Hi there! And welcome to my site! Why are you here? Wait, why am I here? Let’s start with that!
My Story
I was born in New Jersey but raised in the small mountain town of Truckee, California. After high school, I attended San Diego State University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Tourism Management. Upon graduating, I took a three-week road trip up the coast of California with two of my best friends from college.
After the trip, I returned to my hometown of Truckee and proceeded to work for about six different companies in a matter of 10 months. I wasn’t really happy with any of the jobs I had done, I had just concluded a six-month relationship, and I decided I wanted to go back to school. Eventually, I applied and was accepted to the Masters of Tourism Management program at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.
As a graduate student at Colorado State University, I was a full-time student while also working part-time serving drinks at a local performing arts center. With school, reading, homework, and projects during the week and late nights working weddings or concerts, I didn’t have a lot of free time. This is why I was a bit resistant when my good friend initially approached me about the idea of starting my own “side hustle.”
“Just give it a shot,” he said. “You’ll like it,” he said. “It’ll be easy,” he said. Lo and behold, I had my first freelance writing client within two months and began to build on that momentum as I wrapped up my graduate degree. Unsure about what exactly I wanted to do after graduation, I launched myself into my freelance writing business.
For nearly two years I was able to sustain myself, travel, and live a healthy lifestyle through solely my work as a freelance writer. This freedom allowed me to be there for family members when they needed someone most. I was able to spend a month with my grandfather and drive him across the country from New Jersey to San Diego in an RV for my older cousin’s wedding. I had the freedom to pick up and hike the John Muir Trail for a month after graduating from CSU. I was able to accept a position as an RV Driver and Medic on a Run Across America expedition. I was always able to be with my family for major holidays and vacations.
I loved it! But eventually, I tired of spending so much time on my computer. I craved being outdoors more frequently. So, when I moved to Austin, Texas in January of 2016, I worked at an organic farm before finding my niche in the outdoor guiding world. In my time in Austin, I worked with youth groups of all ages teaching paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, First Aid, CPR, and basic wilderness survival skills. I also worked with many adult groups to facilitate teambuilding events.
More recently, I decided to return to my hometown of Truckee, California, where I am continuing to guide on the second-deepest lake in the United States, Lake Tahoe, and have launched a renewed effort to write, both personal stories and essays, but also for clients looking for high-quality, meticulously researched content.
But Who Am I?
I like lists, so here’s one for you!
Adventurer and experiencer, reader and aspiring writing nerd, knowledge-seeker, guide and apprentice, hiker and biker, runner and paddler, planner and infrequent spontaneous-combustor, brother, son, and friend, sometimes skeptic and sometimes optimist, lover and most of all a human being simply trying to connect with other living organisms.
And What Am I About?
I am passionate about writing, reading, and adventure. I love exploring new places, meeting new people, having new experiences, and reflecting on those experiences. I believe it is essential to continually reflect on where we’ve been in order to create a healthy, achievable path towards wherever it is we want to go!
My purpose here is to love and to learn. I also want to share my passion for the outdoors and my belief that we can lead a healthier, more sustainable mode of existence by embracing the idea that we are part of a global, natural community and that our best role is not as masters of the Earth, but as conscious, mindful stewards.
To put it succinctly, I want to live sustainably and find small (or giant!) ways to make the world around me a better place. And I am passionate about writing opportunities that feed my creativity and provide a chance to connect with clients in different industries, all trying to make the world a better place in their own ways too!
Most Importantly, What Can I Do For You?
In addition to writing my own books, stories, essays, and poetry, I also offer freelance writing services. I’ve worked with clients in a wide variety of industries and one of my favorite parts of writing for clients is researching and learning about new topics and areas of impact. I’m passionate about helping my clients create high-quality content that will drive traffic to their sites and advertise their wonderful products and services.
There are so many amazing companies revolutionizing the ways in which we do business in the modern economy. I want to help these types of companies tailor authentic, useful content for their audiences. My rates are dependent upon project specifications and I try to remain flexible to accommodate my client’s desired budget.
If you have a project of any size or scope, I’d love to work with you! Contact me to discuss details! I also invite you to view my recently published books on Amazon!
I am honored that you would think of me as a resource for book reviews, contemplative essays, my own short works of fiction, and anything else you may have come here looking for. If you have not found what you were looking for, please feel free to drop me a line and let me know what that was! Maybe it’s an area I’m interested in and just haven’t gotten around to writing about just yet!
Yours In The Name of a Better World!
Tucker Ballister