About Me

 

Born and raised in Central Alberta, I have taken full advantage of not only my own backyard in the mountains, but around the globe as well, and have recently begun hosting my own international group trips. I love adventure, laughter, and have a passion for travel photography and exploring, inspiring others along the way. When I am not traveling I am in Red Deer, enjoying the comforts of my own home and the amazing trail system we have, whether that’s on foot, running or on my bike. Also spending time at our lake house paddle boarding, kayaking and enjoying time with my little family, our two dogs Timber and Willow and my husband Craig. I also have a passion for youth and education, with a degree in both Social Work, and Teaching, and currently work as a substitute teacher while in town. I enjoy the balance I have created in my life, between adventure, travel and the work I do in town with our youth.

Activities you’ll find on my page: Running, hiking, camping, paddle-boarding, downhill and cross-country skiing, road biking, fat biking and traveling.

My hashtag #freshairandfreedom encompasses so much meaning for me, and it seems to do the same for many others. I believe there is great benefit to spending time in nature, getting outside and breathing the fresh air. It brings us a sense of freedom, and endless opportunity. My hope is to continue to inspire people to get outside and reap the benefits. One way I have been able to do so is through my blog, which I started back in 2017, as a way to share further details about my experience/travels. Making getting outdoors easier for you.

How did I get to where I am today?

One of the most common questions people ask me. I have always had an adventurous spirit, growing up. With 3 other sisters I was always know as the ‘wild one’. When I graduated high-school I immediately went into Social Work, to get my diploma, and after my first year my mom, older sister and I all decided to take a trip to Europe for 3 weeks. This was my first real taste at travel. I loved it. Once I finished my diploma, I worked for almost a year as a waitress, and at a local retail store saving every penny for a 4 month solo trip to Asia.

At 20 years old I set out on my trip, traveling through Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. I knew after this that travel was going to be a huge part of my life. It changed me, and I just wanted to keep experiencing new places. From there I traveled to other countries such as Peru, and Nicaragua. While continuing to travel I decided to go back for my degree in Social Work.

In 2012 I started my Instagram account, and at that time there was not a lot of people on the app, sharing their adventures and travels. I was lucky enough to begin my ‘social media journey’ early and grew a following quite quickly. In 2014/2015 I started to have a couple companies reach out to me to work with them. Whether that was blogging for them, or sending me product to promote through my channels. This was new territory and I didn’t really have any mentors to go to to ask about how exactly that would work, so I kind of just rolled with it. As the years went on I continued to share my adventures online, my audience continued to grow, and I ended up working with multiple companies, who reached out to me via my Instagram platform. The opportunity was growing, to really have something and grow my own business online.

Fast forward 8 years later and here I am, 25 countries later, making a living off Instagram. I have worked with tourism boards and stays/hotels, and many different brands such as Eddie Bauer, Corona, Chevrolet, Turo, HelloFresh, Enso Rings, GoPro, Fre Skincare, AG1, Pelican, Buff Canada, OpenFarm, On Running, SweatyBetty, Keen Footwear, Bliz Eyewear, and many more. I love the creative freedom that brands give me, and how they put their trust in me to represent them and their brand/product. Some experiences I have had are: travelling to Europe with Royal Caribbean cruise ships, to Sweden with Puma, to Chile with Corona, Yosemite National Park with GoPro, to the Yukon with Travel Yukon, to Vancouver island, and Kauai with Keen, to Aspen Colorado with Eddie Bauer, South Dakota with Travel South Dakota Quebec with Tourism Quebec and more.

I have also hosted 8 international trips, with groups of travellers over the last 5 years. It has been so much fun meeting so many of my audience members, making memories. We have gone to Peru, Iceland, Utah, Patagonia, Alaska, Africa, and Canada. The memories will last a lifetime.

The support of my friends, family and husband, along with my audience members has been amazing, and one big reason I have been able to work via my platform for so many years. When I am in Red Deer, I continue to substitute teach, and do love my time spent in the schools. Subbing allows me flexibility to continue to freelance, and travel around the world, doing what I love.

23 thoughts on “About Me”

      • Ahhh Will I appreciate the kind words. I dont think age has much to do with how we are it is def experience :p haha I feel old at 25 now! Where has the time gone?! I wouldnt take back a single experience I have had – even though they were tough its led me to where I am and I kinda like where I am at :p

        Thanks! Sorry I never replied. I hope you had a BLAST up in Alberta – Sorry I never got to see you!

        Brooke xx

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  2. Hi Brooke! This is all great stuff. It has been a long time dream of mine to be able to take a solo trip like you did! I would love to hear any tips you might have for a broke college student such as myself (specifically budgeting and costs and overall how you made the trip happen.)

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  3. Hey Brooke!
    I have been following you on IG for a while now (I began due my obsession with the mountains as I am a misplaced prairie girl and loved your photos) and sort of “hopped along” on your journey with you. Such a great decision you have made to be where you are and it’s really nice to learn who you are through the site here! I had no idea about your passion for running, so I learned something new! You are definitely far more balanced now (20 km run every day is amazing though!) and you are so right about the pressures we face. You are even more right about Mother Earth as she never judges and she has healing powers like no other! Congrats on getting this website going and thanks for inspiring women and men of all ages to follow our hearts! ~Janet (Northernlove93 on IG)

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    • JANETTTT! You have been such a big supporter of mine and I LOVE the responses and engagement 🙂 It def helps keep me going – its people like you I am hoping to inspire.

