New York Times Profile “Does the persona match the man?”

This is a very accurate (and vulnerable) window into my life, as seen through the eyes of veteran New York Times reporter, Hilary Howard.
Hilary joined me on three of my foraging walks in New York City this summer as well as in the apartment I stayed in and spent many hours asking questions and discussing my outlook on life over the last 3 months. She got a fairly deep view into my life.

In this article I am labeled as a “social media influencer” which the ego left in me considers nearly an insult.

There are mentions of me potentially putting on a “media-facade” when meeting her.

It shares my struggles of communication “Awkward communications remain an issue for Greenfield, who spent his foraging year teaching the skills to others across the country.” and interactions that didn’t go too well such as one with someone who was hoping to go foraging with me: “The difference between the mild-mannered online persona — an amalgam of Henry David Thoreau and the Dude — and the aggravated guy in the back seat was upsetting.”

Included are the perspectives of critics, including one who told her: “He just loves the attention. I think he’s a covert narcissist.”

She mentions my journey into Nonviolent Communication and my work to coming into complete transparency with my past, reporting on my “past “transgressions” sexually and financially.

By now, many people that follow me I’m sure are feeling anger towards this journalist.
But not me, she sees me as the full human I was and am today and the interconnection between my struggles and gains in living in alignment in a world that makes this very hard.

“New York’s screeching car alarms, fast-talking pedestrians and Bluetooth speakers blasting reggaeton can be a lot for anyone, but especially for a nature monk.”

I’m described as “a 40-year-old who presents like a millennial Mr. Rogers” and this is truthfully part of my journey, to live in a deep state of compassion, empathy and gratitude… even though that doesn’t all come naturally to me.

“Social media is his one remaining vice. It is both the megaphone for his earth-friendly messaging and his Achilles’ heel. It’s hard, after all, to be a purist or an anti-corporate stalwart when counting “likes.””

This article is highly motivational for me.
I’m taking this an opportunity for self-examination and self-reflection.
I have broken free of much that no longer serves, but the road is long on the journey of living in alignment.

Social media and the internet is indeed my greatest vice. It is preventing me from living in full alignment. It is the wall between me and becoming “one with nature” as the New York Times says.

Changes are coming.
I will break free.

Love,
Robin

Read the article here:

He Wants to Be One With Nature. But He Can’t Quit Instagram.
Once, Robin Greenfield aspired to wealth. Now, he has no home and eats from the earth. He chronicles it all on social media, but does the persona match the man?

The article is free to read simply by entering your email and bypassing the option to sign up for a trial.

This story is one of the most extensive written pieces on my work and it is sure to generate some questions and curiosity. Perhaps some confusion and maybe some strong feelings… I’m hosting a live Ask Me Anything on Tuesday November 3rd at 6 PM ET (on my YouTube channel) to answer any questions you have after reading the story.