SAGE STORIES

 A Conversation with Megan McDevitt

Interview by Bella Brodsky
Shot by Madeline Rose
Instagram

Hi, Megan! Let’s begin with a little introduction: tell me who you are, the place you call home, and the space you work within!

Bella, I’m so thrilled to connect with you and this community. Hopefully my passions bleed through these words and spark a little joy.

Born in the mountains of Idaho, I grew up playing in wild spaces and had trouble differentiating showers from lakes. The culture of the outdoor community is woven in my DNA. Undoubtedly, living acclimated to fresh air makes me biased. I have an iron in the fire and am committed to fight for the areas that inspire—for clean water, for mountains, and powder days.

Intertwining my passion for the outdoors with my background in public relations is where I do my best work. Through formal education, exploration of diverse landscapes, and inspiring mentors in the field, I’ve grown to understand how story and connection serve as lifelines to our community.

Through community outreach in the outdoor industry, educational programming, guiding, and a whole lot of playing—I’ve found inspiration in the inextricable connection between the health of our natural spaces and the health of our communities. I’m not sure you could call it a 9-5 but telling stories of wild spaces and soulful people is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.

Let’s dive into your story of being in the outdoors. How did that connection grow into fruition and what experiences in the outdoors bring you the most joy?

Growing up, my biggest influence was part cowboy, part surfer, part motorcycle rider, and part dad. I was raised on gas station coffee, sunrises, and mishap. He would always tell me that the adventure didn’t really begin until something went wrong—and I consequently began to fall in love with the art of finding joy in unlikely places.

Even though I grew up with that thirst for adventure— I’d never felt so connected to our wild spaces until I began climbing in them. Not to be prophetic, but I think sometimes we get lucky and stumble upon things that make us feel like our truest selves. We find a niche, where we can be inspired, motivated, and challenged all at once.

To explore so many stunning landscapes, accompanied by graceful movement, problem solving, and risk taking has been such a blessing in my life. Ultimately, climbing has provided a way to connect with myself and my community more deeply. The lessons I’ve learned through the sport foster a stronger appreciation for other passions (insert plug for biking and skiing) and have taught me a lot about perseverance and the pursuit of joy.