Getting to Know the Mission

What inspired you to start giving out Fractel hats on Mt Sanitas?

It all started on a different mountain—Blacketts Ridge in Tucson. A gentleman there had made custom hats for the trail, and I bought one at a reduced price. That simple exchange got me thinking.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my life, and after selling Botanical Interests, I wanted to give back. But how? The answer was right in front of me—on the trails of Mt Sanitas, a place that had given me so much. Instead of selling hats, why not give them away to the incredible people I met on the mountain?

I reached out to the company that made the Blacketts Ridge cap, and they helped me design something unique: a Fractel hat embroidered with "Mt Sanitas, Boulder Colorado" and its elevation—6,863 feet. I ordered 25. They disappeared fast. Then another 25. Then 50 more. And so, a mission was born.

Do you remember the first time you gave away a hat? What was that moment like?

Absolutely. I was hiking up with a backpack full of hats when I met one of my favorite people—a woman who worked for Justin’s, the food company. She was coming down the trail with a friend. I handed them each a hat.

Her friend looked like she was about to cry. She said something like, “No one has ever randomly given me something this nice for free—it’s like Christmas in the summer.”

I almost cried, too.

Why do you think small acts of kindness, like giving away hats, matter in today’s world?

Because kindness has always mattered. It’s the best of what humans can be.

I truly believe that billions of small, selfless acts can have a bigger impact on the world than any politician ever could. And it's not just about giving things away—kindness comes in all forms. Saying thank you to the grocery store cashier. Letting a car merge in front of you, even when they didn’t see the lane was closing. Having a civil political discussion.

The ways to spread kindness are endless.

The Mt Sanitas Experience

What makes Mt Sanitas such a special place for you?

Mt Sanitas is small in size but huge in stature. The hike up the ridge is only 1.1 miles, but with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain, it’s no easy stroll. Yet, there’s something about this mountain that’s more than just a workout. It has an energy that soothes the soul, a presence that pulls you into the moment.

I’ve felt it, and so have the thousands of people who hike it every year. It’s not just a trail—it’s a community. Depending on when you go, you’ll see familiar faces, each with their own routine, their own reasons for being there.

During the first year of the pandemic, when my seed company was busier than ever, Sanitas became my escape. Three times a week, I’d climb to the top to clear my mind. And during one of the hardest personal challenges of my life, those same trails helped dull the edges of the pain.

If I could bottle up what Mt Sanitas gives me and hand it out, I would. But since I can’t, I give out hats instead.

Have you noticed a change in the atmosphere or energy on the mountain since you started?

Not really—because the energy has always been amazing. The hats don’t change that. They just celebrate it.

Can you share a memorable interaction or reaction from someone who received a hat?

Every interaction is memorable in its own way. But what stands out the most isn’t just the reactions—it’s the stories.

That said, people are always surprised that some random weirdo would hand them a high-quality, custom-designed Mt Sanitas hat for free.

The Power of Connection

Have you made lasting friendships through this mission?

Absolutely. There’s the guy who owns a chain of Floyd’s Barbershops. There’s Mindy, who climbs 14ers (mountains over 14,000 feet) in the winter. There’s Tunde, who hikes Sanitas almost every day and teaches yoga. There’s Karen, a Boulder Open Space volunteer. There’s Caity, who rode the Transcontinental Trail—almost 3,000 miles—from Canada to Mexico.

Then there’s Ciara, a PhD who does yoga hikes. Kayla, a professional photographer. Laura, who hiked Sanitas 31 times in a row. And so many more.

The funny thing is, I never see these people anywhere other than Sanitas. But I still consider them friends.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned from talking to strangers on the mountain?

That I’m not alone in how I feel about this place. Everyone I meet seems to share the same deep connection to Mt Sanitas. It’s a reminder that, despite all the division and noise in the world, most people are good.

How do you hope this act of kindness impacts the people who receive a hat?

Honestly, I don’t have any grand expectations. I just want to offer people a small moment of positivity—something unexpected that makes them smile.

And in a way, it’s selfish. I feel incredibly fortunate in my life, and giving back, even in a small way, feels like the right thing to do.

Looking Ahead

Do you see this mission evolving in any way?

I don’t know. I’ve learned that the best things in life tend to unfold on their own. If something bigger comes from this, I’ll embrace it. But if all I do is hand out hats and make a few people smile, that’s enough.

If you could inspire others to do something similar, what would you tell them?

Nothing. Inspiration comes from within. People will find their own ways to give back when the time is right.

What’s next for you and your “hat mission”?

I have absolutely no idea—except to keep doing what I’m doing.

Final Thoughts

This journey started with a simple idea: give back to the people who make Mt Sanitas such a special place. But along the way, it’s become something bigger—a way to connect, to share stories, and to remind people (including myself) that kindness still matters.

So if you ever find yourself on the trails of Mt Sanitas, keep an eye out. You never know when a random stranger might hand you a hat.

And if they do, just know—it comes with a little bit of love, a little bit of gratitude, and a whole lot of appreciation for the mountain we all share.