Growing up in the woods of western Michigan, Jim has always been drawn to the outdoors. He and his 2 older brothers would catch frogs in the creek and climb trees whenever they could. This fascination for nature and the animals around him fueled his interest in science and led him to study Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan. With his newfound knowledge of how the brain works and what drives people to act as they do, he was eager to apply what he learned and help those around him. He wanted to combine his interest in neuroscience and nature which brought him to the mountains of Colorado. Here he truly discovered the outdoors and the value of shared experience and empowerment through challenging situations. After working many different avenues in the outdoors from adaptive recreation to adventure camps, Jim found his passion in wilderness therapy where he could help people understand themselves and the world around them in an environment that has helped him find peace and purpose in his own life. Outside of work, Jim enjoys mountain biking, skiing, hiking, traveling, music and art. With his experience as a field guide, Jim hopes to go back to school for counseling and start his own camp one day.