I’ve centered my entire life around nature. Nothing compares to the wind moving through the hills, the quiet that settles in, the sun stretching across the horizon through soft clouds, the scent of juniper in the air, my bare feet on the earth, a sun-warmed rock beneath me.
Outside is where I feel most alive, most myself. That’s why I’ve spent the last years of my life living nomadically, deeply connected to nature and its rhythms. A more conventional life was never for me, so I’ve done everything I can to make my unconventional way of life a reality.
I grew up in rural North Carolina, where I learned to appreciate a slower pace of life. But deep down, I always craved more. I knew I wanted to see the world, and I’ve followed that instinct ever since. I’ve lived completely off-grid in rural Brazil, spent four years on the road in my truck camper with my pup, Fado, and eventually found myself rooted in the high desert of Utah.
My path has never been typical, and it’s taught me to be okay with not having everything figured out and to lean into the unknown. That mindset is what shaped the life I live now.
These days, life is based in Utah, where I spend my time exploring the wild desert, taking trips into the mountains when I feel the pull to roam, and still living without a rigid plan. The one constant is my pup, Fado. I adopted him as a puppy, and he’s grown into my wild, loyal, slightly chaotic sidekick, and he thrives in this lifestyle just as much as I do. He reminds me daily how to live with curiosity and presence.
Our days aren’t structured, but they have rhythm. I love waking up before sunrise and heading straight to a trailhead. Fado is always ready, his tail wagging as soon as he sees me lace up my shoes. As we set off, I keep a Yerba Madre by my side, and each sip keeps me moving as the morning light rises around us.
Every hike brings something new. We meet strangers who somehow feel like family, Fado sprints across open land like it’s his first time touching it, or we spot wildlife moving quietly through their world. The more time I spend outside, the more connected I feel, both to the world and to myself.
That same feeling carries into the rest of our days. When hiking isn’t an option, driving becomes our ritual. Windows down, music on, Fado’s head out the window. There’s something about movement that helps everything settle, including my thoughts, emotions, and ideas. The scenery changes, but the feeling stays the same. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
A lot of what I share online centers around movement and adventure, but this life isn’t always easy. “Carpe diem” is my mantra, but staying present and positive doesn’t come naturally every day. There are moments of doubt, exhaustion, and heaviness. I’ve learned to move with those moments rather than resist them. When they pass, I’m left with a deeper sense of gratitude, resilience, and perspective.
If life has taught me one lesson, it’s that being grounded doesn’t always come from staying in one place. For me, it comes from the small rituals, the freedom, and having my steady pup Fado by my side. Life is unpredictable, but I choose to enjoy the ride.