My path began in Africa, where I was raised surrounded by wild beauty, vast landscapes, animals, and a way of life that kept us deeply connected to nature. Much of my childhood was spent outdoors, with a freedom and simplicity that shaped me in lasting ways. There was something deeply grounding about growing up so close to the natural world, and those early experiences planted the seeds for the life I would later build around family, connection, and a return to what is natural and true. Yet even within that beauty, there were also fears and conflicts that marked my early life. The reality of war, apartheid, the fear reflected through the news and media, and the instability of growing up with an alcoholic father all became part of my inner landscape and the beginning of a much deeper journey.

Later, through travel and time spent in third-world countries, my understanding of life expanded even further. I was deeply moved by the way many people lived with so little, yet seemed so connected, present, and at peace. The children were always outside in nature, playing freely without toys, without excess, and without the constant tension and overstimulation so common in modern life. They looked genuinely happy, and it touched something in me that recognized the beauty of simple living. These experiences opened my eyes to the resilience of people, the intelligence of nature, and the profound wisdom that can be found in a life lived closer to the earth..