Sophia & Mike Miracolo
From Manhattan to the archipelago outside Stockholm
The interest in the nature led to Sophia and Mike turning their life around, changing view from the skyline of Manhattan to the archipelago outside Stockholm in Sweden for a more mindful life.
A way to escape the everyday life
On the question on what outdoor means to Sophia and Mike they answer;
”To move your body outside, and to be able to escape the everyday life for a moment. Outdoor means freedom, filling your lungs with crisp fresh air, being close to the forest, mountain and ocean and a possibility to be one with the nature for a while. We often say that it’s a form of active meditation – often you need to be present to avoid falling on your nose, no matter if you run, hike or ski and therefor there is less room for your brain to focus on thought spins, dwelling and stress. We are allowed to be in the present, and only in the present. It means a lot to us to be able to fill our lives with that type of moments.”
A perfect day in nature
According to the couple, a perfect day in nature doesn’t have to depend on any special time of the year. What is important is that the place preferably is empty on other hikers and that the plans include a stop for a good meal somewhere along the way.
“The ideal is if we leave early, have a goal for the day and absolutely no time to match. If we have hiking boots, running shoes or ski boots is of less importance, but there is no perfect day without getting to breath properly and to feel the heart work. A nice view, seeing an animal or spring flowers also rarely fail.”
The treasures of Swedish nature
The memories form their outdoor adventures are many. Both Sophia and Mike have Funäsfjällen as a favourite outdoor destination, but what has made the biggest impression on Mike is the treasures of the Swedish nature.
“The first time I visited Sweden in the summer we hiked in the forest and filled a whole basket with chanterelles. I had never experienced anything like it before and it was absolutely amazing. Half a year later, I arrived for the first time in the winter, and Sophia took me out on a cross-country skiing trip, complete with waffles and jam made of cloudberries for lunch. That was also incredible and yes, now I live here,” he says.
On a sunny trip in the mountains
Sophias best outdoor memory is from a sunny winter’s day in the Swedish mountains.
“It was one of those magical days in the mountains in late winter, when the sky is clear blue, there is no wind and the freckles are showing up one by one. We went on a trip with our cross-country skiing around what felt like the whole of Funäsfjällen. We were more or less alone, and it was those typical “pinch yourself in the arm” moments all the time. It was a fantastic day for me, especially as I got to share an outdoor experience that I personally value so high together with the one person I love the most”, she says.
