The outdoors is everything to me, and that passion started at a very young age. Unlike the other families I knew in Kentucky who spent vacation in Florida or at a beach resort, my family chose the more adventurous route. I remember countless trips to the Colorado Rockies in the summer and wintertime, where my love for hiking and skiing began to take shape. I cherished my first few trips to the Oregon Coast and road trips across the United States, seeing national parks and nature wonders that sparked a fire in my soul that only grew larger as I got older.
To say I was exposed to the outdoors is quite the understatement. It was a way of life for my family, and that way of life continued to develop as I got older, graduated college, and began pursuing and building my photography, social media, and content business that focused primarily on travel, outdoor, and adventure content.
Now, after several years of hard work, sleeping in cars, eating endless dehydrated meals, and hiking countless miles around the world with my camera gear, I’ve been able to make my love for the outdoors part of my career, inspiring others to “Get Busy Living,” exploring the beauty of the outdoors, every day. I couldn’t be happier about that.
Focus on both bucket list places and places that might be only a few hours away from you, or even near your own backyard. There’s beauty all around us, and you just have to go explore it.
My favorite outdoor activities are hiking, backpacking, skiing, and paddle boarding, but I love almost any outdoor activity out there. In the next few years, I hope to become much more proficient in mountaineering, as I’d love to climb more technical mountains like Grand Teton, the Matterhorn, and more.
If I could share any pieces of advice with outdoor adventurers, here’s what I’d say:
One, you don’t have to travel across the world to experience somewhere beautiful.
Plan that trip to the Swiss Alps, but also explore the amazing mountain ranges we have in the United States, like the Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra Nevadas. Save up for a trip to Jordan, but don’t forget to experience the breathtaking desert landscapes and formations of Arizona and Utah.
Focus on both bucket list places and places that might be only a few hours away from you, or even near your own backyard. There’s beauty all around us, and you just have to go explore it.
Two, being outdoors doesn’t have to be expensive. Yes, some gear can be an investment, but anyone can enjoy simple outdoor activities like hikes or walks. Don’t let that deter you from enjoying time outdoors.
Being outdoors has inspired, strengthened, and improved my life. It’s made me a better, more well-rounded human being.
Third, and finally, if you want to see massive improvements in your mental and physical health, it’s important to have daily exposure outside in the outdoors. You don’t have to go to be in Grand Teton National Park or somewhere epic to experience these benefits. Even a short walk, hike, or bike through your local park will allow for improved health and wellness, which we all need.
I hope my story motivates you to spend a little more time outdoors, whether it be weekend trips or weeklong adventures. Being outdoors has inspired, strengthened, and improved my life. It’s made me a better, more well-rounded human being, and I know it will for you too. Make that change and integrate the outdoors more into your life today.
