From Saddle to Sovereignty: Michael Ridge on Autonomy, Mentorship & the Modern World

Saddle up for an unexpected conversation with Michael Ridge — an off-the-grid traveler who has spent over a decade living on horseback and learning from the land. His journey is one of deep autonomy, resilience, and reclaiming the wisdom of natural living.

Michael shares insights from years spent navigating wild landscapes, ancestral food systems, and the limits of modern culture. Along that path, a close mentorship with one of the first Americans to undergo gender surgery offered him rare perspective on the human side of identity, choice, and the ways personal experience often diverges from public narratives.

In this wide-ranging conversation with host Mark Fitzpatrick, Michael reflects on freedom, respect for life, and the importance of thinking independently in an increasingly systemized world.

Expect grounded wisdom, humble storytelling, and a refreshingly nuanced perspective on what it means to live true — to yourself, to your values, and to the natural world.

Follow Michael’s journey and support his work:
👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/michaelridge
👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/WalkingWithWesternWildflowers/home
👉 https://www.instagram.com/stories/michaelkennedyridge