333: From Big Wall Climber to Social Entrepreneur: Peter Mayfield on Nature as Medicine

How does a young climber who made first ascents on Yosemite's El Capitan become a social entrepreneur focused on nature and mental health? Peter Mayfield joins Will to trace that journey, from the climbers who mentored him to founding CityRock and Gateway Mountain Center. At Gateway, he developed a clinically supervised, nature-based therapeutic mentoring program that brought support to young people outdoors while keeping them connected to their families and communities.

Peter explains the program's Four Roots approach—authentic relationships, nature connection, embodied challenges, and helping others—and reflects on Gateway's closure and his own mental health and recovery. He also introduces NatureUp Health, his new venture developing a voice-guided AI tool to help more people find and engage with nature. Along the way, he shares an unforgettable encounter with hundreds of bats during a ten-day climb on El Capitan and how that impacted his mental health

This podcast is supported by the White Mountain Adventure Institute (WMAI.org), where Dr. Will White helps individuals, leaders, and organizations navigate growth, change, and life transitions through coaching, consulting, and retreats.