Mother Ducking:

Nervous System-Centered

Outdoor Leadership

Call To Action

You’ve been trained for what to do.

But what about how to respond when things get real?

You can know the protocols.
You can carry the right gear.
You can make the technically correct call.

And still find yourself in a moment where someone is overwhelmed, shut down, panicking - or where you are.

Because in the outdoors, things don’t just happen physically.
They happen through people’s nervous systems.

And most outdoor leadership training… skips that part.

This Course Will Help Fill That Gap

Mother Ducking: Nervous System-Centered Outdoor Leadership brings together two skill sets that are usually taught separately—but are deeply connected in practice:

Technical safety + risk management (Luc’s world)
Nervous system awareness + somatic support (Sarah’s world)

We’ve spent years learning these from different angles - and from each other. This course is where those perspectives finally meet, and we can't wait to share with you!

Sign Me Up!

Who this is for:

This is for you if you:

Lead groups in the outdoors (formally or informally)
Teach, guide, or facilitate outdoor experiences
Want to feel more confident supporting others - not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically
Have ever thought: “I knew what to do… but that moment still felt messy”

It’s also for:

Recreational adventurers who move in groups
Parents, partners, and humans who want real-life skills for high-stress moments

Because these skills don’t stay in the backcountry, they come home with you

Essential Details:

This course will be broken into two parts:

Monday, May 11 6-8pm AK

Part 1: When Things Go Right

Building the Container

Before anything goes wrong, something is already being built.

In this section, we focus on how to create a learning environment and group culture that supports:

Psychological safety

Curiosity instead of shutdown
Inclusion and participation
Growth without overwhelm

We'll cover:

Weakest Link Syndrome
Self criticism/self talk
How to recognize expertise

This is about setting the tone so that your group is more resilient before stress hits.

Tuesday, May 12 6-8pm AK

Part 2: When Things Go Wrong

Supporting the Nervous System Under Stress

Because eventually… something will.

This section is about how to respond when intensity shows up - whether it’s:

A student freezing, panicking, or checking out
A close call or unexpected stressor
The normal (but very real) pressure of learning new, high-stakes skills

You’ll learn how to:

Recognize nervous system activation early
Stay grounded in the moment (without pushing it down or pushing through)
Support others in a way that actually helps, not escalates

Make better decisions because you’re working with the nervous system, not against it

About Sarah

Hi, I'm Sarah (she/they) MSW, SEP, CPT

I am a life-long Alaskan, somatic therapist, and movement professional. In my work as a nervous system educator and therapist, I integrate Somatic Experiencing with Internal Family Systems, EMDR, and connection to nature to help people understand and work with their nervous system patterns.

You may also recognize me from my other endeavors at Mind & Mountain, which integrate fitness, nature, & the Nervous System through Mindful Interval Training workouts. I'm looking forward to working with you and sharing what I know about nervous system healing and capacity building for navigating the times we're living in.

For a more extended bio and to view the lineage of my work, click here.

About Luc

Luc is an award-winning outdoor educator, author, and wilderness risk manager based in Anchorage, Alaska. He’s traveled over 10,000 miles by foot, ski, bike, packraft, and ice skates —often combining tools and terrain in creative, long-distance outings. Luc's courses and trips have been featured in the New York Times, BBC, Outside, PBS, Alaska Public Media, and others.

Luc’s teaching draws on his work as a rescue trainer and decades of practical experience. His work blends technical skills with decision-making—how we prepare, adapt, and support each other in uncertainty.

Luc’s approach is rooted in curiosity, humility, and shared learning. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned traveler, Luc’s goal is to help you become a thoughtful planner and capable partner.

To read more about Luc and his work, click here.