Girl Gone Wild: Jessica Cramp

Jessica Cramp is brave, but not for the reasons you might think. Sure, she swims with sharks and has her pilot's license, but she's also done something that most people will always be too scared to do: She quit a well-paying job and stable future to chase her dream.

Cramp, a Pennsylvania native (like me!), was living in San Diego working as a scientist and running experiments in search of new medicines. She loved her job and the freedom it gave her to surf during lunch and take vacations, but still she felt a gaping hole in her life. That's when a stroke of luck changed her fate. "In a strange turn of events, I won a ridiculous game show with two of my best girlfriends," explains Cramp, "and it gave me the funds to pay off college." After her big win, Cramp quit her job and began volunteering with organizations and causes she believed in. Since then, she's been to Haiti, Costa Rica and Panama, sailing to Tahiti before decided to settle down in the Cook Islands. Now she manages the Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative, an organization that runs a shark sanctuary, a turtle research effort and a conservation education project. 

"I learned to live simply in a very tight-knit community," she says of her new life. "It's been an emotional roller coaster, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it because I'm living true to the fire that burns in my guts." Studying sharks, swimming with turtles and making a difference? Jessica is a huge inspiration to me, so I caught up with her to give you guys a little more insight into what she's all about:

Girl Gone Wild: Brook Power

I met the stunning Brook Power a few months ago during a photoshoot for the magazine I was an editor at and developed a serious girl crush. The model, surfer and skateboarder is intimidating at first (after all, she’s incredibly beautiful), but as soon as you start chatting with her you realize she’s full of quirks and she makes you feel so at ease. Maybe it’s her Hawaiian upbringing, or the fact she’d rather spend money on her horse than on a new pair of shoes. Naturally, she’s the type of girl I’ve stayed in touch with from time to time.

So, I caught up with Brook to chat about her outdoor life and paying homage to her Dog Town skater dad:

Hey Brook! You grew up in Oahu, which most people dream about visiting. What’s the best and worst part about living there?

I did! It’s really one of the best places to be a kid because you live without any fear and so many aunties and uncles to surround you with love…and Spam musubi’s haha. I grew up so at ease with the ocean, even on its wild days—it’s like my baby blanket. Growing up in Hawaii you are fairly free from superficial things. I still don’t have any desire to buy expensive things and I think it’s because I grew up never even thinking about cars or clothes or shoes. All I wanted was my Roxy bikini and my Hello Kitty backpack. The down side of the island life, especially on O’ahu, is how overpopulated it’s become. Traffic is terrible and they have been constructing these horrifying plastic dollhouse housing developments all over the island. It’s sad really. I hope that Hawaii kids will never be jaded because of the malls and department stores and will stay barefoot as long as possible.

What kinds of outdoor activities do you love?

I live by a national park at the moment so I ride horses out here and hike around waterfalls and mountain bike. I can hike to the highest peak in the Santa Monica mountain chain from where I live. I’ve been surfing Malibu a bit lately, too, and in the winter we go to the sulfur hot springs. 

I remember you saying one time that your dad was a Dog Town skater back in the day. Did he try and get you to skate a lot when you were younger?

Checking In: What Makes Someone "Outdoorsy"?

That's me being "outdoorsy" in Zion National Park!

Last night before bed I read a really interesting op-ed piece about what it means to be "outdoorsy." In it, the author moves to Montana and calls herself an outdoorswoman, only to be met with some stuck-up noses: "People laughed at me, asking what experience I had in the 'outdoors' and called me things like a poser or a wannabe."

Fast forward three years later and she's learned to mountain bike, ski, kayak, and paddle board. She's taken courses in avalanche survival and wilderness first aid. It's more than most people will accomplish in their entire lives, but still, she says she feels an emptiness—she doesn't consider herself "outdoorsy" because of those original nay-sayers. 

I'm calling bull crap on those people who talked her down. Not everyone will grow up with access to world-class climbing routes or an ocean lapping at their backyard. We all make do with what we have. So if you want to start enjoying everything the outdoors has to offer, shake off those feelings of self-doubt and get out there. No one at the rock gym is going to look down on you—in fact, they'll love explaining the knots to you, remembering the day they started climbing. Invest in one piece of quality, high-rated gear that you'll be proud to show off. Spend a Saturday night sleeping under the stars with some friends rather than meeting up for drinks. 

Before you know it, people will be looking to you for advice (and few good adventure stories).

Read the article at WomensAdventureMagazine.com!

Meet the First Darling Ambassador: Eleasha Gall!

Introducing the first Darling Ambassador: my sister Eleasha Gall! Darling Ambassadors are the women I admire who truly embody the healthy, happy, adventurous spirit of Dirtbag Darling. They’ll check back in and share their adventures with us all year. Check back as we’ll be adding more inspiring Darling Ambassadors every month! 

