Hi! I'm Lani,
...but out on the trail I’m known as ‘Larry’ — a dirtbag name I earned during my 2017 thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.
I’m a mile-crushing, summit-seeking, ultra trail runner and long-distance backpacker. I love the community, the simplicity and the grounded feeling I get from being in nature. Mountains ignite my imagination, challenge me, and help me feel empowered. I am involved in my local trail running community and have placed among the top women in races ranging from marathons to 100K distances.
In 2015, I went on my first thru-hike, the John Muir Trail (JMT). It took 14 days to travel 221 miles over the most breathtaking landscapes I had ever seen. The Sierra Nevada felt like a magical world of granite rock faces, cascading waterfalls, and the kind of brightly colored meadows that I'd only read about in fairy tales.
In 2016, I hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) — my first solo backpacking trip. It took 10 days to hike the 165 mile loop around the Lake Tahoe Basin. This was more than just my first solo backpacking trip. Night one on the trail was the first time I had ever camped alone. And not just in my tent while others are at their nearby campsites, alone. I was alone, alone. I loved it! I felt strong and confident and I started to trust that I would be able to overcome whatever obstacles got in my way.
After these trips, I was hooked. The simplicity of one task, one goal, one direction, was such a nice contrast to my normal busy city life.
When I’m not on the trail I’m in Los Angeles, where I use my outdoor experiences to motivate and inspire others in my work as a school counselor and yoga teacher.
Featured
Podcast Interview - Hiking Thru Episode #40
LANI ADVOKAT aka LARRY Part 1
Larry, known off trail as Lani Advokat, packed up her life and hit the PCT in 2017. The year of fire and ice. In this episode we talk about the simple act of deciding to get on the trail, struggles on trail which caused her to flip north and hike southbound in order to finish and how crucial it is to focus on the good… or get a little help from a friend to remind you.
Marketplace Radio Show American Public Radio
U.S. parks and trails rely on a volunteer labor force
On one hot September day about an hour outside of Los Angeles, a group of “Trail Gorillas,” as the volunteers call themselves, hiked more than a mile up the trail, holding specialized hoes and axes, and “Marketplace” followed them to find out just who are these volunteers that donate their time and keep the trails clear.
OUTDOOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
“And into the woods I go. To lose my mind, and find my soul.”
Pacific Crest Trail 2017
In 2017, I spent five months walking from Mexico to Canada - or at least that was the plan. This was an epic year to be out on the trail. The desert brought a heatwave. The mountains brought relentless snow and high water levels. And throughout Oregon and Washington wildfires raged, causing countless trail closures.
They say that with challenge comes growth! Click below to read more about this journey.
The Colorado Trail 2018
In 2018 I completed a 485-mile walk across the state of Colorado!
The arizona trail
In 2022 I completed an 800-mile trek from Mexico to Utah through Arizona.
Trail Running / Ultra Running
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS :
2017 Joshua Tree Traverse, Unsupported
2017 Cactus to Clouds to Cactus
2016 Zion Traverse (unsupported)
2016 Ray Miller 100k, 2nd
2016 Bryce Canyon Under The Rim Trail (unsupported 50 mile)
2014 Twin Peaks 50m, 2nd
2014 Mount Laguna Trail Marathon, 3rd
2014 Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim (unsupported)
2013 Big Sur Trail Marathon, 2nd
2010 Catalina Island Eco-Marathon, 3rd
Joshua Tree Travese
Video by: Nick Johnson
I have been a yoga teacher for over seven years...
I was initially attracted to yoga for the physical practice. After a particularly stressful day, while working as a waitress, I decided to try a hot yoga class. Sweating profusely for an hour and a half without having to run marathon distance? Yes, please!
Right away, that one class turned into a daily practice and it didn’t take long before I started to realize that yoga was much more than a good workout. Yes, physically I was getting stronger and my endurance was increasing, but I started to notice growth in other areas of my life as well. For me, yoga is a physical, emotional and intellectual practice with limitless potential for personal growth.
In the spring of 2012, I had a desire to share yoga with others and to deepen my understanding of the practice. After completing my M.S., Counseling (California State University, Long Beach) I enrolled in a 200-hour Power Vinyasa teacher training program at CorePower Yoga. I enjoy making yoga accessible and have taught in a variety of settings from yoga studios and gyms to parks and at an inner city high school.
As a teacher, I don’t expect everyone to be at the same level, or to show up for the same reasons and with the same expectations. My goal is to create a fun, challenging and non-intimidating space where yogis of all levels are able to explore and test their boundaries, increase their physical and mental strength and get whatever it is they need from this amazing practice.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
200-Hour Power Yoga Teacher Training Coach (2018)
CorePower Yoga - Pasadena, CA
200-Hour Power Yoga Teacher Training Coach (2014)
CorePower Yoga - Hollywood, CA
Yoga Wellness Cleanse Guest Lecturer (2013)
CorePower Yoga - Studio City, CA
CorePower Yoga Wellness Cleanse Coach (2013)
CorePower Yoga - Studio City, CA
Power Yoga Teacher Training Extensions- Program Coach (2013)
CorePower Yoga - Hollywood, CA
TEACHER TRAININGS:
CorePower Yoga - 200-Hour Power Yoga Training
Yoga Alliance Certified (2012)
Teachers: Jen DeKok & Vivian Ngyuen
CorePower Extensions Program (2012)
Mentor: Shari Sarto
Trilogy Yoga – Yogulation Mentorship Program (2012)
Mentor: Dharma Shakti
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.
”
My life as "Ms. Lani"
I have been a guidance counselor serving students of all ages throughout Los Angeles for the past 7 years. I love using my outdoor experiences as a way to teach students about strength, endurance, and over coming obstacles. In 2017 I left my position at an inner city high school to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. I had the support of my teachers and administrators, but I was nervous that my students would be upset at my leaving. Quite the contrary happened. My students were excited to encourage me in this chapter. Just as I had helped them step foot on their journey towards college, they helped me take that first step on a long distance thru-hike.
The PCT took me far away from my home - and well outside of my comfort zone. At the time, my students did not understand the specifics of the journey, but they did understand what it meant to go after a dream.
I enjoy the contrast of city life vs. mountain life. Every time I return from a big trip, I feel more inspired, rejuvenated and excited to continue to work with students!
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