I was born in Ontario. Early on, my family moved south of the border, taking up residence in Massachusetts, where I spent my days exploring the forests and coastline of an area steeped in North American history. Later in childhood, we moved again, this time across the Atlantic to Stockholm, and the remote waterways of Sweden, where I enjoyed explorations throughout Europe, and a Montessori education.
A few years later, Ontario beckoned again, and back we went. I spent the summers exploring the rivers and lakes of Northern Canada. This included a 36-day canoe trip along the Missinabi and Fire rivers, to James Bay, where I first experienced the joys of remoteness, and the camaraderie of traveling in a nomadic wilderness group.
Upon our return to Europe, we settled into Geneva, Switzerland. The Swiss had the foresight to offer students every Thursday off from school to go skiing. This helped nurture my passion for exploring the mountains, glaciers and high peaks, both in summer and winter, and it was during these years, that I developed a thirst for adventure, and a commitment to following my heart.
Remoteness and wilderness were in my blood, so I returned to Canada to experience North America's fresh-water sailing capital: Kingston, Ontario. Many days were spent honing days my skills and knowledge of the wind and water, by sailboat and sailboard, while I pursued my studies at Queen's University, in Political Science. It was here that I began to recognize the interconnectedness of all life, and my interest in “natural systems”, began to emerge.
Once my degree was completed, my wanderlust struck again. The next three years were spent following the sun, wind and snow, in such places as New Zealand, Australia, Greece, Switzerland, the Virgin Islands and California. I was now a certified “nomad”, and adept at following the currents of my heart, and the elements.
1989 was the year of the Volkswagen van and the move to BC, to attend Capilano College's Outdoor Recreation Management and Wilderness Leadership Certification programs. This led to a job with BC Parks as a Back Country Ranger. During this time I also began working as an avalanche instructor and ski guide, while developing and launching my first business, Sage Wilderness Experiences.
In 1990, the ocean kayak replaced the canoe as my watercraft of choice. This led to certification with the Association of Canadian Sea Kayak Guides and the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC, followed by the inception of the Canadian Federation of Ocean Kayak Educators and Harmonic Wilderness Travel.
My guiding and life experiences include expedition-style tours in Baja Mexico, Alaska, as an instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School, as well as my own commercial trips.
I spent a year, living in the Yukon, in a cabin, with my dog fleece, 30kms from the nearest town, and was able to enjoy the harshness, and gift’s of Canada’s frozen North. I have led tours down the entire coast of BC, and the west coast of Vancouver Island. My niche market was the development of remote, unsupported expeditions, with a focus on group dynamics, in challenging and exposed environments. I have come to believe as my elemental life philosophy that “It is about living an unexamined life, that is far riskier than sleeping on a beach with bears,” and that “most of my best friends, sleep on the ground”.
Today, I embrace several new challenges associated with being a professional guide, entrepreneur and outdoor educator. These include being a faculty member for Capilano University, and the Canadian Tourism College, as well as curriculum design and implementation for high school outdoor education programs, consulting for adventure Tourism Companies, and designing and facilitating unique avalanche training programs.
I have a Masters Degree from Royal Roads University in Victoria BC, and it was here, that I was able to focus my thoughts, into developing a specialized leadership model of training, delivered through adventure education.
I live my life with compassion, respect and empathy for this planet, and all the gifts that it bestows upon us, on a daily basis.
I am spiritual, but not religious. I surf and I paddle so that I can be a part of the energy of the ocean, and the vibrancy of the waves. My favourite element is the wind, in all of its' complexity, and nuances. I believe that if you listen carefully, that all the answers we seek, are revealed by the wind, but only if there is trust.
I run, and I back country ski, to be in an environment where I feel insignificant, and the sacredness of the rarified heights of the mountain world. I go to the mountains to be a part of a world that is real, and genuine, where we can trust that, what we see, really is true, honest and humble, yet strong, confident and powerful.
My passions are reading, writing, staying physically, emotionally and spiritually fit, exploring the planet, other cultures and people, and living grounded in the moment. I am not perfect as I said, as I am aware of the art of mindfulness, but not always there. I have explored my shadow side, and will continue to do so, as I realize that without dark, there is no light.
I am simple, yet complex. I am like a sunrise balanced by a dark stormy night, with a waxing moon. My journey is to know myself for who I truly am, and the gifts that I have to offer you, others, and this planet.
