Wild Ideas Worth Living

Caroline Gleich is a professional ski mountaineer and activist who decided to use her platform as an athlete for good at the top of Mt. Everest early this summer. Her “Climb for Equality” campaign used her 29,029-foot climb as a platform to encourage more women to take on mountains in the outdoors, the boardroom, and daily life. Caroline’s actual journey to the top is an incredible story.

Sarah Herron is a creative, filmmaker, and non-profit founder. Sarah was born without the bottom half of her left arm, a condition known as congenital limb difference. After appearing on season 17 of The Bachelor, she received an outpouring of love from women and girls with their own physical differences. Sarah then found a passion for outdoor adventure and was inspired to found SheLift, a non-profit organization aimed to help women and girls with physical differences embrace outdoor activities.

Bonnie Tsui’s essay “You Are Doing Something Important When You Aren’t Doing Anything,” was one of the most shared stories from the New York Times on the weekend it was published earlier this summer. Bonnie’s theory behind the importance of lying fallow is one everyone can apply to their lives. Down time, or time spent not doing anything we usually think of as “productive,” is valuable. It’s in this time that we can refuel, find inspiration, solve problems, and so much more.

Jerry Holl, Julie Hotz, and Ryan Higginbotham are three ordinary people who decided to drop everything and pursue extraordinary adventures. Each of them wanted to shake themselves free from their routines, push themselves to extremes, and become the best versions of themselves. Setting off on bike, foot, and on paddleboard to travel the length of the west coast of the U.S., these three proved that there is so much we can learn from doing something that pushes our limits in the wild.

Loveis Wise and Lisa Congdon are two visual artists who have turned their passion for art into amazing careers. Loveis is an illustrator who became the second black woman in 91 years to design a cover for the New Yorker. She takes inspiration from the outdoors and her desire to showcase people from underrepresented communities. Lisa Congdon started pursuing art when she was in her 30s. She creates bright works of art with bold and often humorous messages that make anyone want to do something big.

When she was 13, up-and-coming pro surfer Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack. That’s just the beginning of her story. Bethany bounced back a month later and today is one of the best surfers in the world. There’s a new documentary about her story, “Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable,” that hits theaters July 12th. The film’s director, Aaron Lieber, has found a niche making films about female surfers and was committed to telling Bethany's whole story in her own voice.

For many people, figuring out portable meals that are healthy, filling, and tasty is a challenge. For others, the prospect of bringing food on the trail is an afterthought entirely. Bon Appetit’s Brad Leone and Best Served Wild Authors Brendan Leonard and Anna Brones offer advice on how to eat well, cook well and impress friends with your campfire cooking. Don’t let food be an afterthought as you’re hitting the trails, the beach, or the mountain this year!

Can you imagine eating only what you grow or forage for an entire year? Rob Greenfield is doing just that. He’s living in a tiny house on a plot of land where he’s planted an elaborate garden in the backyard of a neighborhood where he’s also teaching others to garden. Rob goes into detail about his 200 plus days living solely off of food he’s grown or foraged himself. He also shares how you can grow your own food and reduce your environmental footprint by how you eat.

On September 2nd 2017, just east of Portland Oregon, 150 hikers were trapped behind a wall of flames created by one very bad decision, one that would lead to immense fear and loss. Wildfire, a podcast from REI Co-op, investigates the causes and repercussions of this devastating wildfire.

Pattie Gonia is the world’s first outdoor drag queen and activist. The brainchild of Wyn Wiley, a talented photographer and Eagle Scout from Nebraska, Pattie rocks her platform boots to hike, ski, and now surf her way through Mother Nature’s most beautiful settings. She’s become an example of how to be WILDLY YOU, no matter what.