CanaCanoe

09/20/2025

Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson said: “We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom.”

We live in a world where knowledge has never been more abundant, yet stress, anxiety, and depression and lonliness are higher than ever. At the same time, we’re facing a climate crisis, a technological crisis, a mental health crisis, and an economic crisis and more.

It really does seem like something big and fundamental is missing.

Maybe David Attenborough was right when he said, “If humans are going to survive, we’ll need more than intelligence. We’ll need wisdom.”

Deep down, I think many of us resonate with that sentiment. But what is wisdom? How do we define it, cultivate it, and bring it into our world?

That’s what I explore in this week’s episode of the Deep Resilience podcast: 'What Is Wisdom?'

Tune in where ever you listen to your podcasts or go to link here https://melliobrien.com/podcast/

08/15/2025

I just got back from an amazing 7 day canoe trip from Algonquin park! Joining me for this adventure was my oldest niece... We have always seemed to be 2 peas in a pod but distance, school and life made having time together difficult over the years... Luckily, no matter how many years go by, we are still very much alike lol just enjoying our days, the challenges, laughing at ourselves and our mishaps and just taking in the nature around us🥰
To many more years of adventure

07/11/2025

My executive functioning seems to be disfunctioning pretty hard lately 🫣 I am still learning and being kinder towards myself when I do things like this in tight timeframes
Me: better start getting ready for my upcoming trip in a few days! Going to be on this one (better than the last few😅)
My Brain: Heyyy.... I see that you have a timeline coming up annnnd you haven't done this thing yet....

🤣😭🤨🙄

The thing:

07/08/2025

07/06/2025

Smiles can be deceiving.... I just made it back home from a canoe trip for the books (mine at least)
Sometimes when you get out on these trips, you can start to feel like you don't need as much stuff as you once did.....

And that is GREAT!! The only thing is, some of the first things to ditch tend to be little things that although never used.... Can help when nothing in your plans go right.

Like that 850m portage.... That was covered by blow down, lots of random flagging tape and no distinct path... And then you (me)can't seem to find your big bag with your main gear in it.... And the forest is already getting too dark for one last try.

No flashlight, a small tarp and a bug jacket is all you get for the night.... (Those clouds of 🦟 are completely free lol)

I am someone who LOVES knowing the plan, sticking to the plan and really take considerations when deciding to deviate from it... This happened day 1... And I had to come to terms with everything changing.

I am glad that I stuck it out. Even when I knew that it wasn't what I was planning, I found joy, inspiration and a sense of inner calm once I had a chance to possess the whole ordeal on that first day.

06/08/2025

Tonight at 8pm EST come watch with me as I take my little sister out into Algonquin, on her first canoe trip!
Come on and say hello 👋🏼

I love taking people out camping! Especially when it's their first time ever in the Backcountry, a canoe and sleeping in a hammock.

06/06/2025

I have been canoe tripping regularly since 2022ish. A lot of the time, on my own.

In doing so, I have started to have people I know show interest in trying it out for themselves.... Just not alone lol 😂

Last summer, I finally convinced my little sister to join me.

She has always been somewhat interested in my outdoor pursuits and has even joined me in day hikes or time out at my place (I love off-grid in the woods lol)

Probably about a year after I started to backcountry camp, she started mentioning that it would be so fun to go too.

I always told her to just say the word, and I could add her onto an upcoming trip.... But it wasn't that easy.

For people who are new to the idea of Backcountry camping and paddling, it can feel like a BIG leap!

Luckily, in 2024 I was able to convince her to come out with me. We planned for 6 days in Algonquin. 3 portages and some time for rest and relaxation.

This weekend I will be posting our trip on YouTube for anyone wanting to see it.

I am proud of her for trusting me to take her out into the unknown... But the greatest feeling I had?

Watching her go from 'what was that sound?!' and 'please, tell me what to do' at the start of the trip to 'yeah, I got this' and even waking up the last morning to her already having the coffee made 🥹🥰

The change in confidence in less than a week was better than watching anything on TV.

I hope that if you are on the fence about trying it out, to find someone to tag along with.

Sure, maybe it won't be for you.... BUT what if it's everything you wanted and more?

Anyway, Bethany enjoyed the trip so much that we have already planned and booked another for this year!! 🤗