An outdoorsman is dedicating his time in lockdown to helping tackle mental health issues in the U.S by taking people on amazing adventures in nature.
When the pandemic first struck, Tristan Hamm, based in Los Angeles, California, wanted to find ways to give hope to those strapped down in fear, worrying about what the future holds.
He decided to reboot their spirits in the best way he knows how – by connecting them with the outdoors.
Outdoorsman Tristan Hamm is dedicating his time in lockdown to helping tackle mental health issues in the U.S by taking people on amazing adventures in nature. He’s pictured here in Sedona, Arizona, with his dog, Aspen
Los Angeles-based Tristan shares his own experiences with a community of over one million followers across social media. He’s pictured here leaping into a Cenote hidden deep in the Yucatan jungle in Tulum, Mexico
The nature lover and founder of Revived Outdoors has spent the past 12 months devoting his time and resources to creating safe, socially-distanced excursions across the North American continent.
For those who can’t go outside, Tristan also shares his own experiences with a community of over one million followers across social media, including over 250,000 on his personal Instagram account (@Tristan.Hamm).
‘I’ve always had a love for adventure,’ Tristan told Jam Press.
‘It’s in my bloodline.
‘Having a pretty rough childhood growing up, it was those little weekend escapes to my grandfather’s cabin or getting out into the woods with my uncles that made me feel like, for a brief moment, nothing else mattered in the world.
‘Those lessons as a young kid manifested into who I have become today.
‘Everyone is dealing with something internally. That’s why I do this for people.
‘In my personal opinion and experience, getting some fresh air and appreciating what Mother Nature gave us is the best cure for any struggle.’
Tristan said: ‘Having a pretty rough childhood growing up, it was those little weekend escapes to my grandfather’s cabin or getting out into the woods with my uncles that made me feel like, for a brief moment, nothing else mattered in the world.’ He’s pictured here at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Tristan founded Revived Outdoors in 2016, offering adventure, entrepreneurship and wellness trips, successfully turning his passion for the healing power of travel and exploration into a career.
Since the pandemic hit, he has shifted his attention to even more humanitarian efforts.
My entire life here in the United States has been devoted to working hard to share my perspective of life with as many lives as I can
In the past month alone, Tristan has donated multiple all-inclusive domestic trip packages and adventure equipment totalling over USD$100,000 (£72,000) to assist individuals aspiring to get outdoors.
He said: ‘Just like the many people struggling out there, if I keep myself locked up in a room for too long, I start losing my own mind.
‘Our entire civilisation was built off human-to-human interaction.
‘The beautiful thing is we can still have that interaction, remotely, in the outdoors. A place where the walls just can’t close in on you. A place you can breathe.
‘My entire life here in the United States has been devoted to working hard to share my perspective of life with as many lives as I can.’
Tristan has kept himself on the road for most of the pandemic – albeit strictly adhering to restrictions.
He even adopted a new furry friend called Aspen, a mini-Australian Shepherd puppy, to ride along on every outing.
Tristan founded Revived Outdoors in 2016, offering adventure, entrepreneurship and wellness trips, successfully turning his passion for the healing power of travel and exploration into a career. He’s pictured here beside the might El Capitan rock formation in Yosemite National Park
Together, the pair have gone mountaineering, rock-climbing, kayaking and backpacking across the US, with the goal of getting away from the office every single weekend to remote destinations.
He said: ‘There is a safe way to still go about travelling during this time.
‘There are many places and methods you can take that don’t require you to be in close contact with at-risk individuals while travelling domestically.
‘I am by no means encouraging anyone to cross the line with precautions to this virus. It’s out there, it’s real and I’ve had individuals really close to me majorly affected.
‘But it’s never been more important than now for everyone’s mental health to go explore what’s in your own backyard. If you can, get outside. Social distance in the outdoors.’
Tristan has kept himself on the road for most of the pandemic – albeit strictly adhering to restrictions. He’s pictured here taking a dip in a Canadian lake
Many attendees on Tristan’s trips and at his public speeches have given credit to his efforts for changing their mindset and saving them, both physically and mentally.
One example is Whitney Cordray, who had been battling an addiction for the past decade.
She said: ‘I was in a bad way when I met Tristan and was going through a huge transition in my life.
‘I was in the process of trying to rid myself of an addiction that I had been battling for 10 years.
‘I didn’t know how to make a change and expel this darkness out of my life, but going on these trips – I’ve been on multiple – helped me focus on other things, rather than what I was battling and kept my mind off of it.
‘It allowed me to get my life back and in reality, start a new one.
‘I was able to see the real beauty in life and the outdoors, and it gave me the strength and motivations to want to continue down this new path.
‘It gave me purpose again and, when I think about it, these trips actually saved my life.’
This striking image shows Tristan leading an off-road trip in Sedona, Arizona
Tristan out running in Flagstaff, Arizona
Meanwhile, Eugene Leicht, a respected financial consultant with a large company based in Germany, was suffering from a negative work-life balance.
He describes a trip to California as one of the ‘most important’ experiences in his life – which in turn helped his business in dramatic ways.
Eugene said: ‘Tristan showed me how to get out into nature and what I have implemented into my business is to go out into nature with problems and come back with new ideas and solutions.
‘The result two or three months later was that I had about 20 per cent less work but about 30 per cent more positive cash flow.
‘The ideas I had from going out into nature and meditating gave me better results.
‘My sister Dinah (Mrs Germany Plus Size) was also with me and she was so inspired by the trip that she wrote her own book.’
As well as sharing his journey on social media, Tristan likes to connect personally with fans and spends time talking with those who are struggling.
He said: ‘I have opened my personal line up to anyone struggling mentally and have had many long nights on the phone.
‘I have been contacted by people considering taking their own lives and individuals who heard my message and found their cure through the outdoors.
‘It’s messages like these that give me the motivation to keep doing more and keep fighting this battle.’
Tristan is currently working five days a week from his new office in Arizona, managing his teams back in Los Angeles, and focusing on his own work-life balance on the weekends from the comfort of his Overland Subaru, while exploring the backcountry.
He added: ‘I’m non-stop but as soon as Friday hits, I’m on the road or on the first flight out to an adventure.
‘This quarantine has shown me how easy it truly is to work on the road – but also how essential it is to connect with the mountains for your own mental ease.
‘The backcountry is so incredible, so rewarding. Our planet is at your disposal to fulfil you in every way imaginable.
‘Are you taking advantage of it? It’s never too late.’