Erik S - Field Leader  September 2008

Erik loves his job! Adventure has always been a big influence in his life.  He continually appreciates the lessons that nature and the wilderness has to offer.  Some of his greatest inspiration and insight has come while surrounded by the amazing beauty of the outdoors.  Erik’s love for adventure and the outdoors began when he was quite young.  “I have many fond memories of epic hiking trips with my father.  He helped to instill in me a love and respect for the wilderness.  That love and respect for nature and adventure has played a large role throughout my life.”

In 2006,  Erik began a different adventurous journey: marriage.  However marriage in and of itself wasn’t enough to quench he and his wife’s thirst for adventure.  So, shortly after their marriage, they set off to travel the world.  Throughout the year they were traveling, they had many amazing opportunities to provide humanitarian service for others in need.

One year ago Erik and Jana began a new adventure together: parenthood.  “What an amazing opportunity!" Erik says.  "My son has been the greatest blessing and source of joy in my life.  My wife and I are enjoying every bit of this adventure together, including the tough stuff.”

Today Erik finds himself working in a field that combines two great loves: adventure and helping others.  He is honored and blessed to have the opportunity to work with Aspiro and the students who come here.  He recognizes the power of the adventure therapy model.  He lives it.  Every week Erik works, he gains something new: be it a new lesson, a new perspective, new insight, new strength, new understanding.  “Never have I worked in an industry where I have benefited so greatly.  This is not just a job.  It is an opportunity.  An opportunity to become better.”

Liz S - Field Leader  September 2007

Liz grew up in Minnesota spending summers canoeing and backpacking in the Boundary Waters, and hiking with her family in the northern part of the state.  She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in dance.  While in college, she traveled to India to study dance and religion, and later to China.  Before working for Aspiro, Liz worked at a health food store teaching customers about healthy living and natural remedies.  She especially enjoyed helping customers improve their diets, and was very excited to help Aspiro improve its menu for the students in the early part of 2009.  

Since starting at Aspiro her love for the outdoors has grown as she’s witnessed its healing power not only in the lives of the students, but in her own life as well.  She enjoys her creative role in developing the Aspiro girls' program.  She believes in the power adventure therapy has in building confidence and self efficacy when combined with openness and a willingness to change.  She has seen it numerous times, and especially in the most difficult circumstances.  

Liz has found that service has always been the best way for her personally to connect with others and build relationships.  Through service, self reflection, and consistent study of Arbinger principles, Liz is learning what it means to live with a heart at peace.   She hopes to be a gentle influence for good in the lives of those around her.

Louis E - Kairos Team Leader.  May 2008

Louis is a American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) Single Pitch Climbing Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and an EMT-Basic.

Philip F - Vantage Point Team Leader.  August 2008

Philip has always been an explorer.  As a young child, he was constantly wandering away from his parents and creating sometimes scary adventures for himself and his family.  This adventurous spirit has not left him, but only become safer and broader while guiding him in the direction of working with youth in the wilderness.  Philip graduated in May 2008 with a degree in history.  A history degree does not usually lend itself to wilderness work, but this is just part of his vast area of interests.  Some of Philip’s favorite activities include running (it is by far the fastest way to explore), hiking, rock climbing, reading, cooking, snowboarding, studying history, traveling, and rock hopping.  Philip is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Philip has been a major developer of the Vantage Point program, and brings a lot of dedication and enthusiasm to his position as Vantage Point Team Leader.

Shawn P - Lead Guide.  January 2007

Shawn has been climbing, backpacking, and canyoneering seen he was a young teen.  He began working with youth in the wilderness in 2003.  He loves the idea of helping people become passionate about life.  Shawn also loves to climb and travel. He has traveled to numerous places to climb and to learn from other cultures. Shawn enjoys seeking out new challenges and adventures. He pushes his own limits and enjoys helping other people push their limits. Currently Shawn is teaching himself to sail and preparing for a transpacific passage.  Shawn brings a lot of experience and talent to Aspiro.

Aaron T - Lead Guide.  October 2007

Aaron worked at Outback Expeditions for a short while before joining the Aspiro team in the fall of 2007. Of all the adventure activities at Aspiro, he feels that perhaps canyoneering is his favorite.  Aaron often finds himself canyoneering with his friends and family when he is not working.  He is currently authoring a book in his free time.

Aaron brings much experience and talent to Aspiro.  He has great attention to detail, never complains, and going beyond that, he has a very positive attitude.  He has shown willingness to learn and grow, and receives feedback with humility and integrity as he strives to progress right along side the students.  Aaron is a Wilderness First Responder.

Katie H - Lead Guide.  May 2006

Katie has always enjoyed camping with her family throughout the western states.  During high school and college she developed hobbies including rafting, rock climbing, canyoneering, slacklining, backpacking, and many other outdoor activities.  She also enjoys reading, playing a wide variety of sports, and going on adventures with her friends.  While in college, she spent two summers working for a youth adventure program in the mountains of Idaho.  Katie began working at Aspiro in the summer of 2006 and continued to work every summer until her graduation in 2008 because she just couldn't stay away from Aspiro.  She graduated in 2008 from Brigham Young University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, at which point she began working for Aspiro full time.  Katie is a Wilderness First Responder.

