When I was in my early twenties a classmate in graduate school told me about her friend: “She’s 28, married, has two kids, a full time job, and a home. She’s so together!” I remember thinking “Ya, she does sound together!” And then thinking, wouldn’t that be great to figure out a way of getting my life set up like that, not because that situation is an end in itself — that a partner, kids, job and home, would complete me — but because that meant I would be stable enough in life to travel and go on adventures. Meaning, it would allow me to be luxurious with my time and money and spend both on experiences. Growing up, I knew that education and jobs wouldn’t fall into my lap. I knew I had to work really hard, every year at school and every summer at full time at job (from when I was 14) if I wanted a chance at having some sort of financial stability, and knowing that even hard work is no guarantee. Financial stability, I thought, would enable me to be frivolous with my time. Frivolous meaning: that I wouldn’t have to be actively educating myself (in a conventional sense) or earning money to be able to pay for school and later for my living space. So, I never travelled or adventured.

I don’t regret this (I find regret to be a useless state) but I do look admirably toward people who took the leap and adventured despite not having all their ducks in a row. Morgan Brechler is someone who I have followed on Instagram for a few years. She is young, adventurous and free spirited. I wouldn’t say her ducks are out of row, as you’ll read she’s accomplished quite a lot in her two decades, but what I absolutely love about her is that she never put her adventurous spirit on pause. She thrives on adventure, is a self-described nature groupie, and has never denied herself these parts of herself.  Read on, because I know you’ll enjoy hearing from Morgan about her passion for the outdoors and how this has shaped how she is raising her daughter.

Morgan, please tell me a little about yourself.

25. Nature groupie. Intense soul. Total scorpio. I work for a landscape design company, Creative Environments. Also, attending school for my degree in Urban Horticulture/Sustainable Agriculture. Don’t ask me how I make it all work. Because I have no idea!! Family time, yoga, holistic organic plant based living, rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, all the good stuff. Loving love.

What part of the world do you live in?

The desert, Arizona

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

Hadlie is my only daughter, coming up on 5 years on this planet.. a soul much older. Wild spirited, beautiful, strong-willed and one of the most stubborn little girls I have ever known. Unless we compare her with 4 year old me, I might have had her beat back in my day for stubbornness. I suppose it’s safe to say she’s definitely my mini me!  She’s intelligent, beyond her years and brings endless smiles and happiness into our life.

Do you have a favourite quote or words you live by? Favourite books?

I will share a favorite from one of the latest books I read;

“We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children’s memories, the adventures we’ve had together in nature will always exist.”

― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

What are your core family values?

We really try to foster creativity in Hadlie and ourselves. Being free-thinkers without boundaries is important to us.  We encourage Hadlie to use her imagination to its fullest which allows her to be comfortable with being her true-self.

Respecting Mother Nature is a big core value our family strongly believes in. Allowing Hadlie to connect with nature and to be very aware of her surroundings. Instilling the importance of taking care of our earth and protecting it so it can be around for us and future generations to enjoy.

Openness, and the ability to feel emotions fully. Which falls under communication. We try to over-communicate on everything. I don’t want Hadlie to ever feel like she has to work through her emotions alone, if she doesn’t want to. (Sometimes, alone is best though). If she’s upset about something, we get her to talk about those feelings. Instead of shutting her out and sending her to her room.

Ultimately: love yourself. love earth. love all living things.

How do you spend most of your days?

Most of my days right now are spent working and going to school. I am fortunate enough to have a job I love, surrounded by people I love even more. Down the road, I would like to have some more play time and I think we are well on our way to figuring that out. I feel like we have a good balance going right now. We push our adventures hard on the weekends and after work, for now.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

Sharing happiness. That sounds cheesy, and really I am sure the expected answer from me is something along the lines of  “anything outside.” Which, is, yes, a big part of it! But truly, anything that we share happiness in. That could be grocery shopping, hiking, cooking, our dance parties, climbing or cuddling up and watching some good ol’ Netflix. We have A LOT of fun together.

Last year you started the Born Wild Project? What is it about?

The Born Wild Project is a film series: we want to share our stories and inspire parents along the way. I feel deeply passionate about the importance of getting outside with your children and want everyone to know how capable they are of living this lifestyle. From the new mom, who has never been on a hike before, to the experienced adventurer.  It will develop more beyond a film series, eventually.

What are you passionate about?

I find passion in a lot of things. I am passionate about being a mother, a lover, a friend, a human.  My love, Jared, is so passionate about life; I have never met anyone who is so happy, positive and loving. He truly does not give energy into something unless there is a passion that runs deep;  that is something rare.  Most people settle and find contentment in life. With him, life will always be much more than that. As partners, as parents, as friends, as lovers we will always chase our passions together and never settle.

What inspires you?

I find inspiration in the people I surround myself with. My friends, each and every single one of them are so different. Each on their own personal journey that is amazing, passionate, successful and truly, deeply happy. I am so grateful that I am able to call so many inspiring, creatives my best friends.

What are your dreams for motherhood?

My dreams for motherhood are to simply, be the best mother I can be. Hadlie deserves the world. I dream that I am able to raise her well enough to never doubt herself, to always be filled with self love, love for others and to find her own deep, real passions in life. To be fully, completely, satisfied with the life she was given as a child and for the life she will continue to create on her own, as she grows into a woman.

Thank you Morgan! Readers you can find Morgan on Instagram @morganbrechler and over at Born Wild.

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