You are hereAspiro Field Operations
Aspiro Field Operations
Field Guides at Aspiro
Aspiro guides are critical to the success of the program and Aspiro takes guide hiring and training very seriously. Aspiro hires talented guides that have high moral and ethical standards. Aspiro guides are patient, professional, insightful, and deeply caring. Guides receive thorough training designed to cultivate and refine clinical, safety, and outdoor adventure skills. During their first year, guides spend a minimum of 150 hours in training. Each subsequent year guides spend a minimum of 75 hours in training. The Aspiro community shares a common passion for helping youth make positive decisions; this passion is key to our success.
Dan Lemaire - Program Director - April 2006
I grew up in Alaska and had the good fortune of seeing some very remote and very beautiful places in my childhood.
In Alaska, there was only time and money to do just what was necessary to be happy and healthy and no more. There were no stop lights, there was no rush hour traffic, and the nearest McDonalds was a 4-5 hour drive away. I knew more about Moose than I knew about Disney movies, and I could find my way out of a remote mountain valley easier than I could find my way out of a grocery store. I believe in the power of simplifying life - of making life about relationships and the transforming force called love. I began my career in engineering and in research, but found a much better fit in coaching and quickly became a full-time ski coach. After many years of using coaching as a tool to grow and heal adolescent minds, I decided to call it what it is, and joined the therapy industry. I continue to love introducing young people to the joy of mountain sports and outdoor living.
Michael Escalante - COO
Michael studied business management and rhetorical writing at Brigham Young University. Prior to working for The Aspiro Group, Michael worked as an instructional designer for a language training company and authored content for an English program that has been used in 23 countries spanning five continents. Michael brought his development experience to Aspiro and led the creation of the Aspiro Program Model. He oversees program and operational development as Chief Operations Officer; some of his favorite job responsibilities include leading the family workshop each month, and leading self-awareness groups with students.
Michael has worked with a handful of adolescent treatment programs including The Anasazi Foundation, Outback Therapeutic Expeditions, Telos Residential Center, Daniels Academy, and The Aspiro Group.
Tyler - Field Director
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Tyler spent his childhood and adolescent years being in the outdoors and traveling with his family.
Together with his family, Tyler visited Costa Rica, Belize, and Mexico on multiple occasions.
He attended college in South Carolina, where he was on a full-ride scholarship for track and cross-country. Shortly after graduating college with his degree in Psychology and Sociology, Tyler moved to Utah to pursue Wilderness Therapy.
He quickly found himself in love with the industry and students he worked with. Tyler’s quick sense of humor and passion for adventure radiate to those around him.
Since coming to Aspiro, he has become a Wilderness First Responder and an EMT-Basic. As an adult, Tyler still enjoys being out doors, traveling as often as possible, and spending time with his family. He feels that the excellent staff at Aspiro and Utah’s beautifully unique landscape has made Aspiro the perfect fit for him.
Liz - Field Director - September 2007
Liz grew up in Minnesota spending summers canoeing and backpacking in the Boundary Waters, and hiking with her family in the northern part of the state. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in dance. While in college, she traveled to India to study dance and religion, and later to China. Before working for Aspiro, Liz worked at a health food store teaching customers about healthy living and natural remedies. She especially enjoyed helping customers improve their diets, and was very excited to help Aspiro improve its menu for the students in the early part of 2009.
Since starting at Aspiro her love for the outdoors has grown as she’s witnessed its healing power not only in the lives of the students, but in her own life as well. She enjoys her creative role in developing the Aspiro girls' program. She believes in the power adventure therapy has in building confidence and self efficacy when combined with openness and a willingness to change. She has seen it numerous times, and especially in the most difficult circumstances.
Liz has found that service has always been the best way for her personally to connect with others and build relationships. Through service, self reflection, and consistent study of Arbinger principles, Liz is learning what it means to live with a heart at peace. She hopes to be a gentle influence for good in the lives of those around her.
Erik - Assistant Field Director - September 2008
Erik loves his job!
Adventure has always been a big influence in his life. He continually appreciates the lessons that nature and the wilderness has to offer. Some of his greatest inspiration and insight has come while surrounded by the amazing beauty of the outdoors.
Erik’s love for adventure and the outdoors began when he was quite young. “I have many fond memories of epic hiking trips with my father. He helped to instill in me a love and respect for the wilderness. That love and respect for nature and adventure has played a large role throughout my life.”
