Meet Mik: The off-grid nomad behind English Learning Tips and The Wild Rx

What happens when a veteran, educator, and businessman leaves the traditional way of life for a life in a van and on the trails? You get a unique perspective on language, mental health, and survival. I am Mik or Nature Crank, and my mission is to help you move beyond textbook fluency by immersing you in the language of adventure.

From business and teaching to an off-grid adventurer

My journey didn’t start in an RV. It began in the worlds of business, biology, psychology, and health. I’ve worked in many fields, often at the same time. As an ESL instructor, I have spent years helping students navigate the complexities of the English language. However, in 2020, I decided to live out the lessons I was teaching.

From the US Army infantry to the Appalachian Trail (AT) and parts of the Arizona Trail (AZT) to many places in between, I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods hiking and camping. Today, I live off-grid, using my background in counseling and my personal journey of healing from a severe back injury to create content that is raw, real, and deeply human. And oh, I’m not perfect. I have good days and bad days, maybe even bad years, just like the rest of the world.

Why I focus on nature and mental health

• Healing through nature: My transition to a nomadic lifestyle wasn’t just for travel; it was for recovery.
• Academic roots: I use my expertise in biology and science to explain ESL vocabulary for nature and environmental science.
• Psychology in practice: I bridge the gap between clinical terms and real-life experience, discussing topics like OCD vs. OCPD and hiking for depression.

Why you should follow my journey at The Wild Rx

While English Learning Tips provides the tools, The Wild Rx is where the adventure truly lives. If you want to see how off-grid living phrases and hiking vocabulary are used in the real world, my companion site is your ultimate resource.

On The Wild Rx, I dive deep into the nomadic or off-grid lifestyle, providing high-value content that doubles as perfect immersive reading practice for advanced English learners:

1. Backcountry safety: Learn the survival phrases that actually matter when you’re miles from civilization.
2. Mental health advocacy: I share my journey with ecotherapy and how nature can rewire the brain.
3. Photography and gear: From wildlife photography tips to RV maintenance, I use descriptive language that helps you think like a native speaker.

Bridging the gap: Lessons vs. real life

I believe the best way to learn is to read stories you actually care about. Here is how I split my content to help you grow.

Of course, you’ll find everything English here, from verbs to nouns to lesson plans.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Start your adventure today

Ready to leave the classroom behind? Your journey to fluency doesn’t have to be boring. By following my stories at The Wild Rx, you’ll gain more than just vocabulary—you’ll gain a new perspective on the world.