      Yep Running has and always be a HUGE part of who I am… It was a tough past but it led me to now! And I kinda like where I am at ahhaha. Thanks so much for the congrats on the website – sorry it has taken me SOOOO long to reply. I need to get better with that!

      xoxo Brooke

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  4. I somehow stumbled across you on Instagram as my curiosity towards hiking/backpacking/exploring grew and grew. After following along your story, my travel bug tarted to itch more and more. I have an 8 week volunteer trip coming up in May with a program called American Conservation Experience (sound familiar?), and I was hoping to hear some tips from you on how you made your travel experiences into a career such as being an ambassador. I would love to do what you do for a living!

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  6. Hey lil’ lady,
    I must say its been a real pleasure watching you become who you are! I am inspired by you & the way you are seeing the beauty all around you..
    We seriously need a catch up. Maybe next time I’m in the mountains I’ll shoot you a message.
    Stay well

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  7. Brooke!!! I can’t believe how far you’ve gone with your love of travelling and the outdoors already! I’m so happy for you and LOVE following along on your adventures with you via IG. We’re definitely missing you in the school district but I would say you have DEFINITELY found your passion and what you were meant to do in life! Congratulations on all your successes so far! I can’t wait to see where you are able to take #freshairandfreedom and ‘Eco-therapy’!!

    Can’t wait to join you on a hike someday soon! All the best!

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    • Courtney!!! THanks so much for replying! Hope all is going well with you! It is crazy to think how far I have come as well but I jumped into it FT and kinda forced myself to make opportunities for myself! I do miss the kids and the district and I can say its been insane trying to make all this work but have to work hard for what ya want right? We create our own opportunities 🙂 WHo knows maybe one day I will be back in the district! Time will tell 🙂

      Thanks sooooo much for the congrats! #freshairandfreedom has HUGE meaning to me.. along with eco-therapy 🙂 I have some plans for it all thats for sure!

      Yes would LOVE to have you on a hike as well! Dont hesitate to message me !

      Brooke xo

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  8. What an amazing journey! Thank you for sharing your pictures and adventures on Instagram. I love the website idea. I’m at the same place you were with running and trying to find other alternatives outdoors. I’m addicted to the fresh air and freedom where all the stresses of life seem to melt away. Keep sharing your thoughts, adventures and pictures. You are wise beyond your years and you are leaving your footprints on more lives than you realize. IG: @lpteach2

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    • Hey Lauren! Thanks so much for your reply! Your welcome :p I hope you are able to find more balance and seek other activities outdoors! Dont hesitate to email me or DM me on insta to ask for advice or if you have any questions! I will check out your IG account!

      Thanks for the words girl – keep getting outside and taking advantage of that Fresh Air!!!!

      Brooke xx

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  9. Hi Brooke!!

    I recently just stumbled upon you and after reading your blog I see so much of myself in you. I don’t know if you know your personality type but I am an ENFP and I feel like you would be too! I myself am from Canada, have worked in the educational system & camps, have a degree in a social science (psychology) and a passion for travel and people.

    I saw that you have been to Webster’s Falls in Hamilton – those are my stomping grounds! I hope you got to do the hike to Dundas Peak while you were visiting.

    Your blog and instag have me feeling inspired again after a recent return from a solo backpacking trip.

    I would love if you could check out my site so we can connect!

    instagram.com/mskeccles
    http://www.kaylaeccles.wix.com/runningamok

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  10. Your freaking sweet gal. Don’t know how I came across your website but your exactly the inspiration I’ve needed! Eventually want to move up to banff after doing some travels and would be more then awesome to connect with you when I’m up there! Cheers

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  11. Brooke! My goodness your story is inspiring and it’s not even over yet! I love following your adventures and hearing all of your stories and what not. You are so amazing and I would love to do the things you do someday. I’m fortunate enough to live in beautiful Colorado with our breath taking mountains, so maybe I’ll start there!😉 You are a totally awesome woman to follow and I hope you never stop! Thanks for being radical!!

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  12. Hey Brooke! My name is Gwen and I live in Wisconsin and ever since 2 years ago I needed to get my feet dirty and be going places and traveling. Yet the only problem was that I was only 10. Now I’m 12 and I follow you on Instagram and your pictures make me so jealous and just wanting me to go out and explore. I always take spring break as a privilege because it’s the only time that my family will really “travel” I have been to a lot of states yet never been out of the country. I always dreamed of being a National Geographic photographer, yet now I just want to help animals all over the world,travel, and get to meet new people!! Also I’ve been dreaming of climbing Mt.Everest with one of my best friends and we haven’t stoped thinking about that. I love going hiking by Lake Michigan and swimming in the water seeing all the rocks, and getting to see a few fish. I love going snorkeling and getting to see a lot of fish and sometimes crabs! I love kayaking with my friends at the lake and getting to go on adventures with them! I wanted to tell you this because you always have great pictures, and have inspired me to ask my mom if we can go to Hawaii for next spring break😂

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  13. Hi Brooke, Found your site by accident. But soo happy I did. What a life you have!!
    I was looking at places to kayak and a picture of you turned up. Your in a kayak on a lake, I think. You have your back to the camera and your wearing a red baseball cap. Can you tell me where that is?? And can I get in and paddle or do I need permits or ? I think it’s by Nordegg?? Great pic of you and your family. I look like your father. Same white beard. Same jeans. Same leather jacket. Lol.thanks for any info you can give me.
    Patrick

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  14. Hi Brooke, happened across your site as I’m peeking at peoples blogs with their experience with the WCT. Wondering if I may be able to pepper you with a few questions to (hopefully) calm my nerves.
    Cheers Dee

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