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!
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§”
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.
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§”
We were drowning. In fact, we had been drowning for decades. The demands of lifeâraising a blended family, working 80-hour weeks in thankless careers, and scrambling through side hustles just to stay afloatâhad finally left us gasping for air. Community obligations piled on, debt loomed larger each day, and our marriage buckled under the relentless pressure.
In public, we couldnât tell friend from foe; in private, we were breaking apart. Divorce papers sat on the table, and tears of pain, frustration, and desperation became our constant companions. The boundaries between our public and private lives blurred into chaos. Even our adult children and pets could feel the tension that consumed our home.
We wanted out but felt trappedâtied to a life that no longer felt like our own. We knew something had to change. Life was overwhelming, and our stress management strategies – if we had any – weren’t working.
Then, in 2020, the world came to a standstill.
For the first time in decades, everything paused. It was then we faced a choice: continue suffocating in the life weâd built or take a leap of faith into the unknown.
Moving from Chaos to Clarity: How We Found Freedom in the Forest
As the global pandemic brought the world to a halt, we took a long, hard look at the life we were desperately trying to hold together. We made a drastic decision: finish the employment contracts binding us, cash out every resource, hook up our camper, and drive awayâinto the woods, both literally and metaphorically.
Our escape into the wild, where the journey From Stressed to Squatched began.
Yes, we were searching for Bigfoot. We poured our energy into building our dream and our nationwide organization (Squatch America). But we were also searching for something we couldnât quite nameâpeace, clarity, maybe just a moment to breathe. Surrounded by towering trees and the hush of the forest, we began to piece ourselves back togetherâphysically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Along the way, as we searched for Bigfoot, we found something even more elusive: ourselves.
Ultimately, thatâs how Wild Squatch Wellness was bornâfrom the belief that reconnecting with nature helps us rediscover who we really are. We learned that within each of us lies a deeply embedded purpose, one far wilder than we could have ever imagined.
Reclaiming Our Wild Selves
We didnât set out to find a new way of livingâwe just wanted to survive. We cranked out YouTube videos and learned how to carve out some financial security on our adventure. But somewhere between the towering trees and quiet nights, something shifted. The forest became more than a refuge; it became a teacher. Bit by bit, it showed us how to live again, reconnecting us with vitality, joy, and the mystery of it all.
Rediscovering Vitality
At first, it felt impossible to unwind from the grind. Our bodies carried the weight of years of stress and neglect, but the forest had its way of pulling us back to life. Walking beneath the trees, our breath grew deeper, our steps lighter. We let go of rigid schedules and started moving simply for the joy of itâchopping firewood, exploring trails, lying on the ground, and even developing my own daily yoga practice. (I still think âSun Salutations with Sassyâ could be a thing!)
Food took on a new meaning, too. Instead of rushing through meals or relying on convenience, we slowed down. We planned ahead, often cooking over an open fire. Instead of relying on âbox foodsâ from the center of the grocery store, we started seeking fresh, organic, and locally grown ingredients. We learned what truly nourished our bodies and what caused dis-ease. Stress management is easier when the body is healthy and we experienced that firsthand. The forest reminded us that vitality doesnât come from quick fixes or fads; it grows in the quiet, daily choices to honor your body and your instincts.
Embracing Joy
Joy didnât return all at onceâit crept in like sunlight through the trees. At first, it was the small things: the rustle of leaves on a windy day, the crackle of a campfire shared with friends, the laughter we hadnât heard in far too long. As we gave ourselves permission to slow down and play, we began to see beauty in the messiness of life.
Pretty soon, we found ourselves staring up at constellations together, enjoying a silence that used to feel uncomfortable and awkward. Our hearts, once so distant, came back together and began beating in sync. Joy, we learned, isnât about chasing away stress (we still have plenty of that); itâs about stress management that keeps us calmly present for all of the moments, allowing us to get through the difficult ones and truly savor the beautiful ones – together.
Reconnection and peace: Together, we found our wild truth amidst the trees.
Living the Mystery
The woods are full of mystery, and they invited us to embrace the unknown in a way we never had before. We didnât always know where we were going, what the next day would hold, or how we would pay for it all, but instead of fighting the uncertainty, we leaned into it.
Searching for Bigfoot was a metaphor as much as it was an adventure. We found joy in asking questions and following trails we couldnât see the end of. The forest taught us to trust our intuition, listen to its whispers, and find wonder in the journey rather than the destination.
There were times we got lostâliterally and figurativelyâbut those detours often led us to something unexpected and beautiful. We discovered that living with mystery doesnât mean having all the answers; it means making space for wonder and trusting that the path, however wild, will take you where youâre meant to go.
Your Wild Purpose Awaits
Wild Squatch Wellness was born from our journey from chaos to clarity…from stressed to squatched! We learned that it isnât about trendy gimmicks or quick fixesâitâs about something far deeper: stepping away from the noise, reconnecting with what feels real, and finding the courage to live in harmony with yourself, your community, and the natural world – TRUE FREEDOM.
In the forest we learned that healing begins when we strip away distractions and listen to the quiet wisdom within. It reminded us that weâre not meant to live disconnected and overwhelmed. Each of us has a wild purposeâsomething rooted in who we are and how weâre meant to show up in the world.
We created Wild Squatch Wellness not just as a brand but as a gathering place for those who feel the same call. Whether youâre here to explore, learn, heal, or rediscover your own wild purpose, youâve already taken the first step.
The forest opened its arms to us, and now we extend that same welcome to you. This is your invitation to slow down, reconnect, and embrace the journey aheadâto reclaim a vibrant, magical, and sovereign life. Your wild purpose awaits, and weâre so glad youâre here.
Want to know just what your inner Wild Squatch is? Take the Bigfoot Archetype Quiz and discover the unique traits that make you, well, you!
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§”
