There are days when you donât burn outâyou butt out. As in: your body hits a wall, your brain fogs over, and your butt? It lands on the couch, because you canât take another step. You’re too fried to function and worse yet, you don’t even care. Thatâs when you need a lifeline. And thatâs why the Burnout Butt Pack was born.
The Day It Hit Me – Literally
It started out as a normal day.
I had a plan: write a little, grab some groceries, maybe enjoy the rare feeling of having a rhythm.
Instead, I spent over four hours on the phone with eight different VA representatives trying to get my veteran husbandâwho is officially enrolled in the systemâaccess to basic care.
Each call sent me somewhere else. Each answer contradicted the last. Each transfer added another layer of confusion, rage, and helplessness.
Eventually, someone told me that maybe someone might call us back. No clarity. No appointment. No resolution.
What I did walk away with? A fried nervous system, a racing heart, total decision fatigue, tear-stung eyeballs, and the kind of mental fog that makes even drinking water feel like a chore.
In that moment, I knew: I didnât need a productivity hack. I didnât need a self-care checklist. I needed triage.
Why the Burnout Butt Pack Exists:
I built this resource for the moments where life asks too much of you; when your body finally says âno.â
Itâs for:
Emotional ambush days (crappy phone calls, family meltdowns, tax season, anyone?)
Post-crisis comedowns where youâre shaky, empty, and canât even think about dinner
High-functioning folks who hide the crash until they canât anymore
Chronic caregivers and advocates who are always âonâ until something breaks
The Burnout Butt Pack is not a big wellness bruhaha. Itâs the bare minimum survival kitâshame-free, nervous-system-friendly, and designed for real life. It’s designed to get you from crisis to at least calm-for-now so you can make decisions that won’t land you in jail.
Inside, youâll find the N.O.P.E. Protocol:
âď¸ Nourish – Ground your belly and fill the tank âď¸ Oxygenate – Give your cells clean energy âď¸ Pause – Give your brain time to get back online âď¸ Exhale – Settle your nervous system, even just a little
Too Fried To Function Ain’t a Productivity Problem
Too often, people like me, and maybe people like you,blame themselves when they canât push through.
When they cuss out the person on the other end of the phone.
When we listen to yet another on-hold message while tears leak down our face.
When we just. canât. anymore.
We think weâre lazy. Unmotivated. Undisciplined.
But hereâs the wild truth:
đĽ Are you weak…or inflamed? đ§ Are you incapable…or just overwhelmed? đŤ You’re not – let me repeat, not – broken. Youâre human, not a machine.
The Burnout Butt Pack is the bridge back to yourself. I start here when my brain feels like blacktop-fried eggs. And itâs available for anyone else who needs it, too – FOR FREE.
Too Fried to Function? Get the Pack. Rescue Your Energy. Reclaim Your Day.
Because letâs be honestâburnout isnât always a big crash. Sometimes itâs just one phone call too many. One email too far. One Tuesday that feels like a whole damn week.
And if thatâs where you are today⌠I see you.
The Burnout Butt Pack was made for exactly this moment.
If this post lit something upor helped you feel not quite so alone, come join me by the fire. Cozy Campfire Chats is where I share deeper stories, softer moments, and sovereignty-rooted reflections each week. Itâs free to subscribe, and your presence helps fuel the flame. đ
I showed up on time, every day, day-in, day-out. My work was stellar. I finished two graduate degrees (with honors) while holding down a full-time-plus job, a side hustle, and multiple community responsibilities and never missed a beat. What no one knew was that I woke up every morning with a pit in my stomach and my heart racing like a thoroughbred. I had to drink to fall asleep, and the weekends were never long enough for me to catch up. I looked composed. Capable. In control. Then one dayâŚI just couldnât anymore, and nearly burned down my entire life. The culprit was none other than burnout in disguise.
You donât have to be curled up in fetal position, missing deadlines, or forgetting your own name to be in burnout.
Sometimes burnout wears a responsible face. It shows up with mascara on and a to-do list in hand. It volunteers for the carpool. It texts back. It gets the job done. And it fools everyoneâincluding you.
Burnout in disguise is quiet, capable, and slowly eroding your spark.
This blog is for that version of burnoutâthe kind most of us carry for way too long, because it doesnât look like collapse… until it is.
đĽ 3 Signs You Might Be Burned Out
1. Youâre Exhausted⌠but Not Rested
You sleep, but wake up tired. Naps donât help. Breaks donât land. It feels like your âbatteryâ wonât charge no matter what you do.
đż Why it matters: This points to nervous system dysregulation and mitochondrial depletion (your cells’ energy plants have melted down)ânot laziness.
2. Your Body Feels Heavy or Hollow
Everything is either too much (dragging a weighted blanket through molasses) or not there at all (youâve floated away).
You might have brain fog, cold limbs, no appetiteâor constant grazing.
đż Why it matters: Burnout shows up somatically (in the body) before mentally. Your cells wave a white flag before your mind catches on.
3. Youâre Doing All the âRight Thingsâ⌠and Still Feel Off
Youâre eating âclean,â doing self-care, showing upâbut you still feel foggy, brittle, or disconnected.
đż Why it matters: Burnout isnât about what youâre doingâitâs about what your body no longer has the capacity to process.
What Doesnât Help (and What Actually Does)
Mistake #1: You Try to Push Through You double down. You grind harder. You try to out-discipline your bodyâs distress. But if your system is running on fumes, no checklist will save you. What you need isnât more effortâitâs cellular-level repair.
đ§ Why it fails: It deepens the burnout. Your body becomes even more dysregulated, your energy even more brittle.
Mistake #2: You Chase “Clean Living” as the Fix So you double down on green smoothies, fasting windows, yoga apps, maybe even therapy. You try all the ârightâ things. But nothing lands.
đ§ Why it backfires: Youâre still operating from burnout. You can throw green juice and breathwork at it all day longâbut if your bodyâs in survival mode, it wonât register any of it.
What REALLY works: Rescue the System First You donât fix burnout by doing moreâyou heal it by tuning in, slowing down, and giving your body the deep repair itâs been begging for. Real restoration begins with nervous system safety and cellular support, not another productivity hack. Thatâs why I created the Burnout Backpack.
The Burnout Backpack: Nervous System First Aid for Real-Life Survivors
If this feels familiar, you donât need another planner, practice or protein barâyou need cellularrescue.
Real-life relief for the fried, fed up, but still-showing-up.
The Burnout Backpack is your gentle, shame-free lifeline:
Hardcore science (that you will understand) about what causes burnout and what to do
Easy nourishment ideas for exhausted days
Truth bombs about what burnout really is
Micro-practices for relief when you canât clock out
BONUS: Custom guided meditation (yoga nidra) audio download to rest, reset, and refresh yourself any time
đ§ Whether youâre a high-functioning survivor, a recovering perfectionist, or just bone-deep tired, this isnât about fixing yourself. This is your rescue ring – grab on and let the healing finally begin.
đ Grab your Burnout Backpack for just $27 and take the first gentle step toward repair.
Another summer reset? This one will surprise and then delight you, so keep reading.
I remember all the summers I signed up for fitness challenges, bought the “clean” nutritional products, meal planned and prepped like a boss, and told myself this time Iâd stay on track. Meanwhile, my body was screaming for salt, rest, and watermelon. I spent more time watching the scale than watching sunsets. More time trying not to eat chips than laughing with my friends. I looked âdisciplinedâ on the outsideâbut inside? I was wilting.
Somewhere between the SPF reminders and the âbeach bodyâ noise, summer forgot how to be restorative.
Somehow we’ve allowed summer to go from barefoot joy and campfire cookouts to burnout disguised as wellness, beauty pageants, beach bikini volleyball and poolside protein shakes.
