Trail Life Coach - Andrew Zelman Founder and Managing Director

Stretching, breathing, reflecting, and exercising in nature bring us closer to our own true nature.  

My journey toward this belief began in early childhood while spending summers on a farm in New Hampshire. Those summers were filled with adventures – hiking, biking, camping, and learning the value of hard work while sharing chores like weeding and picking green beans. 

Later in my youth, my camping skills were honed through the courses I took with the National Outdoor Leadership School. These extended periods in nature culminated in a formative Semester in the Rockies when I was nineteen, sparking a lifelong love for the outdoors and a deep connection to the power of nature. 

Over time, my path expanded beyond the mountains. After years of outdoor exploration, I completed my degrees in English Literature at the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Arts in Teaching at Manhattanville College. My work as a middle school Math and Language Arts teacher further shaped my approach to learning and teaching, drawing heavily on the Socratic method – the belief that insight comes not from being told, but from being asked the right questions. 

We all face challenges - where life asks us how we are going to respond. For me, one of those challenges came through a skiing accident. This life-changing event, when I was forty-four, required multiple surgeries on my shoulder. The recovery process deepened my understanding of resilience and transformation, reinforcing my commitment to exploring how people, including myself, adapt and grow stronger through adversity. 

It is both my calling and a deep privilege to walk and ride alongside my clients on this journey of self-discovery. Becoming who you truly are is not only possible, but also one of life’s greatest and most rewarding challenges.