Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Guedez.
Hi Gabriela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a Forest Therapy Guide, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Born and raised in Venezuela, currently living in Houston, Texas. More than 16 years of experience working for different multinational corporations in the Fortune ranking Global 500® in Houston, Texas U.S.A and Calgary, Canada.
I grew up in Venezuela, spending time with my parents at the ranch for our vacations, surrounded by trees, creeks, and lakes. I remember I loved to walk barefoot, climb on mango trees, swim at the rivers and creeks, and talking to the trees.
I have always been connected to nature and the outdoors. As an adult, I started exploring outdoor activities such as mountain biking, kayaking, rappelling, and hiking.
When I was hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim in one day back in 2014, and in Nepal at the Annapurna Base camp, in 2015 I had the feeling that I needed to bring people to connect with Nature to go back to our roots, to develop a personal, intimate relationship with mother earth, to re-learn to love the planet and to find their true selves.
I have always loved to volunteer and to give back to my community.
Today, I divide my time between corporate responsibilities, and outdoor activities spending most of my time doing Forest Therapy walks.
Speaker, mentor and leader always sharing content related to personal development and activities in the Forest. I am also an active member of the “The Woodlands Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)”, program that educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
In 2014 I became and Ambassador of the Bayou Land Conservancy to preserve land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife, which vision is to maintain a protected network of green spaces that connect people and nature, and I’m committed to The Legacy Trees Project, promoting the benefits of trees, supporting the cultural heritage of Texas, and engaging the public through volunteer and planting opportunities. Finally, I have been volunteering with IMTX in the Woodlands as a Bike Course Pointer Captain for the last 10 years.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve always believed that everything is about attitude in life. If you think and feel it is going to be tough, then it will be tough, if you have the determination and clear objectives on what you like and love to do, then it will be a smooth road.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a Forest Therapy Guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT). I partner with people to repair and rebuild their relationships between the Land, and with the More Than Human World, deepening relationships of reciprocity, as a foundation for healing people and the planet. Nature is my office and outdoor activities my passion.
I am also a Business Analyst from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada. Born and raised in Venezuela, currently living in Houston, Texas. More than 6 years of experience working for different multinational corporations in the Fortune ranking Global 500® in Houston, Texas U.S.A and Calgary, Canada.
Being native Hispanic allows me to share my knowledge communicating to Spanish speakers in North América and Spanish speaking countries. This helps to integrate Hispanic communities to American culture through organizations and nonprofit foundations.
I believe everything in life is about balance, I am fortunate as I’ve had the ability to work for amazing corporations, and to follow my passion….my purpose of life at the same time.
As a Forest Therapy Guide, I can bring people, adults, teenagers, and kids to connect to nature, leaving their cell phones and tablets behind, reconnecting with their true essence. Every time I have kids on the forest therapy walk, I feel there is hope for the world. They are the future of the planet!
Forest Therapy, also known as Forest Bathing, is a slow and relaxed stroll of about 3 hours and a distance no longer than less than a mile, through a natural environment. During the walk, we as a guides will help you awaken your senses and slow down to be present, away from your worries, and connected to nature.
ORIGEN
Forest therapy is inspired in Shinrin Yoku (which literally means forest bathing), that began in the early 80’s in Japan, in response to high stress levels in the country’s population that lead to a spike in cancer and autoimmune diseases. The government of Japan wanted to create a way to get people out into nature again, to have spaces for leisure and relaxation, because through a series of studies they found how beneficial it is to be in touch with nature. There are over 60 certified trails in Japan and a big part of the population practices forest bathing on a regular basis. We have been living in natural surroundings for 99,9% of our evolutionary time and it has not been until the last few decades that more and more people are moving to big cities. Speed and urgency, being connected to screens all day long, climate change, conflict to threats and so many more, lead to constant anxiety and stress. We need to spend more time in nature to have some balance to this stress.
BENEFITS
There has been a number of scientific research, that proof the benefits of being in nature in a conscious way, such as blood pressure reduction, stress hormone (cortisol) reduction, important increase in the immune system function, especially in the production of NK cells (natural killer cells, a type of White blood cells that can fight cancer and other diseases), reduction of blood sugar level, increase to up to 50% in focus and creativity, among others. But we like to focus on repairing the relationship with the Land.
RECIPROCITY
We believe in mutual benefit, in reciprocity. When we connect to nature and develop a personal, intimate relationship with her, we learn to fall in love again, and slowly remember and repair the relationship between human being and nature. We are used to perceive us as a separate entity from nature, we always say, humanity and nature, when we all are part of the same.
BACKED BY
The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy in Arizona, USA (ANFT) is the strongest and best-organized forest bathing organization outside of Japan.
When we connect to nature and develop a personal, intimate relationship with her, we learn to fall in love again, and slowly remember and repair the relationship between human being and nature.
We are used to perceive us as a separate entity from nature, we always say, humanity and nature, when we all are part of the same.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I left my Country Venezuela 16 years ago. I always look for opportunities to give back to the community. By volunteering in different organizations, I get the opportunity to know people in different areas. That is how I have found mentors and advisors. I remember a time when I was in Canada and registered to an Immigrant Women’s mentorship as I wanted to get a mentor. After one meeting being a mentee, the organization wanted me to become a mentor, a great opportunity to guide immigrant women on how to adapt to a new country from the professional and emotional standpoint.
Also, I volunteered my time with the Venezuela Canadian Association, as an Event Director and Vice-President from 2006-2010. The VCAC is a volunteer-based organization, devoted to serving the community. To fulfill its purposes/objective, the VCAC undertakes advancement of education activities, humanitarian activities by providing basic necessities of life for people in need, and also provide advancing the Public‘s appreciation of the arts by organizing cultural events to enrich the lives of all the members of the Calgarian community.
I am also an active member of the “The Woodlands Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)”, program that educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
I support my current community, The Woodlands by volunteering my time also with the IRONMAN Texas, an International recognized Championship as a Bike Course Pointers Captain for the last 10 years.
Being active, supporting organizations, and volunteering is what has worked well for me. It is a great way to grow one’s network and nurture one’s soul.
Pricing:
- Group Forest Therapy per person $45
- Kids Forest Therapy $ 50 parent + up to 2 kids
- Private sessions available (TBD)
Contact Info:
- Email: natureconnection22@gmail.com
- Website: www.gabrielaguedez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houston.forest.therapy | https://www.instagram.com/gabrielaguedez_
Image Credits
Alejandro Lopez Photography (drones photos)
