Nathan.
Nathan (he/him) is an occupational therapist, outdoorsperson, and dog dad.
Nathan is an Occupational Therapist and outdoor enthusiast based in Calgary, AB. Nate & I met at a Colour The Trails Ice Climbing event a couple of years back, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since—in fact, I chose him to model for one of our campaigns at Rocky Mountain Soap earlier this year.
Something that really struck me about Nate when I first met him was the fact he has one of the best and most genuine smiles I have ever seen. Like me, Nate came to love hiking and the outdoors later in life. Read Nate’s story and see more from our late evening session by the water below.
Tell us about your upbringing, early life, and how you came to live in Calgary. In what way has your cultural heritage or upbringing influenced who you are today?
I grew up in Dubai for 8 some years before moving to Canada. Being the youngest child in the family, I did not have many expectations imposed from my parents. My parents were much more meticulous with my older siblings. However, when it came to me - they allowed me to apply to any school I wanted to and travel for work and enjoyment. This allowed me to explore the world and grow exponentially. I started spending my summers in Alberta working at a camp for individuals living with disabilities. I learned how to care for others and be self-sufficient. I also learned to rely on friendships and community when being far away from family. This community welcomed me with open arms and has shaped me to be the outdoorsy lad I am today.
What is it about hiking and the mountains that you are drawn to/inspires you?
For me, this simply comes down to all the sensory experiences that hiking in the mountains provide. I find that hiking in the warmer months are more fulfilling as there are many sensations presented when there isn't a blanket of snow over everything. The fresh smell of pine, spruce, and fir; the textures and colours of the rockface; the exposed roots along the trail; the trickling or flowing river nearby. All of this is calming and serves as the perfect concoction for self-regulation, maintaining positivity, and mitigating stressors. I guess this is my way of saying that the mountains refresh the mind, body, and soul; and the reason why I retreat to them so often.
How has time in the outdoors shaped who you are today?
My time in the outdoors has really humbled me. You learn quickly that you don't really need much other than food, water, and shelter. When packing for the backcountry, you immediately become more practical with needs and wants. My desire to have nice things and the latest and greatest significantly diminished after my experiences outdoors. Minimalism and happiness is what the outdoors provide and something I live by day-to-day.
Were you always an outdoorsperson, or is this something you came to love later in life?
This one is funny... I first came to Alberta back in 2015 for summer work when I met a group of outdoorsy people. They called me the "city boy" from Toronto because at that time I never hiked a mountain or paddled a lake. They would take me on these intermediate hikes with significant elevation - my legs ached and my breathing became heavy. The more I did it, I think the worse it got. The silver lining was that I enjoyed the growing pains and euphoria of it all. Since the summer of 2015, I began hiking, camping, and backpacking. To this day I continue to do so and add more to my repertoire such as bouldering and paddling.
What is an aspect of yourself that you feel at home in? What are you most proud of?
I frequently get told that I am a nurturer. As a therapist I am constantly providing care and advice to clients to live meaningful lives. I do the same for friends and family. This sort of stuff comes naturally to me.
I am most proud of where I am career wise. Most days I find myself going to work with great passion and drive because I've found something I care about. I work as an Occupational Therapist in the realm of pediatric hand injuries and somatic disorders. Seeing clients through and through from illness to recovery, the family unit transitioning from distress to relief, and the client going back to things they love to do is very meaningful and keeps me fueled.
Why are these portraits important to you?
More often I post images on social media that I can control and am okay with others seeing. These are often with a smile. I wanted these portraits to show the other side of that. Not that I am overwhelmingly sad but constantly in thought, curious, pondering.
