About me
Hey, wild thangs!
I’m Jivan, though many know me as Radically Wild.
Before we go deeper, let me share who I am as a human, in a nutshell.
I am playful, curious, and deeply alive. Funny, fun, a little silly, and a very down-to-earth, free-spirited earthling. I love hiking, wandering, adventures, and getting lost in places where nature can surprise me. I light up over sunsets, rainbows, flowers, waterfalls, and the simple magic of being alive. I am deeply connected to nature and just as deeply connected to my inner world.
I live barefoot. I am vegan. I grow my own food. I live off grid. I choose a simple life rooted in presence, freedom, and joy. Nature is my home, my teacher, and my playground. I practice self-discipline, mindfulness, and meditation as I am always tuning into myself.
I do not take myself too seriously. I am a bit of a silly clown who loves to joke around and laugh. I crack myself up more often than I probably should. Life is meant to be enjoyed, felt, and celebrated as joyfully as possible, baby. My inner child is always coming out to play.
At the same time, I am deeply philosophical and love meaningful conversations. I enjoy exploring ideas, perspectives, and the nature of reality itself. I believe we are all windows of perspective, each one offering a unique way of seeing the world. Listening, sharing, and reflecting together is one of the most beautiful parts of being human.
This page is a window into my own perspectives. It is about my radically wild, off-grid life in the paradise that is Puerto Rico. Here, I share my journey, my barefoot adventures, and the ways I connect deeply with nature and the self. I invite you to come along for the ride, full of good vibes, curiosity, and the wonderful energy that life has to offer.
Now lets dive deeper baby.
My Journey
I was born in the concrete jungle of Brooklyn, NY. A place of noise, speed, and survival. Tall buildings, busy streets, and a constant sense of pressure shaped my early years. I was living life in such a rush, I never realized I was rushing toward my own death. Deep down, I always felt something was missing.
In 2010, I walked away from that life and arrived in Puerto Rico with the idea of opening my own bar. I was a DJ and a bartender, and though the bar never came to life, I spent my early years DJing across the island. I did not come here searching for answers, but nature had other plans. The land began to speak, not in words, but in feeling, in silence, in presence. Slowly, as I connected with the earth, I began to reconnect with myself. I started to uncover my true nature.
Nature became my teacher, my guide, and my mirror. It stripped me down and showed me who I was beneath the noise, beneath the conditioning, beneath the roles I never chose.
That is when something profound began to awaken in me. I went on a monk-like, ascetic voyage, practicing self-discipline and peeling back layers of conformity, habits, and beliefs that weighed me down. This journey was about getting tired of living in my own ignorance. It was about evolving. Awakening every nerve, every instinct, and stepping fully into life. Shedding dead weight and feeling life surge through me again.
Here in Borikén, I found peace, freedom, and happiness. In solitude in nature, I experienced a deep spiritual awakening and discovered my higher self. My inner child came alive. Curious. Playful. Adventurous. Full of joy. I learned how to enjoy life fully, moving with curiosity, play, and presence. I run barefoot. I laugh loud. I explore. I feel deeply. I live with excitement for the simple things.
As I often say, I was not born in Borikén. I was reborn here. I connected to the magic that is Borikén, and in connecting to that magic, I connected to the magic within.
Connection to Nature and Transformation
In solitude, in nature, my transformation truly began. Outside the noise and distractions, I learned to enjoy my own company. I started developing my own philosophy, my own perspectives. It was here that the ego dissolved and I became whole. Here, I found my purpose.
Being in nature awakened my wild side, the part of me that remembers how to move freely, live instinctively, and feel fully alive. Walking barefoot on the earth, feeling the sand, soil, and rocks beneath my feet, I began to reconnect with the rhythms of life itself. The wind, the sun, the waves, and the rustle of leaves became my teachers. Each moment taught me presence, patience, and how to listen to the subtle messages of the world around me.
I ran through forests and along beaches, climbed rocks, and let rivers wash over me, embracing the freedom of movement and the joy of simply being. My inner child roamed freely, curious, playful, and unafraid, reminding me of the wonder and excitement that life can hold. In nature, I discovered that life is not about escaping, controlling, or rushing, but about feeling deeply, moving naturally, and celebrating the simple moments that most people overlook.
Through these experiences, I developed a profound respect for the natural world and a deep understanding of my place within it. Nature is not a place you just visit or take a vacation from. It is a way of being, a path that reconnects us to what is real and essential. Every sound, every smell, every touch is a reminder of who we are when we are fully alive. It is home, for we are nature.
It is where I became RADICALLY WILD.
The Layers of Conformity I Stripped Away
Along the way, we build many layers that we conform to. They become our masks, our identities.
I began embracing a simple life, living with very little money and relying on nature, ingenuity, and what I could create or find. I started to reject material possessions, and money became something I saw as a poison. I detested everything it stood for, as greed seemed to be poisoning humanity. This simplicity freed me from the endless pursuit of things I didn’t need and allowed me to focus on what truly matters: presence, freedom, and joy. I discovered that happiness comes from having less, not more.
One of my biggest layers of conformity was alcohol. I drank like it was water. It was my escape from the world and from myself. I was running on autopilot, and one day I said enough. It was time to take control of my mind and not allow the mind to control me. Nine years ago, I woke up one day and decided no more. It was the best decision I ever made because I finally saw the world through new eyes — eyes of gratitude and appreciation for the beauty of life.. Read more about why I quit drinking alcohol.
