Vanessa Chakour

Vanessa Chakour is an author, naturalist, and former pro-boxer who fosters intimacy with inner and outer wilds through writing, herbalism, martial arts, and land stewardship. Drawing on her vast personal experiences over two decades, she curates retreats and courses with organizations like the Jaguar Rescue Center and Project Coyote, helping students build intimacy with inner and outer wilds through creative expression and an understanding of the plants, fungi, and animals who share their ecosystems. Vanessa is the author of Awakening Artemis, a memoir told through the lens of twenty-four medicinal plants, and Earthly Bodies: Embracing Animal Nature, which delves into the parallels between human struggles and the experiences of our wild neighbors, offering insights on self-discovery and coexistence. She lives in Massachusetts where she stewards her local ecosystem, coaches boxing, and is a devoted student of nature.