The Born 2 Be Wild Team

Bruce W. Martin is a sought after international keynote speaker and a leading expert on how to find greater meaning and purpose in life. He’s the award-winning author of Desperate For Hope which reached the Amazon Top 100 in Christian books. He founded Invest Your Life, a successful coaching and counseling practice with over 300 clients worldwide, helping companies and individuals fulfill their purpose in the world. He’s the founder of Born 2 Be Wild, outdoor adventure company that takes people on 2 to 7 day spiritual transformation backpacking trips where people find God, community, and purpose in the backcountry. As far back as he can remember, he’s always loved the outdoors. From hiking and fishing trips as a 4 year-old in the Colorado Rockies, to an epic 460 mile, 6 week backpacking trip in the High Sierras in 2017, I love all things wild. And one of his greatest loves is taking folks like you outdoors and hoping a love affair begins!

Hi! I’m Mark Booth. And I’ve lived in the Smoky Mountains for over 20 years now, about 1/2 mile from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. My wife and I are avid hikers and armchair naturalists who love the diversity of plant and animal life found in these mountains. Both of us can be found regularly on the many trails around the Smoky’s enjoying the beauty of its many plants, flowers and wildlife. I’ve hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, most of the local trails in my neck of the woods, and I enjoy overnight and multi-day trips. Bruce and I have been best friends for 36+ years and have hiked about 4,000 miles together from the Pacific coast, Oregon, the High Sierras, Appalachian Trail, and many places in between. I also serve as a guide with Smoky Mountain Guides here in Tennessee.

Hello, I’m Marie Griffith. The outdoors have always been a source of joy and solace for me. I live in north Alabama and found my love of hiking in the Sipsey Wilderness/Bankhead National Forest where my kids and I hiked hundreds of miles when they were younger. In 2018, I went backpacking for the first time and loved it. Since that first trip on the Appalachian Trail with Born2BeWild, I’ve hiked in some extraordinary places: the High Sierras, Colorado, the Inca Trail, Catalina Island, and most recently the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland. I especially enjoy multi-day group trips and my solo overnights!

When Marie isn’t on the trails, she’s a spiritual director in training, an accounting professional, enjoys time with friends and family, and can be found on the pickleball courts a few times a week. 

We’re excited to welcome Anna to our team! She’s joining Born 2 Be Wild as our photographer, social media/marketing, and an assistant trail guide. Anna has settled back in Huntsville, AL after spending the past few years on travel assignments in Texas and Colorado. Here’s what Anna has to say about joining Born2BeWild: “I’m so excited to be working with Born 2 Be Wild. I began photographing in 2018 and have shifted my interest towards travel photography after spending some time out west. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to trek with groups, capture the beautiful scenery we’ll encounter, while also documenting the amazing personalities of our trekkers and the relationships formed on these adventures! 

We’re excited to have Abby on our team! Abby Cooper serves as an assistant guide with Born 2 Be Wild Outdoor Adventures, combining a lifelong love of nature with a passion for adventure. While her childhood dreams of becoming a park ranger shifted, her love for the outdoors never faded. An avid hiker, Abby rediscovered the thrill of backpacking a few years ago and has since embarked on numerous adventures, including treks like the Walls of Jericho, the High Sierras and soon to be Patagonia. As an Enneagram 2, she has a natural ability to sense and respond to the needs of others, allowing her to create a welcoming and supportive environment on trips. She’s certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and lives with her husband, two kids and their one-eared dog in Middle Tennessee.