pKOJR5BmRN21eoyGoT6AfVowWla7VuPf5TM7VcSio9pAxiV6wmE4E6VE7bZnJQRekNcCIXvlSCn53TrHN23DjdrZBvHC7s0rjwYckMpkVYbNbaYIhccD2uXczE8TrvQBTr1KUcc154mW_41yf-bbO1_Z3_G_Yy92zhsTrqKKrkIj4KTnpH2HnDLk1jdYfTY7krQJTVdUA33TbcpaA8s5330OGYkxiPvaUw_a_fjuIzRnP80Lr9AuA1WzXDAgAA01 attendee
Past events
508
