Our mission is to guide people through the internal and external wilderness, cultivating a lifelong passion for learning and adventure
Adventure Recovery national Guides, Clinicians, and Coaches are skillful outdoor leaders, educators, and mentors who are highly trained and experienced in supporting individuals and groups on a journey of discovery. Each crew member holds certifications in Wilderness First Aid or higher with additional specialized certifications in specific outdoor skills, along with mental health first aid training, and the application of conscious communication skills. The AR Crew has a proven track record of helping individuals achieve their goals.
AR Crew members carry an additional profound and exceptional qualification; each of them has experienced mental health struggles and/or is in long-term recovery and has walked the path. Having overcome life's most difficult challenges provides them with a deep respect and understanding of what it truly takes to manifest change. Their ability to compassionately support others and contagious enthusiasm to live life fully are the greatest gifts AR Crew members offer. We are unflinching in this mission, to meet folks exactly where they are—to provide a nurturing space to meet and face challenges, and to learn the necessary skills to love what they do.
Our team is national and AR offers programming and leadership across the US and beyond. The crew travels to location for individuals and groups.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
TIM WALSH Founder, NATIONAL
Tim is an outdoor educator and recovery coach trainer who specializes in guiding people through the external and internal wilderness. Over the last 25 years, he has founded and led numerous programs and institutions in youth development and the addictions recovery and prevention fields. He offers individualized support for those seeking purpose and spiritual development. Tim advises and develops experiential education, adventure therapy, and substance misuse awareness programs for private schools, youth development programs, treatment centers, and national conferences. He’s a pioneer in the field of adventure-based counseling and was one of the founding team members of Mountainside Treatment Center and served as Executive Director for Newport Academy. Tim currently holds certifications in Wilderness First Aid, CPR & AED Instructor, ACA Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor and has held Instructor Trainer levels of certification in Pro-Rescuer First Aid & CPR, and Lifeguarding, Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor, BCU star 3 Sea Kayaking Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, Recovery Coach Trainer and Adventure-Based Counseling. He studies various wisdom traditions, healing rites, and practical tools from elders and practitioners from both Western and Eastern disciplines. With reverence and respect for ceremony and ritual, Tim crafts a tailored approach to the personal transformative process, creating healing experiences for individuals of all ages. When not on the river, Tim is with his family, exploring the natural world, paddling whitewater, and playing with the puppy.
JOSH FLAHERTY, LCSW Executive Director, NATIONAL
Josh is a national Adventure Recovery Lead Guide and avid outdoor educator. He brings 15+ years of experience as an executive in the entertainment industry to his expertise. Starting at William Morris Endeavor, then serving as a top manager and marketing exec at Tenth Street Entertainment, Josh managed numerous multi-platinum recording artists including Blondie, Motley Crue, Papa Roach, and Steven Tyler. Simultaneously, he created and implemented multiple integrated cross-marketing campaigns for recording albums, tours, books, and many other events with companies such as H&M, LVMH, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Paco Rabanne, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Major League Baseball, and The Smithsonian. Josh has a passion for recovery and mental health and his career and clinical expertise in the field fulfills this calling. He began as a client with Adventure Recovery in 2018 and progressed through AR’s Guide Training program. Josh is the first person in AR history to transition from client to Guide. Josh received his Master of Social Work from Fordham University and his experience and contacts in the recovery community, the entertainment industry, and corporate America inform the breadth and vision of his work with AR. As a clinician, and as Executive Director, he manages operations, staff supervision, and participates on the executive team, driving strategic growth and development.
NATE BENNICK Field Director & Senior Guide, NATIONAL
Nate is an American Mountain Guide Association Single Pitch Instructor and has worked in the mental health field since he graduated with his B.S. in Psychology from Union College. Nate is based in Colorado and travels around the world for adventure expeditions. While working in adventure-based counseling with youth, he realized the true healing power of adventure and the immeasurable gift of experiences that empower and guide us to a healthier way of living. Nate has extensive experience in wilderness therapy and youth services. Since joining Adventure Recovery, he incorporates the outdoors into every aspect of his life, always searching for the new ways to expand his skills. Through climbing, he has learned to elevate his goals, to dream bigger, and foster deeper connections. It is his passion to guide others to learn how to discover joy and realize their goals.