And we still can’t zip our jeans come autumn.
I don’t know about you, but Iâm done with it.
Letâs reset that – the Squatchy way.
đĽ 3 Signs You Might Need a Squatchy Summer Reset
1. Youâre Hot, Wired, and Weirdly Hollow
Youâre sweating, but not releasing. Buzzing, but not grounded. Thereâs heat in your chest and static in your headâand no one seems to notice youâre barely holding it together.
đż Whatâs happening: Your fire element is overstimulated. Your nervous system is hot and dry, not flowing and radiant.
2. Youâre Tired of the âSummer Bodyâ Bullsh*t
You wanted to feel light and vibrantâbut instead you feel pressured, inflamed, or completely shut down. Whether you gave up or doubled down, it still doesnât feel like you.
đż Whatâs happening: Your biology isnât asking to be smaller. Itâs asking to be safe. And no one ever said that out loud before.
3. Youâre Doing Everything Right⌠and Still Feel Wrong
Youâve tried âcleanâ food, cold drinks, cardio. Youâve tried the non-toxic products and mocktail mixers. But you still feel crispy. Irritable. Disconnected.
đż Whatâs happening: Youâre trying to glow through exhaustionâand your system is waving a tiny squatchy white flag.
đŤ What Doesnât Work
Mistake #1: Trying to Shrink Into Summer Restricting food, sweating it out in a panic, chasing a number on the scaleâthis just signals danger to your metabolism.
đ§ Why it fails: It creates stress chemistry, which leads to rebound weight, burnout, hormone misfires, and anxiety.
Mistake #2: Going Full âHot Girl Summerâ Over-socializing. Under-resting. Pretending to be chill while spiraling inside. You chase the glow, but your spark fades.
đ§ Why it backfires: You burn out your fire element, override your rhythm, and end up resenting the season that was supposed to revive you.
đż The Right Path: A Squatchy Summer Reset
This reset isnât a plan to shrink you. Itâs a playful, practical way to restore your inner fire without flaming out.
đ§ Youâll get:
Meet your summer guide: radiant, rooted, and done with diet culture. đ
Real tools for cooling emotional and metabolic heat
Mineral mocktails + nourishment ideas that actually satisfy
Gentle mindset flips for food freedom and body peace
A wildly unscientific quiz that tells you if youâre scorched or squatchy đĽ
Rituals, recipes, and rhythm support to help you feel human again this summer
đ The Wild Truth?
You donât need to âget it togetherâ this summer. You need to come home to yourself.
The Squatchy Summer Reset is here for $7. A low-stress, high-support lifeline for your fire season soul.
Iâve been practicing yoga for yearsânearly two decades nowâbut I still remember my very first attempt like it was yesterday. At the time, I was living in what can only be described as a crapshack (yes, really). We had dreams of restoring it, but honestly, it would have benefited more from a gas can and a match. My âyoga studioâ? A bedroom with a cement floor. And was I trusting my body as an ally? Not likely.
But one day, on a whim, I picked up a yoga CD (yep, a CDâweâre talking old school) from Costco. It came with a deck of cards, each featuring a stick figure demonstrating a pose. So, I laid them out in sequence, pressed play, and hoped for the best.
You can sometimes get this on Amazon…it’s where my yoga journey began. SO SO GOOD!
A surprising alliance
And you know what? Those awkward, tentative first movements sparked something in me. At the time, I saw my body as an enemy, something that had betrayed me, thrusting me into the depths of an autoimmune condition, marked by morbid obesity, chronic pain, and unrelenting, constant fatigue. Even walking to the mailbox felt like a challenge (we won’t talk about stairs). But yoga met me where I was. It adapted to meânot the other way around. And in that body that seemed to be waging war against me, yoga was the first thing that made me feel empowered. Strong. Maybe even a little sexy. Yoga waved the white flag and started the peace talks, then wrote the treaty that brought us into an alliance.
Fast forward nearly 20 years, and Iâm still practicing…but I’ve since graduated from the stick figures! Now, I belong to a vibrant online yoga community where we growânot just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. And one of the themes we return to again and again is trusting the wisdom of our body.
Just today, I flowed through a hatha practice designed to regulate the nervous system by opening the hips, and wouldnât you know? The underlying message of the class was exactly thatâtrust your body.
But hereâs the thing: Trusting your body is easier said than done.
Because what happens when your body doesnât look or behave the way you think it should? When healing feels like two steps forward, one step back? When youâre tempted to hand over your authority to diet culture, wellness trends, or someone elseâs definition of health?
I found myself asking today: What does it really mean to trust my body? Or, for that matter, to trust anything at all?
Letâs dive in.
Trust: A Sacred Covenant With Yourself
In a world brimming with quick fixes, trending diets, and âhacksâ for everything, we often overlook the most profound relationship we haveâthe one with our own body.
This isnât just about self-care Sundays or green smoothies. Don’t get me wrong, I love self-care Sundays and smoothies of all sorts! But the relationship you create with your body is about something much deeperâa sacred covenant with yourself. It’s a commitment rooted in respect, awareness, and unwavering trust. This kind of commitment is not commonly seen anymore; so much so that we have to ask, what exactly is a covenant?
A covenant isnât just a promise, but a sacred, unbreakable commitment. Unlike the fleeting, half-hearted agreements we see today, a covenant is woven with intention, trust, and unwavering devotion. Itâs not about convenience; itâs about deep alignment, a vow that holds weight even when tested. When we say, âI trust my body,â weâre not just hoping it wonât fail usâweâre committing to honor, listen, and stand by it, no matter what.
So with that said, now it’s time to geek out!
The Ancient Roots of Trust
The word trust traces back to the Old Norse traust, meaning âconfidence, protection, support.â Across cultures and centuries, trust has been the foundation of relationships, spiritual teachings, and personal growth. But beyond its social and philosophical significance, trust has always been a bodily experienceâa dialogue between mind, body, and spirit.
Ancient Greek philosophy linked health to the balance of the four humors.
Ayurveda views the body as a sacred vessel (Sharira), urging us to listen to its natural rhythms.
Indigenous wisdom teaches that well-being is inseparable from our connection to nature and the world around us.
In other words, trusting the body isnât a new ideaâweâve just forgotten how to listen.
The Modern Dilemma: Have We Forgotten to Listen?
Fast forward to today, and the noise is deafening. Wellness trends scream at us from every direction, promising the real secret to health. We outsource our trust:
We let apps tell us when weâre hungry.
We rely on trackers to dictate when weâve moved âenough.â
We chase external validation instead of internal knowing.
And in the process, we lose touch with our own wisdom.
But what if the answers have always been within?
The Covenant of Trust: Reclaiming Your Inner Wisdom
When we say, âI trust my body,â itâs not just a passive statementâitâs a living covenant.
To trust your body means:
Listening to its whispers before they become screams.
Honoring hunger, rest, movement, and emotions without judgment.
Recognizing that your body holds ancestral wisdom, encoded in every cell.
But remember, this isnât about achieving perfection. Itâs about partnership. You and your body are on the same team.
Creating an Environment Where Your Body Thrives
Trusting your body isnât just about mindsetâitâs about how you show up for yourself. Your bodyâs ability to heal and thrive depends on the conditions you create.
A man asked a gardener why his plants grew so beautifully. The gardener said, “I don’t force them to grow; I just remove what stops them.”
A Few Ways to Honor Your Covenant:
đż Nourishment: Fueling yourself not with highly processed convenience, designed to trick your taste buds into addiction, but with whole, vibrant foods that support your unique needs. đ§ Hydration: Drinking pure, clean water to help your body function smoothly, optimally, and also engage in autonomous self-healing. đ§ââď¸ Movement: Choosing activities that stretch, strengthen, and inspire, but not as punishment; rather, as an expression of vitality.
