Expanding Horizons

Regenerative Agriculture

Chone, Ecuador

In Ecuador I was first inspired to think critically about how human relationships with plants can help solve modern societal problems. With the Regeneration Field Institute, I learned about organic agriculture, regenerative construction materials, and the power of community engagement in socially and culturally responsible solutions to climate related issues.

Ironman 70.3 Oregon

Salem, Oregon

In July of 2022, I completed my first Half Ironman in Salem, Oregon. The culmination of more than a decade of competitive swim training, and five years of triathlon training was made additionally complicated by lost bike parts unrecovered by TSA. Bike issues aside, completing this race is one of the most difficult and rewarding achievements I've ever accomplished.

Jungles of Indonesia & Borneo

Sumatra, Indonesia & Sabah, Borneo

Since the age of 13, it was a dream of mine to experience the rich biodiversity of the jungles of Sumatra, Indonesia and the island of Borneo. To study plant biology through college and finally see this ancient ecosystem in its true glory has ignited a fire within me to envision a world where ecosystem services can be harnessed and commodified to benefit and sustain local communities that rely on them.

JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes

Burlington, Vermont

In July of 2023, I rode 100 miles (well, 91 due to an absolute torrential downpour) to raise money for important research and resources that help to improve the lives of millions of people living with Type 1 Diabetes. As a triathlete living with T1D, this was a particularly meaningful way to express my fitness and engage with my T1D community.

Trans Tahoe Relay

Lake Tahoe, California

In July of 2023, we loaded up a speedboat with 6 swimmers and 9 spectators to embark on an 11 mile relay across Lake Tahoe. Crossing the lake with no wetsuits, and matching pit vipers, in less than half a day, was a feat to celebrate with a motley crew of Cal Triathlon alumni.

Archaeology in Cambodia

Siem Reap, Cambodia

As a child, I fantasized about the overgrown temples of Angkor Wat and idolized Indiana Jones. While seeing these temples was absolutely incredible, I knew little then about the struggle of the Cambodian people through the Khmer Rouge, and the ways that this historic UNESCO World Heritage Site played a significant role in Pol Pot's regime. Though the regime has ended, people in Southeast Asia still face the effects of dangerous social and climate related problems. The visible effects of plastic pollution, deforestation, extreme poverty, government corruption, illegal wildlife trade, and more has re-ignited a deep desire of mine to dedicate my career to environmental and social justice issues that impact billions of people.

Alaska's Glaciers

Whittier, Alaska

Kudos to my greatest friend, Katie, for pushing me out of my comfort zone on a jet ski tour of Blackstone Bay where we witnessed pristine wilderness and a massive ice field connecting 7 different glaciers. In this singular bay we saw seals and otters and eagles in their natural, raw habitat... Seeing Alaska in this way (and facing my fear of orcas who play with their food) was incredible. I have immense respect for the residents of Alaska, including Katie, who face the cold, harsh winters each year and embrace the summers with a manic, unhinged lust for life and adventure.

The Amazon River

Manaus, Brazil

In February of 2023, an adventure-oriented crew of friends set out to experience Brazil. This trip never could have been possible without our incredible friend, fearless Brazilian guide, and Portuguese translator, Victoria. With a start in Rio for Carnaval, we then made our way to a houseboat on the Amazon River for 4 days. This was an unparalleled opportunity for me to experience the ecology of the Amazon, to swim in the river, to speak with and learn from Indigenous communities living off the land, and to understand more about the threats facing this important and vast rainforest.

Mauna Kea Summit

Big Island, Hawaii

On New Years Day of 2023, my dad, brother, and I started the year with a dizzying trek from sea level to 13,000 feet of elevation. Atop the tallest mountain in the world (sea floor to summit), a twin to the recently active Mauna Loa volcano, and an astronomical observatory - I started a tumultuous and important year in my personal growth.

Camino Inka

Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Peru

In December of 2021, my dad, brother, and I hiked the Camino Inka from kilometer 82 of the Sacred Valley to the incredible city of Machu Picchu. Having grown up among mountains, I had never experienced the true inspiration and grand scale of the 20,000ft peaks of the Andes. I was overwhelmed by the diversity in biomes along the trail, the hospitality and strength of Peruvian and Quechua people, and the vibrancy of Indigenous Peruvian cuisine.

Turkish Delight

Istanbul, Turkey

I still remember the first time I heard the call to prayer in the evening in Istanbul. I was mesmerized by the collection of voices spilling out of loudspeakers from all around the city through the dark. It was a moment of reverence that was inescapable, regardless of religious beliefs. Istanbul is an incredible city from the rowdy rows of stalls in the Grand Bazaar, to the grandiose Blue Mosque, to the quiet twinkling of individually lit rooms on the hillsides at night.

