Who is That Girl Amber?
I was eight years old when trauma introduced me to my Human Hangover®. That moment gave birth to a map inside of me, called the Inner Landscape™ map. This map became my closest friend, greatest guide, and produced some of the most powerful healing I’ve ever experienced in my forty years on earth.
As I navigated childhood trauma and undiagnosed autism, nature started talking back to me. A root would trip me on a walk and suddenly remind me of a rooted belief interfering in my life. An eagle would swoop over, and help me see the higher perspective. The wisdom in the natural world around me started communicating back, and it was actually helping!
Then 2020 turned my world inside out. With past and present traumas resurfacing, and my autistic mask failing, I needed help. There was a major shortage in therapists at the time, so I went inward for help once more.
I went back to the map that helped me through heavy emotions as a child; but this time something was different. As I grew older, the meanings behind the map had also grown. I was seeing the map with totally new eyes. I spent the next six years implementing my old healing techniques with nature, and again the natural world answered back.
Inner Landscape™
Welcome to the map of you. The Inner Landscape™ Map is a symbolic language & game that connects your mind, body, and spirit. It forms an inner world to explore all the pieces that form your outer reality. Remember your human nature®by re-membering the pieces of yourself that got lost along the path of life. In this map, you are the main character. You are the map.
- Mental Health
- Physical Balance
- Spiritual Strength
Restaurant & Bar
Since 2017 my partner Libby and I have been working towards an experience of whole health at our restaurant and bar BODEGA in downtown Marquette, Michigan. Come experience our version of healthy balance, explore local food & drink, browse exclusive MichCamo® merch and connect with good people looking for a hearty good time. We love local made fresh. Cheers, eh!
- Local Food
- Local Drink
- Sustainability
Nature nurtured me...
The birds came in flocks, and the Owls taught me to Observe With Love™. I used art as therapy, nature as medicine, and my Inner Landscape™ map as navigation.
Without changing my (horrible) diet I lost 80lbs, turned my liver around, lowered my blood pressure, and the lump in my throat disappeared completely. My autistic traits saw a massive improvement, my social skills strengthened because I felt safe in my body again, and pretty much every area of my life changed for the better.
I want to give the opportunity of a full life to everyone! I didn’t have the safety, love, and care I needed as a child, and I want to do everything in my power to help shift that for the coming generations.
I’m not an expert, nor a doctor or healthcare specialist, and hold no degrees or certifications. I don’t know very much about the world, I grew up in a very sheltered and religious home, dissociated my way through school, and dropped out of college as soon as I could. I’m just a human with an experience to share. I hope you have fun on the adventure of finding you. Thanks for being here.
– AmBear
(Amber Johnston – That Girl Amber)
2020 Challenges
Our kitchen at Bodega was too small to keep up with the takeout orders of 2020. So we decided to remove three of our dining tables and replaced that space with MichCamo® merch.
Brand Growth
The brand exploded and we tried desperately to keep up while navigating a new world after 2020. I was in the middle of healing, so my designs and brand grew alongside my own personal growth.
Mental Health
Now I share the tools, designs, and information that helped me along my way while celebrating the natural spaces that helped me find my why. MichCamo® merch for mental health.
PROFITS HELP FUND MY MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT
Human Hangover®
Now in 40+ countries
Inner Landscape™
The map of your inner world
Emotional Body Language™
Map your body's emotions
Experience + Nature
For as long as I can remember, nature has been my guide. I could hear the trees whispering, the water begging and the Owls sharing their wisdom. In 2018 the Owls started visiting me again, consistently. We spent the next seven years collaborating on MichCamo® designs and ways to share my Inner Landscape™ map. I believe our inner wisdom is brought to light when we search for that light in the natural world. Thank you mother earth for your guidance, and thank you winged ones for your wisdom.
Michigan Local
Dog Mom
LGBTQIA+
Hammock Lover
Mocktail Queen
National Geographic®
Join National Geographic® as they journey through the Upper Peninsula with photographer Michael George in Marquette,Copper Harbor, and Isle Royale National Park. Explore the interactive map of theUpper Peninsula, or watch the film here. Special thanks to Nat Geo®, Michael George, Brother Films, and Pure Michigan for this unique opportunity to share what we love most about this amazing place.
That Girl Amber FAQs
Who does the design work?
Who does the design work?
All artwork, patterns, designs, and animal photos are done by Amber. Working in marketing and design for small businesses and fortune 500 companies; Amber has had a vast experience with the business and design world. These experiences have helped her grow MichCamo® and Human Hangover® to what they are today.
Where did you learn this?
Where did you learn this?
Amber quickly dropped out of Northern Michigan University in her first semester and chose the experiential school of life instead of college. She started teaching herself design software at age eight and always listened to nature for wisdom. The Human Hangover® course work came from pure necessity in trying to navigate childhood trauma and undiagnosed autism as a kid. Amber still finds guidance from the natural world and wildlife within it.
Are you from Michigan?
Are you from Michigan?
Amber's family moved from below the bridge to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when she was six years old. Her father was a celebrated veteran and Michigan State Police officer and her mother ran a christian daycare. Born downstate in Ypsilanti, Amber sees the UP as her home now and the place she feels closest to nature.
What inspires you?
What inspires you?
For most of Amber's life, trauma fueled her creative drive and business ventures. With an intense need for distraction from the pain, she took to drawing and creating in order to drown out the emotional noise. Now she uses creativity to find the inspiration in life. To take time and appreciate the shapes and movements of the animals and birds. To get to know the personality of each location. Creativity is fueled by emotion, but now that emotional bucket is full of love, joy, gratefulness and hope.