If trusting your body feels hard, start here. Breathe. Read this slowly. Let it settle into your bones.
đż I stand in sacred covenant with my body. đż I honor its wisdom, listen to its whispers, and trust its signals. đż My breath is a bridge to its truth, my heartbeat a rhythm of connection. đż I release fear and doubt, embracing the divine intelligence woven into every cell. đż I cultivate an environment where my body can thriveânourishing it with whole, vibrant foods, pure and clean water, and movement that stretches, strengthens, and inspires. đż I am both steward and companion, walking this path with gratitude, respect, and unwavering trust. đż My body is my ally, my sanctuary, and my guide. Together, we thrive.
It has always been thereâwaiting for you to remember.
This sacred covenant is your birthright. Reclaim it, nurture it, and watch as your wild, radiant self thrives.
So tell me, Wild Oneâwhatâs one way you can start trusting your body and honoring your bodyâs wisdom today? Drop it in the comments. Iâd love to hear. đ
It’s okay to walk away. That’s not what I’ve always understood, but I’m there now.
As much as I love Hazel and her adventures in the Wild Squatch Forest, Bigfoot lore stretches far beyond the tales I’ve spun since November 2024, and even before the “first” Bigfoot print, found in California, hit the news in the 1950s. It reaches back thousands of years, etched into cave walls, carved into ancient stones, and woven into the campfire stories of Indigenous people across the globe. My love for storytelling isnât new, and neither is the timeless wisdom embedded in these ancient myths. The lessons they carried then still resonate now, echoing through generations with truths that refuse to be forgotten.
This post marks the beginning of an ongoing series, where I will share the wisdom Iâve gathered during several years of researching Bigfoot across the United States. I never equated “Bigfoot” with “wisdom” when this journey began, but Iâve since been proven wonderfully wrong. That very phenomenonâfinding profound lessons hidden within the lore, the legends, and the reality âis part of what brought Wild Squatch Wellness to life.
The Wisdom of Bagwajanini
Once upon a time, when European fur trappers discovered the rich resources of the Great Lakes, Bagwajaniniâthe woodland wild manânoticed how curious his little brothers were about these newcomers. Being older and wiser, he cautioned the eldest among them:
“These newcomers will bring only ruin. They will rob you of your homes and food and leave you naked and cold. Do not engage with them.”
But the eldest replied, “They have beads and blankets, coffee and tobacco. We want to trade with them.”
Bagwajanini knew his little brothers lacked the foresight to see beyond the glittering allure of trade. With a heavy heart, he offered one final warning:
“You may do as you will. But know this: if you choose to trade with them, I and mine will disappear into the mountains. You will never see us again.”
And from that day to this, Bagwajanini and his people have remained hidden.
This is my favorite Bigfoot myth. It struck a chord in me the first time I heard it, and its resonance has never faded. It speaks to a deep, wild truth about knowing when to walk away.
The Courage to Change
I’ve been reflecting on this story within the context of my own life. I’ve never been one to stick with things for longâcareers, social circles, hobbies. Some call it inconsistency; others say I burn out quickly. My favorite description? A rebellious backslider. But here’s the thing: whenever Iâve walked away, itâs been because something no longer served me.
Like Bagwajanini, Iâve learned to recognize when it’s time to disappear into the metaphorical mountains. No hesitation. No guilt.
If I am willing to walk away from what doesnât serve me, that must mean I am worthy of being served.
That thought rocked me. Growing up, I was taught that my purpose was to serve others, not myself. Seeking my own well-being felt selfish, even idolatrous. But if you look at nature, everything serves itself. Survival and growth require eliminating what no longer aligns with that purpose.
Itâs hard to walk away from deeply embedded structures and identities. Doing so forces us to learn new ways of living, to find value on our own terms. Transitioning from being a servant to being sovereign is terrifying. Thereâs no safety net, and the only person responsible for your life is you.
But here’s the wild truth: Itâs okay to walk away from what no longer serves you. In fact, it’s essential for growth. Holding on to what harms us stifles our evolution.
You are worthy of walking away.
You are worthy of creating a life that serves your highest good.
Say it out loud, let it echo in your mind and heart: I AM WORTHY.
LET IT GO
Let go of the ways you thought life would unfold: the holding of plans or dreams or expectations â Let it all go. Save your strength to swim with the tide. The choice to fight what is here before you now will only result in struggle, fear, and desperate attempts to flee from the very energy you long for. Let go. Let it all go and flow with the grace that washes through your days whether you received it gently or with all your quills raised to defend against invaders. Take this on faith; the mind may never find the explanations that it seeks, but you will move forward nonetheless. Let go, and the waveâs crest will carry you to unknown shores, beyond your wildest dreams or destinations. Let it all go and find the place of rest and peace, and certain transformation.
â Danna Faulds
This poem speaks to the heart of it. Walking away isnât about giving up, or giving in, or disappointing othersâitâs about honoring the wisdom of the wild, the wisdom embedded deep within yourself, knowing when to release control, and trusting that the unknown holds something better than we can imagine. When we stop resisting and let go, we allow transformation to find us.
A Wild Truth to Reflect On: It’s Okay to Walk Away
Sometimes, the wisest choice is to walk away. Let me repeat: It’s okay to walk away. Like the legendary Bagwajanini, we donât have to stay where we are not honored, heard, or aligned. Trust your instincts and take the path that leads to your wild truth.
What are you holding onto that no longer serves you? What would it feel like to let it go?
Embrace the wisdom of Bagwajanini. Let the past stay in the past, step into your wild truth, and trust in the journey ahead.
Discover Your Wild Truth
If this story resonates with you, and you’re curious about what kind of wild wisdom lives within you, take the Bigfoot Archetype Quiz! Discover which Bigfoot archetype mirrors your pathâare you a Grounded Guardian, a Mindful Mystic, or perhaps a Reflective Wanderer? It’s a fun, insightful way to connect with your own wild truth.
How does that feel? Let me know. Iâd love to hear your reflections.
Stay wild, stay free, and most importantly, stay Squatchy.
Bonus: Meet Hazel and the Wild Squatches
Since weâve mentioned Hazelâs adventures, Iâd love to share her story with you! Download “Where the Wild Squatches Are“âthe first tale that brings Hazelâs journey to life in the Wild Squatch Forest. Itâs a whimsical, heartfelt story about discovering new paths, embracing the unknown, and finding your wild truth. Click the picture to download the story today!
Somewhere between skipping over brooks with Sassy and trying to match Thorneâs long strides through the Wild Squatch Forest, Hazel felt itâthe creeping weight of the world outside. Her thoughts raced to the notifications, to-do lists, and emails piling up, and a wave of exhaustion swept over her. Her stomach twisted, her heart pounded, and the anxious voice in her head screamed, âYouâre wasting time! Thereâs so much to do!â
As if sensing her distress, Lady Bigfoot glided into the clearing, her presence as calming as the forest itself. She held out a hand. âTea time, dear!â Her voice, rich and sweet as raw honey, carried a motherly warmth that Hazel instinctively leaned into. On the tree-stump-turned-table sat a steaming pot and two earthen mugs. Hazel sank onto the soft loam and watched as Lady Bigfoot poured the fragrant tea.
Tea Rituals: More than Medicine đľ
Modern lifestyles leave most of us in a state of both physical and mental dis-ease. Our nervous and hormonal systems, constantly battered by stress and malnutrition, struggle to keep us balanced. This chronic disruption leads to fatigue, anxiety, and burnout.
