Bio

VISION: Wolfmaan is committed to increasing nature awareness by inspiring people to connect with the earth and their tribal self. This includes facilitating outdoor education, survival, and bushcraft courses, as well producing edutainment documentaries, podcasts, and how-to videos.

Many people know of Wolf because he is always barefoot. Wolf is a multi-talented instructor who teaches outdoor education and skills to a wide variety of audiences.

Wolf is a man with many talents and experiences shaped by his work experience and outdoor career.

As a young boy, Wolf spent summers working on a peach farm in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, learning traditional skills of his Polish ancestors. These experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for nature and self-sufficiency, which would later serve him well in life.

After becoming a tractor trailer driver, Wolf got to explore almost every city, state, and province in North America. With his favourite place being the homes of the historic Mountain Man. Namely Utah, Wyoming and Colorado.  He continued to travel to remote places, even after leaving his truck driving career.

Wolf spent time as community investigations officer working to deter shop theft, secure businesses after hours, and was a managing patrol officer with the worlds largest security firm at the time.

Wolfs life direction changed in 2009 when he hiked the entire 850km of the Bruce Trail completely barefoot. His life focused shifted on working as an instructor at a call centre, to serving his community and working in the wilderness.

Well schooled, Wolf has attended College for Wildlife Forestry Conservation, Police Foundations, and Recreation & Leisure services and holds dozens of certifications for outdoor education. This includes Scuba Divermaster, Wilderness First Responder, Firearms instructor, archery instructor, and many more.

With a passion for the community, and the outdoors, Wolf has worked with many outdoor education centres including being a dog sled driver at Chocpaw Exepeditions, Rock Climbing instructor at Peaks Climbing Club, Scuba Divemaster, Canoe expedition leader with Easter Seals camps, firearms instructor & range officer at Silverdale Gun Club, and various other organizations. Wolf has also taught at various prestigious schools such as the Royal Elite International Academy, Ridley College, and at various school boards around Ontario.

In 2013 Wolf started a community service school called “Barefoot Bushcraft” and has since shown the way of the wilderness to tens of thousands of individuals. Wolfs grass roots organization has grown to become a powerhouse in the outdoor industry employing several skilled individuals and delivering programming around the province. In 2022 Wolf Co-Founded Wild Nomads Forest School.

Wolf currently lives in an off grid community along the coast of Lake Erie with his team of sled dogs.

Certifications:

• Wildlife Conservation Diploma

• Recreation and Leisure Services Diploma

• Police Foundations Diploma

• PADI Open Water Scuba Diver

• PADI Advanced Scuba Diver

• PADI Rescue Diver

• PADI Divemaster training

• High Five Level I

• High Five Level II

• Wilderness First Responder

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

• Archery Instructor ( National Coaching Certification Program)

• Leave No Trace Master Educator

• Heavy Vehicle Driver (Ontario Class A, C, Z)

• Day Hike Leader

• Scouts Woodbadge

• Red Cross First Aid / CPR / HCP / AED Instructor

• ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling Level 1

• ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling Level 2

• ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling Level 3

• Private Pilots License (PPL)

Experience:

Climbing Instructor at Peaks

Corporate Trainer at Sitel

Outtripper with Easter Seals Camp 

Government of Canada

Outdoor Educator at Happy Hearts Forest School

Hike Leader for Brock Outdoors

Outdoor Educator at Heartland Forest

President of NC-Outdoor Club

Teacher at the Royal Elite International Academy

Radio Host: Barefoot Bushcraft Show on Freedomizer Radio

Scout Leader at Scouts Canada

Search and Rescue Air Spotter for Civil Air Rescue Emergency Services

Niagara District Supervisor for Group 4 Falck

Search and Rescue Ground Searcher with Search and Rescue Niagara

Adventure Guide with WolfTrek Walking Tours

Adventure Specialist with the YMCA

Head Counsellor with the YMCA

Youth Program Leader for Township of Tiny

[Click Here To Download Wolfmaan Credentials and Work Experience]

 

Wolfmaan’s Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you always barefoot?

I have gone barefoot since I was very young, and firmly believe that going without shoes allows me a deep connection with the natural world. It forces me to slow down, to be careful where I go, and pay attention to my surroundings.

I’m living proof that a westernised person can can successfully live barefoot without injury or complication.

Going barefoot is very primal, very primitive and fills me with Earth Energy.

We live in complex times. Most western people are far removed from the natural world in almost every aspect of their lives. Tom Brown Jr, states that we all need to “re-establish our connection with the earth”.

For more information on this topic, please watch the video below:

 

Every time there is a media reference to you, it’s normally focused around your feet. Why is that?

I enjoy a connection to the Earth that few people understand. I enjoy a tactile sense which few people experience on a day to day basis. Going barefoot certainly makes me different than 95% of other adventurers and travel writers out there. I certainly don’t want to be known only for going barefoot, but that uniqueness often makes for an interesting read.

You mention that being barefoot is a “primal thing”. What does that mean?

I am a very spiritual person. I studied esoteric spirituality such as Wicca for many, many years. It’s very common for Wiccans, Buddhists, and other spiritual based belief systems to go barefoot to keep their connection with the Earth Mother.

Is it a fetish thing?

I am always surprised when people ask me about this. I certainly won’t deny it feels good to be barefoot, it is not a sexual thing.

What Kind Of Music do you like?

I have a very unusual taste in music. Most people have never heard of the groups I listen to, although some are popular in Europe. I love tribal music and Didgeridoo with drumming and chanting like “Gabrielle Roth and The Mirrors“, and “Huun Huur Tu” (Mongolian Throat Music) I also love “Morcheeba” and “Tricky”. On the darker side I enjoy “Oribital”, “Enigma”, “Delerium” and even “Enya”. In the 2020s I listen to mostly Nordic music like Heilung, Wardruna, and other.