Three years ago Erik began a different adventurous journey: marriage. However marriage in and of itself wasn’t enough to quench he and his wife’s thirst for adventure. So, shortly after their marriage, they set off to travel the world. Throughout the year they were traveling, they had many amazing opportunities to provide humanitarian service for others in need.
One year ago Erik and Jana began a new adventure together: parenthood. “What an amazing opportunity!" Erik says.
"My son has been the greatest blessing and source of joy in my life. My wife and I are enjoying every bit of this adventure together, including the tough stuff.”
Today Erik finds himself working in a field that combines two great loves: adventure and helping others. He is honored and blessed to have the opportunity to work with Aspiro and the students who come here. He recognizes the power of the adventure therapy model. He lives it. Every week Erik works, he gains something new: be it a new lesson, a new perspective, new insight, new strength, new understanding. “Never have I worked in an industry where I have benefited so greatly. This is not just a job. It is an opportunity. An opportunity to become better.”
Ava, Girls Group Team Leader, CTRS 2009
Ava graduated from Brigham Young University in 2008 with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She believes that the outdoor adventures at Aspiro foster powerful therapeutic experiences. She practiced therapeutic recreation at Harborview Medical Center in-patient psychiatric unit in Seattle, Washington.
Ava was a river guide on the Colorado River, has worked at two domestic violence shelters, and spent a summer doing humanitarian service at Padre Vito Guarato Orphanage in El Salvador. Ava enjoys spending time with family, making pottery, and playing basketball. Ava loves working with teenagers and is happy to be a part of the Aspiro Team.
Ava is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Philip - Vantage Point Team Leader. August 2008
Philip has always been an explorer. As a young child, he was constantly wandering away from his parents and creating sometimes scary adventures for himself and his family. This adventurous spirit has not left him, but only become safer and broader while guiding him in the direction of working with youth in the wilderness. Philip graduated in May 2008 with a degree in history. A history degree does not usually lend itself to wilderness work, but this is just part of his vast area of interests. Some of Philip’s favorite activities include running (it is by far the fastest way to explore), hiking, rock climbing, reading, cooking, snowboarding, studying history, traveling, and rock hopping.
Philip is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Philip has been a major developer of the Vantage Point program, and brings a lot of dedication and enthusiasm to his position as Vantage Point Team Leader.
Jeff - Expedition Manager - March 2009
Jeff was born and raised in Provo, Utah.
He spent a lot of his childhood backpacking in the Uinta mountains and learning how to survive in Utah's harsh deserts.
Jeff has a great love and passion for adventure activities. In the warmer months you'll find him rock climbing, mountain biking, running ultra-marathons and canyoneering. In the winter months he loves backcountry snowboarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering and winter camping. When he's not finding adventure outside, he loves working in his recording studio or playing guitar in his rock ‘n’ roll band. Jeff is married and has three dogs that all enjoy hiking and exploring together. Jeff has many skills and talents that make him an amazing team member at Aspiro.
He has his Wilderness First Responder and Avalanche Level 1 certifications.
Joe - Director of Water Activities - February 2009
Growing up in Utah, Joe fell in love with the mountains and deserts that surround the state.
While attending Utah Valley University, where he earned a B.S. in Outdoor Leadership and Business Administration, he started guiding on the Colorado River. Little did he know, that more than ten years later, he'd still be in love with every aspect of guiding. He now guides in Arizona, Utah, and Idaho. His other hobbies include: rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, skating, skiing, and photography. Joe joined Aspiro because the therapeutic aspect interested him.
"It’s one thing to teach the hard skills of rock climbing; how to hold, how to tie the knots, how to move in balance. But it’s something much more rewarding to teach the soft skills; what life lessons come from trusting the rope, how to learn to communicate with those who belay us, how to move in balance with our lives. This aspect of guiding makes me appreciate life, and the people that I interact with."
Kevin - Boys Field Guide. March 2009
After completing and graduating from the Kairos program in the summer of 2008, Kevin returned home to North Carolina.
However once he returned home, he found himself driven to return to Aspiro and help others find the path of recovery that he had discovered.
