Today on episode 537, I'm speaking with Heather Physioc. Heather is a speaker, educator, trainer, and globally recognized leader in discoverability. Heather and I are both members of the Outdoor Writers Association. Hey Heather, welcome to the show.

Today, Rick talks with Heather Physioc.  Heather is a speaker, educator, trainer, and globally recognized leader in discoverability.

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You can contact me here: rick@ricksaez.com

Show Notes

WHAT HAPPENED:
Ever planned the trip of a lifetime… only to have your wallet vanish before the adventure even begins?

Yeah. That was me.

I was in Peru, fresh off a 40-hour journey, jetlagged, under-caffeinated, and apparently running on "let's misplace everything" mode. Somewhere between airport security and the Lima coffee line, my wallet poofed into thin air.

Great start to a solo trip through the Andes, right?

But here's the wild part — losing that wallet wasn't the disaster it felt like. It became the perfect kick-in-the-hiking-boots reminder that adaptability isn't just an outdoor skill — it's a life skill. That week, I slept in tents outside of homes where I didn't speak the language, ate potatoes dug straight from the dirt, and learned how "risk" and "reward" share the same trail.

PRINCIPLE:
What I learned — or remembered — was this: the outdoors doesn't wait for your plans to be perfect. And neither does life. You don't need permission, pristine conditions, or even a full wallet to step into something bigger than your comfort zone. You just need to go. And trust that you'll figure it out as you go.

TRANSITION:
But here's where most of us get stuck — not because we lack the gear or the desire, but because we've been trained to wait for the right moment. The right job title. The right guide. The right, whatever. And in that waiting, we lose the chance to hear what nature — and our own gut — is trying to say.

THAT'S WHY:
That's why I had Heather on the podcast. Because she gets it, she's blended a high-level marketing career with nature photography, conservation storytelling, and a serious dose of wild adventure. She talks about everything from leadership lessons in the backcountry to how observing owls in the city can rewire your creative brain.

If you've ever wondered whether the outdoors can really shift your mindset, your leadership style, or even your career — this episode is for you.

CALL TO ACTION:
Feeling stuck in the scroll, burned out from the noise, and unsure where to begin? That's your sign. Stop waiting. Start small. And listen to this episode. It might just be the nudge your nervous system — and your soul — has been craving.

Follow up with Heather on her website: Heather Physioc, Speaker & Trainer

🎧 Listen here.

Today, Rick sits down with Cincinnati-based climate science and outdoor writer Jessica Baltzersen, whose passion for storytelling has taken her from bison-filled islands to moonlit rainbows and community gardens making a difference in urban food deserts.

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Show Notes

Show Notes

Show Notes

WHAT HAPPENED:

I'll be honest—when I first started freelancing, I chased the big stuff. Wildfires out west. Epic storms. National parks everyone's heard of. And yeah, the views were killer, the access? Not so much. Crowds. Traffic. And trying to pitch a story that wasn't already told a hundred times by someone standing in the same exact spot? Near impossible.

Then I moved back to Cincinnati.

Yeah, the Midwest. You know, the place nobody writes about unless there's a flood or a football game.

But what I found? Holy hell. 5,000 acres of parks. National Water Trails. People pulling literal tons of tires out of rivers with their bare hands and busted backs. And stories—real ones. Raw. Personal. Uncovered.

One day, I'm chasing a moonbow in Kentucky. (Yes, that's a lunar rainbow, and yes, it's real.) Another, I'm writing about community gardens growing hope in the middle of urban food deserts. And all of it—every story—started right here in my own overlooked, underestimated backyard.

PRINCIPLE:

The best outdoor stories don't always come from the big, dramatic places. Sometimes, they're right under your nose—in the "boring" places, told by everyday folks doing extraordinary things. As outdoor storytellers, travelers, and advocates, we've got to stop thinking epic = better. Local can be just as powerful—if not more.

TRANSITION:

But here's the thing: too many creatives, writers, and adventurers are stuck in this belief that the only stories worth telling live out west or come with a plane ticket. That the Midwest, the South, or even your own neighborhood isn't "sexy" enough for an audience. So they scroll past, ignore it, and miss the magic right in front of them.

THAT'S WHY:

This episode with Jessica Erzen is so damn important. She reminds us that storytelling isn't about location—it's about perspective. It's about being curious enough to dig into the stories no one else is talking about. It's about realizing that a river full of tires can be just as compelling as a summit photo in the Rockies. Maybe more.

CALL TO ACTION:

Feeling like your outdoor stories aren't big enough to matter?
You're not alone—most folks think if it's not wild, it's not worth it.
But the truth? The stories that really move people are often right in their own backyard.
Listen to Jessica's episode now—because the next great story might be just outside your front door.

Follow up with Jessica: jpbaltzersen@gmail.com

Show Notes:

Turns out you just need the right info, a bit of courage, and maybe someone to teach you to swim in Bali (true story).

Hugo's hostel conversation led to a whirlwind of new friendships, wild adventures, and eventually, a career that let me hopscotch the globe, bank some serious cash, and design a life I didn't want a vacation from.

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Show Notes

Principle:
The truth is, the life you want isn't found in job boards or traditional paths—it's usually hiding in the stories of people who've already broken the mold. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need a glimpse of what's possible and the guts to say, "why not me?"

Transition:
Most people get stuck right at that fork in the road. They're burned out, fed up with the 9-to-5 grind, and craving more than just two weeks of vacation. But they stay stuck because no one ever showed them what else is out there. They think they need more money, more skills, more permission.

That's why most people never leave Oklahoma City. (No offense, Oklahoma.)

That's Why:
That's why this week's episode with Hugo Ortega is such a game-changer. We're not just talking about travel or yachting. We're talking about what happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment—and just start chasing the life you actually want. Hugo lays it all out, and trust me, it's not what you think.

Call to Action:
Tired of feeling trapped in a life that looks good on paper but feels like a slow death in khakis? This episode is your sign. Discover how one guy turned a pink slip into a passport to adventure—and how you can too. Listen now and start rewriting your own story.

Follow up with Hugo: hugo.ortega@superyacht.com