Mindfulness and Healing in Nature: Hiking, Meditation, and Outdoor Transformation

Mindfulness and Healing in Nature: Hiking, Meditation, and Outdoor Transformation.

In this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series, we're chatting with Mike Martin, a certified mindful hiking guide, wilderness first responder, and host of the Project Mindfully Outdoors podcast. 

Mike opens up about his journey—growing up in Michigan, facing life’s darkest moments, discovering the healing power of nature and mindfulness, blending outdoor adventure with meditation, and creating transformative experiences for himself and others.

DISCUSSION

1. Mike’s Background and Personal Journey

• Upbringing in Michigan’s downriver area.
• Childhood experiences spent outdoors, especially with his grandfather
• The healing and grounding presence of nature

2. Overcoming Personal Adversity

• Struggles with identity, homelessness, and suicidal ideation.
• Marcus Aurelius and the Stoic philosophy

3. Blending Mindfulness and Outdoor Practice

• Blending outdoor experiences with mindfulness.
• Becoming a certified hiking guide and wilderness first responder.
• Formal meditation and Native American practices.

4. Structure and Delivery of Mindful Outdoor Experiences

• Workshop formats: libraries, trails, fireside meditations
• Teaching outdoor skills (fire building, shelter, safety) as meditative practices

5. Impact on Participants

• Client breakthroughs.
• The value of group facilitation and shared experience.

6. The Power of Being Present in Nature

• The connection between being outdoors and personal transformation.
• Slowing down, unplugging, and being mindful.
• Parallels between animal survival instincts and overcoming personal anxiety.

7. The Project Mindfully Outdoors Podcast

• Themes and key takeaways from five years of podcasting

8. Mike’s Book: Groundhog’s Wisdom

• Lessons learned from the metaphor of the groundhog: introspection, decision-making, and calculated action.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Mike and his work, visit his website at https://projectmindfullyoutdoors.co/ and on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectmindfullyoutdoorspodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectmindfullyoutdoors_pc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCck25oRJ5L0UAGjWiSUyRqw

NEXT STEPS

If you enjoy podcasts devoted to outdoor adventure, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com. We welcome likes, comments, and shares.

KEYWORDS

Mike Martin, Project Mindfully Outdoors Podcast, Howard Fox, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast, PodMatch

#MikeMartin #ProjectMindfullyOutdoorsPodcast #OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast #PodMatch

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