If you're new to Going Wild, welcome. You've found us at the perfect time. Right now, we're

rebroadcasting the very first episode of the season. It's all about how I went from an asthmatic

teenager who had never been on a hike to the person I am today, a scientist who studies wild animals and practically lives outdoors.

I want to give you a chance to get to know me before we hit you with the season finale, which is

intense. If you've already heard this story, be sure to come back next week on November 30th to

listen to that final episode.

Okay, on to the show.

You know how there was that book that was like eat, pray, love?

You know, I feel like this would be, this, this would be the opposite of that.

It would be like illness, betrayal, you know, confusion. Ray's first trip to the field.

When I turned on my flashlight, it illuminated the tent.

I saw this shadow circling the tent.

And my heart leapt into my throat.

I'm Dr. Raywin Grant, and this is a different kind of nature show, a podcast all about the human drama of saving animals. I want to tell you my story and what it's actually like

to track bears and the sierras, chase lemurs and Madagascar, live with lions in Tanzania, and do all of that as a black female scientist.

This is Going Wild.

I have this awesome career and that's that. You know, it's like very simply, I'm super happy in my career. And this is year 16 of me being in wildlife ecology.

I mean, I traveled to six of the seven continents on this earth.

I know so much about wildlife.

And I really don't feel like I would be happy doing anything else.

And yet, it definitely wasn't always like this.

When I was a kid watching nature shows was my favorite thing to do. I mean,

...