Team Profile: Emily Rose

Emily joined The Campfire Experience late in 2016 and jumped right in traveling with us to Asheville, North Carolina to help produce one of our most magical events to date. She has a tremendous gift as a poet and writer capturing beauty and emotion with such honesty.  In addition to being a wonderful contributor to our blog and our overall communications, she has passionately worn many hats from business development to event production. Take a moment to get to know Emily Rose.

 

How did you hear about The Campfire Experience?

I heard about The Campfire Experience through a post on social media regarding a campfire session and was instantly intrigued.

Why did you join the team?

I joined the team because aside from feeling that this company spoke to many things important to me: connection to nature, exploration and innovation, I had heard a lot about Amy through a network of friends and felt her values and priorities of empowerment and strength mirrored my own.

What has been your favorite part of being a part of The Campfire Experience?

A million things come to mind when answering this question, but I’d have to say my favorite part about this job is creative collaboration with my team. Words can’t express the gratitude I feel to know these amazing women. Between using my creative mind, brainstorming over new concepts, and sharing heartfelt moments on our adventures, my heart bursts with fulfillment.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m an extroverted introvert. I feed off of new experience, adventure, and adrenaline, but I also don’t mind exploring solo. My mind tends to absorb the world very abstractly, and often times I find comfort in quiet solitude and expressing myself through non-verbal outlets via drawing, writing, or dance. I believe we put too much pressure on people to fit into boxes, when we should allow ourselves to be just as we are. I do my best to embrace life fully by always holding space to explore all my passions.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Rather than a specific memory, what comes to mind are the adventures I had with my neighborhood friends on long, summer days. Whether we were sharing secrets in my tree house, riding bikes to the park, exploring the abandoned house next door, telling ghost stories, rolling in the grass, or spending hours debating the true meaning of Final Fantasy VII, Super Mario 64, and Zelda, we shared a magical world together I’ll never forget.

Describe your relationship with nature?

Nature is a huge part of my sense of serenity. My parents and I took nature walks all the time when I was younger, and every chance I had, I wanted to be outside climbing trees or on some kind of adventure. Not much has changed now that I’m older. One of my favorite ways I connect with nature currently is through an apprenticeship of studying apothecary (plant) medicine. I’m learning that herbs have a language all their own, and can heal us in profound, unexpected ways. The time I spent in my mentor’s garden this past summer was one of the happiest I’ve ever been in life.

What is the most memorable trip you have taken?

I have taken many road trips out West, and all have provoked deep spiritual epiphanies within me, its hard to choose. I’d have to say the road trip that lead me from San Diego, California to Estes Park, Colorado, up through the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota. The unforgettable views provoked change within and a lifelong bond was formed with one of my closest friends.

How have you challenged yourself this year?

This past year I challenged myself in many ways. Perhaps the most significant being I chose to take a break from school to pursue multiple creative, artistic endeavors. For me personally, this was an incredibly hard decision. Taking a break from school meant delving into the unknown and forging my own path, rather than following one already paved before me. Everyone’s path is his or her own, and mine led away from a societal structure. This choice allowed me to open space for myself to do more things that fed my soul, and have given my life a sense of purpose that speaks more to my heart. It’s a daily grind to maintain the momentum of fulfilling goals important to me, but it’s worth the effort.

Tell us something few people know about you?

I have two middle names: Rose and Hope. Only a few people call me Emily Rose, but it was what I was called the first half of my life. I secretly wish more people would call me that.

What’s in your coffee?

Hot Chocolate!

How do you practice self-care?

Self-care for me is very spiritual. I have found that being grounded in your own authenticity and sense of self provides a foundation for a healthy body and a peaceful mind. I practice this through meditation, physical exercise, and a healthy diet. For a long time I didn’t realize the profound impact healthy food has on your emotional state as well as your physical being; it truly changed my life. I also find it crucial to do little things that feed your soul, whatever that may be. For me, going to the comic book store, or going on runs through the woods give me little boosts when I need them.

Finish this sentence: I’m never without…

A Haruki Murakami book, a device that plays music, and notebook to write down thoughts as they come.

Favorite quote?

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.