But the path to healing isnât just about what we consumeâitâs also about how we consume it. This is where the ritual of tea shines. Science shows that intentional pauses during the dayâlet’s call them “micro-rests”âcan lower cortisol levels, calm the nervous system, and even improve digestion. Pair this with medicinal herbs, and you create a double-layered approach to wellness.
Coffee vs. Tea: Both Beloved, But Different âđľ
Letâs be honestâmany of us are deeply devoted to coffee (myself included). Itâs energizing, delicious, and even boasts health benefits. But coffee often keeps us in âgo modeââfueling productivity rather than promoting mindfulness.
Tea, on the other hand, invites us to slow down. Its preparation asks for patience, and its warmth encourages a pause. While coffee revs us up, tea reminds us to rest. Both have their place, but if balance and restoration are what you seek, teaâpaired with intentional ritualsâcreates the perfect micro-rest to reset your body and mind.
Reflection: Finding Balance in Stillness đż
Letâs go back to 2020, when the world seemed to come to a screeching halt. With calendars cleared and endless tasks paused, many of us were left wondering what to do with the sudden stillness. For some, it became a time to catch up on restârediscovering naps and slow mornings. For others, it revealed where life had grown unbalanced and demanded change.
That season was a turning point for Scot and me. With time to reflect, we prioritized our health, reshaped our routines, and reimagined what work-life balance could look like. Out of that pause came the foundation for Squatch Americaand the intentional, grounded life we lead today. Without that forced slowdown, we wouldnât be here, living this dreamâand we wouldnât trade it for all the âtea in China.â
Making tea is a ritual that stops the world from falling in on you.â âJonathan Stroud
Slowing down isnât just an indulgence; itâs a necessity. And while itâs safe to say that none of us want to repeat the events of 2020, simple rituals, like brewing and sipping tea, remind us to make space for that stillness every day.
Tea Rituals: Powerful Micro-Rests for Healing đ˛
In a world that often feels chaotic and demanding, tea rituals offer a rare opportunity to pause and restore. Think of them as invitations to breathe, to be present, and to listen to what your body truly needs.
Brewing tea is more than a taskâitâs an act of care. As the water heats and the leaves steep, your mind slows down. With each sip, your breath deepens, your heart steadies, and your nervous system begins to unwind. And itâs in that quiet space, however brief, that healing begins.
So whether youâre steeping a calming blend to ease tension or sipping a balancing brew to find your center, let a simple tea ritual be your daily reminder that slowing down isnât just an indulgenceâitâs essential.
Meet the Wild Squatch Wellness Teas đż
Wild Squatch Wellness Teasâhandcrafted herbal blends designed to calm nerves, balance hormones, and restore vitality
Sassy Squatchâs Sereni-Tea â Crafted to soothe frazzled nerves and quiet a racing mind. Ingredients like chamomile and blue butterfly pea work synergistically to reduce anxiety and promote restful sleep.
Lady Bigfootâs Balancing Blend â Formulated to restore balance and vitality. Featuring lemon balm and holy basil, this blend supports hormonal health and resilience to stress.
Both teas encourage the act of slowing down and reconnecting, promoting not just physical nourishment but mental clarity and emotional balance.
An Invitation to Pause đ
Incorporating tea rituals into your day is more than just brewing a beverageâitâs creating a sanctuary in your schedule. Whether youâre steeping a calming blend to quiet your thoughts or sipping hormonal balance tea to restore vitality, let each cup remind you that healing begins with slowing down.
For five peaceful minutes, neither of them spoke. Hazel sipped, letting the warm elixir slide down her throat. Slowly, her stomach settled, her pulse slowed, and the noisy chatter in her mind faded into a whisper before disappearing altogether. Lady Bigfoot smiled. âYou see?â she said. âTaking just this little bit of timeâto brew, to pour, to sip, to savorâreminds us that this is all there is. And this,â she gestured to the moment, âis what matters most.â
Feeling frazzled? đ˛â¨ Slow down and sip your way into calm with Bigfootâs tea rituals. Discover how simple herbal blends and mindful moments can ease tension, restore balance, and bring clarityâone soothing cup at a time. đľđż
Ready to Begin? Discover our blends and start your journey to nourishment today. Sign up for updates and early access to pre-orders.
Theyâre full of shadows and questions. Sometimes, you canât see the path aheadâor even be sure one exists. But the woods are also alive with possibility, if you choose to follow the path that presents itself. My journey down that mysterious path started on June 12, 2020, standing in the crisp morning air of the Wilderness Edge campground in Millinocket, Maine.
A mysterious path into mist-shrouded woods….stay safe or follow that path? What would you do?
Out of the WoodsâOr So I Thought
After months of being trapped behind a computer screen, staring at a Brady-Bunch grid of disinterested students, I had stepped into the sunlightâout of the woods, or so I thought. My skin drank in the Vitamin D like it had been paroled from a windowless cell, and every sip of coffee felt like a love letter to freedom. I smiled at my fellow work campers, a welcome change of scenery from pandemic-era teaching, and I knew that there was only goodness to come.
But as my husband Scot wiped yet another streak of blood off his arm, courtesy of the carnivorous black flies swarming us like a Biblical plague, I realized we werenât out yet. We had entered a different kind of woodsâthe kind filled with buzzing tormentors and desperate experiments with insect repellent. The path forward wasnât clear, and the stakes felt personal.
Black Flies and Bug Battles
I hadnât noticed the flies so much; granted, Iâd been sequestered in our camper our first 10 days there, finishing out my teaching contract. Then again, bugs had never really pestered me that much. Over the course of my life, I could count on two hands how many mosquito bites Iâd hadâit really had never been a problem.
Scot, on the other hand, served as a walking bug buffetâa tough break for someone who loved being outdoors. We tried everything: citronella candles, store-bought sprays, even patchouli oil mixed with hydrocortisone cream. The patchouli workedâuntil he sweated it off, which didnât take long. Long sleeves and bug netting werenât much help either, especially when he was trying to build sheds at the campground. It felt like a losing battle.
Scot battled the relentless bugs with grit, but seeing him covered in scabs and scars unsettled me. On the worst days, he stayed inside to let wounds heal before braving another round of attacks. Hope? Weâd let it slip through our fingers like mosquito repellent in a rainstormâdesperate, frustrated, and out of ideas.
If only Iâd known then what I know now! Fortunately I learned and those lessons became The Wild Squatchesâ Natural Defense Guide.
This free guide shares 5 herbal remedies to keep bugs at bayânaturally. If youâve ever faced your own losing battle against the bite, I hope these recipes help you find relief.
Then came the guideâour light through the trees. She wasnât just an intuitive herbalist; she was someone who had walked this path before. One day, as we were chatting about natural healing, I popped off, âYou wouldnât happen to have a concoction to keep the bugs away, would you?â
Testing the FormulaâA Breakthrough Moment
Essential oils and herbsânatureâs powerful allies for healing and protection.
Next thing I knew, there were four testers in the mail, and the experimentation began. Within a few weeks, weâd found the magic combination that not only kept the biting beasts away but stayed on even when Scotâs sweat glands were working overtime. We held our breath as Scot stepped outside, armed with the latest formulaâour best shot at freedom from the flying piranhas.
I watched in awe as the mouthy Texas mosquitos stayed at least a yard away. It was like witnessing a miracleâor at least the end of a horror movie where the hero finally gets a break. Minutes dragged by, and I half-expected him to come sprinting back, swatting at imaginary enemies. But he didnât. Instead, he strolled back, skin intact, grinning like heâd just conquered Everest.
