In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by HeatherAsh Amara, best-selling author, much-beloved guide, philanthropist, and land steward. The conversation centers around HeatherAsh’s latest book, Wild, Willing and Wise: An Interactive Guide for When to Paddle, When to Rest, and When to Jump Naked into the River of Life. She explains how the book draws inspiration from her experience whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon, using the river as a metaphor for navigating life’s challenges—learning when to take action, when to rest, and when to embrace joy and spontaneity. As a best-selling author, much-beloved guide, philanthropist, and land steward, HeatherAsh Amara (aka Ash) has spent the last three decades weaving together earth-based teachings and practical wisdom for creative, courageous, pragmatic, and compassionate change. She is the author of nine books, including the bestselling Warrior Goddess Training series and The Seven Secrets of Happy and Healthy Relationships with don Miguel Ruiz Jr. Her upcoming book Wild, Willing, and Wise, which will be published Summer 2024 with St. Martin’s Essentials, will expand on her three decades of teaching and mentorship and serve as a delightful invitation for those who want to live fully in the world: to be fiercely engaged, wildly creative, failingly experimental, wonderfully confused, seriously delighted, and compassionately vulnerable. Ash’s new Substack, Out of the Fire, arose from her experience losing much of her 180-acre retreat center to the biggest wildfire in New Mexico history and her ongoing work to restore the land amidst climate change. Each week she brings a journalistic approach to her decades-long spiritual practice in sharing heart-centered wisdom on navigating the rough and often conflicting waters we all live in these days. Ash is an engaging and sought-after speaker who loves rich conversations around both challenging and joyful topics. She is most at home in facing the contradictions of modern life. Spiritual and grounded. Intellectual and embodied. Ash endeavors to invite all to the table to learn and grow. Ash often plants her feet in New Mexico but as a lifelong nomad, she spends most of her time traveling, teaching, and writing in cafes around the world. To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund
