Our Nature story

We Believe Everyone Deserves to Feel at Home in Nature

Hi there! We’re Ashley and Andrew, and if you’ve ever felt that pull toward the outdoors that sense that maybe, just maybe, the answer to feeling more balanced lies just outside your door you’re in exactly the right place.

Our story began in separate corners of the country: Ashley growing up around Florida’s beaches, never quite grasping the vastness that lay beyond the coastline, and Andrew in the Midwest, where family trips to Yellowstone and the Great Smokies planted seeds of wonder that would grow for decades.

What brought us together was a shared discovery that nature isn’t just beautiful, it’s healing.

The Moment Everything Changed

Ashley’s first trip to Breckenridge opened her eyes to what lay beyond Florida’s familiar shores. “I knew I was meant to be an explorer,” she says, remembering that pivotal moment when the mountains revealed possibilities she’d never imagined.

For Andrew, years in the Navy stationed in Hawaii deepened his connection to the land and its power to restore us, while multiple stints living in Colorado showed him how the mountains could make you feel both small and infinite at once.

But our real journey with Happier Outdoors began during one of life’s more challenging chapters. In 2020, we made the leap to live authentically outdoors, moving from Tampa to Leadville, Colorado.

It was there, at 10,000 feet, surrounded by September’s golden aspens, that Andrew discovered something was missing: that familiar joy and anticipation he’d always felt in the mountains had quietly slipped away.

Finding Light in Unexpected Places

What followed was a lesson in persistence and hope. Even when joy felt elusive, we kept showing up. We hiked, we explored, we sat by Twin Lakes and drove scenic mountain passes.

We learned that sometimes the path to feeling better isn’t about forcing happiness, it’s about staying open to the small moments of wonder that nature offers freely.

Our adventures took us far beyond Colorado’s borders. We’ve wandered through Scottish Highlands on misty mornings, strolled along French rivers at sunset, and discovered that happiness outdoors looks different everywhere you go.

From picking weeds in our Arizona garden to watching hummingbirds from our deck, we’ve learned that connecting with nature doesn’t require extreme adventures, it just requires showing up.

More Than Just Getting Outside

Through four months in Scotland, village walks in Tuscany, and trail runs in Colorado, we discovered something profound: being happier outdoors isn’t about becoming someone new.

It’s about creating space for who you already are to breathe, to move, to notice the small daily miracles happening all around us.

We’re not mindfulness gurus or wilderness athletes. We’re two remote workers/digital entrepreneurs that have dealt with screen fatigue, the constant overwhelm of trying to optimize everything, and Andrew’s daily battles with his ADHD-ish brain.

We’ve learned that nature meets you wherever you are whether you’re dealing with stress, searching for balance, or simply craving more moments of genuine peace.

What We’ve Learned Along the Way

After living in over 20 places across multiple continents, we’ve discovered that happiness outdoors isn’t about the perfect trail or the most Instagram-worthy sunset.

It’s found in:
– Morning walks through farmers markets, surrounded by the colors and scents of the season
– Quiet moments watching birds in your backyard (yes, even the neighborhood coyotes and javelinas)
– Trail runs where you feel like a kid again, bounding over rocks
– Gardening sessions that connect you to something larger than yourself
– Simple drives through new places, seeing the world with fresh eyes

Why We Started Happier Outdoors

We started Happier Outdoors because every piece of outdoor wellness advice required motivation we didn’t have, time we couldn’t find, or gear we didn’t need. We wanted something that actually worked for real life – 10-minute practices, zero pressure, immediate benefits.

Whether you’re rediscovering movement after years of putting yourself last, looking for gentle ways to manage stress, or simply wanting to feel more connected to the world around you, we want you to know: there’s no wrong way to be happier outdoors.

This isn’t about fixing anything that’s broken in you because nothing is.

This is about rediscovering the joy, balance, and vitality that come naturally when we give ourselves permission to slow down, step outside, and remember that we’re part of something beautiful and vast.

You’re Home Here

If you’re someone who values authentic connection over quick fixes, who understands that wellness is a practice rather than a destination, and who believes that some of life’s best moments happen when we’re paying attention to the world around us.

Whether you’re here for mindful hiking practices, gentle movement inspiration, or simply to feel less alone in prioritizing your well-being, you’ve found your people.

We’re building a community of thoughtful humans who understand that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish, it’s essential.

Ready to explore what being happier outdoors means for you? We’re so glad you’re here.

Ashley & Andrew
Founders, Happier Outdoors