SUCCESS! Squatch-Off was bornâand if Iâm being honest, I almost cried. After years of battling bugs, chasing dead-end solutions, and wasting money on insect repellent that never worked, this moment felt like striking gold in the wilderness. Relief, pride, and disbelief collided as I realized we had finally won. And we had won not once, but twice; because surprise! Born alongside this bouncing baby bug spray was a bouncing baby business: Wild Squatch Wellness. Weâd had TWINS!
But there was more to come…
The Wild Squatch Forest Takes Root
As I sketched out marketing pitches and dreamed up mascots for Squatch-Off, the Wild Squatch Forest began to unfurl in my mind.
A mystical forest alive with secrets, glowing symbols, Bigfoot, and Rune the Owl watching from above.
Trees sprouted from the soil of my imagination, their branches tangled with stories and secrets. I saw ancient wisdom carved into bark and whispered through leaves, a place where mysterious creatures like Bigfoot guided wanderers down mossy paths toward natural health and freedom.
But the forest didnât just growâit pulsed, alive with intuition and connection. It became more than a setting; it became a sanctuary, a universe, an entire ecosystem for those ready to reclaim their health sovereignty and step away from big pharmaâs shadows. I wasnât just launching a productâI was planting the seeds of an idea where health and freedom could take root and thrive.
The forest became a living, breathing metaphor for intuition and connection, reflecting the very essence of what I wanted Wild Squatch Wellness to be. It wasnât just about repelling bugsâit was about reclaiming freedom, stepping out of the shadows, and trusting natureâs wisdom to light the way.
This whole process caught me off guard; Iâd been guiding people as a health coach for years, always wanting to tie nature and Bigfoot and listening to your inner wisdom and intuition into that, but could never figure out how to do that. I still donât quite know how a bug spray sparked an empire, but stranger things have happened in the woods. It snapped the puzzle pieces into place and laid out a sparkling, mysterious path to follow.
A New Dream, Born in the Wilderness
I followed that path, and now I’m thrilled to invite you to step onto that path yourself!
You can be one of the first users of Squatch-Off, our completely organic, nature-derived, plant-based insect repellent. No factory chemicals, no pointless fillers or diluting agents. Just a pure, untainted, and fully potent combination of all-natural, minimally processed ingredients.
Squatch-Off: the bugs canât find Bigfoot and they wonât find you! This all-natural insect repellent keeps you invisible to pests so you can truly enjoy the outdoorsâno toxic chemicals, no compromisesâjust natureâs defense at its finest!
Legend has it that Bigfootâs secret to staying hidden isnât just stealthâitâs natureâs own defense. While we wait for Squatch-Off to launch this spring, you can get a head start with The Wild Squatchesâ Natural Defense Guide! Borrow a page from Bigfootâs survival playbook with 5 herbal remedies to stay off the bug radar.
Click the button below todownload your free guide and join the Squatch-Off email list to be the first to know when pre-sales begin!
Taking a leap into the unknown is never easy, but for us, it was a matter of survival. Leaving behind the safety nets of our old lives pushed us to grow in ways we never expected. That leap wasnât just about changing our lives; it also changed the way we see health, balance, and even ourselves.
But hereâs the thing about stepping into the unknown: it doesnât stop at the leap. The real magic happens when you start to settle into that wild, untamed space and realize itâs been waiting for you all along. For us, thatâs where nature stepped inâteaching us lessons about balance, healing, and what it really means to live fully.
Rediscovering Wisdom Beyond the Edge
What waits for you beyond your comfort zone? For many, itâs a journey into holistic wellness, a deeper connection to nature, or a willingness to question the systems weâve trusted for too long. Take the modern medical-pharmaceutical industry, for example. While its strengthsâlike life-saving surgeries and emergency careâare undeniable, itâs also become a profit-driven machine that often focuses on treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes.
Ancient and alternative healing practices offer us something profound: balance. They focus on the whole personâbody, mind, and spiritâand remind us to trust in natureâs ability to restore harmony. At first, these approaches might feel unfamiliar, but theyâre rooted in traditions that have supported human health for centuries. Whether itâs through herbal remedies or mindfulness practices, they shift the focus from quick fixes to deeper, transformative journeys. Take nutrition, for exampleâitâs not just about whatâs on your plate; it can be a powerful tool in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, often with results that go far beyond what medications can offer.
A Personal Journey: Ditching the Quick Fixes
For most of my life, I struggled with a malfunctioning thyroid. I tried countless medical âsolutionsââall of them expensive, none of them lasting. No matter how hard I worked to shed the extra weight (and keep it off) or find my energy again, I kept hitting walls. Eventually, I had enough.
With some of the courage Iâd cultivated on our adventure, and with support from a community that believed in natural wellness, I made a bold choice: I walked away from conventional medicine and began seeking natural alternatives.
From nutrient-packed meals to herbal teas and supplements, these natural interventions are helping me transform my thyroid health naturally.
It wasnât easyâchange rarely isâbut it changed my life. Over the past several months, with the help of high-quality supplements, herbal teas, intentional nutrition, and even focused meditation, Iâve watched my body repair itself. My hair and nails are growing stronger, my body temperature is finally stabilizing, and even my underwear is fitting better! (If you know, you know.) For the full story, click here.
A Blueprint for Balance
Nature offers more than beautyâit offers wisdom. Just as ecosystems thrive when everything works together in harmony, our health flourishes when we take a holistic approach. Ancient practices like herbal medicine and mindfulness focus on prevention and the bodyâs innate ability to heal, while modern medicine excels in acute care and advanced technologies. When we bring these approaches together, we create a balanced, sustainable path to wellness.
Take turmeric, for exampleâa cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Its active compound, curcumin, is celebrated for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Remedies like turmeric and ashwagandha arenât just old traditions; theyâre gaining recognition in modern wellness for their proven benefits. Even grounding techniques, like walking barefoot on natural surfaces, align beautifully with the balance ancient wisdom teaches us. Theyâve been shown to reduce inflammation and lift our moods, reminding us that sometimes the simplest practices are the most profound.
Golden Milk Recipe: A cozy, anti-inflammatory drink to end your day with balance and warmth.
One of my favorite ways to embrace this balance is through my nightly ritual of golden milk. A simple blend of turmeric, cinnamon, and milk, itâs become a cornerstone of my thyroid healing journey. Thereâs something grounding and nurturing about this small act of self-care at the end of the day.
If youâd like to try it, click the recipe card above for an instant download!
Herbal Remedies, Leeches, and Modern Medicine: A Conversation
Herbal remedies often get written off as old-fashioned or ‘alternative,’ but science is starting to catch up to their potential. Take white willow bark, for example. This ancient remedy has long been used to relieve pain and inflammationâso much so that it inspired the development of modern aspirin. And ashwagandha? This incredible herb has been shown to lower cortisol levels and boost resilience to stress. These time-tested remedies remind us that ancient wisdom often has a place in modern wellness.
That said, not every old remedy stands the test of time. Bleeding with leeches? Letâs leave that one in the past. But some ideasâlike the power of laughterâare timeless. Research from institutions like the Mayo Clinic shows that laughter therapy can lower stress hormones, improve immune function, and release endorphins. Even a quick laugh can boost your mood and lower your blood pressure.
And let me tell you, few things are funnier than Scot wrestling with a broken black tank pipe.
The Great Black Tank Fiasco
Everyoneâevery RVing blogger, YouTuber, and parts personâhad told us to NEVER put butt wipes down the toilet. But hygiene, especially in those parts, can be challenging in such a small space, and we found wipes that specifically said Safe for RV Septic Systems. Alas, the advertising was false. Soon, we found ourselves dealing with the proverbial poop pyramid, which was not only encroaching upwards into our living (and smelling) space but also leaking out the bottom onto our campsite. Being a Sunday and far from any kind of open parts store, we had to make do with what we had.
