Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christine Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Christine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s go back in time a bit – can you share a story of a time when you learned an important lesson during your education?

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my studies is how crucial it is to care for wildlife, their homes, and our planet.

My first trip to Costa Rica during high school for an Environmental program had a profound impact on me. It was the most meaningful and transformative journey I’ve ever undertaken. We explored the country, delving into wildlife, the environment, and the challenges faced by animals and local communities. During this trip we got to go on some great adventures like zip-lining through the canopy and enjoying hot springs near a volcano! We also participated in turtle monitoring, youth education, and sustainable farming. I believe I was at the perfect age where my eyes really opened up to see the world in an entirely different light.

Two significant changes occurred in me during that time. Firstly, I came to understand that coexisting with wildlife is possible, and businesses can play a role in aiding not just travelers but also their local communities. I returned more attuned to nature and deeply connected to the Earth. The realization that adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle can contribute to our planet’s well-being and the welfare of its inhabitants motivated me to make changes as soon as I returned home.

Secondly, the trip fostered a strong sense of gratitude and self-love within me. During a hike through the rainforest, we reached a remote village with minimal contact with the outside world. Here, certain technologies like phones and cameras were restricted to protect the tribe’s way of life. During my time there, we shared meals, played games, and learned from each other. The warmth and positivity I experienced from the children and adults, despite having fewer material possessions, left an indescribable impression. There were no societal pressures to conform to, such as those propagated by fashion magazines and weight-loss trends.

This experience prompted a stark comparison with my life back in the U.S. As a high school cheerleader, my surroundings lacked thriving wildlife and an innate connection with nature. My self-esteem was consistently undermined by concerns about body image, and a persistent desire for material possessions like shoes, make-up, and clothes plagued me. Observing the tribe’s way of life and witnessing their contentment and gratitude made me reevaluate my life and what I deemed important.

So how impactful was this trip…. I’d say it was the trip that saved my life. It taught me to cherish every experience and embrace travel fearlessly. It led me to stop comparing myself to magazines and to appreciate my body for enabling me to explore new places. It enhanced my gratitude for small blessings like a roof over my head, a satisfying meal, and a loving family. It cultivated a sense of fulfillment within me and showed me the importance of compassion for animals, fellow humans, and myself when creating personal happiness.

Every action I take today is a result of the transformative journey I took in Costa Rica 15 years ago!

Christine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Christine Williams and I am a biologist, photographer, and conservationist. I have my Masters in Biology and started my own business, Eco-Travel Digital Media LLC, in order to help connect people with nature through visual media.

After graduating with my M.S. I knew I was going to need to find a way to bring my vision of making an impact for wildlife and their habitats come to life. Along with having the time and freedom location I desire, and making enough money to pursue my passions successfully. My goal is to be able to create content for wildlife rescues and reserves without having them pay, as I believe all their resources should go to taking care of the animals. Building partnerships with sustainable brands and creating stable income remotely while traveling is a great way to achieve this goal.

I currently create content libraries and UGC content for sustainable brands and businesses. I promote eco-hotels and tourism companies by creating travel content focused on being eco-friendly while traveling. Overall I want to push people to live a more sustainable lifestyle in every aspect of their life. It is very important to me that we use our money toward businesses that are giving back to our planet. Currently, I am putting together an eco-retreat, where we dive into wildlife conservation, environmental awareness, ecotourism for local communities, and empowerment and alignment within yourself. I am starting to partner with sustainable brands and eco-resorts to make this come to life, if you are interested in this project please feel free to reach out to me!

I am thankful for my persistence toward creating an impact for wildlife on our planet. Whether it be through scientific approaches and academia or socially through content creation and the promotion of sustainable businesses. However, I reach my end goal, I am proud about being an advocate for animals and our planet each and every day.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Originally, I hoped to be a wildlife biologist! Unfortunately, I am a dreamer and the life experiences I have and hope to continue were not going to be able to happen based on an entry level wildlife biologist’s income, work hours, or permanent placement. I have always been passionate about photography and my entire life I was the friend with a camera glued to my hand. I decided to pursue a new way to make money that allowed me time and location freedom.

My first couple years as a photographer I did all types of photography gigs (portrait, property, weddings, graduations, birthdays, etc.). After not finding fulfillment (mainly because I was so far away from my passion for wildlife) I quit doing personal photography and moved toward combining my photography skills with my love for wildlife conservation. Although I am still many stepping stones away from my overall dream job of working with National Geographic and creating educational content for wildlife rescues/reserves, I am finding a stable path by creating content for sustainable brands.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I first got started in photography it was difficult! However, I put myself on different freelance sites and photography sites that allowed me to pick up jobs. Upwork and Thumbtack were two of the main sites I found most of my gigs through.

I also think it is important to have a seasonal position while you are working toward creating your business. As someone who is all about multiple streams of income, it is a good idea to always make sure you are not relying on one income stream alone due to everything being gone if something goes wrong.

I still do seasonal positions with an environmental company who is partnered with the National Park Service. So over the summer I travel for work to different NPS parks and historical sites, allowing me the opportunity to travel and get paid. Finding a gig like this that aligns with your other businesses is gold!

Last, I have been blessed to always have a family to fall back on when things get tough and tight. I am grateful for that but it is important to note, without my family I do not think I would have been able to have overcome failures and set-backs that I’ve experienced.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ecotraveldigitalmedia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewandersearthfreely/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecotravelmedia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-williams0716/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shewandersearthfreely

Image Credits
Celia Smith, Sam Kerssengriep, Danny McGee.