One of my first hikes as a boy scout was a week long, 50 mile adventure through the Adirondack Mountains. I can still vividly see moments of that experience. I've always been fascinated with the outdoors since my parents started taking us camping all over North America.  

In 2011 I began a project to document local trails through photography, and occasionally video. I started it as a way to share the beauty I was experiencing on the trails. After each hike I started to notice a feeling of elation and a greater perceived level of sensory awareness. This feeling lasted from hours to days.  I wasn't sure if I was feeling a "runner's high" or just refreshed from the hike. So, I started doing some research on the health benefits of hiking and being in nature. 

What I found was quite interesting.  In 1982, the Japanese started a movement and campaign around hiking as a way to promote a healthy lifestyle among their famously stressed and overworked people. They called the movement Shinrin-yoku, or "Forest Bathing." Since then, numerous books, publications and studies have been published showing the psychological and physiological benefits of hiking and being in nature.

Here are some of the health benefits of hiking that have been scientifically measured:

My own personal experiences, combined with the well researched health benefits of hiking and being in nature, led me to create a program where people can benefit physically and psychologically through hiking.

In order to be most effective in taking people through this program, I studied and became certified as a Personal Trainer through National Academy of Sports Medicine. I further enhanced my education by working at Equinox and studying in their EFTI program.  To help clients deal with other challenges and obstacles in their lives, I studied Strategic Intervention.

My goal is to use everything I've learned to help people live their ideal lives. 

Educational Background:

St. Lawrence University, B.A. Government

Robbins Madanes Strategic Intervention Coach Training

In coaching sessions, I use the techniques of Strategic Intervention, developed by Tony Robbins and Cloe Madanes. The goal of Strategic Intervention is to is to help people, families and organizations to overcome conflict and personal obstacles by tapping into their own strengths. This approach emphasizes learning to listen to their own subconscious minds in order to come up with solutions and plan a course of action to allow them to move forward. 

Certified in Strategic Intervention and Marriage Education

NLP Institute of California

Certified in Advanced Language Patterns, NLP and Hypnosis

Dr. Mike Mandel

Certified in The Architecture of Hypnosis

National Academy of Sports Medicine​

Certified in NASM’s Optimum Performance Training. The OPT method is a comprehensive training program based on current scientific research that provides results specific to individual needs and goals.

Equinox Fitness Training Institute

Over 150 hours of personal training courses. These include anatomy, kinesiology, exercise physiology, post rehab protocols and the Three Cycle System – a program design approach that emphasizes the need to create exercise progression that stimulates change over time. 

Functional Movement Systems

Certified in Functional Movement Screening. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are key to normal function. By screening these patterns, the FMS readily identifies functional limitations and asymmetries. These are issues that can reduce the effects of functional training and physical conditioning and distort body awareness.

The FMS generates the Functional Movement Screen Score, which is used to target problems and track progress. This scoring system is directly linked to the most beneficial corrective exercises to restore mechanically sound movement patterns.

As I work with clients, I monitor the FMS score to track progress and to identify those exercises that will be most effective to restore proper movement and build strength in each individual.

NOLS Wilderness First Aid 

Trained and certified in patient assessment and wound treatment in outdoor field conditions.  

American Red Cross

Certified in CPR and AED (August 2013)

Kettlebell Athletics - Level 1 Certified

TRX Certified

The TRX Suspension Trainer is a suspension based workout system that leverages gravity and your bodyweight to perform hundreds of exercises.