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Meet the Author: Carolyn Scott Kortge
 Chasing stories and racing deadlines was as close as Carolyn Scott Kortge (Kor'chee) came to athletic effort for most of her life. As a newspaper journalist, she focused her energy on professional achievements and never imagined that a physical challenge could offer as much motivation. But walking crept under her defenses.
When walking picked up speed as a national trend in the mid-1980s, Carolyn wrote feature articles about this alternative to the jogging fad. Before long, curiosity pulled her into the action. Even a non-athletic "klutz" could walk, she reassured herself, as she joined a group of fitness walkers. One step led to another and in her mid-40s, she found herself on a starting line, entering the first track meet of her life.
The Writer Meets a Hidden Athlete
Athletic competition brought more than medals. It led to a path of personal discovery and shaped a merger of mind and muscles. "I realized that the mental tools I had learned as a competitive athlete were basically the same focusing techniques I had used at other times as methods of meditation. The discipline required was similar. Athletic focus and spiritual practice joined together as spirited walking."
Award-winning Journalist Finds a Spirited Beat
During a 20-year journalism career that carried her to the Oshkosh (WI) Daily Northwestern, The Wichita Eagle-Beacon in Kansas, and The Register-Guard in Eugene, Oregon, Carolyn received numerous national awards for writing excellence.
Journey Through Cancer
Two years after publication of The Spirited Walker, a cancer diagnosis propelled Carolyn onto another life-changing path. Walking guided her through treatment and recovery with affirmations that gave validity to the metaphors of taking one step at a time, moving forward, and maintaining balance. Now, her workshops for cancer patients encourage regular walks as a component of physical and emotional healing.
Afoot on Trails of Discovery
She makes her home in Eugene, OR, and begins most mornings by walking with her husband, Dean. On vacations, they travel distant trails. They've walked the 100-mile Cotswold Trail in England and trekked 120 miles through the Lake District. In 2004, they joined tourists and pilgrims to travel 115 miles of the legendary Santiago de Compostela trail in northern Spain.
Contact the Author: csk@spiritedwalker.com
Past Presentations
CURE Magazine Patient and Survivor Forum
Dallas, Washington DC, San Diego
Walking® Well Workshop — 2004, 2005, 2008
www.curetoday.com
Issues After Breast Cancer
Kansas City, MO – March 2006
Keynote speaker
“Thank you again for the wonderful job you did at our "Issues After Breast Cancer" conference. You were great...so many good messages for anybody, not just breast cancer survivors.” —Andrea Ernst, US Oncology, Kansas City Cancer Center
Golden Door Spa, Escondido, CA
Spirited Walker® Week, 2001-2005
Walkways to Healing Week, 2005-2006
Path with Heart Week, 2007, 2008
Daily walking classes plus evening lectures
“All I can say is ‘Wow’. The guest response to Spirited Walker week was overwhelmingly excellent. Carolyn has a real gift and we were lucky to have found her!” —Trish Martin, Director of Fitness, Golden Door
Life Beyond Cancer Retreat
Miraval-Life in Balance, Tucson, AZ
Annual retreat presenter 2002-2006
“It was so nice to walk with you at Miraval. I love your passion.”
—Mary Beth McGrew, Kansas City, MO
Day of Caring Breast Cancer Forum
May 2008, Denver
Spirited Walker® Week
2004-2006 — Rancho la Puerta Spa, Tecate, MX
Walking Well® Program
Willamette Valley Cancer Center, Eugene, OR
Four-week walking program, 2002-2005
“This class was exactly what I needed at this time. I felt that the lessons were designed precisely for me. I left each class feeling energized, happy, confident, and contented...and it lasts!” —Ruth Keele, Walking Well participant
Read articles written by Carolyn Scott Kortge on these Web sites:
Article: Innerself.com
Carolyn introduces techniques from The Spirited Walker
for building fitness for body, mind and spirit.
Essay: Seeding Your Spirtual Path with Pebbles
beliefnet.com
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