Finding Yourself in Nature: Hiking as a Path to Healing with Mike Martin

In this deeply insightful episode of Soul Sparks, host Avik Chakraborty welcomes Mike Martin, an outdoor adventure guide, mindfulness teacher, and host of Project Mindfully Outdoors Podcast. Together, they explore the transformative power of nature and how stepping outside can help us reconnect with ourselves.

Mike shares his personal journey—how hiking became his lifeline during one of the most challenging periods of his life. From battling depression and anxiety after a painful divorce to discovering clarity and healing through the wilderness, his story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to simply take a step outside.

If you’ve ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this episode is your invitation to rediscover yourself through nature.

🎧 In this episode, you'll learn:
✔️ How nature can be a tool for healing, grounding, and personal growth
✔️ Why hiking is more than just physical exercise—it's a mindfulness practice
✔️ The powerful lessons we can learn from wildlife and landscapes
✔️ How to overcome resistance and allow yourself to be fully present in nature
✔️ A simple, practical step you can take today to reconnect with yourself

About Mike Martin  

Mike Martin is an outdoor adventure guide, mindfulness teacher, and the host of the Project Mindfully Outdoors Podcast. He is passionate about using the wilderness as a tool for self-discovery and emotional healing. Through his experiences, Mike helps others find peace, clarity, and resilience in nature.

His work is rooted in the belief that hiking and outdoor exploration can lead to profound inner transformation—helping people move through life’s challenges with greater strength and awareness.

Key Takeaways:  

✅ Nature is a mirror. It reflects what we need to see and teaches us resilience, patience, and mindfulness.
✅ Movement heals. Walking and hiking activate awareness, grounding us in the present moment.
✅ Overcoming resistance is part of the journey. Facing discomfort in nature helps us face challenges in life.
✅ Wildlife teaches us valuable lessons. Mike shares a profound experience about observing a deer and how it reshaped his perspective on anxiety.
✅ Start small. Healing doesn’t require a massive adventure—just stepping outside and feeling the air, the sun, or the earth beneath your feet can be enough.
✅ You’re never truly lost. As Mike reminds us through a quote from Daniel Boone, "We may be turned around in the woods for three, five, even seven days, but we always find our way back to the path."

Connect with Mike Martin:  

🌐 Website:Project Mindfully Outdoors
🎧 Podcast:Project Mindfully Outdoors Podcast
📌 Instagram:@projectmindfullyoutdoors
📘 Facebook:Project Mindfully Outdoors

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👉 If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who needs it and drop a comment or DM me—what’s a moment in nature that changed something inside you? I’d love to hear your story!

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