10 Tips For Living The Jungle Life (Wherever Your Are)

10 Tips For Living The Jungle Life (Wherever Your Are)

Happy holidays from the jungle! As 2020 draws to a close (phew, what a bizarre year) we're focusing on gratitude and natural living. Simple things we're grateful for right now? Healing tropical air, nourishing fresh food, family, siestas and fiestas (socially distanced!) with amigos.

We know that travel is risky right now for many free-spirits. We're sending jungle health your way from afar. If you're feeling stuck at home, check out these fun tips to live the jungle life wherever you are!

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Invest In Yourself With Cori Jacobs

Invest In Yourself With Cori Jacobs

Wildpreneurs often make sacrifices and compromises in order to chase our dreams and wild ideas. Yet, many free-spirits have learned the hard way that regardless of circumstances, self care should always be a priority. Investing in ourselves is crucial, not only for health, but for the longevity of our Wildpreneur pursuits. This excerpt from Wildpreneurs Chapter 3: Financial Rollercoaster features wisdom from Wildpreneur Cori Jacobs. Also check out her silk scarves (they make lovely holiday gifts!).

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Find What Moves You - SweatPlayLive

Find What Moves You - SweatPlayLive

Shanti has inspired me to try things I didn’t think I was capable of. Her beach workouts have repeatedly empowered me to move my body in new ways, to step outside my comfort zone, to practice self care, to feel strong and chase what makes me alive.

A powerful combo, right? Shanti is truly a beautiful force.

Shanti is the founder of SweatPlayLive: personal training, fitness, wellness and surf retreats. She is one of the most inspirational, motivational, supportive and strong people I know—her life story is remarkable. Shanti was the first wildpreneur I interviewed for Wildpreneurs several years ago, her support has made all the difference!

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The Mandela of the Environment

The Mandela of the Environment

I love connecting with fellow HarperCollins Leadership authors! Joshua Spodek is committed to being the Mandela of the environment—to be a leader who is living sustainably AND sharing how a low impact lifestyle brings joy.

Check in with your own environmental footprint and tune into Joshua’s inspiration.

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Kidpreneurs and Sparking Curiosity

Kidpreneurs and Sparking Curiosity

One of my favorite things about being a mom is stoking my son’s curiosity. Though he’s only 1 year old, he’s fascinated by how the world works. Everything is an awesome mystery to this little dude! I’m captivated as I watch him explore, follow his instinct and figure things out.

Could entrepreneurship also be instinctual and learned at a young age? Brothers Adam and Matthew Toren believe in empowering kids (all ages!) to get involved with business. They believe it’s never too early to begin teaching basic entrepreneurial principles and fueling kids’ curiosity in simple, engaging, creative, and safe ways.

I’m delighted to have discovered Kidpreneurs. Wildpreneurs and Kidpreneurs certainly share some common ground!

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Om Warrior Kids

Om Warrior Kids

Maddie Faye is a 16-year-old teen entrepreneur that's on a mission to empower and inspire kids and families around the world. She’s turning her dreams into reality! At 14, I became one of the youngest certified yoga and mindfulness meditation teachers for kids and teens in North America. She then created OM Warrior Kids—a fun and safe place to practice yoga, mindfulness, and meditation through animated story videos.

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Carolyn Barnwell - Documentary Story Teller & Life Coach

Carolyn Barnwell - Documentary Story Teller & Life Coach

We were roommates during senior year at Middlebury College. Carolyn spent countless hours on her Watson fellowship (which took her around the world!) while I composed the business plan for the Tailwind Jungle Lodge. Carolyn patiently listened as I grappled with my fork in the road—would I head to Wall Street or the jungle? Carolyn’s free-spirit and friendship prompted me to listen to my heart and chase my dream business.

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Walk Through This

Walk Through This

Sara’s red stilettos caught my eye in the mountains many years ago…(stilettos in the mountains?! exactly). We recently connected as fellow HarperCollins authors. Sara Schulting-Kranz is a force of inspiration, empowerment and fresh perspective. Her new book, Walk Through This, will hit the shelves on Nov. 10th (pre-order now available) and she has just emerged from 3 weeks of wilderness on the John Muir Trail in the Sierras (my favorite backpacking trip EVER!!). Sara is definitely a kindred spirit. Check out her Wildpreneur wisdom here.

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The Hub ADK

The Hub ADK

“You’ve gotta check out the hub” friends told me when I first arrived at Lake George a few summers ago. They were right, this place is a must go after apres bike ride in the Adirondacks (NY). The Hub is a cafe, bike repair shop, local crafts, beer/wine bar and ice cream!! What more could you possibly want or need? Here’s some wild inspiration from founder Drew Cappabianca

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Girl Gotta Hike

Girl Gotta Hike

Melissa Goodwin was one of our first guests at the Tailwind Jungle Lodge. I was delighted by our connection and we kept in touch for over a decade! Our paths finally crossed again this January 2020 in Philadelphia where I was a speaker at the American Library Association Convention (ALA). Melissa invited me to go for a hike through Philly and be a guest on her Girl Gotta Hike podcast. I was delighted to explore Philly’s “Rocky steps” with Melissa. Tune into Melissa’s wild inspiration here:

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Wild Balance: Annie’s Handmade Jewelry

Wild Balance: Annie’s Handmade Jewelry

We were chatting apres jungle yoga class and a shimmer caught my eye. “I love your earrings!” I complimented as I admired the unique dangling stones. She grinned radiantly. Later that week, as we said our goodbyes and she prepared to head home to Breckenridge, CO Annie Kerr handed me a pair of turquoise earrings. “You made these?” I marveled. They immediately became one of go-to pieces of jewelry (and have been for years!). I’ve been following Annie and Wild Balance handcrafted jewelry, ever since. It’s been exciting to watch Annie’s business grow and thrive (watch for Wild Balance in Whole Foods!).