Scot, armed with duct tape, gloves, and a wildly misplaced sense of optimism, approached the failing pipes. And me? I was doubled over with laughter before he even got started. The first time he crouched under the camper, I heard a loud splatter and a string
of colorful language that made me laugh even harder. I could barely breathe. Between handing him a variety of wrenches, pliers, and other tools I couldnât identify, tears streamed down my face.
To his credit, Scot gamely tried to make it work, but every time he adjusted something, a new leak sprouted. At one point, he emerged, covered in questionable splatters, and glared at me while I sat uselessly on a rock nearby, gasping for air between fits of giggles.
âGlad this is so entertaining for you,â he muttered, which, of course, only made it worse.
By the time the tank was temporarily patched with duct tape and a prayer, we were both laughing so hard we couldnât even be mad. It was gross. It was ridiculous. And it was the best belly laugh Iâd had in months.
Even after lifeâs messiest moments, laughter brings us together. A shared laugh by the river reminds us that joy is always within reach.
So no, leeches wonât be making a comeback in our wellness toolkit. But laughter? Thatâs staying forever. Itâs a reminder that even when life gets messyâliterallyâthereâs always something to smile about. And honestly, Iâm still laughing at the memory of Scotâs poopocalypse.
Whatâs Beyond the Edge?
The edge of your comfort zone isnât just a boundaryâitâs a threshold. Beyond it lies the untamed terrain of discovery, where the unknown transforms from a place of fear into a wellspring of possibility. Itâs where life nudges you to shed the familiar and step boldly into the wilderness of what could be.
Out there, past the safety of what you know, lies the birthplace of transformation. Maybe itâs redefining your health, discovering your wild purpose, or rekindling a connection to nature that once felt instinctive but now seems distant. Whatever calls you, stepping into the unknown is where lifeâs magic unfolds.
Picture this: youâre the adventurer, following tracks through the forest. The trees close in around you, shadows stretching long across the path. Each step feels uncertain, the trail ahead murky and undefined. Fear whispers that you should turn back, but curiosity pulls you forward. You donât know where the tracks lead, but you keep walking because some part of you senses that the forest holds answers you canât find anywhere else.
And then it happensâan opening in the trees. Sunlight filters through,
illuminating a view you couldnât have imagined from where you started. The journey was winding and strange, but it brought you to a place where clarity emerges. Isnât that how transformation works? The path isnât always linear, but it always leads somewhere meaningful.
The mysterious path beckons…will you follow the tracks?
You Won’t Know if You Don’t Go
In many ways, the unknown is like Bigfoot. Elusive. Mysterious. A mix of wonder and intimidation. But thatâs precisely why itâs so powerfulâit challenges you to grow. Bigfootâs tracks inspire curiosity, daring us to follow, even when the destination isnât clear. And when you take that first step, you begin to uncover strengths and possibilities you didnât know you had.
So, what waits beyond your edge? Maybe itâs a healthier body fueled by intentional choices. Perhaps itâs a life rooted in alignment with your values and passions. Maybe itâs an unshakable connection to the natural world, where you finally feel at home. The tracks ahead are yours to follow, but they require courage, trust, and an open heart.
Channel your inner Bigfoot. Be bold. Be curious. Trust the wildness beyond. Those tracks might not lead exactly where you expect, but theyâll take you exactly where you need to go. Sometimes, the most profound journeys start with a single, brave step into the unknown. Will you take it?
And speaking of the unknown, you can take the first step over the edge by discovering your unique Bigfoot Archetype with our Bigfoot Archetype Quiz!
đ˛ Step into the Wild Squatch Forest! đ˛ Join the Wild Squatch tribe and unlock tales of health, adventure, and transformation. From Bigfoot-inspired wellness tips to magical recipes and exclusive goodies, our newsletter will guide you to your wildest purpose.
⨠Donât miss a single trek into the unknownâsign up now and let the adventure begin! đ§”
Have you ever stood at the edge of something new and terrifying, a leap you werenât sure you could take? Maybe it was a diving board as a kidâyour heart racing, toes curled around the edge, your stomach doing flips. And there you were, every inch of you paralyzed by the thought of embracing the unknown. Would the water be freezing? Would the other kids laugh? But still, somewhere deep inside, a tiny voice whispered, âJump.â
Thatâs how it feels to follow a mysterious set of tracks into the woods. You donât know where theyâll lead, what youâll find, or if youâll ever come back the same. But hereâs the thing: the unknown, much like our elusive friend Bigfoot, has a way of stirring the pot. It grabs your imagination, shakes you awake, and dares you to grow…if you dare.
Scot and I found ourselves at that edge in April 2020. The world was locked down, and our lives felt equally boxed in. Our jobs, which had been draining our energy for years, had become full-blown soul-suckers. The cracks in our foundation had turned into craters, and yet we clung to that crumbling familiarity like shipwreck survivors to a splintered plank. The known was killing us, but the unknown? That was uncharted territory. And honestly, it scared us.
But sometimes, life doesnât leave you much of a choice. So we jumped. We left behind the careers, the safety nets, the societal expectations. We didnât have a planâjust a destination: Millinocket, Maine. And while I wish I could say we leapt gracefully, the truth is we flailed. It was messy, uncomfortable, and humbling. But it was also the beginning of something wild and beautiful.
Letâs be honest: embracing the unknown gets a bad rap. Evolution trained us to avoid it; after all, in prehistoric times, the rustling in the bushes could have been a predator. But in modern life, that instinct can keep us stuck in routines that no longer serve us. Jobs we hate. Relationships weâve outgrown. Even beliefs that donât fit anymore. Itâs all so safe, and yet, itâs suffocating.
The unknown, on the other hand, is like a shadowy forest. Sure, itâs dark, and yes, there might be bears. But itâs also where the magic happens. Growth, discovery, transformationânone of that happens on the well-worn trail. You have to step into the mystery. And isnât it funny how every single thing we now call âfamiliarâ started out as unfamiliar? A job, a friendship, a cityâit all began as uncharted territory.
Bigfoot: Our Guide Along the Edge
We were high in the mountains of Eastern Oregon, under a full moon in June 2023, more than 30 miles from the nearest humans. After a grueling day of squatchingâseven or eight miles of unforgiving terrainâwe were completely wiped out. Daisy, our dog, had collapsed in the back seat hours earlier and hadnât moved. Moonlight poured through the tent fly, casting the meadow in a silver glow so bright it felt like daylight.
A distant glimpse of our red truck and rooftop tent, awaiting our return from a long day of squatching.The moon casts its glow over the meadow, setting the stage for an unforgettable night.Camping under a full moon like this, who needs a lantern?
But the meadow wasnât resting. Juvenile elk bugled and clashed antlers, foxes trilled, coyotes yipped and barked, and owls added their hoots to the mix. Even the crickets seemed determined to outdo one another. Lying there, exhaustion pulling at me, I thought, How am I supposed to sleep through this circus? Then, as if responding to my frustration, I muttered, âWould everyone PLEASE just SHUT UP?â
A scream ripped through the nightâa sound so loud, so sharp, it cut through every other noise. Then came another scream, from a different direction. And then a third, somewhere else entirely. Scot and I froze in our sleeping bags, wide-eyed and silent. That wasnât a cougar. It wasnât a bear. It wasnât anything we recognized. We didnât dare speak, but the look we exchanged said everything: What. Was. That?
And just like that, the meadow went silent. Not a rustle, not a chirp. The quiet stretched until dawn, when the grouse began their morning drumbeats as if nothing had happened.
