284: Nature-Based Mental Health: The LifeWays Approach

In this episode, Will sits down with Chris Brown, founder of the LifeWays Wilderness Institute in Durango, Colorado. Lifeways offers a unique blend of outpatient therapy and guided outdoor experiences—from rock climbing and backpacking to family retreats and professional trainings—all rooted in the “four rooms” model of mind, body, heart, and soul. Chris shares how his team is expanding access by partnering with nonprofits, providing grant-funded programs for teens, and accepting Medicaid and major insurers to reduce barriers to care. He also reflects on why shorter, voluntary wilderness experiences can be transformative—helping young people build resilience, practice healthy conflict, and connect more deeply to themselves, their community, and the natural world. We are supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute- wmai.org. which is our hosts coaching and retreat practice.  

In this episode, Will welcomes back Nathan Olsen—winner of the latest season of Alone. Nathan’s roots in wilderness survival run deep: his father, Larry Dean Olsen, was a pioneer in the early years of wilderness therapy, and Nathan grew up immersed in the outdoors through helping out at the Anasazi Foundation and other wilderness programs. We explore his journey in South Africa’s Great Karoo Desert, how a lifetime of “dirt time” in wilderness therapy shaped his survival skills, and the reflections on family, purpose, and the changing field of wilderness therapy. Nathan also shares how research continues to prove its effectiveness and how his work co-founding BestNotes supports behavioral healthcare providers, underscoring why time in nature remains such a powerful catalyst for resilience, healing, and transformation. Nathan Olsen was previously on episode 9 of Stories from the Field, Nov. 1 2018. You can find that episode here-https://storiesfromthefield.libsyn.com/nathan-olson-ceo-of-bestnotes or any podcast platform.  Learn more at White Mountain Adventure Institute about Will White's coaching practice- wmai.org.  

In this episode, Will reconnects with his friend Chris Robbins, founder of Soul Degree men’s retreats and husband of bestselling author Mel Robbins. Chris shares his journey from corporate burnout to creating outdoor retreats where men come together to heal, connect, and reset. Having attended two Soul Degree retreats himself, Will describes the impact of hiking, fire pits, and time in nature—experiences that inspired him to launch his own retreats for men at White Mountain Adventure Institute. The conversation also explores the global success of The Let Them Theory, written by Mel Robbins with their daughter Sawyer, and how its message overlaps with Chris’s work. Just as the book encourages readers to release control, Soul Degree reminds men that while people may care, nature doesn’t—it simply provides the space for real transformation. Learn more at White Mountain Adventure Institute- wmai.org. Check out Chris's previous conversation with Will- episode 217 of this podcast- Nature's Therapy: Unveiling Soul Degree's Power in Men's Wellness with Chris Robbins  

In this episode, Will speaks with Jason Denham, founder of Awakened Shadow Coaching, about his two decades of work with boys, men and other genders in behavioral healthcare including wilderness therapy, transitional living, and recovery support. Jason shares how outdoor experiences—from simple games in the woods to long days on trail—create unique openings for boys and men to express themselves, build resilience, and form meaningful connections. Drawing on his own recovery journey and his coaching practice rooted in Jungian shadow work and mindful somatic practices, Jason reflects on both the transformative power and the ongoing challenges of outdoor-based behavioral healthcare. Our host Will White's men's coaching and retreats website is wmai.org. Our guest Jason Denham's website is https://awakenedshadow.com/

In this compelling follow-up to Episode 98, Enzo Narciso returns to Stories from the Field to reflect on his transformation since first sharing his journey in 2020. A former wilderness therapy client who overcame addiction and a near-fatal overdose, Enzo now mentors young men transitioning home from treatment through his program, Life Strategies. He speaks candidly about the lasting impact of wilderness therapy—both its challenges and its gifts—including the controversial practice of being transported to treatment. Enzo unpacks how time in nature laid the foundation for his emotional awareness, mindfulness practice, and sense of purpose. Now pursuing a graduate degree in addiction counseling, Enzo shares insights for parents, educators, and professionals supporting boys and young men struggling with confidence, direction, and emotional growth. Whether you're an advocate or a skeptic of wilderness therapy, Enzo’s grounded and thoughtful perspective offers a valuable lens into how healing can begin—often in the most unexpected places. Will White's men's coaching and retreats website is wmai.org.  

