I'm Liz Bryant, an Oklahoma native who left NBC News to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, which changed my life. I earned the trail name "Wild" because of my resemblance to Reese Witherspoon in Wild, and "By The Mile" came later after I built a Sprinter van to live and travel full-time. The name Wild By The Mile hit me as I crossed Oregon’s Bridge of the Gods, the same bridge I finished my 2,200-mile PCT hike.

As an early Solo Female Van Lifer, I gained a social following but later chose a private life. In April 2023, I bought 20 acres in Southern California’s olive and wine country to create a nature retreat with a you-pick orchard and ranch home. I’ve learned everything is teachable, and I follow my intuition, taking risks is where I feel most fulfilled.