Jamie Baldanza shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jamie, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Most mornings on the sanctuary start with coffee first, then feeding the horses, and then a round of fetch with Josie. Once everyone is happy and settled, I grab a quick bite and dive into work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I am Jamie Baldanza, a filmmaker, photographer, and cofounder of the nonprofit Wild Lands Wild Horses. I have dedicated my life to telling the stories of America’s wild horses and giving a voice to animals who cannot speak for themselves. What makes our work unique is that it blends art, advocacy, and hands on care. We not only film and photograph wild horses to raise awareness, we also provide sanctuary for rescued mustangs and other animals. Right now I am working on a documentary about the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a wild horse herd I have been following for more than 10 years.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the moments that shaped how I see the world happened when I was a child visiting the Museum of Natural History in New York City. I remember standing in awe, surrounded by the wonders of evolution and the richness of different cultures, and feeling the first spark of understanding that the world was much bigger than me. That experience opened my eyes to the vastness of life, the interconnectedness of species and people, and planted the seed for the curiosity and compassion that guide my work today.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
In my experience, suffering taught me lessons that success never could. Success can feel validating, but it often passes quickly. Suffering, on the other hand, slowed me down and forced me to sit with pain, uncertainty, and loss. It taught me empathy, strength, and the value of small, quiet victories. Most of all, it reminded me that joy is not found in perfection or achievement, but in the simple act of continuing on, caring deeply, and finding meaning even in the hardest moments.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
My public self is both me and not me. I am happy, silly, and transparent, but I also face periods of deep depression and feelings of worthlessness. What matters most to me is showing up authentically, and I work hard to make sure the person people see online is as true to who I am as possible.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply is that animals are sentient beings who deserve a voice. Spending years with wild horses has also shown me the complexity of their social structures and the importance of family bonds within their herds. That compassion and awareness shapes the way I move through the world and fuels my work to protect them.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @thismustanglife
- Facebook: @thismustanglife
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/wildlandswildhorses
- Other:
“Run With Me” is our anthem for the wild horses, a song born from their spirit and heartbreak. You can find it on iTunes and Spotify, and every listen helps support our nonprofit, Wild Lands Wild Horses, so their voices can carry further.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1_-D9LvSqg
Image Credits
Jamie Baldanza, Deb Lee Carson.
The picture with the horse and man and myself is Senator Andy Kim, he came to the sanctuary to learn about wild horses.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