The Pyrenees

Torla, Spain

The grand feeling of the Pyrenees reminds me of my spring breaks growing up in Utah, taking trips with my family down to Zion National Park. I am filled with immense gratitude to have had access to a place like Zion as a child, and it was cathartic to feel transported there in a natural space across the world.

Wading The Narrows

Zion National Park, Utah

Countless spring breaks and summer trips have been spent exploring Zion National Park. She is a wonder that has been there through many stages of my life, and evoked different feelings and questions each time I've returned for an adventure. My most recent trek through The Narrows was especially introspective with my dad and my "little" brother.

Miles For Change Century

Salt Lake City, Utah

In June of 2020, as President of the Cal Triathlon Team, I organized a virtual fundraiser in support of the social justice movement following in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. A good friend of mine, Eva, and I rode 100 miles together in our hometown of Salt Lake City to raise money.

Rafting the Rogue River

Grants Pass, Oregon

In the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to whitewater raft the Rogue River. Damn, whitewater kayaking is fun! Life on the river is an entirely different pace, and it's refreshing to exist there, disconnected. I have a lot of respect for people who run it every summer - the strength and organization it takes to navigate the rapids and pack efficiently is extremely impressive.

Backpacking the Marble Mountains

Klamath National Forest, California

In October of 2022 Elliot, Matt, and I scrambled through the Klamath National Forest and found ourselves on part of the PCT. Backpacking adventures are always a welcome break from busy daily life happenings.

Biodiversity in Tortuguero

Limón, Costa Rica

In 2018, a visit to Tortugeuro, Costa Rica inspired a dream to work at the Estación Biológica, Caño Palma where the Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC) runs research and conservation projects. This rainforest is teeming with life: including several species of monkeys, birds, manatees, and sea turtles. Sadly, due to COVID-19, I did not return after college. Regardless, my fascination with this river ecosystem that exists in such close proximity to the ocean, remains.

Bioluminescent Bay

Vieques, Puerto Rico

The first time I experienced bioluminescence in nature was during the summer of 2017 in Mosquito Bay off the coast of Vieques. In the darkness of the night, we quietly paddled kayaks through a small canal and out into the bay. Flashes of pale blue shimmered as fish moved through the water. The kayak paddles glowed as we propelled ourselves through a nocturnal universe. I was lucky enough to experience bioluminescence once again, off the shore of the island of Koh Rong in Cambodia in 2023.

The Great Wall of China

Beijing, China

As a 17 year old, I wandered the city of Beijing. My first time to Asia, I had never experienced the density and intensity of such a large city. A trip to the Great Wall and the Peking Man Museum in Zhoukoudian, China are some of my first experiences thinking deeply about ancient humanity and witnessing one of the seven wonders of the world.

Flaming Gorge

Dutch John, Utah

This incredible, underrated and under-appreciated gorge in Eastern Utah rivals the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. As a kid, my family spent Labor Day weekends camping and boating the reservoir. Flaming Gorge is a "dark sky" zone, where the milky way can be viewed in incredible detail with the naked eye. Days on the water, followed by star gazing at night, are some of my earliest experiences that spurred a deep love for nature.

Open Water Swimming in Utah's Reservoirs

Jordanelle State Park, Utah

I first started open-water swimming on sunny summer days with my teammates in high school. Every so often, we'd skip a Saturday morning practice or tack on a Sunday session to head up to Jordanelle, Deer Creek, or East Canyon for an open-water swim. To this day I much prefer lakes and reservoirs to the ocean; both because the ocean is terrifying, and because mountain lakes feel like home.

Growing up Skiing

Mountain West, USA

To be fully honest, I don't love the cold or the snow. But kids like to throw themselves down mountains and zig zag through trees and toss snow around, because they're kids. In 2016, my mom tore her ACL up the canyon and instilled a great fear of the icy mountain slopes in me for many years. Since 2022, I've been getting back out on the skis and back in the snow, rekindling a new and different love for winter. This photo was taken in Mammoth in March of 2023, during a winter of record snowfall.

Teotihuacan

Mexico City, Mexico

In December of 2024, I was lucky to spend Navidad en la Ciudad de Mexico where I had the opportunity to practice my Spanish, immerse myself in the culture of many of my coworkers at HM.CLAUSE, enjoy the beauty of the Mexican landscape, and learn about ancient Aztec and Mayan history. Viewing the Piramide del Sol from above in an early-morning hot air balloon flight was absolutely breathtaking.