Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors

In this episode, we celebrate the 20th Wilderness Therapy Symposium by speaking with two key figures in the field. Our guests are Rob Meltzer, educational consultant and founder of the Wilderness Therapy Symposium, and Cristina Picozzi, executive director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council.

We start by delving into Rob's journey and inspiration for creating the Wilderness Therapy Symposium, highlighting the inspiration for starting the symposium and how it almost ended in its early years. Rob shares the symposium's history, including a conversation with one of the early keynote speakers, Bessel van der Kolk, author of "The Body Keeps the Score." He also reflects on the significant evolution of the Symposium over the past two decades and hopes for the future of the Symposium. He also reflects on the significant evolution of the Symposium over the past two decades and hopes for the future of the symposium.

We then shift our focus to Cristina Picozzi, discussing her role in running the Symposium and leading the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council. Cristina delves into this year's Symposium including the keynote speaker and pre-conference topics. She also provides this year's Symposium's efforts to enhance best practices, research, and collaborations.

The episode is both a celebration of the Wilderness Therapy Symposium's milestone and discusses the ongoing evolution of outdoor behavioral health. It provides valuable insights for mental health professionals, educators, and anyone interested in the potent intersection of the outdoors and mental health. Tune in to explore the transformative power of the outdoors and the vital work in this innovative therapeutic field.

Check out more about the Wilderness Therapy Symposium check out the OBH Council webpage.

In the celebratory 200th episode of Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors, guest host Jake Weld catches up with the podcast's creator, Dr. Will White, who reflects on the transformative changes witnessed in outdoor therapies in the last 200 episodes. Will sees the field in a transformative era, with more acceptance of outdoor therapy's impact on mental health. However, he also notes a contraction in segments due to controversies surrounding adolescent programs that enroll students via transport.

Will analyzes the popularity and reach of the podcast, noting that the most downloaded episodes focus on controversies, research, and change within wilderness therapy. He explains this led to the rebranding of the podcast from "Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy" to "Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors," aiming to better reflect the diverse stories and topics discussed.

In the discussion, Will shares insights about varying perspectives on wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, and outdoor behavioral healthcare, all underscored by recent Google search trends. He emphasizes the need for mental health practitioners to incorporate outdoor therapy into their treatment approaches, justifying the podcast's name evolution.

Looking to the future, Will reveals that the next season will focus on treating anxiety in different settings. Upcoming special episodes include celebrating the 20th Wilderness Therapy Symposium and announcing a new outdoor mental health treatment program. For his personal journey, Will is investing his time in advocating for outdoor therapy integration, supervising younger mental health practitioners, and working on a new podcast about anxiety titled "Fearless."

In this week's episode, we have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Hilary McCloy, an esteemed Physical Therapist, a former member of the US Ski Team, and a remarkable athlete. Hilary shares her journey into high-risk sports, including being one of the best skiers in the world at the tender age of 15. She shares the inspiring story of achieving her dream of being named a member of the US Ski Team while, in the same week, facing a rare degenerative disease diagnosis. Her resilience and determination in the face of adversity are genuinely remarkable.

During the episode, Hilary not only delves into her journey of overcoming obstacles but also sheds light on the impact of high-risk adventure on mental health. As someone who has experienced the demanding world of competitive skiing, Hilary shares her insights into the psychological toll that comes with pushing oneself to the limits. Her perspective offers valuable insights into the mental health challenges faced by athletes and adventurers alike.

As a Physical Therapist, Hilary brings a unique perspective to her own recovery and rehabilitation, highlighting the importance of holistic care for both the body and mind. Her experiences as an athlete and healthcare professional lend depth to her understanding of the human body and the intricacies of the healing process.

Dr. Hilary McCloy's episode is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Her story inspires anyone facing challenges in their own lives, reminding us that with the right mindset and unwavering spirit, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. Furthermore, her insights into the impact of high-risk adventure on mental health provide valuable perspectives and raise awareness about the importance of holistic well-being. Tune in to this episode for an uplifting and enlightening conversation with a truly extraordinary individual.

Dr. Hilary McLoy's bio from her website: https://www.hilarymccloy.com/

Hilary received her doctoral degree from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA and a BA from the University of Vermont. Hilary was a member of the US Alpine ski team for five years. She now resides in the White Mountains of NH - finding joy in the outdoors through running, hiking, back country skiing and biking.

