This Mental Health Counselor is Using Mountain Biking as Adventure Therapy

Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

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.

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