Let’s Carry Some of the Load for Nate

This is hard to write.

Not because the words are complicated—but because asking for help has never been Nate Turner’s way.

Nate is one of my closest friends. We live in Austin. We’ve known each other since 2000 when we went on our first Big Bend expedition together . And when I say we’ve been through some stuff, I mean it. Miles logged. Mountains climbed. Life lived with grit, faith, and no shortcuts.

Nate is the guy who shows up.

The guy who pushes through.

The guy who doesn’t ask for help.

So please know this GoFundMe was met with real reluctance.

But here’s the reality.

Over the past few months, Nate was diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer, which spread to his bones, adrenals, and brain. What began as back pain turned into a fight no one expected—but one Nate is facing head-on.

Against overwhelming odds—just a 1–2% chance—Nate’s biopsy revealed a rare, targetable mutation. That discovery changed everything. It eliminated the need for chemotherapy and opened the door to oral targeted therapy after radiation.

That is extraordinary news.

But it doesn’t make this easy.

Radiation is ongoing, and the toll is real—fatigue, pain, nausea, and the daily challenge of staying strong enough to keep going. For Nate to withstand the treatments to get better, he needs meaningful support at home, where healing will happen.

This is why we’re asking for help.

How funds will be used

Contributions will help support Nate and Kristen with:

This is not about comfort.

This is about capacity—giving Nate’s body the support it needs to fight.

Kristen has been a steady, faithful presence through every step of this journey. They are surrounded by love, prayers, meals, rides, and an incredible community that shows up. This GoFundMe is simply another way to help carry the load—especially as this becomes a marathon, not a sprint.

If you know Nate, you know he would do this for you.

If you don’t, believe me—he’s the kind of man worth standing with.

There’s no pressure here.

Just gratitude.

If you’re able to give, thank you.

If you’re able to share, thank you.

If you’re praying, thank you.

Let’s help Nate stay strong enough to climb to the top of this mountain—together.

With gratitude,

Rip Esselstyn