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In this episode, we hear from Ken Wylie, author, speaker, facilitator, and former professional backcountry ski guide and mountaineer. Ken's book "Buried" is a profound memoir about a 2003 tragedy where an avalanche killed seven backcountry skiers in Canada when Ken was a ski guide. The book explores the mountaineering community's intricate relationships and the personal decisions that led to a tragic event. It serves as a testament to the peace from accepting responsibility and personal growth from understanding, promoting introspection on accountability, and inspiring hope for life's challenges. It chronicles the mental health impacts of a tragic high-risk adventure expedition and how recovery can happen.

Ken shares his journey of writing and sharing "Buried" and how he became involved in high-risk adventuring at a young age. He dives into how adventure can amplify what we bring out into the field and how one can heal through experiences of adventure and stillness. He introduces Archetypal, his revolutionary training program aimed at managing human hazards, reflecting his dedication to fostering personal growth and stronger connections.

Ken's journey is a testament to the transformative power of understanding and responsibility. Tune in and let his inspiring narrative provoke thought, kindle hope, and inspire you to navigate your own life's adventures.

Ken's Bio from Archetypal: Ken has been a life long adventurer. He has climbed high and difficult terrain, and has witnessed profound consequence. These experiences underpin his nuanced perspective on human hazard management. His adventures compelled him to go deeper inside, to face his own frailty and find his greatest strengths. He has come to understand that heroes don't just do amazing things, they allow their experiences to change them so that they come home and better serve others. He has facilitated journeys of transformation through exposure to risk for himself and others for thirty nine years. Ardently walking the path himself, and helping those he leads. He recognizes that adventure is critical in today's society because it is real and has authentic consequence. This is a stage for us to learn to be authentic in order to manage the situations in which we find ourselves. This process builds better people, communities and a better society.

In this special episode, we have a conversation with Dean Reynolds, the founder and executive director of Seeds Wilderness Therapy, located in Colorado. Seeds Wilderness Therapy is a Christian-based wilderness therapy program that started during the pandemic. Dean talks about his journey to Christianity after a terrible motorcycle accident and how he decided to serve others, leading him to the wilderness field. He shares his experience of working at various wilderness therapy programs in different parts of the country and discovering that expressing his Christian beliefs were not accepted. Dean's encounters in the field encouraged him to start a Christian-based program, which led to the establishment of Seeds Wilderness Therapy. Dean explains how the program functions, the philosophy and programming model, and how the program incorporates Christianity into a nomadic wilderness therapy program.

Dean's bio from the Seeds Website-

With over 10 years of working with youth at risk in wilderness settings, I am a firm believer in the power of restoration in an individual's life through wilderness counseling. When a person is away from the distractions of everyday life, he/she can move inward and begin the work of healing. This renewal process is possible when the individual allows the purpose and hope of God to replace negative coping patterns. With this mindset, I started Seeds Wilderness Therapy, where individuals will meet with God to renew and restore their lives and be productive members of their family.

In this engaging podcast episode, we converse with the acclaimed Director of Photography and Filmmaker, Thom Pollard. Known for his adventurous expeditions to some of the planet's most isolated spots, from the mystic Easter Island to the challenging summit of Mount Everest, Thom provides deep insights into his adventurous life. His thrilling high-risk exploits have changed his outlook on life and significantly shaped his mental health. Thom's numerous treks to the daunting heights of Everest have broadened his mindset, shaping his life philosophies and instilling a palpable sense of energy in him.

Delving deeper into the discussion, Thom elucidates how his ventures into high-risk territories forced him to step out of his comfort zone and helped him understand life's essentials. The intriguing aspect of adventure is its potential to direct individuals toward recognizing what is truly significant in life. Thom also unravels his personal experiences with near-death situations, discussing their profound effect on his perspective on existence. Such experiences have shaped his worldview and made him more aware of the varied ways high-risk adventure can impact mental health.

Thom's Bio from the Eyes Open website:

Thom Pollard of EYES OPEN PRODUCTIONS is an award-winning Director of Photography and Filmmaker who has filmed from Easter Island to the summit of Mount Everest and everything in between. His films and camera work have won numerous television, film and production awards, including an Emmy for (Orphan Orca/PBS), finalist of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for best cinematography (Lost on Everest/BBC) as well as a Silver Telly in the Nature/Wildlife category for his camera work on a Mako shark documentary (Monster Fish). His photographs have appeared in dozens of books and languages worldwide, as well as in numerous publications, including National Geographic Magazine.

