I’ve been practicing yoga for years—nearly two decades now—but 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 “yoga studio”? 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 CD—we’re 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 me—not 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 I’m still practicing…but I’ve since graduated from the stick figures! Now, I belong to a vibrant online yoga community where we grow—not 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 wouldn’t you know? The underlying message of the class was exactly that—trust your body.
But here’s the thing: Trusting your body is easier said than done.
Because what happens when your body doesn’t look or behave the way you think it should? When healing feels like two steps forward, one step back? When you’re tempted to hand over your authority to diet culture, wellness trends, or someone else’s 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?
Let’s dive in.
Trust: A Sacred Covenant With Yourself
In a world brimming with quick fixes, trending diets, and “hacks” for everything, we often overlook the most profound relationship we have—the one with our own body.
This isn’t 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 deeper—a 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 isn’t 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. It’s not about convenience; it’s about deep alignment, a vow that holds weight even when tested. When we say, “I trust my body,” we’re not just hoping it won’t fail us—we’re 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 “confidence, protection, support.” 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 experience—a 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 isn’t a new idea—we’ve 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 we’re hungry.
We rely on trackers to dictate when we’ve moved “enough.”
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, “I trust my body,” it’s not just a passive statement—it’s 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 isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about partnership. You and your body are on the same team.
Creating an Environment Where Your Body Thrives
Trusting your body isn’t just about mindset—it’s about how you show up for yourself. Your body’s 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:
🌿 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. 💧 Hydration: Drinking pure, clean water to help your body function smoothly, optimally, and also engage in autonomous self-healing. 🧘♀️ 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.
🌿 I stand in sacred covenant with my body. 🌿 I honor its wisdom, listen to its whispers, and trust its signals. 🌿 My breath is a bridge to its truth, my heartbeat a rhythm of connection. 🌿 I release fear and doubt, embracing the divine intelligence woven into every cell. 🌿 I cultivate an environment where my body can thrive—nourishing it with whole, vibrant foods, pure and clean water, and movement that stretches, strengthens, and inspires. 🌿 I am both steward and companion, walking this path with gratitude, respect, and unwavering trust. 🌿 My body is my ally, my sanctuary, and my guide. Together, we thrive.
It has always been there—waiting 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 One—what’s one way you can start trusting your body and honoring your body’s wisdom today? Drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear. 💚
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 isn’t 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 I’ve gathered during several years of researching Bigfoot across the United States. I never equated “Bigfoot” with “wisdom” when this journey began, but I’ve since been proven wonderfully wrong. That very phenomenon—finding profound lessons hidden within the lore, the legends, and the reality —is 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, Bagwajanini—the woodland wild man—noticed 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 long—careers, 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 I’ve walked away, it’s been because something no longer served me.
Like Bagwajanini, I’ve 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 doesn’t 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.
It’s 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. There’s no safety net, and the only person responsible for your life is you.
But here’s the wild truth: It’s 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 – 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 wave’s 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.
— Danna Faulds
This poem speaks to the heart of it. Walking away isn’t about giving up, or giving in, or disappointing others—it’s 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 don’t 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 path—are 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. I’d love to hear your reflections.
Stay wild, stay free, and most importantly, stay Squatchy.
Bonus: Meet Hazel and the Wild Squatches
Since we’ve mentioned Hazel’s adventures, I’d love to share her story with you! Download “Where the Wild Squatches Are“—the first tale that brings Hazel’s journey to life in the Wild Squatch Forest. It’s 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 Thorne’s long strides through the Wild Squatch Forest, Hazel felt it—the 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, “You’re wasting time! There’s so much to do!”
As if sensing her distress, Lady Bigfoot glided into the clearing, her presence as calming as the forest itself. She held out a hand. “Tea time, dear!” 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 🍵
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 isn’t just about what we consume—it’s also about how we consume it. This is where the ritual of tea shines. Science shows that intentional pauses during the day—let’s call them “micro-rests”—can 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 ☕🍵
Let’s be honest—many of us are deeply devoted to coffee (myself included). It’s energizing, delicious, and even boasts health benefits. But coffee often keeps us in “go mode”—fueling 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, tea—paired with intentional rituals—creates the perfect micro-rest to reset your body and mind.
