Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddie Scales.
Hi Maddie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like many others, I came to Austin looking for a fresh start. I had just left graduate school at Ole Miss and a yoga studio community that had felt like home. (Baptiste Power Yoga Oxford) I moved here without knowing a soul and was working remotely, which only amplified the loneliness. I’d spend most evenings walking around the lake with my dog, noticing how many others were doing the same.
I was inspired by walking clubs popping up in other cities — simple, approachable spaces where people could gather, move their bodies, and connect. At the time, I hadn’t yet found something like that in Austin, and I realized I didn’t have to wait around for it. What if I just started one myself?
I didn’t overthink it. No one knew me yet, which actually gave me the freedom to try something bold. I launched an Instagram page, picked a date, and ten people showed up to that first walk. I posted the photos, kept going, and almost three years later, we have hosted a walk nearly every single week.
What started as a simple idea became something sacred — a space people rely on. I didn’t expect the kind of growth we’ve had, but I see it as a sign that this is something people deeply need. No matter what’s going on in other areas of my life, I keep showing up. It feels like a calling — something bigger than me — and I’m just here to keep the door open.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped us into something stronger. Early on, we ran into a trademark issue that forced us to rebrand. At the time, it felt overwhelming — but looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. It gave us the chance to realign with a name and message that felt even more true to the heart of what we were creating.
I owe so much to the women who have walked beside me — quite literally. From the walk leaders who help me hold space each week to the passionate community members who keep showing up and spreading the word, this has never been a solo journey. Their support has kept this going more times than I can count.
One of the biggest ongoing challenges has been figuring out the direction to take something that’s always been free and built on accessibility. I’ve never wanted to charge for our walks — they’ve always been a gift to the community. But with growth comes new questions, especially around sustainability and scale. That’s why I’ve recently decided to pursue nonprofit path for the organization . It feels like the most aligned path forward — one that allows us to keep showing up for women, to keep movement and connection at the center, and to continue growing in a way that stays rooted in the values we started with.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
No Girl Walks Alone is a women’s community based in Austin, Texas. We’ve been meeting every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. since August of 2022, and from the very beginning, the heart of this group has been simple: show up as you are.
We welcome women of all ages and backgrounds — whether you’ve had a great day or a hard one, whether you’re new in town or a lifelong local. There’s no dress code, no pressure, and no expectations. It’s a space for you to come walk, connect, and just be human in the company of other women.
Each week follows a rhythm: we gather, introduce ourselves with light icebreakers (name, where you’re from, and a positive affirmation), walk a two-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake, snap a group photo, and then close with time to connect and exchange numbers. That time after the walk is often where the real magic happens — when plans for post-walk dinners form, when friendships begin, and when people feel seen.
One thing I’m particularly proud of is how organically diverse the group is — not just in age, but in life experience and origin. We often have international walkers, women who’ve just moved here from across the world, showing up and finding someone from their home country. We’ve had women from Brazil, the UK, and so many others connect through pure serendipity. There’s also something really special about the intergenerational wisdom that’s shared — we’ve seen women in their twenties walking alongside women in their sixties, learning from each other, laughing, connecting. It’s simple, but deeply impactful.
Our mission has always been rooted in accessibility, safety, and connection. In a world that often encourages isolation and digital overwhelm, this is a chance to put the phone down, move your body, and feel part of something. We don’t ask anyone to be in a good mood or show up a certain way. The goal is simply to come — and to feel better when you leave.
What makes us different is how approachable and non-performative it is. There’s no need to look a certain way or say the right thing. Just come as you are — in whatever you’ve got on — and let the community meet you where you’re at.
What fulfills me the most is getting to watch it all unfold — seeing strangers become friends, seeing women take the brave step to show up not knowing what to expect, and then walking away laughing, supported, and lighter than they came. That kind of connection is rare, and it’s an honor to have created the space where it can happen. I planted the seed, but it’s the women who keep showing up who make this what it is. It’s never been about me — it’s always been about them.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is bringing people together — in simple, meaningful ways. I’ve always felt like a connector at heart. I see the world a little differently, and I believe some of the most healing, joyful moments happen when we strip things back to what’s real: movement, nature, conversation, and human connection.
No Girl Walks Alone is a reflection of that, but it’s just one piece of the larger vision I hold. Outside of the club, I find happiness in yoga, being in nature, spending time with animals, and soaking in the magic of Austin — a city I deeply love. There’s something special about this place. It draws people in who are willing to start over, take risks, and chase something brighter for their lives. That kind of energy is contagious. It inspires me to keep creating spaces where people can come home to themselves — and to each other.
I care deeply about tradition and the timeless things that have always connected us — like walking, talking, gathering in community. In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, I want to be someone who helps people find their way back to what matters. I want to continue building experiences that invite people to put their phones down, breathe in fresh air, move their bodies, and be reminded they’re not alone.
I’m a doer, a dreamer, and someone who is deeply committed to aligning my work with my purpose. And nothing fulfills me more than using that drive to create things that feel honest, grounding, and real.
Pricing:
- free but once we are nonprofit will be accepting donations 🙂
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nogirlwalksalone
- Facebook: @nogirlwalksalone
- Other: tiktok @nogirlwalksalone
Image Credits
for the headshot the image credit goes to – https://www.instagram.com/svetlanaphotography_atx/
for all other images – https://www.instagram.com/merakinarrative/
