Our Wildway Crew highlights ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Within each of us lies the potential to live life to the fullest. We have the ability to choose our own destiny, live without fear or limits, challenge ourselves and grow, do and be whatever makes us happy. We have the ability to be free. It's how you live a Wildway of life and there are people all around us inspiring others with their actions. We want to celebrate that by highlighting and honoring those who #LiveWild.
Meet this week's featured Wildway Crew member:
Meet Katie. Professional climber, competing nationally and worldwide. She ditched her finance career to pursue a minimalist life exploring the world. Read her story and be amazed by how high she climbs.
Here is Katie's story in her own words:
"My name is Katie Jo Meyers and my Wildway of Life is climbing.
Several years ago, I moved to Los Angeles for work and found myself struggling with big city life. As luck would have it though, there was a climbing gym just a few blocks from my work. I took a beginner’s class and since then, have never looked back!
What began as a respite from the traffic and the crowds, soon turned into my greatest passion. I was climbing in the gym nearly every day for hours on end and going out to the mountains every weekend! Due to climbing and my desire to be outdoors, I slowly and steadily left behind a career in finance and my life in the big city, and now live a minimalist lifestyle, part time on a sailboat, and part time on the road at different climbing areas. Though I didn’t begin climbing until I was 28, which is generally considered a bit old to become a high-level athlete, I didn’t let that stop me. I trained hard, and today I am a sponsored climber, participating in national and even world competitions. Looking back, I find myself incredibly grateful for that difficult move to the city, as it introduced me to an entirely new and unexpected Wildway of Life!
Currently, I am very lucky in that I get to combine fun and work! My Wildway of Life has opened up so many opportunities for me, and I now work in content creation and digital marketing for the outdoor industry, as well as set routes for local climbing gyms, and work as a climbing coach.
As an outdoor athlete, both nutrition and environmental impact are very important to me. This year, I began eating a vegan diet. Though I was initially worried about the effects this might have on my performance, I’ve found myself feeling stronger and more energetic than ever before! I love anything with coconut, and when I’m camped out in the mountains, there isn’t anything better in the morning than Wildway hot cereal in toasted coconut!
My biggest inspiration in life is simply this whole vast, unpredictable, and beautiful world in which we live. There are so many amazing places and wonderful people out there! Every day, I am inspired by people exploring, pushing limits, loving life, and helping others. I only hope I can do the same!
My favorite quote is by Edward Abbey, “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” This quote reminds me that life should be an adventure, and that often, it’s the most difficult paths that lead to the greatest places!
