Building a startup is like being thrust into the middle of the Amazonian rainforest.Building a startup is like being thrust into the middle of the Amazonian rainforest. Living every day on the edge of your comfort zone, vulnerable to the unexpected challenges being thrown your way, constantly shifting to meet daily demands; struggling to survive. Tyler Gage turned down a Fulbright grant in order to start RUNA, a pioneering organization that uses a rare Amazonian tea leaf called guayusa to create organic energy drinks. With no previous business experience, Tyler turned to the spiritual lessons he learned while living with indigenous elders in the Amazon as his guide and “playbook” for building RUNA into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. Tyler shares his inspiring story and how he uses his experience in the Amazon to live his professional and personal mission.