Adventure Psychologist Dr. Eric Brymer shares insights from his research on the impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and well-being, as well as effective interventions to promote personal growth and development. As a leading expert on the subject, Dr. Brymer unpacks the transformative effects of adventure psychology and discusses how thrilling pursuits can help individuals find meaning in their lives.
Dr. Eric Brymer is an endorsed sport and exercise psychologist at Southern Cross University in Australia and a chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society. Eric is interested in the psychology of performance, wellbeing and learning in adventure and nature-based contexts. His research is particularly focused on the impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and wellbeing and the design of effective interventions.
Themes and topics:
The impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and well-being.
Understanding how thrilling pursuits can lead to personal growth, development, and transformation.
The connection between human nature, meaning, and the desire for adventure.
Strategies and interventions that harness the benefits of adventure.
The profound connections between individuals and the natural world.
Insights on the process of conducting research in the field of adventure psychology.
How. the findings from adventure psychology research can be applied to improve individuals' well-being and quality of life.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
Ecological psychology, which is a school of psychology that rejects cognitive psychology’s mainstream explanations of perception
Listener Scott’s beautiful message about the moment that was meant for him
Why Do You Ride? A Characterization of Mountain Bikers, Their Engagement Methods, and Perceived Links to Mental Health and Well-Being research paper
(I’ve also summarized a few of the findings of that one here.)
Phenomenology
Phenomenology and the Extreme Sport Experience by Dr. Eric Brymer and Robert Schweitzer
David Abram’s The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World
Phenomenology and Nursing Research by Michael Crotty
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49. Finding Meaning in Adventure: Exploring the Connection between Human Nature and Thrilling Pursuits w/ Dr. Eric Brymer