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Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the OutdoorsAuthor: Will White
Stories from the Field: Mental Health in the Outdoors is an authoritative and enlightening podcast that explores the vast landscape of mental health therapies in outdoor settings. Hosted by seasoned mental health professional Dr. Will White, the podcast offers deep insights into outdoor therapies like Adventure Therapy, Eco-Therapy, Wilderness Therapy, and Experiential Therapy, among others. Dr. White engages with a diverse range of guests, including leading researchers, practitioners, authors, executive directors, guide staff, mental health clinicians, and critics, helping to shed light on the nuances of these unique therapy practices. In addition to exploring the modern implications of these evolving therapeutic modalities, he delves into their rich history, providing a holistic perspective for listeners. With over 30 years of experience at the juncture of mental health and outdoor environments, Dr. White's expertise is unparalleled. As a co-founder of the pioneering Summit Achievement, an adventure therapy program based in Maine, he has been a guiding force in the field since the 1990s. His scholarly contributions include the book "Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy" and a chapter in "Adventure Therapy: Theories, Research, and Practice." His doctorate work, "Stories from the Elders: Chronicles and Narratives from the Early Years of Wilderness Therapy," traced the origins and evolution of this specialized field. To connect with Dr. White, visit storiesfromthefield.com. Listen to this immersive podcast to understand the power and potential of outdoor therapies in addressing mental health concerns. Language: en Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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292: The Anti-Program Approach: Belay Life's Immersive Adventure Model
Episode 292
Tuesday, 25 November, 2025
What happens when a wilderness guide, therapist, and seasoned mentor decides that traditional treatment programs no longer fit the needs of young adults? In this episode, Will speaks with Andrew "Chappy" Chapman, an innovator who has blended decades of guiding, wilderness therapy work, and young adult mentoring into something entirely new: Belay Life's one-to-one immersive adventure model. Chappy traces his path from SUWS of Idaho to the early days of True North Wilderness Program and later to New Summit Academy in Costa Rica, each step shaping his understanding of how young adults learn, struggle, and change. When the pandemic disrupted his college mentoring work, a single student invitation to Hawai'i became the catalyst for creating a more individualized, adventure-based alternative. Chappy explains how one of his earliest clients described Belay Life as "the anti-program program," capturing its fully customized structure, privilege-from-day-one design, and emphasis on intentional daily living. Will and Chappy explore who this immersive model is best suited for, how it overlaps with but stands apart from wilderness therapy, and why families and young adults are increasingly seeking personalized, experiential approaches to growth. Belay Life website is https://belaylife.com/ This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute (wmai.org), offering adventure inspired retreats for men.
