Natalie Brechtel

Natalie Brechtel Wilderness Medicine Corporate Instructor.

Natalie has been using her wilderness medical skills since 2002 when she took her first WFA. Since then, she has been on all seven continents, applying her skills in the most austere environments. Originally a San Diego native she spent her youth camping and backpacking in the southwest. She currently travels all over the world guiding and teaching wilderness medical courses but considers Bishop California to be home.

Experience

Natalie has been working in the field of education and the human body since her days at University, where she eventually taught undergraduate classes and ran the university outdoor program. She took a particular fascination with physiology, kinesiology and nutrition. Her guiding and remote field work inspired her pursuit of further emergency medical training. Over the years she has been able to apply her WFR & EMT in the most extreme jobs. This has included guiding all over the US and abroad. She has provided patient care and rescue support as a National Park Service Ranger and as part of Yosemite Search and Rescue. Chasing adventure, Natalie began an obsession with exploring in Antarctica. Since 2011 she has worked and contributed to the medical auxiliary & SAR team for US Antarctic Field Stations. She continues to return to Antarctica as a Field Safety Coordinator, specializing in supporting scientist on the sea ice.

Education & Certifications

Natalie holds her B.A. from U.C. Santa Barbara, in Physical Anthropology, Exercise Health Science & Personal Training. She is a Licensed Instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates and the American Heart Association.

Natalie has taken the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) Rock Guide program and holds her Single Pitch Instructor Certification. She holds a certification from the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and is a Leave No Trace Trainer.

In 2017, Natalie went back to school to study Nutritional Therapy with an emphasis on gut health for athletes.

Additional Skillset

Natalie has served as a hypothermia expert for a program featured on YouTube and provided safety and logistics for other film industry field work. She contributes regularly to the US Antarctic Program documents and policies as they relate to cold related injuries and patient care in the deep field.

Natalie owns her own company, Gut-Z Journey Inc., where she helps people prepare for outdoor adventures through wilderness medical courses, fitness and nutrition clinics. She is passionate about outdoor mentorship and continued learning. You can explore her clinics and wilderness medicine programs HERE.

When not teaching or in the mountains Natalie enjoys good cooking, dancing and doing artwork.