This Mental Health Counselor is Using Mountain Biking as Adventure Therapy

Sara Hunter is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of North Carolina and a PMBIA Level 1 Mountain Bike Instructor. Her practice includes individual and couples counseling services plus mountain bike therapy and counseling for athletes and outdoor instructors. She's also a Specialized USA Ambassador. • What led you to get into counseling? • Does everyone benefit from spending time outdoors, or do you think some of us are just wired that way?  • What is Adventure Therapy? What is the idea behind it? • Is there such a thing as spending too much time outdoors? • As someone who works to address conflicts between individuals, do you have any ideas about how people can share the trail? • Sometimes I get frustrated on group rides when the rider in front of me gets in my way. Is there a way to re-frame this? • Unsolicited advice — about how to ride, or fix a bike — generally comes from a good place of wanting to help, but is there a better approach?   • What are some ways I can be more supportive of someone who is having a tough or bad ride?  • How can counseling help riders recover after an injury? • Do you have any tips for calming nerves on race day, or even before a challenging ride? • Do you have tips for reducing the risk of loneliness for athletes or travelers living the van life?  • What's the biggest benefit you get from mountain biking personally? Connect with Sara and her practice at sarahuntercounseling.com and find about upcoming workshops at her Instagram account, @mindfulmountainbike (http://mindfulmountainbike) . --- Support this podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/singletracks/suppo…