Our Nature Story
We believe everyone deserves to feel
at home in nature.
“Nature isn't just beautiful.
It's healing.”
Hi, we're Ashley and Andrew — and if you've ever felt that pull toward the outdoors, that sense that maybe the answer to feeling more balanced lies just outside your door, you're in exactly the right place.
“Nothing is broken in you. Nothing needs fixing.”
From Florida & the Midwest to Leadville, Colorado.
Our story began in separate corners of the country — Ashley growing up around Florida's beaches, never quite grasping the vastness beyond the coastline. 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. In 2020, we made the leap to live authentically outdoors, moving from Tampa to Leadville, Colorado — at 10,000 feet.
We're not mindfulness gurus or wilderness athletes. We're two remote workers who deal with screen fatigue, the constant pull of productivity, and the everyday noise of modern life. We started Happier Outdoors because we couldn't find the resource we needed — so we built it.
Founders, Happier Outdoors
“Being happier outdoors isn't about becoming someone new. It's about creating space for who you already are.”— Andrew, Co-Founder
Finding light in unexpected places
Ashley's first trip to Breckenridge opened her eyes to what lay beyond Florida's familiar shores. Andrew's years in the Navy — stationed in Hawaii — deepened his connection to the land and its power to restore. The mountains could make you feel both small and infinite at once.
Our real journey began during one of life's more challenging chapters. Moving to Leadville in 2020, we discovered something missing — that familiar joy and anticipation of the mountains had quietly slipped away.
What followed was a lesson in persistence: when joy felt elusive, we kept showing up. We hiked. We drove scenic mountain passes. We wandered through Scottish Highlands on misty mornings and strolled along French rivers at sunset.
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. And we've learned that connecting with nature doesn't require extreme adventures. It just requires showing up.
After living in over 20 places across multiple continents, we've discovered that happiness outdoors is found in morning walks through farmers' markets, quiet moments watching birds, trail runs, gardening sessions, and simple drives through new places — seeing the world with fresh eyes.
Every piece of outdoor wellness advice we needed — didn't exist yet.
Zero pressure, 10 minutes
We wanted something that actually worked for real life — short practices, no gear required, no extreme fitness needed. Just nature, right outside your door.
Science, not woo
We bridge peer-reviewed research and plain language so you understand the “why” — and actually use it. Every claim has a citation behind it.
Start where you are
Whether you have a mountain out back or just a city park, our practices meet you where you live — not where you wish you lived.
No fixing required
This isn't about fixing what's broken. Nothing is broken in you. It's about rediscovering the joy and vitality that come naturally when we give ourselves permission to slow down.
Real stories, real people
We write from lived experience — Andrew's ADHD-ish brain, Ashley's anxiety, the genuine chaos of remote work, and years of figuring this out alongside you.
A community, not a brand
We're building a community of thoughtful humans who understand that taking care of ourselves isn't selfish — it's essential.
This site is for people like you.
If any of these sound familiar, you're in exactly the right place:
- You value authentic connection over quick fixes
- You want to manage stress without more apps or supplements
- You understand that wellness is a practice, not a destination
- You're curious about what nature can actually do for your brain
- You want to feel less alone in prioritizing your wellbeing
- You believe some of life's best moments happen when you're paying attention to the world around you
