The Sun Beam

Featured Wellness Advocate at dōTERRA, Katie Hussong

Upwards

'The Need for Nature'

by Philip Hosmer, President of

Nature Worx

These days, I feel like I am exactly where I’m supposed to be, though not at all where I expected.

I am a doTERRA wellness advocate. I give people the tools, resources, and support they need to build wellness (physically, emotionally, and environmentally), and I’ve partnered with an incredible company to do that.

This kind of clarity and peace is newer (these last few years or so) to me! It’s been an interesting, winding road from backpacker, to high school Spanish teacher, to ER nurse, to health and culinary nutrition, and now here. And yet, looking back, it all makes so much sense.

A child of the 80s, I grew up with Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. My parents played us Raffi and Joni and Free to Be You and Me, and we read books like My Side of the Mountain, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and Number the Stars.

I’m a millennial. At our best, we are tech savvy digital nomads, interested in harnessing the power of the internet and social media for good. We’re collaborative, so we thrive in teams, communicate well (and often), and are generally tolerant, accepting, and celebratory of each others’ differences.

We’re innovative, connected, and resourceful, and, as global citizens, it matters to us that the work we do and businesses we support are socially conscious at every level.

I became a Spanish teacher because I love languages and learning about other cultures, and I wanted to share that with young people, to help open their minds and expand their horizons the way travel and living abroad has done for me.

From a very young age, I have gravitated to being outdoors, so much so that I simply can’t fathom how young people today seem to prefer being indoors on their computers or playing video games. 

The outdoors was our video game, and it was in incredibly high definition with fantastic special effects. As a child, I camped in a tent in our backyard in Maryland, and now I camp in the wilderness of Canada and Minnesota.  Kayaking, hiking and biking are my preferred modes of transport. I know intrinsically that I always feel healthier, more alive and connected when I am outdoors. 

I began to wonder why this is the case. I discovered there is much scientific research and evidence that documents the positive impact of nature on humans. That led me to think of using nature as the tool to create connection for people to support their mental, physical and spiritual health. Americans’ sedentary, indoor, screen-focused lifestyles have contributed to a myriad of physical and mental health issues, including obesity, high blood pressure, substance use disorder, stress, anxiety and depression.  I wanted to create a way to help combat these negative forces.

I was inspired to launch a not-for-profit organization called Nature Worx in 2017. My intent was to create a locally- delivered program that enables participants to develop a relationship with nature and see it as a resource to their recovery, and to teach them practical skills to deepen their connection to the healing properties it offers.

Nature Worx is a mélange of disciplines that I have blended, tested, and honed through real-time experience with our clients. The program is interactive and led by professional guides, who come from a variety of backgrounds: social work, substance abuse counseling, education, outdoor recreation and natural interpretation.

Our program blends naturalist interpretation, spirituality, mindfulness, meditation and forest therapy. Participants learn to develop a relationship with the natural world, gain fresh perspectives on their lives and challenges and ultimately grow a deeper sense of connection to the world and to themselves.

By engaging participants in outdoor experiences they gain access to a readily available resource to support their physical and mental health.  Our activities are easily repeatable and can be performed anywhere trees or green space are available.

OutGrowth Blog

Anthony Schultz

Presenting Reading Hero: Immersive Digital Learning

"With every step we take as a team, we check back in with our core values. No matter how we scale this app, we will always have a free, ad-free version, because we believe in leveling the playing field for all students."

"The reason we were able to thrive in an already flooded market is because our app has two essential qualities: it solves a problem, and it’s immersive. Immersive learning places students in an interactive learning environment, either physically or virtually. My work as an educator spans both, but I’m most fascinated by the virtual side."

Anthony is an educational consultant for Baltimore County Public Schools. He is also a bartender, and the co-founder of Reading Hero. Download the app on Android or Apple, and follow Reading Hero to stay up-to-date on their progress. 

'Why do we turn to nonprofits, NGOs and governments to solve society's biggest problems? Michael Porter admits he's biased, as a business school professor, but he wants you to hear his case for letting business try to solve massive problems like climate change and access to water. Why? Because when business solves a problem, it makes a profit -- which lets that solution grow.'