Lessons from the Elk, the Bear, and the Snake

Back from a soul-refreshing trip to the Ozarks, Baylor Barbee shares unexpected life lessons from deep in nature—with no cell service, just mountains, silence, and a very curious dog named Bear. From the elusive elk that never showed, to a chance bear sighting, to a stranger calmly handling a snake in the middle of the road, this episode is packed with metaphors for patience, perspective, and presence.

Baylor reminds us that even when things don't go as planned, there’s value in simply showing up. Whether you're chasing goals, waiting on a breakthrough, or hoping to be in the right place at the right time—sometimes the journey gives you exactly what you need, just not how you expected.

Key Takeaways:

• You Can Do Everything Right and Still Not Get What You Expected: Sometimes it’s not your fault—it’s the season, the timing, or the environment. Focus on what you can control.

• Right Place, Right Time Requires Showing Up: “Lucky” moments are often the result of consistency. If you keep showing up, you’ll stumble into opportunities others miss.

• Your Breakthrough May Be a Few Seconds Away: Had Baylor left 5 seconds earlier or later, he would’ve missed a real-life bear crossing. Timing is everything—but you have to be in motion.

• Kindness Finds You in Strange Places: A stranger who risked handling a snake showed how doing the right thing attracts the right people—even in the middle of nowhere.

• Nature Doesn’t Lie: When you unplug, get still, and pay attention, the world around you starts speaking to the world within you.

Notable Quotes:

• “I did everything right—and still didn’t see the elk. But I had peace because I did my part.”

• “You can’t control the elk, but you can control your effort.”

• “If you show up every day, you increase your chances of being ‘in the right place at the right time.’”

• “Just by doing the right thing, the right people will come into your life.”