Living a Life of Purpose Through Faith and Hard Work

In a world increasingly disconnected by technology and virtual experiences, it's inspiring to meet someone who dedicates their life to fostering real human connections and outdoor adventures. This week, I sat down with Nate Alder, founder of the outdoor equipment company Klymit and current CEO of Skavengerz, whose mission is to help people break free from the virtual world and enhance mental health through adventure. Nate's journey from serving a mission in Peru to becoming a successful entrepreneur illustrates how faith can guide both personal growth and professional innovation.

Nate's story is one of global exploration and spiritual dedication. Having lived across multiple continents and speaking three languages, he has consistently integrated his faith into his business ventures and personal life. What truly distinguishes him is his commitment to creating products and experiences that enhance people's lives while maintaining an eternal perspective. Through Klymit's innovative outdoor gear and now with Skavengerz’s focus on meaningful connections, Nate demonstrates how business can be a vehicle for positive change.

During our conversation, Nate shared profound insights about the power of deep scripture study, the sanctifying nature of trials, and how viewing the world through a gospel lens transforms every aspect of life. His experiences offer valuable lessons about maintaining faith through business challenges and personal trials, showing how complete trust in the Lord leads to both spiritual and professional growth. Join us as we explore how following Christ's teachings can lead to a life of purpose and meaningful impact.

Faith Through Personal Connection

Nate's spiritual journey began during his mission in Peru, where he developed not just a testimony but a deep passion for scripture study. Rather than simply reading assigned passages, he immersed himself in every verse, studying footnotes and cross-references with such dedication that he emptied a suitcase of clothes to fill it with church books. This intensive approach to gospel learning would later influence his entire worldview.

A critical moment in Nate's life came through a chance encounter on a flight to Brazil. During the nine-hour journey, he shared the Book of Mormon with a fellow passenger, leading to a chain of events that would introduce him to his future wife, Tatiana. Initially skeptical about Mormonism, which she thought might be "some political organization," Tatiana's curiosity grew into genuine interest and eventually a powerful testimony after watching General Conference.

This personal experience of sharing the gospel exemplifies Nate's approach to both faith and business - focusing on genuine connections and meaningful impact. Throughout his career, whether developing outdoor equipment at Klymit or creating adventures through Skavengerz, his goal has remained consistent: enhancing people's lives while maintaining an eternal perspective. His business ventures reflect his belief that success comes not from titles or achievements, but from making a positive difference in others' lives.

Trials as Tools for Growth

At the young age of fifteen, Nate's patriarchal blessing revealed a profound truth about life's challenges. The blessing taught him that trials weren't simply obstacles or punishments, but opportunities for spiritual refinement. This perspective became foundational to his approach to life's difficulties and would prove crucial in navigating future challenges.

Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Nate faced numerous trials across all aspects of life - family, financial, career, and health. Rather than viewing these challenges as obstacles, he approached them as opportunities for refinement and growth. His patriarchal blessing emphasized that life's purpose isn't to avoid trials but to prepare ourselves to meet them, a principle that has guided his response to difficulties.

This approach has proven particularly valuable in his business ventures. When faced with challenges, whether in product development at Klymit or pursuing his mission with Skavengerz, Nate maintains his focus on eternal perspectives. He's learned that by putting trust in the Lord and following the "normal Sunday school answers," solutions eventually emerge. As he puts it, "In the end, we come out stronger if we just put our trust in the Lord... and try to enjoy the journey along the way."

Living Through an Eternal Lens

One of the most compelling aspects of Nate's testimony comes from his unique approach to scripture study during his mission in Peru. Instead of focusing on quantity, he dedicated himself to understanding every verse deeply, often spending hours exploring footnotes and cross-references. This thorough approach transformed his understanding of gospel principles and equipped him to address complex doctrinal questions with investigators.

A particularly powerful example of his scripture-based approach came through teaching complex doctrinal principles to investigators. His ability to address challenging questions through deep scriptural understanding demonstrated how viewing gospel principles through an eternal lens could lead to profound spiritual transformations. This approach would later influence both his business methodology and his way of navigating life's challenges.

Through these experiences, Nate developed a distinctive way of viewing both spiritual and secular matters through a gospel lens. This perspective was beautifully illustrated in his encounter with an astronaut at Cape Canaveral, where he learned how two equally intelligent individuals could look at the same evidence - the Earth from space - and reach entirely different conclusions based on their spiritual framework. This understanding has influenced how he approaches business decisions, personal relationships, and life's challenges, always seeking to maintain an eternal perspective.

A Legacy of Missionary Spirit

A defining aspect of Nate's journey is his continuous commitment to sharing the gospel. His missionary spirit extends beyond his formal service in Peru, evidenced by his practice of carrying five copies of the Book of Mormon during business travels, leading to providential experiences like meeting his future wife.

His approach to sharing the gospel emphasizes building genuine connections and understanding individual needs. This dedication has led to numerous conversion stories throughout his life, from his mission days in Peru to his current business travels, each demonstrating the power of patient, spirit-led teaching.

This same missionary mindset shapes his business approach today. Through Skavengerz, he applies these principles of connection and dedication to help others break free from isolation, creating experiences that foster both personal growth and spiritual awareness.

Business with Eternal Purpose

Nate's approach to business transcends conventional metrics of success. By viewing leadership through the lens of service rather than titles, he has created a distinctive business philosophy that prioritizes meaningful impact over hierarchy, leading to genuine innovations in both outdoor equipment and experiential ventures.

In developing Klymit's products and now leading Skavengerz’s mission, he applies the same thorough consideration learned from his gospel study. Each business decision is evaluated not just for its market potential, but for its ability to enhance lives and foster authentic connections.

His success in multiple ventures demonstrates that eternal principles can drive innovation and growth. Rather than hindering business achievement, his focus on deeper purpose has enabled him to create solutions that address both practical needs and spiritual well-being.

Your Divine Identity

As we reflect on Nate Alder's journey, we see how viewing life through a gospel lens transforms both personal and professional paths. From his mission in Peru to his current role helping people find meaningful connections in an increasingly virtual world, his story demonstrates the power of maintaining an eternal perspective in all endeavors.

In today's digital age, Nate's emphasis on authentic human connections carries special significance. His approach to challenges as opportunities for growth, whether in scripture study, business ventures, or personal relationships, shows how aligning our actions with gospel principles leads to lasting fulfillment and positive impact.

Each of us has the capacity to make a meaningful difference when we embrace our divine identity. Nate's example teaches us that whether in entrepreneurship, family life, or personal growth, our primary role is that of a child of God. This understanding transforms how we approach both trials and opportunities.

As we move forward, may we remember that true success comes from fulfilling our divine potential rather than achieving worldly metrics. When we align our will with God's purpose, as Nate's journey illustrates, we discover unlimited opportunities to positively influence others' lives while finding joy in our own journey.

Thank you for listening to this week’s episode of Why We Believe. If you are interested in more like this, you can check out our other blog posts and episodes here.