Hello! We're 2 Vegans and a Van

J Bird

Oh hi! I’m J Bird. I received my adventure name from Baby Bear through my strong connection with birds, including my two special needs rescued cockatoos. Since I was a young child, I have always had a passion for being outdoors and exploring my inner instincts as an animal of the Earth. I was always fascinated with the idea of living in the wild without access to grocery stores and other modern conveniences. For the majority of my life so far, I was very motivated and driven to make a difference in the world. I finished high school when I was 13 and then started college at the age of 14, the same year I committed to a vegan lifestyle. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in integrative biology through the University of South Florida and a Master of Arts degree in humane education through the Institute for Humane Education, accredited by Valparaiso University. I have embraced the learning experiences of over 20 different miscellaneous jobs and have been an entrepreneur/volunteer for the last 5 years as an event coordinator for several different non-profit organizations. I am now excitedly pursuing my lifelong dream of being houseless and making my home wherever I travel.

Fun Facts:

• I’m a passionate rock climber and am known for climbing backwards (with my back facing the wall).
• I’ve been vegetarian since the age of 5 after making the connection between the meat my parents put on my plate and my best friend, Arnie (a potbellied pig I grew up with).
• I’m a certified SCUBA diver.
• I lived in Costa Rica for a short period of time at a national wildlife refuge.
• I lived out of my Toyota Corolla for 10 months.
• I retired with $110 left in my account before the age of 30…

Baby Bear

Hi! I’m Baby Bear and I was given my name by J Bird after revealing to her a dream where I had experienced a deep connection to a mother bear and her cubs. In this dream, I was consumed by strong feelings of fear and intimidation in the presence of the large black bear with her babies. My eyes were drawn into hers and to my surprise, I was welcomed with warmth and acceptance into her family. My attitude shifted to feelings of exhilaration, joy, and being truly alive. The connection I shared with this mother bear was symbolic of transitioning from a traditional life of modern conveniences to living a wild life in the woods. For the past 7 years before hiking the Appalachian Trail, I was a collision repair technician for BMW, working your traditional 8-5 job with a structured routine. Leaving everything I knew behind, selling my car, and getting rid of almost everything I owned, was intimidating and a bit frightening to say the least. But I am now overwhelmed by the freedom and excitement my new life has offered to me. I have discovered a passion to educate others about what it means to live a meaningful life. I am a public speaker, professional emcee, and aspiring life coach/personal trainer for rock climbing.