Reflection: Finding Balance in Stillness 🌿
Let’s 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 rest—rediscovering 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 wouldn’t be here, living this dream—and we wouldn’t trade it for all the “tea in China.”
Making tea is a ritual that stops the world from falling in on you.’ —Jonathan Stroud
Slowing down isn’t just an indulgence; it’s a necessity. And while it’s 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 🌲
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 task—it’s 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 it’s in that quiet space, however brief, that healing begins.
So whether you’re 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 isn’t just an indulgence—it’s essential.
Meet the Wild Squatch Wellness Teas 🌿
Wild Squatch Wellness Teas—handcrafted herbal blends designed to calm nerves, balance hormones, and restore vitality
Sassy Squatch’s Sereni-Tea – 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 Bigfoot’s Balancing Blend – 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 🌎
Incorporating tea rituals into your day is more than just brewing a beverage—it’s creating a sanctuary in your schedule. Whether you’re 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. “You see?” she said. “Taking just this little bit of time—to brew, to pour, to sip, to savor—reminds us that this is all there is. And this,” she gestured to the moment, “is what matters most.”
Feeling frazzled? 🌲✨ Slow down and sip your way into calm with Bigfoot’s tea rituals. Discover how simple herbal blends and mindful moments can ease tension, restore balance, and bring clarity—one soothing cup at a time. 🍵🌿
Ready to Begin? Discover our blends and start your journey to nourishment today. Sign up for updates and early access to pre-orders.
They’re full of shadows and questions. Sometimes, you can’t see the path ahead—or 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 Woods—Or 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 sunlight—out 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 weren’t out yet. We had entered a different kind of woods—the kind filled with buzzing tormentors and desperate experiments with insect repellent. The path forward wasn’t clear, and the stakes felt personal.
Black Flies and Bug Battles
I hadn’t noticed the flies so much; granted, I’d 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 I’d had—it really had never been a problem.
Scot, on the other hand, served as a walking bug buffet—a 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 worked—until he sweated it off, which didn’t take long. Long sleeves and bug netting weren’t 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? We’d let it slip through our fingers like mosquito repellent in a rainstorm—desperate, frustrated, and out of ideas.
If only I’d known then what I know now! Fortunately I learned and those lessons became The Wild Squatches’ Natural Defense Guide.
This free guide shares 5 herbal remedies to keep bugs at bay—naturally. If you’ve ever faced your own losing battle against the bite, I hope these recipes help you find relief.
Then came the guide—our light through the trees. She wasn’t 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, “You wouldn’t happen to have a concoction to keep the bugs away, would you?”
Testing the Formula—A Breakthrough Moment
Essential oils and herbs—nature’s 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, we’d found the magic combination that not only kept the biting beasts away but stayed on even when Scot’s sweat glands were working overtime. We held our breath as Scot stepped outside, armed with the latest formula—our 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 miracle—or 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 didn’t. Instead, he strolled back, skin intact, grinning like he’d just conquered Everest.
SUCCESS! Squatch-Off was born—and if I’m 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. We’d 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 didn’t just grow—it 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 pharma’s shadows. I wasn’t just launching a product—I 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 wasn’t just about repelling bugs—it was about reclaiming freedom, stepping out of the shadows, and trusting nature’s wisdom to light the way.
This whole process caught me off guard; I’d 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 don’t 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 can’t find Bigfoot and they won’t find you! This all-natural insect repellent keeps you invisible to pests so you can truly enjoy the outdoors—no toxic chemicals, no compromises—just nature’s defense at its finest!
Legend has it that Bigfoot’s secret to staying hidden isn’t just stealth—it’s nature’s own defense. While we wait for Squatch-Off to launch this spring, you can get a head start with The Wild Squatches’ Natural Defense Guide! Borrow a page from Bigfoot’s 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!
Have you ever stood at the edge of something new and terrifying, a leap you weren’t sure you could take? Maybe it was a diving board as a kid—your 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, “Jump.”
