Meet Breanna Banks | @mywildsidekick

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

Hi Breanna, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For us, life is all about risk taking. I used to be afraid to do things that made me afraid, but after finding myself in an environment that Bellamy and I weren’t thriving in, we took a risk and I quit my job and moved across the country. Bellamy has always been brave though. When we are hiking, he will always choose the riskiest path or try to jump on the tallest boulder. It’s my job to make sure he can be brave while also being safe. But he teaches me to be a little bolder and that taking risks often brings the greatest rewards.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I started Bellamy’s page, it was a place to keep our memories and to be able to look back at how much he has grown. But it soon became so much more. I have always loved photography, travel and dogs. And now I had a place for all three, with a community of people who are into the same things. My Wild Sidekick is now a place where I keep our adventures close. A place where I can express myself through memories that once were. A place where I can share with the world our love for exploration and the great outdoors.

After starting his page, I got my first camera. And looking at life through a lens is a whole new perspective. It forces you to look for the details. I often find inspiration for my content when it’s right in front of me. I think people really resonate with that. It’s not staged, and I don’t do photoshoots or take an excessive amount of model shots. I often pause for 30 seconds, say Bellamy’s name and compose the shot to make the viewer feel like they are on the hike with us, taking in the view just like we are. My page has grown so much since we moved to Colorado.

There is so much to be inspired by in these mountains. I am constantly wanting to get out into the wild, and to capture those memories.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In our area there is so much to see and explore. We love to show people the best local hiking trails with all the best views of the San Juan Mountains. Local mountain towns like Telluride, Ouray and Silverton are some of our favorites. We love to do a long hike, starting early in the morning to beat the crowds and afternoon thunderstorms. Then head to a local brewery for some of Colorado’s finest IPAs.

The old mountain towns here are full of rich mining and wild west historic charm that we love. It’s so cool to learn about all the hardworking people that carved their homes into the jagged San Juan’s. There is no shortage of outdoor adventure. Filling the days with hiking, biking, off-roading, paddle boarding, kayaking, hot spring soaking, beer drinking, horse back riding, and fire building are what summers in the Western Slope are all about.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Bellamy has always brought out the best in me. Having a canine companion teaches you about responsibility, unconditional love, and if you’re lucky, how to live life to the fullest. A dogs life is short in comparison, and I made it my mission to fill his years with more sights and adventures than most humans get in all of theirs. His unwavering bravery and ability to take on life’s craziness, has allowed him to be my rock when I needed it most. He is a constant reminder to get outside and to see the world from a new perspective.

Website: https://bit.ly/mywildsidekick

Instagram: instagram.com/mywildsidekick

Image Credits
@mywildsidekick