Nature Untold

Episode 2: One Breath At A Time with Shannon Walton


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Shannon Walton is an incredible human. She worked as an outdoor guide for many years, before entering a more traditional outdoor industry job, but now, she is the Executive Director of the Redside Foundation. Their mission is to support the health and strength of the Idaho guiding community. Shannon is more on the sober-curious side of the spectrum, going long bouts of time without substances, but not totally abstaining. She shares with us her way of coming to curiosity about her body and mind.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • What the Redside Foundation is and why Shannon got involved
  • Metaphors from rivers (and how Emily knows nothing about rivers)
  • Her 12-year guiding career and the beauty that comes with guiding
  • Why mental health, suicidal tendencies and addiction are large issues for the guiding community
  • Why she and her co-organizers worked to create the Healthy Happy Hour at the Outdoor Retailer show
  • How being sober, whether you choose to or you need to, is a very brave act
  • If the stigma around addiction is lessening and how much more work we still have to do
  • How she transitioned from guiding to a 9-5 ‘desk’ job and what recalibration came with that
  • What nutritional therapy is and why Shannon wanted to go to school for it
  • Why it is bad to eat while you’re looking at screens
  • What her relationship with alcohol is like now
  • How it is OKAY to be sober curious and to explore your mind and body with curiosity
  • Why you should give yourself foregiveness
  • Resources mentioned:

    • The Redside Foundation
    • Book: Four Arguments For The Elimination of Television
    • Catch up with Shannon:

      • Instagram
      • Trigger Warning: It is important to note that treating mental health disorders is a complex and personal topic. There are many different proven approaches to treating a disorder, all of which are valid. A vital, life-saving component for some includes medication management. Receiving treatment, of any kind, for mental health has historically been stigmatized so it is up to us to end the stigma and support those around us.

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