That’s how it feels to follow a mysterious set of tracks into the woods. You don’t know where they’ll lead, what you’ll find, or if you’ll ever come back the same. But here’s 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 doesn’t leave you much of a choice. So we jumped. We left behind the careers, the safety nets, the societal expectations. We didn’t have a plan—just 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.
Let’s 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 we’ve outgrown. Even beliefs that don’t fit anymore. It’s all so safe, and yet, it’s suffocating.
The unknown, on the other hand, is like a shadowy forest. Sure, it’s dark, and yes, there might be bears. But it’s also where the magic happens. Growth, discovery, transformation—none of that happens on the well-worn trail. You have to step into the mystery. And isn’t it funny how every single thing we now call “familiar” started out as unfamiliar? A job, a friendship, a city—it 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 squatching—seven or eight miles of unforgiving terrain—we were completely wiped out. Daisy, our dog, had collapsed in the back seat hours earlier and hadn’t 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 wasn’t 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, “Would everyone PLEASE just SHUT UP?”
A scream ripped through the night—a 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 wasn’t a cougar. It wasn’t a bear. It wasn’t anything we recognized. We didn’t 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 don’t 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 it’s 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 haven’t 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, it’s the journey—not the destination—that matters most.
Moving Beyond that Fearful Edge
Embracing the unknown and taking that step into it can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once. When we launched our journey in 2020, we didn’t have everything figured out, but we found ways to move forward, step by step:
We embraced curiosity: Instead of dwelling on “What if this goes wrong?” we leaned into “What might we discover?” Honestly, most of the time we just said, “What the hell? Let’s make it work.” That shift—from feeling stuck to seeing ourselves as adventurers—helped us take those first bold steps.
We started small: No grand plans, no safety nets—just one clear goal: Millinocket, Maine. If we could get there on our last paychecks, we’d figure the rest out as it came. And ever since, it’s been about asking one simple question: What’s the next step? Then taking it.
We leaned into uncertainty: Like spotting Bigfoot, there were no guarantees. Our journey wasn’t about knowing every answer but about growing into better versions of ourselves along the way—and yes, maybe catching a glimpse of something extraordinary.
We found our people: Bigfoot doesn’t roam alone, and neither should we. When our old community no longer fit, we curated a new one. Letting go of relationships that didn’t support us made room for those that did.
We celebrated every win: Big or small, every step mattered. On hard days, when the truck wouldn’t start or the batteries wouldn’t charge, we reminded ourselves how far we’d 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 isn’t just about embracing change—it’s 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 doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right tools, you can turn fear into curiosity and courage. That’s why we’ve created “Steps to Embrace the Unknown: Your Bigfoot Blueprint to Bravery”—a simple, actionable guide to help you navigate the wild and embrace your own edge.
🌲 Step into the Wild Squatch Forest! 🌲 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.
✨ Don’t miss a single trek into the unknown—sign up now and let the adventure begin! 🧈”
You know that feeling when life gets overwhelming—when your to-do list seems endless, and your brain just won’t stop spinning? I’ve been there more times than I can count. And while there are countless ways to recharge, there’s one thing I keep coming back to: going outside.
It’s not fancy or complicated, but it’s 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 way—it’s 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 away—into the metaphoric and literal woods—I started experiencing this miraculous “fry-sauce effect” firsthand. It wasn’t just a temporary escape; it was healing in ways I didn’t expect. And the more time I spent outside, the more I realized just how powerful nature’s medicine really is.
Here’s the wild truth: Nature doesn’t just help us feel better—it 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 didn’t just read about this—I lived it.
Let’s 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 country—4,000 miles from Oregon to Maine—covering 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. 🌿
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, 2020—an 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 I’d been waking up with for years was gone. Absolutely gone. I remember standing there in disbelief, thinking, “Is this what not having a panic attack feels like? This is AWESOME!”
From the digital classroom to the North Maine Woods—my first adventure after ending my teaching contract. A city girl stepping into a brand new, wilder world…and loving every moment of it. 🌲✨
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 nature’s 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 I’ve been sick.
The wild truth? Nature has the power to heal—not 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. It’s like being caught in a hamster wheel that never stops spinning. And while I love the freedom of remote work—creating content and coaching from anywhere—sometimes “anywhere” starts to feel like everywhere.