Thom is an experienced public speaker, thrilling audiences around the world with his tales of adventure, using his brilliant photographs and films. He is said to have the "It" factor. His presentations create powerful impressions for schools, businesses and annual events.

Thom has filmed four Everest documentaries spanning two decades, for PBS, the BBC, National Geographic and Sony.

In this special episode, we dive into the sudden closure of SUWS of the Carolinas by Acadia Healthcare and the impact it had on families, employees, and the field as a whole. Our guest, Kevin Green, shares his experience with the program, as his son was attending SUWS when they received the shocking news of its closure. Kevin explains how his son was making progress in the program after participating in SUWS for eleven days and how his family had to quickly find an alternative placement after receiving a phone call that the program was closing on a Friday afternoon. He goes on to reveal the process he and his wife went through and the emotional toll the abrupt closure had on them and their son. Kevin also discusses the support he received from the SUWS of the Carolinas staff while expressing his frustration in dealing with Acadia Healthcare. This multi-billion dollar behavioral health company owned and operated the SUWs but did little to assist Kevin during the closure process. This special episode sheds light on the impact of sudden program closures on families and how behavioral healthcare can do a better job in this challenging process.

In this episode, we talk with Majka Burhardt, a professional climber, social entrepreneur, author, mother of twins, filmmaker, and so much more. Majka has just written a new book titled, "More: Life on the Edge of Adventure and Motherhood," which is an intense and authentic memoir written in a unique style that combines letters to her children, reflections on motherhood and daughterhood, adventure, career, marriage, and so much more.

Majka shares the story of writing "More," including the challenges of being a professional climber, digging into her family's past, and society's expectations of women pursuing a unique adventure path. She also talks about the mental health impacts of being a high-risk adventurer and how that has changed as she ages. Majka shares her journey into the outdoor field, including several pivots. She discusses the origins and purpose of the Legado Initiative, her most recent social entrepreneur project, and other organizations she has developed over the years.

Overall, Majka's story is inspiring and thought-provoking. Her dedication to her passions and ability to create meaningful connections is remarkable. You are going to enjoy this story!

Season 16 is focused on how high-risk adventure impacts mental health and is underwritten by wmai.org

Majka's bio from her website:

Majka Burhardt has a passion for creating unusual connections. As a professional climber, social entrepreneur, author, mother of twins, and filmmaker Majka has spent more than two decades leading multi-stage international ventures focused on current issues of environmental and cultural significance spanning Africa, Europe, South, and North America.

Majka is the Founder and Executive Director of Legado, an international organization that helps secure Thriving Futures for both people and the places they call home. Legado originated in 2011 during a pioneering climbing and conservation research expedition to Mozambique and is supported today by some of the world's most influential social change funders and decision-makers.

Majka is the author of More: Life at the Edge of Adventure and Motherhood (Pegasus Books '23), a Next Big Idea Club Must Read. More is an intense and emotional journey born at the confluence of motherhood, adventure, career, and marriage. Raw, candid, and galvanizing, the book is a passionate and poignant testament to the enduring power of love and our lifelong journey to understand ourselves as we strive to always pursue more.

Majka's first book Vertical Ethiopia: Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa (2008) was short‑listed for the Banff Book Award. Her second book, Coffee Story: Ethiopia, was released in August 2011 and featured by Starbucks in 2013, and re-released as a second edition in 2018.

In 2010, Majka produced Waypoint Namibia and the film was featured at international film festivals and shown on NBC's Universal Sports. Majka was nominated for an EPIC Emerging Artist Award for her work as the Executive Producer. Her 2016 film Namuli was released to acclaim at over 50 international film festivals and across the US on PBS. Namuli tells the story of Majka's climbing and conservation research Mount Namuli, Mozambique's second highest mountain and a critical target for conservation in southeast Africa— and of the origins of Legado.

As a keynote speaker, Majka addresses a diverse group of organizations and companies. Her clients have included Google, Nespresso, the Commonwealth Club, Banff Film and Book Festival, Colorado Environmental Coalition, universities and colleges throughout North America, and many others.

Her work and projects have been featured in The New York Times, The Economist, Outside Magazine, The Weather Channel, NPR and many other major international media outlets. Majka's articles have appeared in publications including Afar, Men's Health, Skiing Magazine, Backpacker, Patagonia, Alpinist, Women's Adventure, The Explorers Journal, and Climbing, where her column "Whipped," ran for six years.

