It’s funny how life has a way of slowing you down right when you think you’ve found your rhythm. I broke my leg, had surgery, and thought the story would be about pain and physical limitations. But the real story is how I found strength, freedom, and healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—by getting outside and doing what I love: camping, adventuring, and creating content with my wife for our YouTube channel, Wherever We Land.

The Break That Broke More Than My Leg

When I first heard the snap, I knew instantly it was bad. The pain was sharp, but what hit me even harder was fear—fear of the unknown, fear of how long I’d be down, fear that I might never get back to doing the things I love. The surgery went well, thank God, but recovery felt like a mountain I wasn’t sure I could climb.

And it wasn’t just my leg that needed healing. My spirit was shaken. I went from hiking trails and filming nature to sitting still and wondering if I’d ever feel strong again.

Fear is a Liar

Let’s be honest. After an injury, it’s not just the pain that hurts—it’s the fear that creeps in and tries to steal your courage. I began to second-guess myself. Would I fall again? Would I re-injure my leg? Could I trust my body?

I realized that if I let fear take the wheel, I’d be stuck indoors both literally and mentally. And that’s when I decided to fight back—not just with physical therapy, but with purpose.

Finding My Therapy in the Great Outdoors

Something inside me knew I had to get back outside. Nature has always been a place of peace for me, a place where I feel close to God and free from the weight of the world. So once I got clearance from my doctor, I did something that might have sounded crazy to some—I packed up my gear and went camping.

It wasn’t easy at first. I moved slower. I had to be more cautious. But I was out there. The fresh air, the sound of the trees, the fire crackling under a starry sky—it was healing in the most unexpected way.

Strengthening My Leg, Body, and Spirit

Every step I took on uneven ground challenged my leg to get stronger. Every night sleeping under the stars reminded me I wasn’t broken—I was rebuilding. And every video we filmed for our YouTube channel Wherever We Land gave me a renewed sense of purpose.

Documenting our camping adventures wasn’t just about content. It became part of my recovery. It forced me to focus on what I could do, not what I couldn’t. Filming, editing, and sharing gave me something to look forward to, and something to give to others who might be going through their own recovery journey.

Letting Go of the Fear

Each time we loaded up the truck and headed to another campground, I felt a little more like myself again. I stopped obsessing over whether I would get hurt again and started embracing what I could enjoy today. Living in fear of the next injury was no way to live at all.

And the truth is, life is always going to have risk. But hiding from risk isn’t living—it’s just surviving. I wanted to live again. Really live. And with every trip, every trail, every campfire conversation, I felt that spark return.

The Power of Purpose

Creating content for Wherever We Land became more than a hobby or a side project—it became a mission. We share our experiences not just to entertain, but to inspire. If someone out there is going through their own setback, I want them to see that healing is possible. That adventure is still out there. That your purpose doesn’t get canceled just because you got knocked down.

Recovery is a journey, not a straight line. But having something to work toward—a goal, a passion, a calling—makes every step worth it. Our channel kept me moving, kept me hopeful, and reminded me that I’m still capable of doing hard things.

Lessons from the Trail

• Healing takes time – Be patient with your body and your heart.
• Fear is normal – But you don’t have to let it rule you.
• Nature is medicine – Fresh air, sunlight, and adventure are powerful therapy.
• Purpose fuels recovery – Find something that excites you and go after it.
• You are not broken – You’re being rebuilt stronger.

Moving Forward, One Adventure at a Time

I’m still healing. I still have moments where I feel the echoes of that injury. But I’m not stuck anymore. I’m not afraid. I’m out there, doing what I love, with the people I love, and sharing the journey along the way.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve had a setback—whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual—know this: there is life after injury. There is joy beyond pain. There is purpose in the process. And sometimes, all it takes is one camping trip, one spark of courage, or one step back outside to begin again.

Thanks for being part of our journey. You can follow along and watch our recovery, our adventures, and our passion for outdoor living on our YouTube channel Wherever We Land. Wherever life takes us, we take God with us, and we keep pressing forward—stronger, freer, and more alive than ever.