Gratitude, Growth, and the Great Outdoors: Jessie Krebs on Unleashing the Power of Nature

I am beyond thrilled to present the inaugural episode of "My Name Is a Typo (Dawid): Divergent Dialogues for Change," and I couldn't have asked for a more inspiring and insightful guest than Jessie Krebs . Zero exaggeration.

March is Women's History Month and I wanted to highlight one of the many mind-blowingly awesome hu(wo)man beings in my circles, and Jessie happened to be the first guest in a long line-up (stay tuned 📺!).

Jessie, a former U.S. Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) Specialist and founder of OWLSSkills (Outdoorsy Women Learning Survival Skills), has dedicated her life to empowering individuals through the transformative power of nature.

Enough said.

Except, wait--there is so, so much more to be said.

From the moment we began our conversation, I was struck by Jessie's authenticity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to helping others.

Her journey, which began with finding solace in the woods as a child escaping trauma, has led her to become a beacon of hope and strength for countless individuals seeking healing and growth.

I called her a "force of nature" at the start of our Zoom call, and if you watch it, you'll quickly realize that is not hyperbole.

Jessie's expertise and passion for survival skills have earned her well-deserved recognition on a global scale.

She has been featured on National Geographic TV show "Mygrations," where she completed a crossing of hundreds of miles of the Tanzanian Serengeti on foot, a feat accomplished by only a handful of modern humans.

Additionally, Jessie's wisdom and insights have been sought out by the prestigious MasterClass platform, where she shares her knowledge alongside the world's foremost leaders and experts. That is how I first learned about her at once primitive and also timely-for-the-modern-age work.

Her appearance on the reality TV series "Alone" on Amazon Prime (season 9) further showcases her incredible resilience and survival skills in action. You need to watch how she building her "HodgePodge Lodge"--you will feel all the feels.

In our recent Zoom conversation, as Jessie shared her experiences of "becoming human again" through wilderness therapy, I found myself deeply moved by her courage and vulnerability.

If you are human (not a robot / AI) you will, too, likely be moved by her generosity of spirit, her big smile, and her deep fountain of wisdom--much of it honed off the grid.

Her story is a powerful reminder that we all carry wounds (I do, and yes, so do you) and that the path to healing is paved with challenges and self-discovery.

Nature can be the salve, the solution, the unexpected healer. I say "unexpected" because in the modern era many of us are quite removed from Nature (even if most of our ancestors knew how to respect and harness Nature).

Jessie's willingness to confront her own emotions, vulnerabilities and demons is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of nature.

What wasn't surprising (it was "just" heart-affirming) about Jessie was her unwavering belief in the potential of every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, and her ability to avoid toxic positivity (she's the real deal) but also to prioritize health or joy--so many of my (new) corporate clients admit to failing at these things.

Through OWLS, she has created a sanctuary where women and marginalized communities can connect with nature, challenge themselves, and grow in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

Nature is the great equalizer, or it can be--if we let it.

By providing a space for individuals to embrace their authentic selves and confront their fears, Jessie is helping to break down barriers and empower a new generation of resilient and confident leaders. I mean, how cool is that?

Jessie's transformative work extends beyond the realm of personal growth and into the corporate world. Harnessing the power of nature, she helps teams build stronger connections, improve communication, and foster a sense of unity and purpose. You won't get that at the team happy hour at the bar down the street.

Her corporate team-building programs, which draw upon her extensive experience in survival skills and leadership, provide a unique opportunity for organizations to step outside of their comfort zones and develop the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in today's ever-changing business landscape.

So, yes, if you're reading this and you have clout in your organization (we all have some clout), tell your leaders to invest in its people, not with yet another "bar night" but with something deeply meaningful and... differently inclusive.

I realize that not everyone can tolerate or access nature in the same way, but I'm also confident that there are creative ways to include anyone and everyone. Plenty of people don't enjoy crowded city bars or upscale restaurants, and yet how many times is that the default for work events? You know I'm right.

As Jessie spoke and shared tidbits from her life story, my heart and brain were throbbing in overdrive.

Her anecdote of "God/G-d" versus "puppy" (interestingly, dog is God backwards) will make you pause, reflect and smile (or perhaps even tear up...).

Whether you're a vulnerability warrior like me (or Brené Brown ) I can almost guarantee you that you will be resonating with the authenticity that Jessie's story contains in volumes... and how magically she is able to foster genuine connections and understanding via nature.

In thinking about my own new journey of this series (My Life Is a Typo: Dawid: Divergent Dialogues for Change), I really wanted to highlight someone who goes against the grain.

So many of us (including me writing this on a laptop) are reliant on (addicted to?) digital devices, whereas Jessie's story stands as a shining example of the transformative power of unplugging, of nature, of resilience, and of empathy.

Her work is a call to action for each of us to step outside of our comfort zones, embrace our authentic selves, and connect with the world around us in a deeper, more meaningful way.

If we don't do this, we will continue to be jaded, miserable, disconnected, and physically (+ mentally) unwell as a society. Or at the very least, we will languish, like Adam Grant reminds us with his wordsmith-esque ways. Shouldn't we be thriving with all this available wealth and technology? Obviously, inequality is rampant globally, and that's a story for another day...

I am incredibly grateful to Jessie for sharing her wisdom and experiences with me, and grateful that she continues to share her insights and gifts with the world.

I hope that her story will inspire you, as it has inspired me, to continue explore the healing potential of nature and the strength that lies within each of us.

I'm a Polish farm boy who grew up near the woods, playing in mud, eating berries and fruit straight from the bushes and trees, "hunting" for non-hallucinogenic mushrooms at age 7, and walking in the morning dew barefoot.

But enough about me.

This is about Jessie, and her transformative work.

To learn more, please check out our energy-packed video below. I also invite you to visit owlsskills.com and embark on your own journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and connection with the great outdoors.

And if you're in charge of team building, diversity + belong + inclusion, health and wellness, collaboration, innovation, sustainability, or anything that is good in the world--hire Jessie Krebs !

Full stop.