The Rewilding journey is an expression of who I am, and is a process of discovery that I have been in for over a decade. I remember when I was 19 I came home from college for thanksgiving to spend it with my family and close family friends. At one point during thanksgiving dinner, Meta, who is like second mother to me, asked all of the kids of the families what we wanted to do with our lives. As we went around the circle, the responses would have made any mother proud; doctor, lawyer, advanced degrees, etc. When my turn came, I said what came naturally: "I want to travel, adventure and climb."
Later that night when we got home, with frustration, my mother asked why I had to pretend that I didn't have greater aspirations for my life. I told her that my aspiration was to enjoy my life and that my response had been honest.
Later in my adulthood after selling my first business, a manufacturing and distribution company, I realized that I didn't want to spend my time doing anything that I wasn't truly passionate about. Unsure of what I wanted to do next, I decided to go on an adventure to Patagonia to climb and see new parts of the world. That trip was the beginning of 3 years of continuous adventures. In that time I climbed in the Fitzroy Range of Patagonia, traveled all across the western US with my dog in a van, hitchhiked from Chile to Colombia and lived in the Utah desert with other climbers.
My lifestyle and path often worried my mother. Her “ vagabond son” in his early thirties refused to get a job, refused to use his college degree, and worst of all, lived out of a van and spending his savings on airfare and gas. I understand how for a mother this could be worrisome to watch.
What my mother didn’t realize was that by following my heart I was becoming inspired. Along my journeys I met people from around the world living all types of lifestyles. A firefighter living in the Utah dessert climbing for months on end, a doctor staying in hostel on the adventure of his lifetime, and a North American family who lived half time in the jungle of Northern Patagonia raising one of the most impressive children I have ever met. These people and many others left an imprint on me. They confirmed what I already felt, that my path is my own and I get create it.
what I was doing during that time in my life was my own personal Rewilding. I got to know myself and what fulfills me. This is the essence of what the Rewilding movement is about; following your heart and living a life that is true to you. Being authentically yourself, loving yourself and others and following your bliss.
During our first official Rewilding Adventure with Anthony and Vitek, we made a film. What took place on this journey had a deep and awesome impact on me. It was a major step in my own Rewilding process. For 7 weeks I practiced being my best, truest and most honest self. We all did. This practice unfolded in so many rewarding directions, from awesome adventures, to deep bonds to an amazing film. I'm excited to share this story with you in the coming weeks!
Love to you all,
Jesse
P.S. Just to clarify, my mother has been amazingly supportive. Worried at times, yes. But in the end of the day it was her and my father who raised me to follow my heart and be myself. They both supported me in my decisions to follow a nontraditional path. My mother more than anyone taught me it was ok to be different. She did this mostly by being the wildest, most unique and loving person I know.