Embracing the Unknown Doesn’t Always Mean Understanding It…
To this day, we donât know what made those screams, and we probably never will. I like to think the Sasquatch were as annoyed with the noise as I was. The mystery of that night stays with us, and itâs become one of our favorite stories.
Bigfoot, with all his mystery and intrigue, is the perfect symbol of the unknown. He challenges us to face the parts of ourselves we havenât yet discovered, to step into uncharted territory where true growth begins. Just as Bigfoot roams the wild forests, we have the chance to explore the untamed parts of our own potential. And like any good Bigfoot story, itâs the journeyânot the destinationâthat matters most.
Moving Beyond that Fearful Edge
Embracing the unknown and taking that step into it can feel overwhelming, but it doesnât have to happen all at once. When we launched our journey in 2020, we didnât have everything figured out, but we found ways to move forward, step by step:
We embraced curiosity: Instead of dwelling on âWhat if this goes wrong?â we leaned into âWhat might we discover?â Honestly, most of the time we just said, âWhat the hell? Letâs make it work.â That shiftâfrom feeling stuck to seeing ourselves as adventurersâhelped us take those first bold steps.
We started small: No grand plans, no safety netsâjust one clear goal: Millinocket, Maine. If we could get there on our last paychecks, weâd figure the rest out as it came. And ever since, itâs been about asking one simple question: Whatâs the next step? Then taking it.
We leaned into uncertainty: Like spotting Bigfoot, there were no guarantees. Our journey wasnât about knowing every answer but about growing into better versions of ourselves along the wayâand yes, maybe catching a glimpse of something extraordinary.
We found our people: Bigfoot doesnât roam alone, and neither should we. When our old community no longer fit, we curated a new one. Letting go of relationships that didnât support us made room for those that did.
We celebrated every win: Big or small, every step mattered. On hard days, when the truck wouldnât start or the batteries wouldnât charge, we reminded ourselves how far weâd come. The life we used to dream about is the one we wake up to now, and that makes it all worth it.
But stepping beyond the edge isnât just about embracing changeâitâs about discovering what lies on the other side. Remember Indiana Jones?
For us, that leap of faith led to something deeper: a rediscovery of balance, wisdom, and the surprising ways nature has always been our greatest teacher.
(To be continued…)
Ready to Take Your First Step? Embracing the unknown doesnât have to feel overwhelming. With the right tools, you can turn fear into curiosity and courage. Thatâs why weâve created “Steps to Embrace the Unknown: Your Bigfoot Blueprint to Bravery”âa simple, actionable guide to help you navigate the wild and embrace your own edge.
đ˛ Step into the Wild Squatch Forest! đ˛ Join the Wild Squatch tribe and unlock tales of health, adventure, and transformation. From Bigfoot-inspired wellness tips to magical recipes and exclusive goodies, our newsletter will guide you to your wildest purpose.
⨠Donât miss a single trek into the unknownâsign up now and let the adventure begin! đ§”
You know that feeling when life gets overwhelmingâwhen your to-do list seems endless, and your brain just wonât stop spinning? Iâve been there more times than I can count. And while there are countless ways to recharge, thereâs one thing I keep coming back to: going outside.
Itâs not fancy or complicated, but itâs incredibly effective. Nature is like fry sauce (hear me out!). You know, that simple mix of ketchup and mayo that somehow becomes something magical? Nature works the same wayâitâs an uncomplicated blend of fresh air, earthy scents, and the grounding touch of the wild. Somehow, being outside just makes everything better.
When we left our entire life behind in 2020 and drove awayâinto the metaphoric and literal woodsâI started experiencing this miraculous âfry-sauce effectâ firsthand. It wasnât just a temporary escape; it was healing in ways I didnât expect. And the more time I spent outside, the more I realized just how powerful natureâs medicine really is.
Hereâs the wild truth: Nature doesnât just help us feel betterâit actually heals us, body and mind.
Dipping into that Sauce
1. Nature Heals
Did you know that spending time in nature can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and even boost your immune system? Studies on the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, have revealed its incredible effects on physical and mental health. Exposure to natural environments lowers blood pressure, calms the nervous system, and elevates mood. Pretty amazing, right?
But I didnât just read about thisâI lived it.
Letâs flash back to 2020. It took us a while to actually get to the forest. At the time, I was still teaching online, sitting in our camper for hours, staring at that oh-so-familiar Brady Bunch grid of faces on Google Meet. In between classes, we were driving pell-mell across the countryâ4,000 miles from Oregon to Maineâcovering ground as fast as we could.
Related Post:If you want the full story of how we left it all behind and headed into the wild, check out From Stressed to Squatched. đż
And then we arrived.
There I was, this city-born-and-bred girl, parked in a rustic North Maine Woods campground, fumbling with kindling for campfires and literally tripping over boulders jutting out from the dirt roads. But everything changed on June 11, 2020âan auspicious day. At 10 a.m. Eastern, I logged out of my school account for the last time, and for the first time in years, I had a chance to poke my nose outside.
Hours in front of a computer were traded for hours walking barefoot, soaking up the sun, and even climbing mountains. It was a 180-degree turnaround from inside to outside.
And then it happened.
Three months later, I realized something incredible: the shaking, trembling, and dread Iâd been waking up with for years was gone. Absolutely gone. I remember standing there in disbelief, thinking, âIs this what not having a panic attack feels like? This is AWESOME!â
From the digital classroom to the North Maine Woodsâmy first adventure after ending my teaching contract. A city girl stepping into a brand new, wilder worldâŚand loving every moment of it. đ˛â¨
At the same time, the world was navigating the global SARS-CoV-2 virus. And while I did eventually get sick, battling it for about a month, I managed to fight it off with nothing more than rest, hydration, and nutrition…and LOTS of Vitamin D from sitting outside in the sun. I believe with my whole heart that soaking up natureâs medicine gave me the strength to recover and protect my body from what could have been a much worse outcome.
Since then? I can count on fewer than five fingers the number of times Iâve been sick.
The wild truth? Nature has the power to healânot just emotionally, but physically, too.
(For the science enthusiasts: If you want to geek out on the research behind this, check out our free PDF download here or grab it at the end of this post!)
2. Nature Resets…
You know the drill: endless emails, constant notifications, and the blue glow of screens staring back at you day and night. Itâs like being caught in a hamster wheel that never stops spinning. And while I love the freedom of remote workâcreating content and coaching from anywhereâsometimes âanywhereâ starts to feel like everywhere.
There was one trip that really brought this home for me. Weâd been stuck behind our screens for weeksâworking on projects, answering emails, and squinting into our computers from the cramped space of the camper. The dog was getting restless, we were getting irritable, and we both felt like we were just stuck and spinning our wheels, aimlessly and without purpose anymore.
Finally, we decided: enough. We packed up our camping (vs. glamping) gear and drove deeper into the wilderness, setting up camp at one of our favorite rustic spots high in the mountains of Eastern Oregon âno cell service, no distractions, just the crackle of the fire and the sound of the wind in the trees.
Off the grid and into the wildâsometimes natureâs best reset starts where the roads end. đ˛
At first, it felt uncomfortable. My mind still raced with to-do lists and unfinished ideas, as if I could feel the notifications piling up in my inbox. But then, something shifted.
I watched our dog dart happily through the trees, blissfully unaware of the modern chaos weâd just escaped. We wandered aimlessly, searching for signs of Bigfootâhalf-serious, half-hoping weâd stumble across something magical. I remember standing still in a clearing, surrounded by nothing but the hum of the forest, the sharp scent of pine needles, the distant call of a bird I didnât recognize, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot, and feeling the tension melt out of my shoulders.
Thatâs when it hit me: I wasnât just unplugging from my laptopâI was plugging into something bigger.