Nic grew up in San Jose, California, camping and backpacking the Santa Cruz and Sierra Nevada mountains.  He developed a love for the wilderness through his experiences both with his family and with the Boy Scouts.  Nic works at Aspiro during his breaks from school at Brigham Young University where he studies Communications/Journalism. He is a competent rock climber, Wilderness First Responder, and an EMT-Basic.

Meg M - Lead Guide.  September 2008

Meg came to Utah to experience new things and to challenge herself in new ways. She graduated from Hampshire College with a concentration in outdoor experiential education and social change. She worked for eight summers at a Boy Scout camp in New Hampshire teaching sailing, swimming, rock climbing, backpacking, and running a challenge course. When she is not out on adventures in the wilderness, Meg likes to draw, play Ultimate Frisbee, run, swim, and fix things. Meg is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Joe N - Guide.  February 2009

Growing up in Utah, Joe fell in love with the mountains and deserts that surround the state. While attending Utah Valley University, where he earned a B.S. in Outdoor Leadership and Business Administration, he started guiding on the Colorado River.  Little did he know, that more than ten years later, he'd still be in love with every aspect of guiding.  He now guides in Arizona, Utah, and Idaho.  His other hobbies include: rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, skating, skiing, and photography.  

Joe joined Aspiro because the therapeutic aspect interested him.  "It’s one thing to teach the hard skills of rock climbing; how to hold, how to tie the knots, how to move in balance.  But it’s something much more rewarding to teach the soft skills; what life lessons come from trusting the rope, how to learn to communicate with those who belay us, how to move in balance with our lives.  This aspect of guiding makes me appreciate life, and the people that I interact with."

Justin W - Guide.  February 2009

Billy N - Guide.  March 2009

Billy was born and raised in the beautiful, yet not often recognized, state of North Dakota.  His childhood was spent exploring, getting dirty, and nurturing his desire for excitement and adventure.  He played numerous sports and became very active in working with other youth in his community.  In college he worked as Resident Assistant in the freshman dorms, and was an active member of various service and leadership organizations both on and off campus.  Billy earned a degree in Business Administration and Marketing from North Dakota State University, including coursework abroad in Europe.  However, after some time sitting behind a desk wearing a suit and tie, he decided to leave the corporate business world to more fully pursue his passions for the outdoors and working with youth.  He found that opportunity at Aspiro in early 2009.  Billy absolutely loves living in Utah and being able to work with, and also learn from the adolescents at Aspiro.

Ava C - Team Leader, CTRS.  March 2009

Ava graduated from Brigham Young University in 2008 with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She believes that the outdoor adventures at Aspiro foster powerful therapeutic experiences. She practiced therapeutic recreation at Harborview Medical Center in-patient psychiatric unit in Seattle, Washington. Ava was a river guide on the Colorado River, has worked at two domestic violence shelters, and spent a summer doing humanitarian service at Padre Vito Guarato Orphanage in El Salvador. Ava enjoys spending time with family, making pottery, and playing basketball. Ava loves working with teenagers and is happy to be a part of the Aspiro Team.  She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

Jeff B - Guide.  March 2009

Jeff was born and raised in Provo, Utah.  He spent a lot of his childhood backpacking in the Uinta mountains and learning how to survive in Utah's harsh deserts.  Jeff has a great love and passion for adventure activities.  In the warmer months you'll find him rock climbing, mountain biking, running ultra-marathons and canyoneering.  In the winter months he loves backcountry snowboarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering and winter camping. When he's not finding adventure outside, he loves working in his recording studio or playing guitar in his rock ‘n’ roll band.  Jeff is married and has three dogs that all enjoy hiking and exploring together.  Jeff has many skills and talents that make him an amazing team member at Aspiro.  He has his Wilderness First Responder and Avalanche Level 1 certifications.

After completing and graduating from the Kairos program in the summer of 2008, Kevin returned home to North Carolina.   However once he returned home, he found himself driven to return to Aspiro and help others find the path of recovery that he had discovered.  Kevin feels that his unique perspective as a former student in the program, contributes to his passion to be a guide at Aspiro.

Kevin has loved the outdoors since his childhood and was involved in boy scouts for over ten years. Kevin has worked hard to become a proficient rock climber and mountain biker and enjoys teaching these skills in the Kairos program.  Kevin also enjoys bowling, traveling, and immersing himself in as many different cultures as possible.

Jessica W - Clinical Assistant and Guide.  April 2009

Jessica is from Gilbert, Arizona and is currently a social work student at Brigham Young University.  She loves hiking, camping, biking, swimming, sewing, reading, gourmet cooking, music, ballroom dancing and most of all her husband.  Jessica has extensive training in swimming and loves teaching it to others.  With a desire for helping others excel in life, a knowledge of people’s potential to change, and a love for working with youth, Jessica is excited to be working at Aspiro.