Martel grew up in Pennsylvania and went to school there in Philadelphia at the University of the Arts where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing for Film and Television. He has a passion for film, literature, music and performance arts. Martel’s eclectic life experiences as an alumni of the National Outdoor Leadership School, as a nursing assistant and caregiver for the sick and elderly and as a behavioral health technician and client ally at a drug and alcohol rehab center for the LGBTQ+ community in South Florida, all help to inform his approach to his work in wilderness therapy.

In the wilderness at Elements, Martel seeks more valuable life experiences, inspiration to inspire others to find joy, fun, laughter and meaning in the outdoors.

In his time off, Martel loves playing guitar in his band Zero Miles to Empty, clowning, juggling and exploring the enchanted American Southwest.