There was one trip that really brought this home for me. We’d been stuck behind our screens for weeks—working 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 —no 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 wild—sometimes nature’s best reset starts where the roads end. 🌲
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 we’d just escaped. We wandered aimlessly, searching for signs of Bigfoot—half-serious, half-hoping we’d 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 didn’t recognize, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot, and feeling the tension melt out of my shoulders.
That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t just unplugging from my laptop—I 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 don’t have to “do” anything to feel it—just 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 we’d chosen this life in the first place: freedom, connection, and room to breathe. Not to mention the chance to hear Bigfoot howling in the distance…which we did…
To top it off, we weren’t just recharged—we were clear-headed and ready to make some brave new choices about our future.
The wild truth? Sometimes the best way to hit “reset” isn’t by escaping to a tropical spa or binge-watching Netflix—it’s getting outside, stepping into the woods, letting go of the noise, and rediscovering the clarity you didn’t even know you’d lost.
3. Nature Inspires…
There’s something magical about nature that invites us to slow down and see the world—and ourselves—through new eyes. But let me tell you, I didn’t fully understand that magic until I found myself staring up at Mt. Katahdin in Northern Maine.
I’d 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. I’d lost a significant amount of weight that year, and for the first time in ages, I felt like my body could do things—big things.
It was also a chance to re-live our honeymoon, 23 years earlier, when we’d gone camping and “mountain climbing” for the first time. And by “climbing,” 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 mountain—wind in my hair, boots laced tight—feeling 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 wasn’t 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 you’ve 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 here’s the thing: climbing that mountain wasn’t about proving something to myself, though I did. It was about rediscovering joy—real, childlike joy—in the act of play. At some point along the climb, I realized I wasn’t just reaching for the summit; I was reaching for a part of myself I thought I’d lost.
Above the treeline on Mt. Katahdin—my first successful mountain climb. Almost the top of the world, and definitely on top of my own. ⛰️
Did I reach the summit? Nope. But I made it above the treeline, and let me tell you—I 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 hasn’t left me since.
The wild truth? Nature doesn’t just show us beauty—it invites and inspires us to play in it. To splash in creeks, climb mountains (even if they feel a little ridiculous), and remember what it’s 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 circle—just the two of us (and the dog).
But when we arrived at that rustic Maine campground, something unexpected happened. We met people—wonderful, kind, and genuine people—who 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 Campground—a surprise reunion only nature (and maybe Bigfoot) could have orchestrated. 🏕️✨
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 we’d known them forever.
Here’s the funny thing about stepping outside, especially into the wild backwoods: it strips away pretenses. Out there, it doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you do; it’s about who you are in that moment. And in that space, something else happened—we started rediscovering each other, too.
Our marriage, which once felt fragile and troubled, began to heal. Maybe it’s because we had no choice but to rely on each other—when you’re climbing a mountain or blazing a trail on rough terrain, trust becomes non-negotiable (and let’s be real, it’s 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 hadn’t 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 didn’t 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 this—connecting with our friends all the way from England—remind us why the wild truly brings us together. 🌍🚙
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 doesn’t just help you find yourself—it helps you find your people. Whether it’s 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 you’ll ever make.
Tips to Bring the Wild Into Your Life
You don’t 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: You’d 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, sand—it’s grounding, both literally and figuratively. It’s called earthing, and trust me, it’s 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 destination—just let yourself soak it all in. It’s 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 isn’t just about self-care; it’s about reclaiming a piece of yourself that’s been buried under all the noise of modern life. It’s about remembering that you’re part of something bigger—a world that doesn’t need your to-do list, your deadlines, or your notifications to keep spinning.
So, here’s 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 that’s been waiting for you all along.
Go ahead. Take that first step. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to rediscover.
Because here’s the wild truth: nature is like fry sauce—simple, 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, “Nature’s Healing Power,” packed with research and insights to inspire your next adventure into the wild.
🌲 Step into the Wild Squatch Forest! 🌲 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.
✨ Don’t miss a single trek into the unknown—sign up now and let the adventure begin! 🧈”
