About Madi
Hi, I’m Madi!
One moment, I’m lost in a random Italian city with two backpacks and no idea where the giant fishing ship I’m supposed to be getting on is. It turns out I was dropped off 5 miles away from the port… it was an enjoyable walk. The next moment, I’m collaring wild elephants or tracking tigers in Nepal’s dense forests. Sometimes we travel for ourselves, sometimes we travel to create real change.
Join me on this wild journey where personal adventure meets meaningful impact. From near-death experiences in Guatemala to community conservation programs that make a difference, I’m here to show you that travel can be both a personal exploration and a pathway to global understanding. Our adventures aren’t about just seeing the world, its about changing it one story at a time.
Find out more about me below!
Elephant collaring with Tanzania Elephant Foundation
Background
Here’s what you need to know about me: My love for the natural world began with a childhood fascination with amphibians and reptiles. I have a severe cashew allergy that I never shut up about (no, you may not know where my epi-pens are in case you need to stab me with one), and my top three favorite animals are Okapi, gharial, and binturong.
Growing up, I was drawn to delicate ecosystems, a curiosity that quickly became a profound commitment to wildlife preservation. I remember spending hours at the local pond catching frogs and salamanders. Which I now know is terrible for their conservation (@chytrid fungus). My bad!
Self proclaimed reptile rescuer at age 5
My path was unconventional from the start. Having grown up battling chronic Lyme disease, I became homeschooled for health reasons in high school. During this time, I spent most of my time in the outdoors of Colorado searching for reptiles and reading science books about my favorite species. I was fascinated by animal care and became a teen intern at a zoo in Colorado at age 13.
Before most teenagers considered career paths, I became a zookeeper, caring for an incredible diversity of animals from majestic elephants to the smallest, most intricate reptiles, such as Lenard the legless lizard who lunged at me every time I fed him scrambled eggs. Eventually, I started my own wildlife education business, began teaching science classes online, and did everything I could to be surrounded by nature and animals. As a teen in the zookeeping space, I became connected with Katie Adamson Conservation Fund and immediately knew conservation-focused travel was transforming into my greatest passion.
Penguin time at the zoo
At 16, everything became clear during my first international journey to Costa Rica.
Immersed in sea turtle and jaguar conservation, I experienced firsthand the critical importance of protecting vulnerable species in their natural habitats. The dense rainforests, the urgent conservation work, and the connection to something larger than myself fundamentally altered my future goals.
And I’ve been broke from booking flights ever since…
Building a sea turtle hatchery at Osa Conservation
Since then, I have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in psychology. Amid this, I’ve spent several months out of the last two years solo backpacking and collaborating with conservation projects abroad.
This has led me to collaborate with the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund to support projects focusing on various aspects of conservation worldwide, including collaring elephants in Tanzania, surveying gharials in Nepal, and supporting community, and wildlife conservation programs.
Most recently I was in Brazil joining a jaguar conservation team working with the community on coexistence with carnivores in the Pantanal.
One of my greatest missions is to continue to support community conservation globally through story telling and collaboration.
Documenting camera trap set ups for jaguar research in Brazil
I currently work as a primate zookeeper, caring for great apes at an AZA-accredited zoo, and also engage in conservation work worldwide. As a National Geographic-certified educator, and practicing wildlife photographer, I’ve traveled across continents, documenting and protecting wildlife.
Most expeditions are more than a trip; it’s a mission to bridge the gap between my understanding and the extraordinary creatures and people we share this planet with.
Lemur Island, a magical place at the zoo
However, I would be lying if I didn’t include the chaotic solo travel stories that have nothing to do with conservation. Doing things for the bit has enriched and shaped my life in many ways that I am hesitant to admit. I took my first solo-backpacking around Europe when I was 19 and it completely changed the way I travel. I now feel comfortable taking risks, making friends anywhere, and being open to spontaneous experiences. I have learned that my chaotic, impulsive nature thrives in this special kind of hostel-hopping chaos that can apparently ensue worldwide.
But seriously, traveling solo worldwide has ignited my self-confidence and given me more meaningful memories than I could have ever imagined.
Saying “yes” to every adventure has helped me create so many memories and catch strange contagions around the world (don’t worry, I’ll help you avoid that last part).
My first solo backpacking trip! First stop Barcelona
I hope this blog encourages you to take a solo trip, go bungee jumping in Costa Rica (but wear an undershirt so you don’t flash everyone), and understand that our world is infinitely more complex, beautiful, and interconnected than we often think!
One of my favorite adventures yet, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Tanzania is my favorite destination! Click below to see why!
