From Stressed to Squatched

We were drowning. In fact, we had been drowning for decades. The demands of life—raising a blended family, working 80-hour weeks in thankless careers, and scrambling through side hustles just to stay afloat—had finally left us gasping for air. Community obligations piled on, debt loomed larger each day, and our marriage buckled under the relentless pressure.

In public, we couldn’t tell friend from foe; in private, we were breaking apart. Divorce papers sat on the table, and tears of pain, frustration, and desperation became our constant companions. The boundaries between our public and private lives blurred into chaos. Even our adult children and pets could feel the tension that consumed our home.

We wanted out but felt trapped—tied to a life that no longer felt like our own. We knew something had to change. Life was overwhelming, and our stress management strategies – if we had any – weren’t working.

Then, in 2020, the world came to a standstill.

For the first time in decades, everything paused. It was then we faced a choice: continue suffocating in the life we’d built or take a leap of faith into the unknown.

Moving from Chaos to Clarity: How We Found Freedom in the Forest

As the global pandemic brought the world to a halt, we took a long, hard look at the life we were desperately trying to hold together. We made a drastic decision: finish the employment contracts binding us, cash out every resource, hook up our camper, and drive away—into the woods, both literally and metaphorically.

Yes, we were searching for Bigfoot. We poured our energy into building our dream and our nationwide organization (Squatch America). But we were also searching for something we couldn’t quite name—peace, clarity, maybe just a moment to breathe. Surrounded by towering trees and the hush of the forest, we began to piece ourselves back together—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Along the way, as we searched for Bigfoot, we found something even more elusive: ourselves.

Ultimately, that’s how Wild Squatch Wellness was born—from the belief that reconnecting with nature helps us rediscover who we really are. We learned that within each of us lies a deeply embedded purpose, one far wilder than we could have ever imagined.

Reclaiming Our Wild Selves

We didn’t set out to find a new way of living—we just wanted to survive. We cranked out YouTube videos and learned how to carve out some financial security on our adventure. But somewhere between the towering trees and quiet nights, something shifted. The forest became more than a refuge; it became a teacher. Bit by bit, it showed us how to live again, reconnecting us with vitality, joy, and the mystery of it all.

Rediscovering Vitality

At first, it felt impossible to unwind from the grind. Our bodies carried the weight of years of stress and neglect, but the forest had its way of pulling us back to life. Walking beneath the trees, our breath grew deeper, our steps lighter. We let go of rigid schedules and started moving simply for the joy of it—chopping firewood, exploring trails, lying on the ground, and even developing my own daily yoga practice. (I still think “Sun Salutations with Sassy” could be a thing!)

Food took on a new meaning, too. Instead of rushing through meals or relying on convenience, we slowed down. We planned ahead, often cooking over an open fire. Instead of relying on “box foods” from the center of the grocery store, we started seeking fresh, organic, and locally grown ingredients. We learned what truly nourished our bodies and what caused dis-ease. Stress management is easier when the body is healthy and we experienced that firsthand. The forest reminded us that vitality doesn’t come from quick fixes or fads; it grows in the quiet, daily choices to honor your body and your instincts.

Embracing Joy

Joy didn’t return all at once—it crept in like sunlight through the trees. At first, it was the small things: the rustle of leaves on a windy day, the crackle of a campfire shared with friends, the laughter we hadn’t heard in far too long. As we gave ourselves permission to slow down and play, we began to see beauty in the messiness of life.

Pretty soon, we found ourselves staring up at constellations together, enjoying a silence that used to feel uncomfortable and awkward. Our hearts, once so distant, came back together and began beating in sync. Joy, we learned, isn’t about chasing away stress (we still have plenty of that); it’s about stress management that keeps us calmly present for all of the moments, allowing us to get through the difficult ones and truly savor the beautiful ones – together.

Living the Mystery

The woods are full of mystery, and they invited us to embrace the unknown in a way we never had before. We didn’t always know where we were going, what the next day would hold, or how we would pay for it all, but instead of fighting the uncertainty, we leaned into it.

Searching for Bigfoot was a metaphor as much as it was an adventure. We found joy in asking questions and following trails we couldn’t see the end of. The forest taught us to trust our intuition, listen to its whispers, and find wonder in the journey rather than the destination.

There were times we got lost—literally and figuratively—but those detours often led us to something unexpected and beautiful. We discovered that living with mystery doesn’t mean having all the answers; it means making space for wonder and trusting that the path, however wild, will take you where you’re meant to go.

Your Wild Purpose Awaits

Wild Squatch Wellness was born from our journey from chaos to clarity…from stressed to squatched!  We learned that it isn’t about trendy gimmicks or quick fixes—it’s about something far deeper: stepping away from the noise, reconnecting with what feels real, and finding the courage to live in harmony with yourself, your community, and the natural world – TRUE FREEDOM.

In the forest we learned that healing begins when we strip away distractions and listen to the quiet wisdom within. It reminded us that we’re not meant to live disconnected and overwhelmed. Each of us has a wild purpose—something rooted in who we are and how we’re meant to show up in the world.

We created Wild Squatch Wellness not just as a brand but as a gathering place for those who feel the same call. Whether you’re here to explore, learn, heal, or rediscover your own wild purpose, you’ve already taken the first step.

The forest opened its arms to us, and now we extend that same welcome to you. This is your invitation to slow down, reconnect, and embrace the journey ahead—to reclaim a vibrant, magical, and sovereign life. Your wild purpose awaits, and we’re so glad you’re here.

Are you ready to find your wild purpose? Download From Stressed to Squatched: A Daily Wellness Tracker to start your journey today!

Want to know just what your inner Wild Squatch is? Take the Bigfoot Archetype Quiz and discover the unique traits that make you, well, you!

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