Reconnecting with the wild

with Doniga Markegard

Most of us have removed ourselves from the natural dance and cycles of nature. We see ourselves as separate from all of the other living creatures and this has a negative impact on our health. We can turn things around by reconnecting with the wild–spending time in nature, observing the ecosystem & wildlife all around us, and basking in its beauty and rhythms.

On today’s episode, Doniga Markegard, regenerative rancher, naturalist, and author of “Dawn Again: Tracking the Wisdom of the Wild,” explores the topic of nature’s role in our health. She challenges us to consider how each choice we make leads to either a regenerative or a degenerative lifestyle.

Doniga tells the story of her own unconventional childhood and youth. She goes deep and explains beautifully what it means to live a truly healthy lifestyle. Our diet–even if filled with healthy, nutrient-dense foods–is a part of it, but not the whole. Doniga walks the talk and this conversation will inspire all to live more in tune with the world around us.

Notes:

Highlights from the conversation include:

Doniga’s fascinating story about being a part of maverick wilderness experience teen group and how that shaped her and led her to what she does now
how she experienced that the best way to learn about the entire ecosystem is to track and observe large wild predators
how regular, traditional schooling differs from wilderness immersion school
the fact that Doniga’s generation is the last generation to grow up without screens and how that impacted her childhood
how we all have a choice to live regenerative or degenerative lifestyle and why it’s important
how we treat our soil impacts how we treat our bodies
how the food we choose to eat leads to the lifestyle that we live, and how this impacts us on every level
what degenerative and regenerative lifestyle really looks like in every aspect of our daily lives
how to reclaim your part in this life cycle and nature “dance”
how Doniga applies regenerative lifestyle practices in her everyday busy life with kids