From there, nine years ago, I began living barefoot, feeling the earth beneath my feet and reconnecting with the rhythms of nature. Each step reminded me that I am part of this world, not separate from it. At first, it was simple practicality, one less thing I needed to buy. But it turned out to be so liberating. Feeling every sensation, every texture, and the earth’s energy beneath my feet is the meaning of being alive. No longer are my movements hindered. Now I fly. Read more about why I live barefoot →
Around the same time, I became vegan, honoring all living beings and the Earth that sustains us. This choice was more than diet , it was a rebellion against a world that commodifies life and ignores the pain it causes. I started paying attention, feeling the connection between my choices and the world around me. Every meal became an act of gratitude, a celebration of life, and a statement of freedom. I could taste the vitality of plants, the energy of the sun, the life that nourishes me, and it reminded me that I am part of this intricate web. Living this way sharpened my senses, deepened my compassion, and made every moment feel more alive. Read more about why I became vegan.
Off-Grid Living Food Forest & Trash Treasures
In 2018, I was able to buy my land and home with the little savings I had left. It wasn’t much, but it was mine, a place to live freely, create, and connect deeply with the earth. From there, I built a life off-grid, powered by one solar panel and one battery, with no refrigeration. My home is simple, yet alive with character, filled with trash treasures, items rescued from landfills, upcycled, and given new life. What most see as waste, I see as opportunity, creativity, and connection to the world around me. Every object has a story, a history, a soul.
Beyond my home, I’ve cultivated a food forest, as my goal is to one day become totally self-sufficient. I don’t grow the plants, they have grown me. They have become my teachers on this journey. I plant, tend, and harvest with respect for the cycles of life, observing how nature gives and takes. I also reforest with native trees, creating a sanctuary for birds, bees, and butterflies. The forest sings to me, the wind whispers secrets, the sun warms my skin, and the rain dances on my arms. It is not just farming, it is a playground, a classroom, and a sacred space all at once. Every fruit, every leaf, every root pulses with life and reminds me of the intelligence of the earth.
Living off-grid and growing my own food has reshaped my understanding of abundance. I don’t measure wealth in money, but in health, vitality, and the richness of life that surrounds me. I have learned that true comfort comes from aligning with the rhythms of the world, listening, observing, and moving with them.
Every day in this lifestyle is a lesson in freedom, creativity, and joy. The smell of soil, the hum of bees, the flutter of butterfly wings, the taste of fresh fruit right from the branch , these are my treasures. Life can be lived fully, wildly, and radically, with less, yet infinitely more..
Explore my off-grid life and trash treasures →
Discover my food forest journey →
Environmentalism & Stewardship
One catalyst in my journey of change was seeing the disrespect to the land, watching the magic of Borikén become tarnished as I awakened to the world around me. I grew tired of seeing the beaches and rivers trashed. In 2013, I felt a calling. I heard the earth speak to me. I had enough. I made signs to raise awareness and found the courage to stand in front of people, holding my signs high and calling attention to this reality.
Since that moment, I have devoted myself fully to this mission. I walk miles upon miles along the sand, sun on my back and wind in my hair, handing out free trash bags and cleaning the beaches and rivers on my own. Every piece of trash I pick up is a small victory, a message that we can live with respect and care for the land that sustains us. I lead by example, showing that we are the change we want to see in the world.
I even quit being a DJ to dedicate my time and energy to this work. Every dollar I used came from my own savings, funding this mission from my heart. The work is hard, but we must protect what we love, and I love Borikén with all my heart and soul. The sound of waves, the warmth of the sun, the songs of birds overhead, and the feel of sand beneath my feet remind me daily why this is worth every step.
One bag challenge
When I give out free trash bags, I am always encouraging others to take my One Bag Challenge. It is simple: take one bag and pick up whatever you can wherever you are. Every small action matters. It is time to preserve and care for the magic of not only this island, but our beautiful world.
Let’s Get Wild
This life isn’t easy. It’s raw. It’s alive. But it’s mine. Fully. Wildly. Before, I lived to impress. Now, I live to inspire. I hope my story and perspectives can ignite inspiration in others on their own journey.
To all wild thangs seeking adventure, inspiration, and a reminder that life is meant to be felt deeply, you are in the right place. Step in. Breathe. Feel. Move. Live. Let’s get wild, baby.
Follow me on my journey across all social media, and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube,
Follow me on my journey on all social media, and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube, where I continue to share more of my radically wild life, barefoot adventures, and connection to nature in Puerto Rico.
What You’ll Find on RadicallyWild.com
Here on RadicallyWild.com, you’ll discover:
- Stories of my transformation and barefoot adventures, raw and unfiltered.
- Insights into minimalist, conscious, and radically free living.
- Tips and practices for connecting deeply with nature and your inner self.
- Calls to action to protect our environment and honor the world around us.
- Inspiration to live authentically, boldly, and in harmony with the earth.
Dive into the blog, explore the categories, and let the journey awaken your own inner wildness.
It’s time to rewrite the story of what it means to live fully, freely, and in alignment with the rhythms of the earth.