In this insightful episode Will talks with Dr. Jack Hinman, co-founder and executive director of Engage Transitions, shares his personal path from a chaotic childhood in Memphis to launching a young adult transition program in the red rock and pine-covered terrain of Cedar City, Utah. Engage Transitions supports young adults facing anxiety, depression, executive functioning struggles, and social isolation—many of whom are also neurodivergent. Jack opens up about his own healing journey through friendship, therapy, and the outdoors, and offers a powerful reminder to parents: anxiety is not something to eliminate but a necessary part of growth. He challenges the cultural instinct to remove discomfort, noting how overprotection from the physical world—and underprotection from the online one—may be delaying critical development in young adults. Jack passionately explores how time outside—on a mountain bike trail, in the snow, or simply hiking—can unlock self-confidence, connection, and emotional regulation. He believes that unstructured outdoor play builds resilience and identity, especially for young men struggling with motivation or vulnerability. Movement-based activities create opportunities for co-regulation, mirror therapy modalities like EMDR, and offer a space where conversations can flow more naturally than in a clinical office. Jack emphasizes that mastery of the outdoor environment, whether navigating rocky terrain or managing ski gear in cold weather, helps young people begin to feel mastery over themselves. In a world where many young adults are lost in digital disconnection, nature can be the place they finally begin to grow. Stories from the Field is undwritten by White Mountain Adventure Institute: https://www.wmai.org/

In this episode Will speaks with Jeff Holloway, a veteran social worker and therapeutic consultant from Lumos Strategies with decades of experience in therapeutic programs for youth. Jeff shares his decades-long journey through the evolving landscape of outdoor behavioral healthcare, from his early days working in residential care to helping launch the trauma-informed wilderness therapy program First Light. Drawing from his time in roles ranging from foster care to executive leadership, Jeff reflects on how outdoor programs have shifted from rigid models to more relational, integrative approaches that prioritize safety, engagement, and connection—especially for boys. He discusses how therapeutic breakthroughs often happen not in an office, but during moments like catching crawdads in a creek or pitching a tent in the rain. With warmth and wisdom, Jeff explains why wilderness therapy—done ethically and thoughtfully—still holds powerful potential to build resilience in young people and restore meaningful family connection. Jeff Holloway's consulting practice can be found at - https://lumosstrategies.com/ Will White's men's coaching and retreats website is wmai.org.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Will is joined by parent coach Beth Hillman, a mother of five sons whose life was turned upside down when one of her teenagers spiraled into substance use and crisis. Beth shares the raw and emotional journey her family experienced—from the shame and fear of not knowing what was happening, to the decision to send her son to wilderness therapy, and ultimately, to her own transformation through emotional work and coaching. Beth opens up about how letting go of control, embracing vulnerability, and learning to hold boundaries with compassion helped her reconnect with her son and herself. This episode offers invaluable insights and hope for parents navigating similar struggles—and reminds us that healing often begins with the parent. Beth’s website is- https://bethhillmancoaching.com/ Stories from the Field is undwritten by https://www.wmai.org/

In this episode, Will is joined by Chris Blankenship, founder of Autism Learning Lab and former wilderness therapy psychotherapist. Chris shares how years in the field led him to recognize a growing number of young men arriving in treatment with undiagnosed autism—often masked by anxiety, depression, or substance use. He explains how his work at the Autism Learning Lab now supports adolescents and young adults through individualized coaching, family retreats, and outdoor-based interventions. Chris discusses how the outdoors offers a powerful setting for building awareness, confidence, and emotional regulation, especially for neurodivergent youth. He shares compelling stories, including how nature-based experiences helped one young man shift from isolation and addiction to greater self-understanding. This episode offers practical insights for parents who suspect their son may be on the autism spectrum and are looking for holistic, nature-informed ways to support him. The Autism Learning Lab website is: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Will White's men's coaching and retreats website is wmai.org.

In this powerful episode Will welcomes Nick Mann—Marine Corps veteran, former wilderness therapy program director, and founder of Dad’s Project—for an honest and inspiring conversation about the mental health challenges men and boys face today. Nick shares his journey from military service to working in wilderness therapy and now coaching fathers, highlighting how leadership, emotional presence, and outdoor experiences can help men reconnect with their purpose. Together, Will and Nick dive into why boys and men are increasingly disconnected from nature and community, and how rites of passage in outdoor settings can play a vital role in mental well-being. Nick opens up about leaving a high-demand leadership role in wilderness therapy to be more present for his daughter, reflecting on how modern fatherhood often means navigating the tension between providing financially and being emotionally available. He and Will explore why men often resist therapy but may be more open to coaching, and why building intentional male support networks is essential to combating isolation and depression. With warmth, wisdom, and vulnerability, this episode sets the tone for a season focused on men’s mental health and the healing power of the outdoors. Nick’s podcast link on Apple Podcast is: https://podcasts.apple.com/gr/podcast/the-dads-project-podcast/id1794615330 Stories from the Field is supported by WMAI.org We are now on Youtube so check us out there:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkYx-8fTbZg&list=PL-RD5KVsxmkwqzjuhyghJGve6Uv7ikkGl