Concurrent with her role as Executive Director of Legado, Majka is a professional climber and ambassador with top outdoor company Patagonia. She is an American Mountain Guides Association Rock Guide and Ice Instructor and also former two-term member of the organizations' Board of Directors. Majka is a Mulago Foundation Henry Arnhold Fellow for her work in conservation entrepreneurship, graduated from Princeton University cum laude, and received a MFA in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson Program for Writers.

Majka lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Peter Doucette, and their twin children.

In this episode, we are joined by Michael Wejchert, author of "Hidden Mountains: Survival and Reckoning After a Climb Gone Wrong." Michael's writing about adventure has been featured in various publications, including the New York Times, Adventure Journal, Climbing, Ascent, Alpinist, and more. He shares the fascinating story behind "Hidden Mountains," which recounts a harrowing climbing expedition in a remote Alaskan mountain range that took a dangerous turn, leading to a difficult rescue attempt and the high cost of survival. Our conversation includes a deep dive into several topics, including the impact of high-risk adventure on mental health, the challenges of writing about traumatic experiences, and the writing mentorship Michael received from the late Dave Roberts, a famous author and climber. We also explore the early days of Outward Bound in the United States and Michael's time with New Hampshire's Mountain Rescue Service. Don't miss this gripping and enlightening discussion with Michael Wejchert.

Season 16 is focused on how high-risk adventure impacts mental health and is underwritten by wmai.org

Michael's bio from his website:

Michael Wejchert has lived in New Hampshire for ten years. He will never leave. He's guided off and on since 2012, in between trips to Newfoundland, Alaska, Patagonia, Peru, and the Canadian Rockies, often with fellow CMG guides, including his fiancée Alexa Siegel.

He loves all forms of climbing, from sport clipping to multi-day suffer fests in the mountains. His favorite guiding days usually involve goggles, whiteouts, and cursing over a whisperlite stove. (It's all about that bivouac). He has guided 5.10, WI5, and many successful Presidential Traverses.

Michael is a certified SPI, an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, a Wilderness First Responder, has his AIARE Level II Avalanche certification, and is a board member of New Hampshire's Mountain Rescue Service.

He is an award-winning essayist who wrote for Alpinist, Appalachia, Ascent, Rock & Ice, Gripped, and The New York Times. He and Alexa live in a small off-the-grid cabin surrounded by piles of climbing gear and Alexa's filthy, mismatched socks.

Ryan DeLayna shares his life experiences and the journey that led him to co-write his memoir with his father, "Without Restraint." Ryan shares how he spent most of his academic career in therapeutic schools due to behavioral challenges where he experienced various medications and restrictive interventions, including regular physical restraints. After voluntarily committing to a psychiatric hospital, his parents were advised to place him in a group home until adulthood. However, his father began to question the authorities overseeing Ryan's care, and everything changed when they discovered Ryan's dream of becoming a professional ski mountaineer. Ryan shares the mental health impacts of high-risk adventure has been for him and the turning points in his life. He also shares how he and his father co-authored their remarkable book, "Without Restraint: How Skiing Saved My Son's Life," and how he transformed to become a well-known ski mountaineer known as "Extreme Ryan."

Season 16 is focused on how high-risk adventure impacts mental health and is underwritten by wmai.org

Here is Ryan's bio from his website: Ryan DeLena is currently studying Outdoor Education at Northern Vermont University. For years, he's posted content as "Extreme Ryan" – a nickname given to him by his father, after he became obsessed with skiing. A decade later, Ryan is believed to be the youngest person to ski tour in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, having completed expeditions in Antarctica (2018) and Svalbard (2022).

Ryan was featured on the cover of Backcountry Ski Maps, and he's climbed and skied peaks in Oregon, Washington, Utah, California, Nevada, and Wyoming, while also conquering many of the world's signature runs including Super-C Couloir in Chile, Little Couloir in Montana, and Tuckerman Ravine in New Hampshire.

When he's not on skis, Ryan is an enthusiastic rock climber, ice climber, and avid hiker, summiting the Grand Teton twice and completing the "Hundred Highest" hiking peaks in New England.

He plans to ski and rock guide professionally and has earned advanced certifications from the American Mountain Guides Association and the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

If you are unfamiliar with Ryan's struggles as a boy, here is an excerpt from Without Restraint…