11/18/2025
Hi everyone, I'm doing a training with Luke Hawkins right now and am learning to stretch myself and expand my reach. In that vein, I want to share something deeply personal with all of you. Years ago, while in Uganda studying wild chimpanzees, I had a blood clot pass through my circulatory system. As. I lay in my tent that night, listening to and feeling my heart slow down, I came face-to-face with my own mortality in the middle of the forest. It was a near-death experience that reshaped how I see life, purpose, and our connection to nature.
I’m sharing this because I don’t want anyone to have to almost die to find their purpose. We’ve all been through challenging times, and I believe my story can remind us that clarity and connection are available without crisis. My journey is about rediscovering what truly fulfills us—and how we can evolve as humans, together.
Recovery was brutal. I was so weak on my left side I couldn’t even lift my daypack. But the hardest part wasn’t physical—it was finding the courage to push on with my research while also carving out space for what truly mattered. I realized I had been living a life built on artificial connection—chasing productivity, status, and surface-level relationships—while neglecting the deeper bonds that make us whole.
What changed for me was the realization that connection isn’t optional—it’s essential. I needed a deeper connection to others and to nature to feel fulfilled. And I saw that understanding the evolution of human behavior could help us all rediscover the connections we seek. That moment of clarity became my compass.
To make sure I am finding connection I use the following tools:
• I create space for reflection and authenticity—no more pretending I’m ‘fine’
• I prioritize relationships and nature as sources of resilience
• I use science and storytelling to illuminate how humans are wired for connection
• I choose growth over fear—every single day
• I help others evolve by centering equity, purpose, and shared humanity
My near-death experience taught me that survival is not enough—we’re meant to thrive. Our deepest struggles can become the doorway to our greatest clarity. And connection—to each other, to nature, to purpose—is the foundation of that thriving.
To anyone who feels stuck, disconnected, or uncertain—you don’t need a crisis to find your purpose. You can choose connection today. You can choose growth today. You can evolve, today. My hope is to inspire you to take that step, to evolve as a human, and to build the deeper bonds that make life meaningful.
