Reawakening Magical Forests 🌳💫
The fight for trees with 'Go Forest founder' SARAH PARENT
“Most people tend to direct their vision outward, to what’s on the surface—
thus comprehending only the tip of the iceberg.”
Sometimes we need to get lost in order to calm, find ourselves. Wild forests can be the perfect place to start. Little do we know, talk about the brilliance beneath our feet, the fruits these magical creatures offer. It is when you dig deeper, another reality, connection unfolds—like rediscovering a new you. Most people tend to direct their vision outward, to what’s on the surface—thus comprehending only the tip of the iceberg.
Underground lies a complex nervous system called mycelium, where trees as humans interact, share knowledge and survival. In addition, they communicate with our body cells to rid cancer, diseases.
Yet their significance remains vastly underrated, threatened by ‘its supposed ally’. To better grasp why we should protect and grow this family, I suggest taking a look at Diana Bereford, “To Speak for the Trees”. A book that led me to discover the fascinating beauty of nature and connect with Sarah Parent, a wondrous climate activist that fights for trees around the globe.
“From childhood I nurtured a strong sense of righteousness—those being bullied on the playground, I would defend,” Sarah said, “the climate crisis is another victim of inequality I seek to protect—hence by 2020 “Go Forest” was born.”
“Sarah’s journey shines a light on our shadowland.”
More than planting trees with impact, it is about reconnecting people with nature. The era of materialism has spoiled us with such comfort that we lost track of wonder, authenticity found in the wild. In this century, defining problems such as: anxiety, stress, depression are calling for a new type of welfare—one that ventures outdoors to win back its capacity for curiosity and awe.
Sarah’s journey shines a light on our shadowland, the areas that are growing dim. For all readers’ sake, let us lead by example and foster an economy where humans and nature are harmonised, “Ubuntu”: a philosophy that connects humanity & beyond.
“You decide how green the future will be, the level of ecological boredom
when all that’s wild fades away.”
With Sarah I believe we can enrich, bring back ecosystems that will define the quality of our lives. Today, nearly half a million trees are due to her efforts across Madagascar, Congo, Peru, highly affected areas. You decide how green your future will be, the level of ecological boredom when all that’s wild fades away.
“When the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 PLANT A TREE and LEAVE YOUR MARK ⬇️ 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳
Tracing Sarah’s Journey 👣
This dream of a greener, richer, rawrer world for everyone has forged an iron mindset—one capable of doing the impossible. Upon my first encounter, I had the slightest idea of Sarah’s willpower. To me, she is on a path of self-discovery, closer to fulfilling something greater than herself. Surrounded by mass distraction, it illuminates inner wisdom, the kind of trust that you will get what you need. A life’s message to be curious, digging deeper for treasures left unexplored.
Yet, when we reach certain milestones, another challenge presents. One’s pursuit for a dream might overexcite, disappoint at times. From Sarah I understand we should stay mindful of our health when giving back—take mind, body and soul. Only so can you compound your efforts, one day reap the rewards of long-term dedication.
Recently, I put myself to the test: for one week under a strict diet, I’d practice regular forest walks, breathwork, meditation. The results were remarkable—it made me question lifelong habits, how self-regulating we can be when out of balance. A novel study on Wim Hof, “The Iceman” points into similar direction. I believe physical, behavioral health amplifies intuition, therefore empowering better decisions—like diving straight in to seize an opportunity that feels right.
“If you aspire to be entrepreneurial, it comes down to taking that jump. Once I caught the hunch: planting trees with impact, nothing could stop me.” — Sarah Parent
Environment plays its part too. When we consider our childhood, it tends to leave traces. Sarah was raised in lush green surroundings—no matter the season, she’d be outdoors nurturing it with her hands.
At the age of 12, she moved to the city and lost touch. Her brother had fallen seriously ill, spending most of his time in hospital with both parents. The disconnect came hard on Sarah and urged her to win back ‘lost love’—from the best grades at school, anything that could make her parents proud again.
“I am grateful to past and current disbelievers,” Sarah emphasised,
“for they always power me to prove them wrong.”
With understanding, misconceptions can be abandoned—yet they come in different shapes. Later in life, Sarah would keep proving herself to those that didn’t believe in her: friends that called her incapable mastering university, nowadays the planting of trees. “I am grateful to past and current disbelievers,” Sarah emphasised, “for they always power me to prove them wrong.”
