Aerial Backpack

There’s a lot of talk about staying healthy these days. Mostly, it breaks down into two areas: eating and exercise. Okay, I can already hear you groaning. But the good news is, we’re not going to talk about eating healthy today. And the even better news is, we’re not going to talk about working out, or running, or biking, or any of that.

There are other ways you can keep fit, healthy, alert and even improve your mental health – that are fun and don’t require a traditional gym membership. My lunch guests – Michael Matthews of The Backpacker, an outdoors specialty store, and Alaina Ray ofRefuge Aerial, an aerial arts studio – are both in the business of keeping you fit, mentally and physically, in novel ways, right here in Baton Rouge.

Backpack

Michael’s father started The Backpacker in the early 1970s, beginning as a ski travel company before expanding into retail. While attending LSU, Michael became interested in learning how businesses operate, and was already helping sell ski trips when his father decided to sell the business. Michael saw an opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps and continue the family business, so he bought The Backpacker from his father in 2006.

Michael Matthews, Owner of The Backpacker where they’ll outfit you for a journey and book it for you too anywhere in the world – includng an upcoming ski trip to Antarctica

Over the last 20 years, Michael has opened two more locations, in Lafayette and in Mandeville. Michael says that The Backpacker is more than a place where customers simply come to buy gear. His larger goal is to build an ecosystem around outdoor recreation: inspire someone to take an adventure, help them plan it, provide information about what they’ll encounter, and then outfit them with the gear they’ll need.

Aerial

When it comes to learning a new hobby, maybe your interests lean towards indoor activities, things like yoga, pole, and circus arts.

Alaina Ray discovered aerial arts almost 10 years ago, when a friend invited her to take a class in Baton Rouge. She was immediately drawn to both the physical challenge and the combination of strength and grace.

Alaina Ray, Co-Owner, Circus Performer, and Aerial Instructor at Refuge Aerial Fitness & Performance, teaching circus arts to folks of any age, including a 4-6 year old class for “Tiny Flyers”

Alaina had always dreamed of owning a business, though her career initially took her into corporate work. Then, an opportunity to take over the ownership of Above Ground Aerial, where Alaina and her eventual co-founder were teaching, presented itself.

They created Refuge Aerial and, within roughly two weeks, were renting space at CheerForce. Refuge Aerial opened in 2021. A few things have changed since then — Alaina bought her business partner out, and she’s added additional classes and performances. What has never changed is a sense of community.