Tlazocamati: A Journey of Healing, Faith, and Connection to Nature

"Tlazocamati nochi nochampoyouaj: tlali, tlitl, atl uan ajakatl tlen techmakaj totlakayo; uan ika nopa tlapialmej uan xiuitl tlen tech tiochijtokej ika yejyektsi tlaiknelijkayotl, pajtli uan tlakuali."

I remember the moment I felt His presence an overwhelming sense of peace and purpose that began to slowly replace the chaos I had been living. Alongside that spiritual awakening, my wife and daughter came into my life, and they showed me a love I never thought I deserved. Through them, I began to heal, first from the inside and then outwardly. Together, we built a foundation of faith, and with that faith, I began to rebuild my life. For the first time in years, I felt truly loved and not just by my family, but by God. That love became the anchor I needed to leave behind the destructive habits and the lies I had been telling myself. It was no longer about searching for external things to fill the void, but about discovering a deeper connection with the divine, with my family, and with the world around me.

As I grew stronger in my faith and family life, I realized that the outdoors offered me something my old habits couldn’t: a place to truly be myself, a sanctuary where I could experience God’s creation firsthand. Nature became a space for reflection, a place where I could feel peace and clarity amidst the noise of life. This newfound connection to the outdoors sparked an idea to create a space where others could come together, experience nature, and build a supportive community. That was the birth of Outdoor Adventures+.

I wanted to create an environment where people could escape the stresses of everyday life, appreciate the beauty of the world around them, and most importantly, build relationships. It wasn’t just about hiking, backpacking, trail running or camping it was about creating a family, a community of like minded individuals who supported each other and shared the same values of connection, healing, and faith. Over time, our outdoor group grew, and what started as a small gathering became a network of friends and families who regularly came together to appreciate the natural world and one another. These experiences in nature became a source of both personal healing and collective strength, and I saw firsthand how the outdoors has the power to transform lives.

In my journey of healing, I began to look inward, to reconnect with my roots as an indigenous Mexican of the Chichimeca Zacateco people. I realized that my ancestors had a deep connection to the land, to the earth, and to all living things. This connection stirred something inside me, something I had long forgotten. It was then that I decided to pursue my naturalist certification. I wanted to honor my culture by better understanding the world around me, learning not just for myself, but to teach others the ways of living in harmony with nature. As a Chichimeca Zacateco, the land is more than just soil and trees, it’s sacred. My ancestors lived in close relationship with the environment, understanding the delicate balance of nature and the importance of respecting all forms of life. Learning about the plants, animals, and ecosystems of the land has helped me not only appreciate nature more deeply but also rediscover a part of my identity that had been hidden for so long. Pursuing my naturalist certification was a way to honor my roots while expanding my knowledge. It’s about reconnecting with the earth and understanding its language. Whether I’m identifying a plant, tracking an animal, or simply observing the changing seasons, I feel more connected to the world around me and to the traditions of my people.

Through this journey, I’ve discovered that family extends beyond bloodlines. The outdoor community I’ve become a part of has become a new family for me, a place where we share not just the love of nature, but also the struggles and triumphs of life. Together, we’ve supported each other, grown together, and discovered the deeper meaning of life in the simple moments we share outdoors. In nature, we have all found a common ground whether it’s through a shared adventure, a conversation around the campfire, or just appreciating the silence of a sunrise. These moments have brought us closer, and what has emerged is more than just an outdoor group; it’s a community, a family, that shares a deep love for the world around us. We have learned from one another, shared stories, and built lasting bonds that go far beyond our love for the outdoors. And as I look back on everything I’ve overcome, I’m filled with gratitude for the people who have walked with me on this journey. My wife, my daughter, my friends in the outdoor community, they have all played a part in helping me heal and grow into the person I am today.

Today, I stand in gratitude thankful for the love and strength I have found in God, in my family, and in the natural world. I no longer search for things to fill the void in my life because I’ve found what I was looking for all along: peace, purpose, and connection. I share this journey not to boast, but to remind anyone who may be struggling that healing is possible. No matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope. God, love, and community can help us overcome even the deepest pain. And in nature, we can find both solace and the strength to move forward. Tlazocamati, thank you for this journey, for the people who have walked beside me, and for the world that continues to inspire me every day.