In this episode of Life in Motion, we sit down with Brandon Harding, founder of Veterans in the Wild, to talk about how wilderness expeditions are helping veterans reconnect, heal, and find community.

Brandon shares how his own experience after multiple tours to Iraq led him to create guided outdoor trips built around challenge, time off the grid, and structured fireside conversations. They also talk about why nature matters, how vulnerability can grow in the right environment, and what it looks like to create real psychological safety around a campfire.

It’s a powerful conversation about healing, connection, and the life-changing impact of getting outside.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $51,370 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 261 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

What if every student—no matter where they live—could connect with the outdoors?

In this episode we sit down with Valerie Quirk, founder of Post Pigeon, a nonprofit reimagining how students experience public lands. Through personalized video exchanges with park rangers, Post Pigeon connects K–12 classrooms to national parks, wildlife refuges, and state lands—bringing the outdoors directly into the classroom.

Valerie shares her journey from working in education at TED to driving the Pan-American Highway, and how those experiences shaped her mission to make outdoor access more equitable. By removing barriers—geographic, financial, and cultural—Post Pigeon is helping students discover places they may have never imagined exploring.

This episode is about curiosity, connection, and how small moments of exposure can spark a lifelong relationship with the outdoors.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $51,370 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 260 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

What does it take to build a mountain bike trail that stretches from Canada to Cabo?

In this episode of Life in Motion, we chat with Gabriel Tiller of Orogenesis Collective about the vision, grit, and trail stewardship behind a route that spans more than 5,000 miles. Gabriel shares how his path led from graphic design to trail nonprofits, why joyful outdoor experiences create stronger stewards, and what it really takes to connect trails across states, landscapes, and local communities.

They also dive into the realities of maintaining long-distance trail systems — wildfire damage, reroutes, local partnerships, and the constant challenge of turning a big idea into something rideable. This is a story about mountain biking, yes — but also about conservation, collaboration, and building something bigger than yourself.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $51,370 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 259 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.