ROURKE WEAVER Community Relations Director, NATIONAL
Rourke has a passion for working in mental health and recovery services, driven by a core need to help others. He has 15+ years of experience in leadership positions in the treatment and recovery arena, as an activist, executive, and advocate, igniting innovative discussion around the evolution of how we manage substance use in the US. Crafting legislation and petitioning organizational stakeholders for regulation, support, and funding across the continuum, Rourke witnesses the power of community, the outdoors, and what we can do together. He has held positions as the Attorney General Appointed Co-Chair of the Recovery Workgroup, the Colorado Professional Liaison Association (Leadership Committee), Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Committee (Recovery Work Group Chair) and is an active member of the Colorado Providers Association. He has presented as a guest speaker to the Colorado Legislature, the Winter Symposium, SAMHSA Region 8, and the White House. Rourke has held positions throughout the continuum, starting at The Phoenix, where he spent eight years steering programming, opening chapters, and training staff. Realizing a passion for advocacy and a thirst for knowledge, he spent the next six years in leadership positions in the treatment sector, founding a peer-based residential treatment center, building therapeutic outdoor programs, and running sober living environments. In 2019, Rourke drafted a bill that would define ethical guidelines across the continuum and establish CARR (Colorado Agency for Recovery Residences) as the regulatory agency for sober living statewide. He participates in direct programming and works with those in, or seeking healing. In his free time, Rourke is an avid practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has a deep love of the outdoors, and enjoys time with his wonderful family, partner, pup, and the community that makes his life vibrant.
SETH GOTTLIEB Field Manager, Senior Guide, COLORADO
Seth grew up immersed in the great outdoors of Colorado partaking in backpacking, skiing, and hiking at an early age. He is an Outward Bound graduate, having completed a 28-day expedition as a young teen that laid the groundwork for nature as a teacher and guide. Seth is a Certified Wildland Firefighter and a Wilderness First Responder. In addition, he lived and worked in the Caribbean for 10 years and travels extensively. He brings his guide experience—300+ days guiding in the deserts of Utah, over 2,500 miles of trails and served as Director of Student Services at a residential treatment facility and provided mentorship as a recovery coach. Seth is empathetic, kind, and positive with a relatable understanding of adolescents, young adults, and parents. He is always up for adventure and works on developing hard and soft skills to better his life and the lives of those around him.
MAX ELDER Lead Guide, NATIONAL
Max is passionate about the outdoors and has been since he was a kid. Skating, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, and paddle boarding at a young age catapulted him to outdoor guide. Max embraces nature as a powerful tool for mental health. In addition, he loves to help others find their sense of adventure. As a member of the AR Crew, he applies his curiosity, compassion, and positivity to teach others how to find and pursue their outdoor bliss. In addition to AR Guide credentials, Max’s certifications include Level 2 Ropes Course training, Lifeguard training, CPR, DCF Med Certification, and PMT. Some favorite activities include bushcraft, rock climbing, whitewater sports, camping, and new adventures each day.
PAULA SAAF Lead Guide, EAST
Paula’s love for adventure started when she was around two and her father put her on a horse and told her to round up the cows on their ranch. She continued to ride and work on her family property until her parents moved to “town”, where she took up road biking so she could get back to her horses. The outdoors plays a vital role in her mental and physical well-being. Guiding others through their outdoor journeys is not just a profession for Paula, it's a deep-seated passion. Paula finds joy in pushing her limits through high-adrenaline sports and her infectious energy, love of sport, and positive outlook serve as catalysts, motivating others to explore and embrace their personal boundaries. In addition to AR Lead Guide credentials, Paula teaches flatwater and whitewater kayaking, SUP, and snowboarding. She is a PSUPA certified SUP Instructor trainer. She has AIARE 2 Avalanche training, ACA Swift Water Rescue, and AASI Level 1 snowboard instructor certifications. She is a climate change activist with Climate Reality and is certified in sustainable health and nutrition from The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition. Some of Paula’s favorite activities include whitewater SUP, mountain and road biking, hiking, and foraging.
