Most people don’t leave a career in artificial intelligence to start guiding kayak tours through back Florida waterways and manatee-filled springs. But for one woman, that leap wasn’t just a change—it was a return to herself.
Meet the founder of our tours, whose story begins not on the water, but behind a desk.
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From Code to Crunch Time
Astrid Jackson’s journey started in Germany, where she earned her bachelor degree and then came to the U.S. on a scholarship, where she earned her master’s in artificial intelligence. Driven and deeply curious, she had her sights set on the fast-paced world of game development. She landed a job at Electronic Arts immediately after graduating, where the work was intense and the hours even more so.
“I couldn’t wait to finally crunch,” she says with a laugh now. “I wanted something challenging. And I got it—five and a half years of crunch time.”
But that pace wasn’t sustainable. Burnout crept in, and eventually, it became clear that something had to give.
The Search for Something More
After leaving the gaming world, she took a complete detour—starting a dog training business. “I loved working with the dogs,” she said, “but not so much with the people. They didn’t do the homework, and then they were surprised their dogs weren’t improving.”
It wasn’t long before the pull of tech drew her back in. She enrolled in a PhD program and eventually joined the Toyota Research Institute, splitting her time between working and writing her thesis. Days were packed. Nights, too.
But the deeper she went into academia and industry, the more she began to question whether the problem was tech itself—or the environments she kept finding herself in. “Tech can be an uphill battle, especially as a woman,” she admits. “You’re constantly swimming against the current just to be taken seriously.”
A New Current to Follow
Amid all the deadlines and data, something unexpected started calling to her: kayaking.
She’d always loved the water and had gone on tours before. But this time, it felt different. She began paddling more regularly, and with every stroke, she felt something shift.
“There was just so much peace in it. Every time I was out there, I thought, this would be the dream job.”
For six months, she wrestled with the decision: finish the PhD or make the leap? Finally, one day, she decided to choose the water.
“If I don’t quit and give this a real chance, I might regret it,” she told herself.
When the Universe Opens the Door
Shortly after deciding to go all-in, she reached out to a kayak outfitter she’d recently met. “Do you still need guides?” she asked.
His response? “Your timing couldn’t be better.”
He had a last-minute opening for training that he couldn’t get refunded. If she wanted it, it was hers. She took that as a sign—and never looked back.
“I went to the training and just ate it all up,” she said. “Being on the water, learning, guiding—it just felt right.”
Starting Her Own Journey—and Business
In time, she started leading more tours, became a certified instructor, and eventually opened her own business.
“I realized I’d been giving up a huge part of myself to chase titles and prestige. But that didn’t matter anymore. I was happy. That’s what mattered.”
Today, she not only leads tours but also creates space for others—guests and guides alike—to reconnect with something real.
The True Reward
Running a business hasn’t been without its challenges, but the payoff is clear.
“Just today,” she said, “someone told me, ‘Thank you for giving up your job. We’re so glad to have had you as our guide.’ That makes it all worth it.”
She’s also started mentoring and supporting her own team of guides, offering them the kind of opportunity she gave herself—not just a job, but a lifestyle rooted in presence, connection, and nature.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to admire someone who follows their dreams. But it’s even more powerful when those dreams lead to helping others—whether it’s guiding someone through the fear of paddling Snake Creek or inspiring someone else to leap toward a life they truly want.
Behind every paddle stroke on one of our tours is the heart of a woman who traded code for current, spreadsheets for salt air, and burnout for belonging.
And every time she dips her blade into the water, she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.
Want to experience it for yourself?
Join one of our small-group kayak tours and reconnect with what matters—one peaceful paddle at a time.
