How and why did wilderness therapy ignite in the American West? In this episode of Stories from the Field Will explores the life and influence of Larry Dean Olsen, one of the key figures behind the primitive skills model used in many wilderness therapy programs. Through his work at Brigham Young University, including the well-known BYU 480 survival course, Olsen showed that powerful personal change could happen when modern comforts were removed and people were challenged to depend on themselves, the group, and the natural world.

This episode looks at Olsen's book Outdoor Survival Skills, his work as a consultant on the film Jeremiah Johnson, his role in the development of early wilderness programs like SUWS, and his co-founding of the Anasazi Foundation and how his philosophy helped shape modern outdoor behavioral healthcare. Often called the father of primitive survival education, Olsen believed change comes through experience, simplicity, and responsibility.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In the next episode, Will shares a rare interview with Larry Dean Olsen and the other co-founder of Anasazi Foundation, Ezekiel Sanchez.

This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute (wmai.org), offering adventure inspired retreats for men and facilitated by Will White.

To read more about Larry Dean Olsen and the early years of wilderness therapy read Will's doctoral dissertation: Stories from the Elders: Chronicles and Narratives from the Early Years of Wilderness Therapy

To listen to an episode mentioned in this podcast how SUWS was founded.