Gain the Ridge Consulting

06/24/2026

Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

After months of conversations, planning, and reflection, I’ve officially joined Lifeways as a business partner and strategic advisor.

Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside remarkable people in behavioral healthcare, outdoor education, and experiential learning.

Throughout that journey, I’ve become increasingly interested in a question:
How can we bring the profound healing power of nature to more people and make it accessible to them?

I believe the future of behavioral healthcare lies not only in treatment, but in prevention, community, and connection to the natural world. That’s one of the reasons Lifeways resonates so strongly with me.

Founded by Chris Brown and built alongside partners Brian Phelps and Luke Flynn, Lifeways is a community-based organization based in Durango, Colorado. We provide outpatient therapy for individuals ages 12 and up, integrate nature-based interventions as appropriate, offer wilderness mental health training for outdoor professionals and first responders, provide guided rock climbing experiences, and operate a six-month mentorship program for local teens.

What excites me most is Lifeways’ vision: to be a business solution to both the mental health and ecological challenges of our time.

My role with Lifeways will complement—not replace—the work I continue to do through Gain the Ridge Consulting, where I provide leadership coaching, business coaching, and organizational consulting to leaders in behavioral healthcare and education.

I’m grateful to join forces with Chris Brown, Brian Phelps, and Luke Flynn, and I’m looking forward to what we can build together.

If you’re attending the Utah Regional NATSAP conference this week in Provo, I’d love to connect. I’ll be presenting, hosting a networking table, and talking with colleagues about the future of behavioral healthcare, leadership, prevention, and community-based care.

05/30/2026

And another one down - a regular highlight testing my fitness. One mile run followed by 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 air squats and then finished with another mile run. 48 minutes and some change - first mile in 7:14. Pleased to be able to join in this ritual and in honor of those who serve and have served this country and those who paid the ultimate price. - thanks for your role in my health and fitness!

05/19/2026

🤦‍♂️ Another medication error.

😧 But not just any error. A big one. A student given another student's medication - a major, hard-hitting psychotropic with real side effects.

💁‍♂️ It was my duty to call the family after this serious medication error.

✅ What I thought would simply be a difficult conversation unexpectedly became an important leadership lesson — I learned more about trust than I had ever anticipated.

What I thought would simply be a difficult conversation unexpectedly became an important leadership lesson — I learned more about trust than I had ever anticipated.

04/01/2026

💁‍♂️ Trust is the central issue in human relationships...

And yet, what does it entail? What are the elements of trust? or the attributes of a trusting relationship?

🎙️ Check out my recent conversation with Beth Hillman, parent coach and colleague, and learn about the anatomy of trust.

Podcast Episode · Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment · March 31 · 57m

02/27/2026

Great conversation with Beth Hillman, podcast host of Parenting Post Wilderness and owner of Beth Hillman Coaching, a parent and life coach who supports families and parents of struggling adolescents and young adults.

We explore what made Open Sky distinct and our why behind it. As well, we discuss important matters for parents considering an out of home placement and what distinguishes a great program from an average one.

Enjoy and share your comments with me.

Podcast Episode · Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment · February 24 · 52m

01/12/2026

Check out one of my latest articles about what a crisis taught me about leadership. https://www.gaintheridgeconsulting.com/leadership-blog/when-things-go-wrong-what-a-crisis-taught-me-about-trust-and-leadership

01/12/2026

Check out one of my latest newsletters

🫤 Leaders don’t get to choose when a crisis hits—but we do get to choose how we respond.

➡️ In my career, one incident pushed Open Sky to the edge and exposed something as worrisome as the crisis itself.

💁‍♂️ What happened next taught me critical lessons about trust, culture, and the hidden cost of the blame trap.

✅ If you lead in a high-stakes environment, this is a story—and a shift in mindset—you won’t want to miss.

🤟 And, if you are attending NATSAP's annual conference in February, I will be presenting a 90 minute workshop on this very topic!

🫤 Leaders don’t get to choose when a crisis hits—but we do get to choose how we respond. ➡️ In my career, one incident pushed Open Sky to the edge and exposed something as worrisome as the crisis itself. 💁‍♂️ What happened next taught me critical lessons about trust, culture, and...