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.

What if something as simple as water could change how you perform, recover, and experience the outdoors?

In this episode of Life in Motion, we sit down with Dr. Paul Barattiero, founder of Echo Water, to explore the science behind hydrogen-enriched water and its impact on athletic performance, recovery, and overall health. Paul shares how a personal health crisis led him down a path of research that eventually helped athletes—from weekend hikers to professional teams—reduce fatigue and accelerate recovery.

Now in Utah, Paul has embraced the outdoors in a new way—hiking mountains, exploring new terrain, and using his own technology to support endurance and recovery along the way.

This conversation offers a fresh perspective on performance, resilience, and how optimizing what fuels your body can unlock more time, energy, and freedom 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 $50,599 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 258 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

What happens when you stop waiting for “someday” and book the ticket anyway?

In this episode we sit down with Amanda Black, founder of The Solo Female Traveler Network, a global community helping women explore the world with confidence, connection, and support. After years of backpacking solo across countries like Honduras, India, and Mongolia, Amanda turned her own leap-of-faith travels into a movement—creating small-group adventures that blend independence with built-in community.

From getting robbed in Mexico to launching her first Bali trip through a simple Facebook group, Amanda shares how uncertainty became opportunity—and how travel can reshape the way we see ourselves and the world. This is a story about courage, resilience, and discovering that sometimes the best way forward is simply to go.

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 $50,599 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 257 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy sits down with Allison Abbasi of 37 North Expeditions to explore how time outside can reshape the way we connect, grow, and lead.

Allison shares how 37 North uses guided outdoor experiences — from corporate retreats and youth programs to nature therapy outings — to help people unplug, slow down, and show up fully. By stepping away from screens and comfort zones, participants discover confidence, clarity, and deeper connection with both nature and each other.

This conversation is a reminder that the outdoors isn’t just a backdrop for adventure — it’s a powerful tool for building resilient teams, empowered youth, and stronger communities.

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 $50,298 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 256 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy reconnects with Sydney Williams, founder of Hiking My Feelings, to explore her newest project: ReciprocityRx.

What began as a personal healing journey through hiking has evolved into a powerful framework that reframes nature not as a resource to consume, but as a relationship to honor. Sydney shares how time on the trail helped her navigate trauma, chronic illness, and burnout. Plus why prescribing time outdoors without teaching reciprocity puts both people and public lands at risk.

ReciprocityRx blends time in nature with stewardship, reflection, and action, offering practical ways to reconnect with the land while giving something back. From Indigenous wisdom to modern healthcare, this conversation offers a new perspective on outdoor wellness, stewardship, and what it means to truly heal with the land, not from it.

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 $50,298 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 255 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

What if the biggest challenge in life isn’t deciding what to do next… but who you are as you move into the next chapter?

In this episode of Life in Motion, George Jerjian shares how a life-altering health scare forced him to confront identity, purpose, and time in a whole new way. That journey led him to develop the D.A.R.E. Method — a framework originally designed to help people redefine retirement, but powerful for anyone navigating transition, burnout, or the feeling of “what now?”

From letting go of old expectations to finding courage in uncertainty, George explores how mindset shifts, curiosity, and intentional living can help you build a life that feels fulfilling, whether you’re 25, 45, or 75. This is a conversation about purpose, identity, and giving yourself permission to keep evolving.

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 $50,298 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 254 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.