This is Who We Are
Founder: Jess Berrian
Hello everyone! My name is Jessica and I am the founder of True You Explorer. There is a quote I read last year that I'd like to share with you and how it pertains to me in my life: “For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must first come completely undone. The shell cracks, it's insides fall out and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.” This quote struck a deep cord within me. Being a gardener and vegetable grower, every spring and summer I plant seeds and get to watch them grow. And every year I marvel at the beauty of it all, in how a tiny seed can become this massive sunflower! I then began to think of myself as the seed. My life before getting sober, I was a wandering seed being blown in the wind, flipping around, smashing into trees and bouncing off rocks. After many years, I finally landed in some soft, dark, fertile soil and started rooting into the earth of my sobriety - into my true self. My shell cracked. All of my fear, loneliness, doubts, powerlessness and insecurities kept rooting into this cozy home that nourished me and supported me. In time, after many growing pains, my insides began to sprout and the love, courage, light, joy and strength I have inside started poking through that rich, dark soil and the most magnificent green shoots started growing and reaching for the sun! Today, with ten years of sobriety, I feel like a giant, sturdy, beautiful sunflower growing in this world. I am constantly thriving and changing, and living a life without substances has allowed me to explore every little bit of myself in the most authentic way. For me, a successful life is filled with laughter, friendships and adventures. I live a beautiful life today. I am passionate about nature and playing in the outdoors, which I get to do often in this hidden gem of a state; Vermont. So what do you say? Let's go play in this wildly gorgeous world together!
Jaime Berrian
Hi, my name is Jaime. I live in the woods of Chesterfield, Massachusetts on my homestead raising chickens and quail, tending to bees, a large vegetable garden and a growing number of fruit trees. I have always been a nature enthusiast and hold a deep appreciation for the woods and the endless playground Mother Nature provides. Sobriety has gifted me the ability to be more mindful and present in my day to day life. This sense of clarity has been instrumental in my understanding of who I am now and in my authentic connections with family, friends and the people I meet.
In 2019 I completed my goal of hiking all the highest peaks in New England. I currently have my sights set on “peak bagging” all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000 foot mountains, with 17 completed thus far. Winter hiking has become a new found passion of mine and Liberty, Flume, North and South Kinsman were all bagged in freezing temperatures and snow covered trails. I try to remember daily that “Happiness is found along the way, not at the end of the road.” and everything is made just a little bit better with the right snacks!
Stacy Josey
“Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstances but of choice. CHOOSE to live a life that matters.” Michael Josephson
My name is Stacy and every day I choose to live a life that matters to me. I’m living my journey and have found through yoga, the importance of slowing down, creating time and space to reflect and grow. I have 500+ hours of yoga training and am continuing to learn and develop the practice. I am also a massage therapist in which I am expanding my knowledge of self care and the overall well being of ones self. I am very excited and grateful to be a part of “True You Explorer”. In a world of so much uncertainty and pain, lets take some time to immerse ourselves in nature, create space, slow down, re-connect, reflect, gain perspective and grow!
Renee Berrian
Renee Berrian has planned and implemented international exchange and training programs for the past 26 years. Through her work as the Senior Program Director for a U.S. based, international non-profit, she was responsible for all communications, program content, logistics and day-to-day implementation of programs for adults and students from Vermont to California and Eastern Europe to the Middle East.
She will assist in organizing program logistics and provide on-site support as needed during each new Adventure. Renee’s love for bringing people together and her commitment to making the world a better place is a great ‘match’ for True You Explorer.