Today, Sarah follows another spirit, retrieving a treasure she found long ago. The authenticity in this plays a role—think of attracting people with an atypical story just like yours. Put two like-minded dreamers together and the energy will flow—I’m often astounded by the creativity, gratitude it brings forth—to that extend, critics can only serve as background noise.
In a nutshell, could we conclude that some habits cause wrong decisions, & vice versa—and whether they are behind the people we weave into our lives?
Inside Sarah’s mind 🤔💭
😬 “Facing the critics in todays’ society”
Critique are like weeds waiting to be removed—they may reveal opportunities, foster the market—for instance a tool Go Forest develops to dismantle greenwashing. By contrast, there is vague criticism aimed at breaking moral—one you should counter if necessary.
🎭 “To be or not to be, that is your brands’ question”
Go Forest carries a bold vision, yet treats it gently in tune with todays’ market. When Sarah releases the wheel, so does her voice as an independent climate activist. It reasons one should not mirror its brand, become possessed by it—in turn, it allows you to protect principles, not succumb for quick wins over value. Customers with shady agendas are shown the door by Sarah, as should you.
It is like writing your first draft of a screenplay—straight from the heart before revisions loom. “The more authentic I am with clients, when writing a book or ‘LinkedIn post’, the more I feel grounded like a tree,” Sarah mentioned.
🌉 “Building bridges to the poor”
"So long we separate, ignore the beauty of one planet, it will separate us forever.”
We plant trees in Belgium, yet the game changer lies in third world countries, the enrichment of intact forests with precious fungi. “It is until I started Go Forest, met with a Peruvian biologist in Brussels, I began to see trees as systems to food, job creation, social inequality,” Sarah said. Nationalism is the big culprit here—while ‘think, act local’ proves sustainable, emissions stretch further.
Many suffer our wealths’ consequences… So long we separate, ignore the beauty of one planet, it will separate us forever. Thus let us compensate the balance where needed most, restoring bridges to the poor for everyone’s sake.
Go Forest's technology, satellite imagery is going to map your impact in places where change, gratitude are greatest—projects such as Madagascar opened Sarah's eyes—a fresh perspective for us to gain.
☎️ “Destiny is calling”
No matter your background, change is always around the corner. “I know many people groping in the dark, hoping to catch a business idea that suits them,” Sarah added, “however life’s opportunities don’t always hide—sometimes they come to haunt you when the timing’s just right.”
Not that long ago, I was selling ergonomic solutions to office workers until I pondered: what will make me proud one day?, and made the switch. When you get to that epiphany and shout Eureka!, be prepared for a lengthy sprint.
On the outside, we notice all kinds of entrepreneurs triumphing. The back end however is one of hard, repetitive work, faking it until you make it. Random ideas seldom persist—when you do feel that overwhelming urge, don’t ever look back.
“You have to have a lot of passion for what you do… because if you don’t, any rational person would give up.” — Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011
🌶 “Let’s spice things up”
Most of us want to make a difference, though tend to pass on the responsibility to someone ‘more appropriate’. Occasionally, Sarah would receive calls, e-mails from acquaintances asking her to deal with another world’s problem—I say a sort of ‘guilt wash’ in pursuit of a careless lifestyle. You would go out, meet people boasting about stuff, successes they acquired—but what about a sense for real impact? What if we could swap these hollow talks with actionable things?
“It is no lie we are waiting for others to solve the trouble.”
Whilst more motivational speeches, collectively feasible plans should reach our doorstep, the negative news is out there to ensure you grasp todays’ reality. It is no lie we are waiting for others to solve the trouble. Sarah strongly believes we are the change. By all means, if you’re living in cities, bring back nature into your life, on the streets. It might brighten up your environment, as well others going out for a regular run, walk—in the process don’t forget to boast about it among friends and family.
Today Go Forest is growing into a family. Besides fighting to restore mainland, they now prepare to take on oceans as well. Sarah talks about ‘degrowth’ to achieve more with less. It is clear that when forces are bundled, you act in unison, much can be achieved with little effort. No matter the industry you are in, we all have to play a creative part in safeguarding an interesting future.
“The worst advice I ever got, was that it would never work—my brother taught me otherwise.” — Sarah Parent
I hope you enjoyed this story as much Sarah and I enjoyed bringing it to life. May it spark bold actions in making our world wild again 🐆.
a wonderful inspiring story on a saturday morning 🙏🏻❤️