Kevin feels that his unique perspective as a former student in the program, contributes to his passion to be a guide at Aspiro. Kevin has loved the outdoors since his childhood and was involved in boy scouts for over ten years. Kevin has worked hard to become a proficient rock climber and mountain biker and enjoys teaching these skills in the Kairos program.
Kevin also enjoys bowling, traveling, and immersing himself in as many different cultures as possible.
Matt - Field Guide
Matt Gauthier is originally from Ludlow, Vermont and has recently moved to Salt Lake City in the Fall of 2008. He has a bachelors of science in electrical engineering, and has always had a passion for the outdoors, his main draw to working with the Aspiro team. His hobbies include mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, ski mountaineering, skateboarding, surfing, and backpacking. Matt also likes to travel both domestically and internationally and has visited places such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore, Indonesia, and New Zealand.
Justin - Field Guide. February 2009
Justin grew up in Utah and has enjoyed the outdoors since his childhood. He came to Aspiro wanting to share his love and enthusiasm for the outdoors. Some of his favorite hobbies include Snowboarding and rock climbing. Not only does Justin love the activities at Aspiro, he also loves building close friendships with those he works with.
Billy - Field Guide. March 2009
Billy was born and raised in the beautiful, yet not often recognized, state of North Dakota. His childhood was spent exploring, getting dirty, and nurturing his desire for excitement and adventure. He played numerous sports and became very active in working with other youth in his community. In college he worked as Resident Assistant in the freshman dorms, and was an active member of various service and leadership organizations both on and off campus. Billy earned a degree in Business Administration and Marketing from North Dakota State University, including coursework abroad in Europe. However, after some time sitting behind a desk wearing a suit and tie, he decided to leave the corporate business world to more fully pursue his passions for the outdoors and working with youth. He found that opportunity at Aspiro in early 2009. Billy absolutely loves living in Utah and being able to work with, and also learn from the adolescents at Aspiro.
Brandon - Lead Guide. May 2007
Brandon first found a life in adventure when he moved to Canada at 15 to play hockey. In the mountains of the Pacific Northwest Brandon fell in love with skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, mountaineering, hiking, and whitewater kayaking. Brandon's passion for service work was seeded when he volunteered as a coach for hockey, skiing, and skydiving; and it was further realized during his year of service in Zimbabwe. While there, Brandon put up many climbing first ascents in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and South Africa, and several first descents in their kayaks. Eager to share the spirit, love, and joy of the wilderness with youth, Brandon worked as the Recreation Manager at a therapeutic high school for students with Aspergers for two years. He came to Aspiro in early 2007 after meeting some of Aspiro's amazing team. Brandon is an EMT, Wilderness First Responder, Swift Water Rescue Technician, and a PSIA Level 2 Ski instructor.
Daryn - Lead Guide. June 2007
Daryn grew up traveling through Southeast Asia (Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong) with her parents until they settled in the Seattle area when she was 8 years old. Daryn spent weekends with her family riding horses, camping, hiking, swimming, biking, skiing, kayaking and rock climbing in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. After high school Daryn served in the United States Navy for five years where she was able to participate in Operation Desert Freedom and was chosen to be a member of a select team of sailors to do tsunami relief work for two and a half months in Sumatra. In 2004-2005, when she finished her service in the Navy, Daryn joined her friends in Zimbabwe for a year, helping artists and small business owners get back on their feet. While there, Daryn and friends made many climbing first ascents in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and South Africa; as well as several first descents in their kayaks. Daryn then returned home where she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Seattle University with a degree in Cultural Anthropology. Her passion for service continued in college where she went on a mission to Ecuador, was the department representative on the Student Executive Council, and the Women's Crew team captain. Daryn began working as an educational consultant after returning home from Zimbabwe, during which time she co-founded Canterbury Academy, a therapeutic high school for students with Aspergers, and served as the school's Vice-President for several years. Daryn is currently an Associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Daryn is an avid and accomplished alpine and tele skier, whitewater kayaker, rock climber, runner, cyclist, and triathlete. Daryn was lead to Aspiro through her passion for service, adventure, and the great joy and satisfaction that comes with working for today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
Alexis - Field Guide.
Cassidy - Field Guide.
Chad - Field Guide.
Kyle - Field Guide.
Liz L. - Field Guide.
Patrick - Field Guide.
Rebekah - Field Guide.
Robert - Field Guide.
Sally - Field Guide.