KATELYN GREEN Lead Guide, EAST
Katelyn holds the firmly held belief that being sweaty, dirty, and most importantly, outside, as often as possible, leads to a happier, more fulfilling life. This conviction has existed since childhood, when Katelyn was often found barefoot, romping through the woods. She took up the sport of whitewater kayaking at age 12, which introduced her to an extensive community of likeminded individuals and set her on the path to share her passion with others. At 15, Katelyn worked with the First Descents program, which offers outdoor adventures to individuals fighting cancer and other life-altering conditions. She discovered that sharing the healing power of adventure is not only possible, it could be a lifelong career. In 2016, Katelyn attended the nationally-recognized Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College and in 2020, she graduated with a B.S. in Movement Science and Wilderness Leadership Concentration from Westfield State University. Katelyn holds certifications from the American Canoe Association in paddlesports and swiftwater rescue, and has been a certified Wilderness First Responder since 2016. In addition to kayaking, she enjoys mountain biking, ADV motorcycles, ice hockey, climbing, and spending time with her dog River. Katelyn has been part of the AR Crew since 2018 and continues to pursue a life outdoors as a person in recovery, sharing her story and experience with all who may benefit from nature’s medicine.
COLLIN SALMON Lead Guide, EAST
Collin is an advocate for outdoor conservation and education. While working as an AmeriCorps NCCC Member, he learned how to access and maintain natural spaces through stewardship. He removed invasive species, cleared trails, and planted native trees and these experiences sparked a strong desire to have a hands-on vocation in the outdoor community. After completing his service, Collin returned to Connecticut as a raft guide for a local river outfitter. Learning new skills on the river, Collin knew that being on the water would be a large part of his life. Collin's favorite activities include hiking, rafting, and immersions in nature. In addition, he’s expanding his professionalization in white water kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, rappelling, foraging, and wilderness spirituality. Collin discovered AR and recovery around the same time, and both are integral to his daily life. He upholds an attitude of gratitude with the AR Crew and loves to help others in recovery. His credentials include river guiding, NOLS Wilderness First Responder, recovery coaching and CCAR.
TIM REYNOLDS Lead Guide, NATIONAL
Tim is a professional recovery coach and adventurer with 15+ years of experience and is an AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor. He is also a master-level arborist and multiple-time New England tree climbing competition champion. Tim is an enthusiast of life and holds the goal of visiting every country once in his life (he has visited 35 so far). He is dedicated to the healing power of nature and is passionate about sharing skills such as rock climbing, whitewater rafting, river surfing, snowboarding, SUP, and fire building with others.
MAX HYMAN Guide, NATIONAL
Discovering a new life for himself after a wilderness recovery program at the age of 21, Max has devoted the last 13 years to immersing himself in nature and learning what it truly means to be free. He finds purpose and joy in backpacking and backcountry camping, meditation in movement, navigation, bushcraft, horticulture/permaculture and travel. As an active participant in the recovery community, a CCAR certified recovery coach, a former sober house manager, an AR Guide and person in long-term recovery, Max recognizes the importance of multiple pathways to healing. He experiences profound integration in the outdoors and it is his dream come true to share his experience and hope with others seeking the same type of connection. Over the past three years, he has taken up rock-climbing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, river surfing and more. He plans to continue his outdoor education in any way he can; one adventure at a time.
KATE MCGRADY Guide, EAST
Kate is passionate about the therapeutic effects of adventure in nature, and has 15+ years working in outdoor education. Before moving back to Connecticut in 2019, she worked as a counselor and director at several different organizations, such as Anderson Camps in Gypsum, Colorado, and Colorado Youth Program in Ward, both focused on outdoor education in the Rocky Mountains. In addition to being a certified whitewater rafting guide in Colorado and Utah, Kate also has experience caving, rock climbing, horseback riding, and rappelling. She spent a few years as a director of a Boys and Girls Club in Denver while serving as a middle-school math teacher. Kate graduated from the University of Connecticut with her bachelors in psychology, and is currently working towards her masters in clinical mental health counseling from Fairfield University. She applies her degree and love for adventure therapy with clients through Adventure Recovery.