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Empowering Students & Graduates of All Demographics

Empowering Students & Graduates of All Demographics

It's an unusual time for students and graduates globally. Students of all demographics have been through months of home-schooling, online classes and now virtual graduations. SO much challenge and uncertainty for youth, BUT it's also an exciting time to be a student or graduate. We believe that BLM and in the incredible power of all students (any color, age, origin or background, may we all be equals!). Students have an opportunity to re-imagining the future, to learn from the economic and social collapses of spring 2020, to adapt and become stronger (and healthier!).

Wildpreneurs is the book I wish I could have read when I was a student (both high-school and college age). Wildpreneurs is here to support students and graduates with unleashing their daydreams, exploring possibilities and empowering them to design their lives—personally and professionally.

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Erin Outdoors: Stories From The Road & The Trail

Erin Outdoors: Stories From The Road & The Trail

I’m delighted that my collaboration with REI has led me to connect with Erin Sullivan—travel writer, photographer and host of In Our Nature series (with REI and Wondercamp productions). Erin believes images and words have the power to inspire meaningful change. She is clearly a brilliant Wildpreneur! “There are no straight paths.” she says. “Have patience with yourself, and also cultivate trust within yourself. Don’t just hope for the best, plan for it as much as you can.”

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts & Environmental Studies in 2012, Erin spent three years living out of her backpack, traveling and leading teen adventure programs in 9 countries. Her love for personal growth through travel and the outdoors led her to start a blog, and later come back to photography. She is now a full-time travel photographer and writer, focusing on stories of culture, wildlife, and conservation.

Dive into Erin’s experience and wisdom for blazing your own trail here:

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Now is Prime Time for Daydreams

Now is Prime Time for Daydreams

After months at home the days are starting to blur together. I’m moving more slowly. No need to rush, no hurry. Life has become relatively simple. I’ve been doing plenty of rolling around on the floor with my 6-month-old. Playing with grandma and grandpa too! We listen to the birds, gaze at the trees, watch for butterflies. My mind wanders.

Part of me feels guilty. An inner voice admonishes, “Stop being lazy, you should be making progress, get back to doing (fill in the blank).”

“Shhh!” I respond to that nagging voice. “Be quiet, I’m daydreaming!”

I’ve learned from experience that this slowing down is valuable. We’ve been gifted a mindfulness pause and it’s prime time for letting the dreams flow. This is where the magic happens. We have an opportunity to go slower and explore our wild ideas; to visualize a new future. This unusual time may allow us to reconnect with our imaginations, individually and as families. Daydreamers aren’t limited by geographic restrictions, we can go anywhere!

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere,” said Einstein.

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Jungle Baby's Advice: Digital Wellness in a Virtual World

Jungle Baby's Advice: Digital Wellness in a Virtual World

Ever feel like your phone has become an extension of your arm? Though our social calendars have cleared, our headspace is being filled with infinite virtual opportunities. This is a blessing and a real challenge. During this stay-at-home period of time, we’re all Wildpreneurs—we’re adapting to unknown territory and making decisions about how to manage our time personally and professionally. With this new “normal” how will we manage our relationships with our devices?

The other day I noticed my 6-month-old son Zephyr watching me: fascinated with the device that consumes so much of my attention. If baby Zephyr could talk, he would probably ask, “Why can’t we just watch the trees? They’re far more interesting than that unnatural thing you’re always staring at.” Check out baby Zephyr’s tips for digital wellness.

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Fear of the Unknown

Fear of the Unknown

We’re all facing it right now — the unknown. With this new territory comes fear. Is this a bad thing? No, in fact, it’s a gateway.

Fear is a healthy emotion.

“Fear is a universal experience. Even the smallest insect feels it. We wade in the tidal pools and put our finger near the soft open bodies of sea anemones and they close up. It’s part of being alive. Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.”

Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

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Featured Wildpreneur: Mary McIntyre, Freelance Writer & Photographer

Featured Wildpreneur: Mary McIntyre, Freelance Writer & Photographer

Mary melds the worlds of culture and adventure travel through photography and writing. Skiing is her passion, but any outdoor activity gets her stoked — rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, and mountain biking keep her busy year-round. Mary’s recent trip to Iceland was cut a bit short (we’re all adapting in this unusual time) so she took a moment during her 2 week self-quarantine to share some of her Wildpreneur inspiration . Gracias Mary!

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