Coyote Peterson, Emmy Award-winning adventurer and renowned wildlife expert, discovered his passion for nature as a child exploring the woods behind his home in Newbury, Ohio. One sweltering summer evening, knee-deep in mud, the young explorer faced off against a massive snapping turtle he nicknamed “The Dragon.”
In a surge of adrenaline-fueled curiosity, Peterson plunged his arms into the water and hoisted the reptile's shell. Boy versus beast, he emerged victorious, releasing the creature unharmed back into the murky depths. This was just one of hundreds of species he encountered in those formative years.
When not wading streams or trekking forests, Peterson devoured TV shows like Steve Irwin's Crocodile Hunter and library classics such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Misty of Chincoteague. These childhood moments shaped the trajectory of his extraordinary life.
In his book Brave Adventures: Wild Animals in a Wild World, Peterson reflects: “There are times in your life when time splits into 'before this' and 'after this' parts.” That snapping turtle encounter confirmed his destiny: blending animals and adventure.
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Today, Peterson stars in Brave Wilderness, a YouTube powerhouse with over 1.1 billion views and 7.4 million subscribers. Each episode delivers thrilling up-close animal encounters, where Peterson endures stings, bites, kicks, and barbs from wildlife worldwide. But success wasn't solo—it started in college with business partner Mark Laivins, director and producer of Brave Wilderness.
The partners share the six keys to their triumph:
1. Perfect your concept while keeping your day job.
In college, they sharpened screenwriting and filmmaking skills, mastering narrative and cinematic techniques central to Brave Wilderness. Over six years, they refined their vision, filming and editing extensively—all while holding full-time jobs.
“Our bosses gave us flexibility for filming trips and meetings during vacations,” Laivins recalls, dubbing it “Plan B to get to Plan A.”
2. Anticipate change and seize unexpected opportunities.
Originally eyeing an independent film, the 2008 downturn shifted plans. TV was next, but digital media—discovered by chance—proved pivotal.
“We're thrilled it happened accidentally; it's why we're thriving,” Peterson says. Kids today stream YouTube on iPads, not cable.
3. Leverage your unique strengths and skills (even unusual ones).
Peterson never planned to be on camera. “Developing an animal show, you dream of the perfect host,” he notes. His rare ability to handle wildlife, paired with charisma and storytelling flair, defined the show. Laivins directs from behind the lens, while wildlife biologist Mario Aldecoa joined as the first full-timer, bolstering the growing team.
4. Streamline processes without sacrificing quality.
To captivate the “Coyote Pack,” they release two narrative-driven episodes weekly. In Costa Rica, they shot 18 videos in 10 days—full stories with beginnings, middles, and ends.
“These aren't vlogs; each gets music, voiceover, effects, and color grading like a feature film,” Laivins explains.
5. Replicate epic storytelling and build a culture.
Inspired by Spielberg and Lucas, they craft immersive worlds. “They built cultures around franchises,” Laivins says. YouTube fosters direct fan engagement, nurturing a shared community.
6. Surround yourself with shared vision and passion.
Defying advice against partnering with friends, their bond fuels Brave Wilderness. “We started as friends with a dream: travel, educate on wildlife, and promote conservation,” Peterson says. Persistence triumphs: “'No' doesn't mean impossible. Keep pushing—it leads somewhere great.”
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Photos courtesy of Wilderness Productions
