Respect for Nature
I have a deep respect for nature, and I understand the importance of conservation. Growing up in the Ozarks, these values were instilled in me from a young age. We lived in the city, but we regularly went camping, canoeing, hiking, and fishing. The most-popular magazine in our household was Missouri Conservationist, and I'll never forget how a friend told me 15 years later that when we were kids, it was my mom who inspired him to stop littering.
The Value of Storytelling
Before moving to Cincinnati, I had brought the Banff Mountain Film Festival to my home city. The festival showcased outdoor films which used storytelling to bring people together in appreciation of the natural environment. I created, marketed, and emceed the event on my own, bringing together over 1000 people. I sold sponsorships, designed t-shirts, and built a following online. All of this resulted in a real community, and an annual event that raised money for an environmentally focused non-profit. That experience taught me about building community through storytelling.
Work
I currently live in downtown Cincinnati. While I live next to a green space and have great trees outside my window that flourish every autumn, I still seek out larger natural spaces. I have a small sprinter van, and I've travelled everywhere from Yellowstone to Acadia, from the Outer Banks to The Badlands. I've travelled to and filmed in every natural environment the US has to offer. I've filmed in nearly every state and abroad. And, I know this. I'm equally at home in the elements, or in the office, but I'm happiest and healthiest with a combination of the two.
Closer to Home
I'd like to utilize my skills and the tools at our disposal to help others learn how they can benefit from experiences in nature, and the importance of protecting it. To me, this isn't about technology; it's not about going viral — it's about connecting with people through sustained quality storytelling to build a real community and make a positive impact on the lives of those around us. Let's make something that matters.