Asking Lea to be my first Ambassador was a no-brainer. She’s the one who inspired me to start hiking and kayaking and even convinced me to love yoga (it took a while). Even when I was a little kid, she was always jetting off to some exotic country to live on a boat or visit a leper colony (yep). Get to know Darling Ambassador Eleasha Gall now:

My name is Eleasha Gall and I live in Long Beach California. I’m originally fromTrumbauersville which was a very small town in Pennsylvania with only two streets,  Main and Broad. My dad was actually mayor for a little while but that’s only because they went door to door asking if anyone wanted to volunteer for the job. I grew up learning to be self-sufficient and handy.  We didn’t have a lot of money so if something around the house broke we had to figure it out. 

For work, I’m the Director of Animal Behavior and Training who oversees the care of all of the animals at spcaLA. My team and I work with dogs with issues to help them become more adoptable and much easier to live with once in the homes.

I admire women who are kind. It’s unfortunately very rare that you meet a truly kind person, someone who—without a personal agenda—goes out of their way to make someone have an easier day or smile. I had an amazing friend, Erica,  who always made everyone feel as if they were the most important thing. Unfortunately for the world, Erica left us all way too soon but her kindness will never be forgotten and is something I’m forever amazed by when I meet the rare person like her.

When I have a weekend off from working, I usually spend it paddle boarding with my dog Monster, hiking and camping with both of my dogs, doing yoga on the bluff, reading on the beach or getting together with friends to listen to some live music. 

My favorite place to spend time outdoors is the beach or in the woods because it helps you to very much love living in the moment.  It’s important to look at this amazing world and cherish it. We should never take our planet for granted. The world is big; life is short.  

My favorite outdoor activities are sailing, diving or anything on the water. Being out there is a magical feeling. I was hooked on diving the first time I floated underwater.  It’s like flying on another planet, especially night diving when all the creatures come out. Love it!

One luxury item I always have with me are my princess-cut diamond earrings. No matter how dirty or muddy I get outside they always make me feel like a million bucks.

How to Feel Happier...NOW!

Happy CAMPER, get it? Photo: Source Unknown

I'd love to lie and say that I'm always optimistic and sporting that sunny-side-up personality...but then you'd know I'm a liar. Because, duh, everyone gets down in the dumps. Depressed. Blue.

Like just a few minutes ago, I was mad at a friend for no reason at all. My shoulders hurt from being on the computer all morning. I couldn't find my iPod cord. Then, I decided to change my attitude.

It's a trick I picked up a few years back when I was really uphappy at my old job. I became determined to not let the feelings of fatigue, stress and dissatisfaction control my life. It's surprisingly easy, and if you follow a few simple steps, you can turn your frown upside down (or at least start feeling a little better):

Get Fed: S'mores Bars

These are how mine turned out...maybe yours will be prettier!

I’ll admit it. Sometimes when I say I want to go camping I really mean “I want to stuff my face full of marshmallow goo.” Yeah you know what I’m talking about: S’mores.

In my mind, there’s no better combination than graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate. It’s a staple in the camping pantry, but sometimes I want the taste without having to get bit by mosquitos. So here’s my favorite recipe for making s’mores cookie bars at home:

Get Toned Tuesday: Total Body Hiking Workout from Petite Physique

I've been working with the lovely ladies over at Petite Physique on another project so I thought I'd borrow them for a guest Dirtbag Darling post! They told me they were going on a hike...I asked them for a workout! Hiking is a fantastic shaping and strength building workout for your legs, bum and entire body and gets your heart and lungs pumping. Even if you're doing well-traveled trails, you'll get major body benefits!  Here, Tiffany and Kara show you how to get toned on the trail:

"Hiking is an excellent way to have fun while exercising. Working out at the gym can eventually become boring and tedious. Getting outdoors and enjoying nature is refreshing for the body and soul. Nothing can compare with the accomplishment of hiking a difficult trail or appreciating the natural beauty of a waterfall or ocean. Adding a few simple exercises along the way can turn a simple nature walk into a total body workout," say Tiffany and Kara. My thoughts exactly girls!

1. Bodyweight Squats (above)
With feet shoulder width apart, bend the knees as if sitting in a chair. Weight should be in the heels, pushing the hips and behind back. Your knees should not go past your toes. If needed you may hold on to a tree or rock for stability.

Get Gear: Element Eden

Working for a fashion magazine, I look at a lot of clothes. A LOT of clothes. 

Most of them are beautiful. Some are even affordable. But it’s a rare find to come across a company that really values the outdoors and the lifestyle that comes along with exploring it. Element Eden is one of those rare birds.

EE started out as the first “legitimate girls clothing line in skateboarding” back in the late ’90s, but since then it’s evolved to be a mainstay in the wardrobe of any adventurous woman. Not to get sappy on you, but not only are their employees incredibly adventurous and creative people, but their products really cater to girls who care about both how they look and how their clothes perform outside.

This is one of my favorite looks for working around the campsite because it’s cozy, comfortable, warm and looks at home by the campfire.  

Another thing I love about EE? It supports amazing women from all walks of life through its Advocate program. That’s how I met the incredible Amy Purdy (more on that powerhouse to come!). 

What’s another likeminded company I should look into? Tweet me @dirtbagdarling!