“The way we tend the earth shapes the way we tend each other.”
Meet Jamie
I became passionate about the health impacts of trauma on survivors of sexual violence shortly before moving to New Mexico in 2017. My own journey toward healing sparked a deep desire to support others in reclaiming their power, especially through connection with land, community, and self. When I met Izza Bello, it felt like the right time and the right person to build something bold. We bonded over a shared vision: that survivors deserve to feel strong, not just in their stories, but in nature and in their bodies. With the guidance of many brilliant co-creators, Strong In Nature was born.
Since then, our work has evolved, but our purpose remains rooted. Today, I help individuals, families, and communities heal relationships through land-based practices, consent-centered coaching, and education. Whether I’m designing a curriculum on boundaries or tending compost with my partner, I believe regeneration happens through care of the land, of ourselves, and of one another.
When I’m not writing or teaching, I go hiking with my kids, check on my chickens, and dream of the Southern Appalachian mountains.
Meet Ryan
I’ve worked a million jobs and lived a million lives, but the thread through all of them has been this: helping people realize that our bodies, our Earth, and our futures are worth protecting. A chance meeting with Jamie shifted everything. I went from being an outdoor gear guy to co-creating programs focused on healing, accountability, and community care.
I know the long journey of healing from body trauma and how essential connecting to the land is for that process. That healing now informs everything I offer through Strong In Nature—from compost lessons to healthy masculinity conversations, from family work to farm work. It’s all about regenerative practices.
So if you would like to hear more about how healthy soil teaches us about healthy relationships, reach out! I’m here to help tend what needs nurturing and grow what’s possible.
Meet Izza
Co-founder turned community partner and consultant, Izza will forever be a part of the team. Check out her empowerment first aid classes, taught through a justice-centered lens, at ixchelfirstaid.com.