Life in Motion

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy talks with Jenifer Wisniewski of the National Deer Association about the bigger conservation story behind deer hunting.

Jenifer shares how hunters help fund wildlife conservation, how habitat work on public and private lands can benefit deer, pollinators, and other wildlife, and why food is such an important part of the conversation. They talk about the more than 119 million pounds of venison hunters donate each year, the value of knowing where your food comes from, and how the National Deer Association is helping adults learn to hunt through its Field to Fork programs.

It’s a conversation about stewardship, responsibility, and the many ways hunting can give back to the land and the communities around it.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $54,558 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 275 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy talks with Cat Fribley, Executive Director of Birdability, about making birding and the outdoors more accessible and inclusive.

Cat shares how birding first became a source of calm and connection in her own life, and how a later mobility-related disability changed the way she experienced nature. That journey eventually led her to Birdability, an organization helping people find accessible places, programs, and communities where they can enjoy birds and the outdoors.

They talk about Birdability’s growing accessibility map, the small changes that can make a big difference on trails, birding by sight or sound, and why accessibility benefits far more people than we may realize. At the heart of it all is a simple idea: there are many ways to experience nature, and they all count.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $54,558 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 274 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy talks with Sarah Brobst of Ijams Nature Center about the growth of a 20-acre family property into more than 330 acres of trails, water access, climbing, education, and outdoor experiences in Knoxville.

Sarah also shares the unconventional path that brought her back to Ijams, from working with big cats in Arkansas and wildlife in Texas to botany work in Alaska and outdoor education in California. After years of exploring different corners of the outdoor world, she returned to the place where one of her earliest internships began.

They talk about how Ijams has evolved, why early experiences in nature can stay with people for life, and how creating more ways to explore can help people build a deeper connection with the outdoors.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $54,362 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 273 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy talks with Michelle Ellena of Mindful Action for Regeneration (MAR), about reconnecting people with nature in a way that feels joyful, welcoming, and accessible.

Michelle shares how moving to Florida and experiencing a completely different environment helped inspire MAR, along with her belief that people are more likely to protect the places they genuinely care about. They dive into MAR’s work planting trees, restoring waterways, hosting beach cleanups, and creating opportunities for people to experience the restorative side of nature.

Michelle also shares stories of volunteers going surprisingly far out of their way to help, why conservation shouldn’t always be framed around doom and gloom, and one lesson she’s learned from building MAR: sometimes you just have to embrace the pivot.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $54,362 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 272 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy talks with strength, energy, and longevity coach Chris Ryan about staying strong, healthy, and active as life gets busier. Chris shares how his background as a college athlete, entrepreneur, fitness model, and trainer shaped the way he approaches health today. They talk about why 20–30 minute workouts can be enough, how consistency beats extreme fitness plans, and why training should support the life you actually want to live. Chris also shares how parents can model healthy habits for their kids, why progress doesn’t have to be perfect, and how getting comfortable being uncomfortable can help you grow far beyond the gym.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $54,362 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 271 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy talks with Taylor Nichols, host of Bike Talk Radio, fresh off a 3,461-mile bike ride from California to his childhood home in Michigan. The reason behind the ride made the journey even more meaningful: connecting his daughters, who are beginning their adult lives, with his 101-year-old father—with a handwritten letter carried along the way. Taylor shares stories from 53 days on the road, the strangers who went far out of their way to help him, and what traveling by bike taught him about people, perspective, and slowing down enough to actually see the world around you. It’s a conversation about family, kindness, adventure, and why sometimes the best plan is simply to start.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $54,362 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 270 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy talks with Tana Grenda, owner of Bristol Bay Fitness, host of Grenda’s Getaways, and author of the Wiley-Boo-Hah outdoor children’s books. Tana shares how getting her pilot’s license at 17 eventually led her to Bush Alaska, where she and her husband built a life around family, adventure, and living off the land. They talk about becoming foster parents to a sibling group of five, launching a fitness business from home, creating outdoor retreats that help women build confidence, and writing books inspired by her family’s way of life. It’s an honest conversation about choosing a harder but more meaningful path, tuning out outside opinions, and chasing the life that feels right for you.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”.

Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $54,362 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 269 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy talks with Dean Knuth of Arizona River Runners about what it’s actually like to experience the Grand Canyon from the river. Dean shares how he went from never having rafted before to spending more than a decade helping others take on one of the most memorable trips of their lives. They talk about the different ways to explore the canyon, why the trip is more approachable than many people think, and what happens when you trade your normal routine for a week on the water. Dean also shares a few unforgettable guest stories, including a 90-year-old finally checking off a lifelong dream and a reluctant camper who left the canyon with a poem in hand. It’s a fun look at why this trip sticks with people long after they return home.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $54,362 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 268 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy sits down with Marisa Wong, known as the “queen of experiences,” to talk about how travel, sports, and live events can bring people together in unforgettable ways. Marisa shares how an early passion for adventure turned into a global business designing retreats, summits, and experiences across 65 countries. They talk about the power of human connection, why memorable experiences matter even more in a digital world, and how stepping outside your routine can spark growth in both life and business. It’s an inspiring conversation about dreaming bigger, creating meaningful moments, and building a life around what lights you up.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $52,805 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 267 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

In this episode of Life in Motion, Jeremy catches up with old friend Casey Smith — also the second-ever guest on the podcast — for a conversation that feels equal parts reflective, honest, and inspiring. Casey shares how life has shifted over the years from BMX to running, coaching, parenting, travel, and trying to find balance through it all. They talk about supporting your kids when they find their passion, building routines that keep you grounded, staying creative even when interests evolve, and what it means to keep showing up for the things and people you care about. It’s a real conversation about growing older, holding onto what matters, and learning how to keep life in motion without losing yourself along the way.

Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.

Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect

Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast
Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $52,805 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 266 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.