Introduction – The “Why” Behind the Wild
There’s nothing like waking up in a hospital bed with more tubes than a brewery to make you rethink life. My liver transplant wasn’t just a second chance—it was my official wake-up call. I wouldn’t be here without the selfless act of organ donation and the work of UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing), which connects donors to people like me who need that second shot at life.
I went from wondering if I’d make it to my next birthday to sprinting (okay, jogging… mostly uphill walking) through mountain trails I once only dreamed about. Those moments—lungs burning, heart pounding, sun cresting over the ridge—remind me that life isn’t about getting back to normal. It’s about building a new normal that feels raw, real, and unapologetically alive.
Adventure Wiser was born out of that shift—from merely surviving to fully living. It’s my corner of the internet where trail running meets camping wisdom, where gutsy travel hacks meet life lessons that only a close brush with death can teach you. This isn’t about checking off bucket list items for Instagram clout. It’s about finding joy in the sweat, the grit, and the quiet victories of pushing yourself a little further than you thought possible.
Here, I share not just tips on the best trails or how to pack for a rugged weekend under the stars, but also the mindset shifts that come when you’ve stared at the ceiling of a hospital room and realized how precious every breath really is. Adventure Wiser is for anyone who wants to embrace the wild—both outside and within—and walk away stronger, braver, and a little wiser than before.
The Transplant That Taught Me Everything
When you hear the word “transplant,” your brain doesn’t immediately think of “adventure blog.” But that’s exactly what happened.
Lying in that hospital room, I realized I didn’t want my life story to end with “guy who just worked too much and played it safe.” I wanted dirt under my shoes, stories worth telling, and memories that didn’t involve fluorescent hospital lights. I wanted to trade the sterile very constant beeping of monitors for the sound of wind tearing through pine trees and boots crunching on gravel trails.
That moment of clarity hit harder than any diagnosis ever could: I wasn’t just getting a second shot at life—I was being handed a challenge. To live bigger. To push past fear. To take the detours, the scenic routes, and the kind of adventures that don’t fit neatly into a comfort zone.
Adventure Wiser grew out of that promise to myself. It’s where I share the messy, real lessons learned from trail running, camping in unpredictable weather, and saying “yes” to the wild unknown. This isn’t just about adventure—it’s about reclaiming the narrative, one trail, one campsite, and one hard-earned memory at a time.
So I set a goal: When I got my strength back, I was going to explore the trails, camp under the stars, and travel like I actually meant it.
From Couch Recovery to Trail Runner
Spoiler alert: I didn’t just roll out of bed one day and start running like a mountain goat, I’m not Kilian Jornet. Recovery was brutal. Every muscle screamed, every scar ached, and every step felt like dragging an old version of myself out the door. But every single step (literally) reminded me why I wanted more from life.
I started small:
Walk one lap around the hospital recovery floor. Then two, three and so on.
Then a mile around the neighborhood.
Then eventually lacing up my first pair of trail shoes (which I’m convinced were designed by sadists who have a weird obsession with blisters).
Each milestone felt like a quiet rebellion against the odds—proof that I wasn’t just “the guy who got a transplant,” but someone who could rewrite the rest of his story, one sweaty, uphill struggle at a time. Those early runs weren’t glamorous; they were slow, awkward, and occasionally involved creative swearing (former Sailor, we have a reputation). But they were mine.
And somewhere between the gasping-for-air moments and the quiet trails where the world falls silent, I found something I didn’t know I was looking for: freedom.
The more I pushed, the more I realized—the outdoors was healing me just as much as the doctors had.
Why Adventure Wiser Exists
Adventure Wiser isn’t about reckless travel or bucket-list bragging. It’s about something deeper, something earned.
Traveling smart: Knowing which gear actually works and which is just overpriced Instagram bait. (Spoiler: You don’t need a titanium spork that costs more than your first car.)
Living fully: When you’ve been close to losing it all, every sunrise feels like a personal victory lap. It’s not about racing to the next big thing—it’s about pausing to actually feel the grit of the trail, the warmth of a campfire, and the quiet hum of life outside the chaos.
Sharing the journey: The wins, the fails (like that one time I tried to cook oatmeal over a candle—don’t ask), and the awkward in-betweens that make adventure feel real. Because behind every epic mountain photo, there’s usually a pair of soggy socks and a mild existential crisis.
Adventure Wiser is for anyone who wants to trade autopilot for the wild, raw beauty of the unknown—and maybe laugh a little at the messy parts along the way.
Who This Blog is For
- The weekend adventurer who wants to discover hidden trails without starring in the next episode of Lost in the Woods. (Because adventure is fun—search and rescue, not so much.)
- The camper who’s tired of hauling 17 pounds of “just-in-case” gear and wants to master the art of packing smart. Full disclosure: I’m still fighting my inner packrat on this one, but I’m learning what actually earns a spot in the backpack versus what just looks cool on Instagram.
- Anyone who’s faced something hard—illness, setbacks, life—and wants to make their story epic. Whether you’re coming back from your own “hospital bed moment” or just want to squeeze more meaning (and fun) out of life, this blog is your invitation to say yes to the wild, messy, and unforgettable.
My Promise to You
Here, you’ll find trail running tips that don’t require you to be an ultra-marathon legend, camping hacks that save your sanity (and your back), and healthy outdoor living advice that actually fits into real life.
But more than that, you’ll find real talk—about grit, recovery, and the messy parts of chasing adventure when life has knocked you down a few times. I’ll share the lessons I’ve learned from near rock-bottom moments, the small wins that feel like mountains, and yes, the simple joys—like perfectly toasted marshmallows after a long day on the trail.
Adventure Wiser isn’t here to sell you some glossy, flawless version of the outdoors. It’s here to remind you that adventure is for everyone—even if you’re still figuring it out, blistered feet and all.
Your Turn to Adventure Wiser
I started Adventure Wiser to share my journey, but this isn’t just about me. It’s about you—your stories, your firsts, and your wild, messy victories. Whether that means lacing up for your very first trail run, pitching a tent under a sky full of stars, or simply deciding to live boldly after life has knocked you flat, I want this space to be the spark that pushes you forward.
Adventure isn’t just out there in the mountains—it’s in every choice to show up for your life, even when it’s uncomfortable, unpredictable, or full of rookie mistakes (don’t worry, I’ve made plenty of those… including that time I tried to boil water with a candle).
So—are you ready to travel wiser, live bolder, and laugh at my misadventures along the way?
[Start here with my favorite adventure posts →]