'Finding Adventure' spotlights inspiring story of Albuquerque resident

Jul. 30—Jeffrey Wasilowski moved to New Mexico to find adventure.

Yet, in January 2016, with pain and injuries plaguing his time in the outdoors, he was diagnosed with Hereditary Sensory auto-motor neuropathy.

This meant he was losing his muscles from the joints.

By 2019, the Albuquerque resident underwent a double amputation surgery on his legs, just below his knee.

Wasiloski's story caught the attention of Kinga Philipps and the travel series, "Finding Adventure."

The series — which streams on the Very Local app — will debut its third season on Tuesday, Aug. 1, with Wasiloski's story.

In episodes of "Finding Adventure," Philipps takes local residents on first-ever outdoor experiences.

"New Mexico is a mecca for outdoor recreation," Phillips says. "We have a team on the ground who helps us find the inspiring stories that need to be told. In Jeff's case, we wanted to challenge him with some outdoor recreation."

Philipps says the premise of the show is to find inspiring stories from residents around the entire country — residents that could use an awakening outdoors.

During the episode, Philipps takes Wasilowski to Elena Gallegos Open Space to ride a bike on the trails along with Corey Spoores from Mountain, Stream and Trail Adventures. Spoores takes the pair to Willow Creek Open Space in Rio Rancho, where kayaking is done. The final stop is up in Peñasco to fish along the Rio Grande.

Wasilowski grew up outside of Pittsburgh and says as a child he didn't have a strong connection to nature.

That all changed when his father died and he remembered his father crying about what he didn't get to do.

With that memory at top of mind, Wasilowski resigned from his corporate job and moved to New Mexico.

"I went overnight from being afraid of everything, to doing anything," he says.

He has slowly been making his way to trying adventures in New Mexico.

Phillips and the show is a big reason why.

"This is why the show is so special," Philipps says. "I've worked in TV for 24 years. There aren't shows on the air that are entirely happy with a positive experience."

Philipps says Wasilowski's story is one of the more unique stories that have come out of the three seasons.

"Jeff was basically living alone in life," she says. "His move to New Mexico and his story is unbelievable. We could have done an entire episode of just him and riding that bike. His refusal to fail at anything is inspiring. He never says anything is impossible. I've kept in touch with Jeff."

Philipps says with the spirit of the show being uplifting, she's often receiving messages of hope from fans.

"There are people who thank me for doing this show," she says. "These are people who have never talked about these things in their lives. By the shows being seen, it helps them feel not alone."

Philipps says the adventure series also heals people.

"We're the platform for their stories, and we're their cheerleaders," she says. "The hardest part of the series is saying goodbye to the people. Watching them go through the process is inspiring, and it becomes a catalyst in their lives. That's what makes it so relatable."

Philipps and her crew filmed two episodes over the course of five days in Albuquerque.

"Albuquerque is a place I've always loved," she says. "I got to work with an old friend as the director of photography on this. We worked together on 'Shark Week.' He was a great guide and had a chance to hang out with the locals."