Desi! // Filipino + California Explorer

hey guys!

This is Desi, otherwise known as the Filipino California explorer. I'm so extremely stoked to be apart of the Pangea Explorers team! Not only is this company involved with things that I love, but their message rings true to my heart! I'm super passionate about the outdoors because of the outlet it provides for myself, but we can get into that later.
but first, I want you to know a little bit about me so i'm not a random explorer here for this company, but i'm someone you may hopefully be able to connect with and I hope I can help to inspire others to feel what I feel when I am outside.

Well okay! Lets get started...

My name is Desiree Guerrero, people usually call me Desi or Des, sometimes I get D-ray. It really is your choice because I love all those options.

I am Filipino, Mexican, and White. I was born in California and then moved to Utah when I was super tiny and grew up in this beautiful state. My family has moved back to California so home for me is the bay area.

I am the biggest dog enthusiast! Definitely not a fan of cats though. I share about 30 videos a day on funny dogs on Facebook, so yeah, i'm that girl.

I am the oldest sibling in my family. I have 4 younger siblings, well...I guess 5 if you want to count my dog, Annie. But they are the quirkiest bunch of kids so I feel extremely blessed to be their sister.

I have put in 3 years at UVU and am a Behavioral Science major and I absolutely LOVE everything about what i'm learning.

I hope to open up my own clinic one of these days in the future to work with troubled youth and help them to find outlets through the outdoors rather than medication, self-harm, getting into trouble, etc.

I currently work at Telos Residential Treatment Center and am very passionate about the work I do there. I work with troubled youth boys and we help them cope with their problems with outdoor activities and experiences. It's an amazing because I am able to use my outlet for outdoors with boys who are passionate about being outside as well.

Currently, I am taking time off of school for this job. I had a scholarship to run track at Utah Valley University, but I have chosen to move on from that opportunity because it no longer helped promote my inner happiness and ability to enjoy each day. I knew I wanted to move forward with a great job revolved around my career so giving up track to do so was extremely difficult, but what's important is feeling that peace and happiness inside of you because that is what helps to inspire yourself and others.

I do love the life I have created for myself. I have made sacrifices here and there, but at the end of the day, I fall asleep stoked for the next day and all the opportunity it may bring.

I'm trying to go live each day to its fullest potential and enjoy the journey that I am on.

My philosophy on outside and going on adventures?

It's a major outlet for me. I'm really big into promoting inner peace and happiness because that is what I teach my boys at my job everyday. The best way to feel confident in your abilities and in every stage of your life is to focus on the energy you are constantly feeding your soul. Whether it's music, art, reading, being alone, being with friends, service, or travel; it is something that makes you feel whole inside and in love with every part of you. I find so much peace and happiness when I am in the mountains; mountain biking, hiking, camping, by a fire, exploring.

Whatever it may be, every free second I have, I will be outside because I am blessed to have the mountains right outside my door and how I feel when i'm out there is something so pure and perfect that I know I can't live without it.

I live by the quote "enjoy the journey" because we have been given the opportunity each day to wake up and make something of our day and grow as an individual.

Each day is a gift that was given to us, another chance to do what we couldn't yesterday. I want to fill everyday with something new so I can share my experiences with others and hopefully inspire them to do the same and help them to find what makes them happy at their core.

Once again, I am grateful to be an ambassador for Pangea, it connects to my heart and I know it'll touch the lives of many others because of the incredible people who started it. You couldn't find a better group of kids.

Here are some of my recent excursions . . .