Meet McKenzie Smith | Christian Outdoor Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with McKenzie Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi McKenzie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
A quote I live by is: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” I truly believe life starts when you step out of your comfort zone. I have always made decisions based on that I would rather say “that didn’t work” than get to the end of my life and wonder what if. I would not be where I am/have a quarter of the experiences that I have if I wasn’t a “risk taker”. My life/career looks completely different than I would have ever imagined but I am so grateful for that. I have had opportunities I would have never dreamed I would have, traveled to places I never thought I would, and met strangers who I now call friends. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says: “However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Christian Outdoor Creator. I run a blog called Messages from the Mountain. My goal is to create a community of people who love God and His Creation. I feel closest to God while in the outdoors and I see a gap of believers in the outdoor industry. I was blessed with fulfilling “The American Dream” at a young age. I say this because I will not have to spend my whole life chasing something that would have never fulfilled me. I was laid off from corporate America in March of this year and what a blessing from God that was. Blogging is only a small part of what I do and I have plans to launch different arms of reach this year and next. I am blessed I get to spend more time with my husband, Ben, and our 2 dogs, travel to unique places, and make connections all over the U.S. I get to use my passions to help motivate others to get outside and live transparently in community with others. It hasn’t been easy, but it has shown me what I value most, and I am more fulfilled than ever. My piece of advice: if God calls you to it, He will equip you for it. Do not just rely on what you know you’re good at.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We do a good bit of overlanding/truck camping so my itinerary would include a little loop: head to the Dillon area (one of my favorite places in the country: my husband and I got married near here). We would brewery hop to places like Outer Rander, Broken Compass, and Angry James. Then we would drop down the Buena Vista area then visit the Sand Dunes. Hit the Springs and visit Pikes Peak. All while camping and hiking at amazing spots along the way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my parents for always teaching me what they have learned but giving me the freedom to make my own educated decisions.

Website: https://messagesfromthemountain.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenziefromkansas/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenzie-smith-43a1aa170/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mckenzie.piland/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/messagesfromthemountain/

Image Credits
Molly Cross Chelsea Klinger Megan Farley