KEAGHAN DUNN-RHODES Guide, WEST
As someone lucky enough to grow up in Colorado, Keaghan spent much of his childhood in the mountains skiing, backpacking, climbing, biking, and canoeing. Those early experiences lay the foundation of his life: one in which playing outside and seeking personal growth go hand in hand. Keaghan holds a B.A. in Cultural & Regional Studies, and wrote his senior thesis on the efficacy of different modalities of treatment on individuals suffering from substance abuse disorders. He is a licensed Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, and has 3+ years of direct patient care experience in the outdoor setting as a ski patroller. In addition, he spent two years working directly with adolescents in acute mental health crises at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Keaghan has worked as a wilderness therapy guide and has 150+ trail days under his belt. He is a huge proponent of the benefits of challenging oneself in the outdoors, and is an avid backcountry traveler in his off time.
SLOAN KRAKOVSKY Guide, WEST
Sloan has a lifelong passion for the outdoors that began as a child attending adventure summer camp in North Carolina, where she eventually held leadership roles leading backpacking trips. This experience laid the foundation for her profound understanding of the intersection between nature and mental health. Sloan is a seasoned mental health specialist with seven years of diverse therapeutic experience and applications. She holds an unwavering commitment to adaptability and is adept at creating sacred space for clients to experience shift. Sloan is a devoted backpacker, hiker, climber, and enjoyer of sunshine. Since moving to Colorado, Sloan seeks adventure in her own life every day, specifically with her 100-pound black lab.
JASON DENHAM Guide, WEST
Jason is an outdoors enthusiast with almost two decades of experience in wilderness settings. Jason spent 10+ years in inpatient services and wilderness programming, including holding a leadership role at SUWS of the Carolinas as a lead guide and trainer. In addition, he served at Stone Mt School, training and supervising 30 instructors. Following this, he worked at the United Methodist agency focusing on quality of life and managing developmental disabilities. Jason also has experiences in transitional living settings, guiding people in recovery to uplift mental health and wellness. He holds certifications in mental health first aid, suicide prevention, recovery coaching, Wilderness First Aid, Pilates level II, trauma-informed yoga, 200hr YTT, and has 100 hours in attachment therapy training. Currently, he’s studying the Hakomi Method, a mindful, somatic psychotherapy led by the Hakomi Institute in Boulder, Colorado. When not in the woods, Jason is a playing the piano, guitar, and writing songs.
KYLE FAHEY Guide, WEST
Kyle is a professional recovery coach and AR Guide with a passion for adventure and the healing powers of the outdoors. He fell in love with Colorado and the San Juan Mountains while earning a degree in marketing from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. He worked in sales and as a mortgage broker until his own recovery journey began. He has worked in treatment settings with an emphasis on adventure outdoors. When not working as a recovery coach and guide, Kyle can be found spending time with his wife and pups while backcountry split boarding, snowboarding, fly fishing, rafting, backpacking or mountain biking. He is a Wilderness First Responder with Swift Whitewater Rescue and AIARE 1 credentials.
LIZ DISS Guide, WEST
Liz has a lifelong passion for the outdoors, and has translated her personal and professional experiences with trauma and mental health advocacy, to her life’s work. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2006, and obtaining her Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Liz served as a Logistics Readiness Officer. Her career took her abroad to work as an event and travel coordinator for top military and civilian leaders, the State Department and other esteemed politicians from around the globe. She has acted as a liaison between foreign embassies and the United States Government, forming ties to solidify international bonds. She joined the civilian human resources world in September 2011, working with both the military and civilian populace in the workforce. Liz has since worked in defense and corporate HR to create robust programs and collaborations between veterans and employers. In 2015 she launched the first ever veteran consultation company for corporate hiring in the United States, resulting in being decorated in Sacramento Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” entrepreneurs in California in 2018. Liz is also a retired professional Ironman triathlete, ultra-runner, mountaineer, climber, also a proud representative for Ms. Veteran America. She is currently pursuing further education in trauma therapy and works placing veterans into careers at the Military Veteran.
MIMI, the Dog Emotional Support
Mimi is a special member of the AR team. As an amateur therapy dog, Mimi offers compassion and love to everyone she meets.