…to factory specs.
Nature has this way of resetting your brain, like closing out all those open browser tabs and starting fresh. You donât have to âdoâ anything to feel itâjust being outside, breathing deeply, and letting your senses soak up the wild is enough.
Three days later, when we returned to our camper, the fog in our minds had lifted. Ideas started flowing again, our energy felt lighter, and we remembered why weâd chosen this life in the first place: freedom, connection, and room to breathe. Not to mention the chance to hear Bigfoot howling in the distanceâŚwhich we didâŚ
To top it off, we werenât just rechargedâwe were clear-headed and ready to make some brave new choices about our future.
The wild truth? Sometimes the best way to hit âresetâ isnât by escaping to a tropical spa or binge-watching Netflixâitâs getting outside, stepping into the woods, letting go of the noise, and rediscovering the clarity you didnât even know youâd lost.
3. Nature Inspires…
Thereâs something magical about nature that invites us to slow down and see the worldâand ourselvesâthrough new eyes. But let me tell you, I didnât fully understand that magic until I found myself staring up at Mt. Katahdin in Northern Maine.
Iâd never climbed a mountain before, not really. But this time felt different. It was our anniversary, and I wanted to celebrate by doing something that had always been out of reach. Iâd lost a significant amount of weight that year, and for the first time in ages, I felt like my body could do thingsâbig things.
It was also a chance to re-live our honeymoon, 23 years earlier, when weâd gone camping and âmountain climbingâ for the first time. And by âclimbing,â I mean Scot nearly had to carry me down the mountain after I dramatically realized that my attempt to be a nature girl might have been, well, premature.
So, there I was, years later, at the base of this real mountainâwind in my hair, boots laced tightâfeeling a mix of excitement, fear, and disbelief. Could I actually do this?
…to make the climb.
We started the climb, and for the first time in years, I felt like a kid again. I was scrambling over boulders, splashing across creeks, laughing breathlessly at the absurdity of it all, and marveling at how the higher we climbed, the quieter the world seemed to become. It wasnât just the physical challenge that felt so freeing; it was the wonder. The kind of wonder that makes you stop mid-step to gape at a view youâve never seen before. (I thought I could see the entire state of Maine from up there!) The kind of wonder that humbles you and fills you up all at once.
And hereâs the thing: climbing that mountain wasnât about proving something to myself, though I did. It was about rediscovering joyâreal, childlike joyâin the act of play. At some point along the climb, I realized I wasnât just reaching for the summit; I was reaching for a part of myself I thought Iâd lost.
Above the treeline on Mt. Katahdinâmy first successful mountain climb. Almost the top of the world, and definitely on top of my own. â°ď¸
Did I reach the summit? Nope. But I made it above the treeline, and let me tell youâI nearly cried with joy, pride, and exhilaration as the setting sun told us it was time to turn back. When we finally descended (on my own two legs this time!), I felt something shift inside me. Nature had reminded me how to play again. To laugh, to marvel, to feel pride in my body and gratitude for my life.
And that sense of wonder? It hasnât left me since.
The wild truth? Nature doesnât just show us beautyâit invites and inspires us to play in it. To splash in creeks, climb mountains (even if they feel a little ridiculous), and remember what itâs like to feel fully alive. But we will only experience that if we take the initiative to unplug and go outside!
4. Nature Connects…
When we first drove away in 2020, we had every intention of keeping to ourselves. Public life had made it hard to know friend from foe, and the safest plan seemed to be sticking to our own little circleâjust the two of us (and the dog).
But when we arrived at that rustic Maine campground, something unexpected happened. We met peopleâwonderful, kind, and genuine peopleâwho reminded us what real connection feels like. Some of those strangers even turned out to be distant family we never knew existed, as if the wild itself had been conspiring to reconnect us.
Minutes after discovering we were cousins, we had to capture this moment at Wilderness Edge Campgroundâa surprise reunion only nature (and maybe Bigfoot) could have orchestrated. đď¸â¨
Over evening campfires, we swapped stories. Over morning coffee, we shared laughs. And through ATV rides that bumped us deep into the wilderness, we grew to love these new friends as though weâd known them forever.
Hereâs the funny thing about stepping outside, especially into the wild backwoods: it strips away pretenses. Out there, it doesnât matter who youâve been or what you do; itâs about who you are in that moment. And in that space, something else happenedâwe started rediscovering each other, too.
Our marriage, which once felt fragile and troubled, began to heal. Maybe itâs because we had no choice but to rely on each otherâwhen youâre climbing a mountain or blazing a trail on rough terrain, trust becomes non-negotiable (and letâs be real, itâs a great metaphor for marriage). Helping each other not literally fall off a mountain has a way of building a kind of trust that feels unshakable. We learned to lean on each other in ways we hadnât before, and slowly, we grew into a partnership that was deeper and more resilient than we ever thought possible.
…and connects, and connect…
And the connections didnât stop there. Those campfire friendships planted a seed. We started sharing our Bigfoot adventures with our growing community, hosting meetups across the country and inviting others (not limited to the USA!) into this wild life we love so much. What began as a desire to escape the
Our Squatch America community knows no borders! Meetups like thisâconnecting with our friends all the way from Englandâremind us why the wild truly brings us together. đđ
noise of public life turned into something we never expected: a network of incredible people who inspire us, challenge us, and remind us that life is richer when we share it.
The wild truth? Nature doesnât just help you find yourselfâit helps you find your people. Whether itâs through shared laughter on an ATV trail, quiet moments around a fire, or supporting each other up a steep climb, the connections forged in outside four walls are some of the most genuine and lasting ones youâll ever make.
Tips to Bring the Wild Into Your Life
You donât have to climb mountains or wander deep into the wilderness to feel the magic of nature (though I highly recommend it at least once!). Here are a few simple ways to start reconnecting with the wild:
Start Small: Youâd be amazed at how restorative even 10 minutes outside can be. Take a walk in the park, sit under a tree, or let the sun warm your face while you sip your morning coffee. Small moments count.
Go Barefoot: Kick off your shoes and feel the earth beneath your feet. Grass, dirt, sandâitâs grounding, both literally and figuratively. Itâs called earthing, and trust me, itâs worth a try. (And to kick it up a notch? Lay down on grass and feel that energy soak up, right into your spine.)
Tune In: Put the phone away (yes, really). Close your eyes and listen to the wind in the trees. Notice the scents in the air, the rhythm of your footsteps, or the way the sunlight hits the leaves. Let yourself be there.
Try Forest Bathing: Find a quiet trail, a patch of woods, or even a nearby nature reserve and just wander. No agenda, no destinationâjust let yourself soak it all in. Itâs surprisingly freeing.
Make It a Habit: Nature is the kind of medicine that works best when you take it regularly. Even short, consistent visits to the wild can work wonders for your mind, body, and soul.
The Path Back to Yourself: Go Outside
Reconnecting with nature isnât just about self-care; itâs about reclaiming a piece of yourself thatâs been buried under all the noise of modern life. Itâs about remembering that youâre part of something biggerâa world that doesnât need your to-do list, your deadlines, or your notifications to keep spinning.
So, hereâs your invitation: step outside. Breathe deeply. Listen for the whisper of the wind or the call of a far-off bird. Let yourself soak in the magic thatâs been waiting for you all along.
Go ahead. Take that first step. Youâve got nothing to lose and everything to rediscover.
Because hereâs the wild truth: nature is like fry sauceâsimple, timeless, and greater than the sum of its parts. It heals, it inspires, it transforms…without the extra fry sauce calories.
Want to dig deeper into the science? Download our free resource, “Natureâs Healing Power,” packed with research and insights to inspire your next adventure into the wild.
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