Megs Johnson, MS
Master Senior Field Guide
Joined Open Sky: January 2011
In Wilderness Therapy since: 2010
Interview with Megs Johnson
January 2011
Q: If you were able to meet anyone (living or dead), who would it be and why?
A: This is a challenging question, but I would have to say it would have to be Dick and Rick Hoyt, a father and son who compete in marathons and triathlons around the country. Team Hoyt is about a father named Dick who pulls his spastic, quadriplegic, cerebral palsy son, Rick, in a raft, pedals him on a bike, and pushes him in a wheelchair in over 1,000 races. He does this because his son after their first 5 mile race said, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped." I have been lucky enough to be in the same triathlon race with them and was absolutely awe-inspired watching both of them. And I would be truly honored to meet, grab some lemonade, go for a run, and enjoy their company to the fullest.
Q: What are a few of the defining moments in your life and why?
A: I had been a school teacher for 5 years and that last year, I fell out of love with what I was doing and the impact I felt I was not having on my students. And so I decided to sell all my belongings, pack up my car, and go to Wyoming to take a 94 day NOLS course and it was such a defining moment in my life. And I now have only the desire to follow my heart and love what I do in life! Another great moment was the completion of my first IRONMAN in Coeur d' Alene. I have come to the conclusion that all the training, sacrifices, pain, frustrations, and smiles were worth it and just the beginning of more to come!
Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
A: Have you ever had a person in your life who stayed at home with you until you were riding the bus to kindergarten; volunteer at all your school functions; sew and built a bedspread with all your sport photos; sit through all weather to cheer you on in three sports; send you care packages just because; love you every moment with unconditional love; support you in all your endeavors; and embrace you with all her might? Well, my mom, Bruny, has been the greatest inspiration in my life because of the person she is and how much she has loved me through my life!
Q: What are your unique gifts and/or experiences that help our students?
A: My unique gift that I think will be very helpful for not only my students, but also myself, is being a people-person. Having the ability to go up to so many different people and build some type of connection to me is a great gift. I love to learn, chat, laugh, cry, and smile with people about so many things that unless you take the time and really listen, you never get to know. I like to get below the surface and to do this, I work hard at building a rapport with people.
Q: Why do you work in wilderness therapy?
A: I have tried many venues in my life and have come to the conclusion that I want to be in a job that challenges, supports, and encourages me to better myself in so many ways. I believe that wilderness therapy can do that for me and I also have the opportunity to do that for others.
Q: Why do you think wilderness therapy works?
A: I think wilderness therapy works because it takes clients out of their element where simplicity takes over. This simplicity allows them to focus on the most important things that can help them to achieve success, rather than the distractions of home that has caused pain, anger, frustration and destruction. With time, commitment, cooperation, teamwork, therapy, and the simple outdoors life can turn itself around for many of these folks who are willing to go the extra mile.
Q: What do you think Open Sky students need?
A: I feel that Open Sky students needs what almost everyone else needs: compassion, support, understanding, and the feeling that you are important. I think for many of us, we take those simple things for granted.
Q: What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t working in the field?
A: When I am home and feeling the need for fun, I love to train for my triathlons (swim, bike, run) religiously. In addition, I embrace telemark skiing in the back country, watch sappy girly romantic movies, sit at coffee shops and people watch, tube down the river, and volunteer my time with Adaptive Sports of Durango!
Q: Anything else you want to tell us about yourself?
A: For the past two years, I have worn a ring around my neck that is engraved with the quote, "Nothing is impossible." I have come to live by this quote. Whether I'm running marathons, learning how to skate ski, coaching, racing Ironman distances, and/or trying to make a relationship/job/hobbies work all in one..."Nothing is impossible."
Professional Experience
Deer Hill Expeditions, Mancos, Colorado
Program Instructor
Becket-Chimney YMCA Outdoor Center, Becket, Massachusetts
Senior Program Instructor
HighSide Adventure Tours, Buena Vista, Colorado
River Guide
Bend Parks and Recreation District, Bend, Oregon
Youth Recreation Supervisor
McDevitt Middle School, Waltham, Massachusetts
Physical Education Teacher
Epping Middle High School, Epping, New Hampshire
Physical Education Teacher
Education
MS, Physical Education
Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts
BS, Physical Education
Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
