Changing your life to live in rhythm with nature? That's the somewhat crazy gamble Élodie, 38, former project manager turned hiking instructor, took. Today, she shares her inspiring story and what pushed her to leave everything behind for a 100% outdoor life.
"I was no longer aligned with my daily life"
"I loved my job, but I spent my days cooped up in front of a screen. The more years passed, the more I felt this need to be outside, to move, to breathe. I understood that I was no longer aligned with what I truly wanted to experience."
After several months of reflection, Élodie decided to take the plunge: she quit her job, trained as a hiking guide, and organized her first guided trek a year later.
"Nature has become my office"
"Today, I work outdoors, through the seasons. Every day is different. A sunrise over the mountains, a hike in the rain, a bivouac by a lake... these are memories I share with my clients, but also with myself."
Her life is certainly simpler materially, but much richer humanly.
The challenges of change
Not everything was easy:
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Learning to live with less
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Managing uncertainty in winter, when activities are scarcer
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Constantly reinventing herself to live from her passion
"People often tell me I was brave, but honestly, staying in a life that no longer suited me would have been much harder."
Her advice for those who dream of a different daily life
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Test it out first: go trekking, van life, woofing... before leaving everything behind.
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Get trained: nature isn't something you improvise! Diplomas exist for guiding or supervising.
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Be ready to step out of your comfort zone: freedom has a price, but it's worth all the gold in the world.
In summary
Élodie reminds us that it's possible to choose a simpler, freer, and more nature-connected life — provided you dare to take the first step.
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