Mark Aspelin

Gore

website of the writer

01 ABOUT ME

my biography

Thanks for visiting my site! As you’ve probably figured from this narcissistic website template, my name is Mark Aspelin. I’m a New Mexico-based author of over 50 blog posts and articles, as well as two highly rated books that were wildly popular among members of my immediate family:

“Profitable Conservation: Business Strategies That Boost Your Bottom Line, Protect Wildlife, and Conserve Biodiversity”
“How to Fail at Life: Lessons for the Next Generation”

My articles and interviews have been featured by GreenBiz, Inside EPA, Perceptive Travel, and the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation’s Half-Earth Project.

I have a B.S. in Biology from the University of Notre Dame, M.S. in Biology from Creighton University, and MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. I remember very little of that education today.

CAREER

my biography

My resume provides plenty of laughs for any job recruiter. I’ve worked for a wide variety of organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, The Coca-Cola Company, Intel Corporation, Molina Healthcare, Sandia National Laboratories, KPMG, Fidelity Investments, UnitedHealth Group, and The International Crane Foundation, with job titles ranging from “aviculturist”, “conservation biologist”, and “environmental programs manager” to “customer intelligence and marketing specialist”, “Health IT project manager”, and “senior clinical innovation program manager”. I’m currently a Senior Program Manager for a science and engineering R&D start-up in Albuquerque, where I attempt to corral teams of wickedly smart engineers, computer scientists, and physical scientists who enjoy talking over my head on a variety of technical topics.

I’m also a Certified Personal Trainer at a local gym, with specialist certifications in senior fitness, corrective exercise, weight loss, and fitness nutrition from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and I’m the least flexible certified Yoga Instructor (RYS-200) on the planet. To round things out, I’m also a volunteer Docent at the ABQ BioPark Zoo.

WRITING

my biography

As a nature, health, business, and travel expert, much of my writing is focused on wildlife and biodiversity conservation, health and fitness, and travel and culture – particularly for off-then beaten path destinations in New Mexico and abroad.

As a science nerd, I try to serve as an antidote to the rampant media bias that we should all be tired of seeing. I take great pains to thoroughly research what I write about, and I attempt to present multiple perspectives in the articles and books I write.

NEW MEXICO TRAVEL GUY

my biography

I’m also known as the “New Mexico Travel Guy” (www.newmexicotravelguy.com) and I’m the creator of the “New Mexico and Beyond” travel blog, featuring travel stories, advice, and photos from New Mexico, and a few places beyond.

I confess to having a travel checklist addiction problem. I’ve visited over 100 countries, all 50 U.S. States, and I’m a member of the Travelers’ Century Club, where I connect with other travel checklist addiction sufferers. My current project involves visiting EVERY town in my home state of New Mexico (there’s over 500 towns) and writing a story about each one. I’m on track to complete this project by my early-mid 100s.

When not traveling, I live as a recluse in the mountains between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Latest Works

My Books and Travel Blog

02 Personal Development

How to Fail at Life

By Mark Aspelin

Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation

Profitable Conservation

By Mark Aspelin

Travel Writing

New Mexico & Beyond

By Mark Aspelin

My Writing

Upcoming Event

Patagonia (Argentina & Chile)

February 2024

9:00pm - 6:00am

03 Testimonials

the PRESS

Praise for How to Fail at Life

“Self-help books have a tendency to be dry and boring. Not so with this one. Not only did I find this book amazingly resourceful, but witty too. Exceptionally written, Mark has a unique way of teaching life’s lessons. More than a self-help book, as I found this to be a highly enjoyable read. Thank you Mark for showing us how we can laugh at life’s mistakes and learn something too!”

Cheri Roan

verified review on Amazon.com

Praise for Profitable Conservation

“One of the most all-encompassing discussions of the mass of knowledge and activity that conservation entails this reviewer ever has read. Further, he has provided this material in a very readable form, yet supplied each chapter with a wealth of corroborative references for the interested reader to pursue further if desired. This is a book that any and every one with even a modicum of interest in the world in which we live definitely should read.”

John H. Manhold

verified review on Amazon.com

Praise for Profitable Conservation

"The diversity of nature, perfected over millions of years, provide many secrets that can be of great benefit to humans. If we lose biodiversity, we lose that potential. In a world of population increase, habitat destruction, and especially industrialized agriculture, biodiversity is the victim. Mark Aspelin's excellent presentation provides ideas about how business and biodiversity can go hand in hand."

Dr. George Archibald

Co-Founder and Senior Conservationist at The International Crane Foundation