A note about Josh, a dear friend who dreamed with me about a better me. He encouraged and modeled many of the changes in my life that brought you to this page. We talked many hours about this project together. Tragically, earlier this spring Josh was killed in a motorcycle accident. I felt it important to share with you all his presence in my life and in the evolution of these events. We will miss you brother. Your presence is in the DNA of this effort to help people transform, the way you helped me.
Your Friend,
Eric
If there’s one question I get asked more than any other, it has to be how the hell does a Jersey boy become obsessed with the wild, and wind up with a job like yours? Shouldn’t you be from Colorado or something?
I guess it’s a fair question. My home state is much more famous for bagels, blowout hair cuts, and sopranos than it is for churning out survivalists and adventurers.
I like to say that all this started as far back as having had my diaper changed at the bottom of a canoe on the Delaware River. I won’t pretend like I realized then and there that one day my profession would be leading, training, and keeping people safe in some of the wildest places on earth.
But I did know early on that I refused to settle for a life that was anything short of wild.
Embrace the Animal is all about connecting to that deep, primal part of ourselves that knows we are built for freedom, not captivity. The part of us that leads us to break rules and boundaries en route to living our greatest lives, and consistently evolving to find our greatest selves.
This is my animal. Hopefully it inspires a few of you to find your own as well.
My philosophy is that we are here to learn until the day we die, so while you’ll rarely hear me call myself an expert, I am proud to be able to say that I’ve developed a lot of specializations and a wide range of experience in the wild. What began as my own small company teaching survival and bush craft in my backyard of the Northeast lead to guiding, instructing, and expeditions in any terrain, all around the world.
Alongside survival, mountaineering, expedition paddling, and rigging, I’ve collected certifications and training as a Wilderness First Responder, in Swiftwater Rescue, Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue, and Avalanche Rescue.
I’ve worked on teams providing scouting, safety, logistics, and stunt work for film crews in remote and often dangerous terrain, for platforms including Discovery, Netflix, NBC, Facebook Watch, and Freeform.
SOME OF THE SHOWS AND FILMS I’VE WORKED ON:
Running Wild with Bear Grylls
Face the Wild
You Vs. Wild
Shark Week: Bear Vs. Shark
ReConnect
Hope on the Horizon: An Expedition for ALS
40 Days In
To read more about me and to inquire about Wilderness Videography or Speaking at you event, visit joshua-valentine.com.