Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Muniz.
Hi Frank, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Tampa, Florida, and moved to LA after graduating from The University of Central Florida. I have a degree in TV production, and that is where I spent most of my early career. Interning on shows like The Colbert Report and Nickelodeon. Then being a PA on Top Chef and just working a bunch of other random reality TV shows.
About 10 years ago, I started a popular stand-up comedy show out of the living room of a house in Hollywood I was renting with roommates. It was called Comedy Living Room, and comedy superstars like Ali Wong, Jerrod Carmichael, John Mulaney, Maria Bamford, and more came to our house to do the monthly stand-up gig. The comedy show got me an interview at Buzzfeed, which, at the time, was a pretty popular video site. That sort of kicked off this video producer path I’ve been on for almost a decade.
But being on a screen all day is tough. I found hikes and camping were such a great tool to refill my tank. I was sort of already forest bathing without realizing it. I first heard of Forest Therapy Guides during an interview on LA’s KCRW. It was a short piece I heard on the radio while cleaning my apartment. They described forest bathing, and the host went through a few of the “invitations” that make up a forest therapy walk. It was like lightning. This all sounded like what I felt when I was outside. The fact that there was a meditative practice that uses nature was astounding to me. So, I looked up The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and planned to sign up for training.
I set some cash aside for a year and enrolled in the 6-month online course in January 2022. It was incredible and challenging. We learned to lead walks, manage emergencies, and how to forage for plants to make tea at the end of the walk. It was like a missing puzzle piece; it was incredible to meet other people who shared this passion for the wonder of the outdoors with me. My training culminated in 2023 when I completed a required week-long forest immersion in southern Oregon. Now, as a fully certified forest therapy guide, I can lead walks of my own.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey into forest therapy guidance has been pretty smooth. I think it’s something I’m meant to be doing. My journey into forest therapy guidance has been pretty smooth. I think it’s something I’m meant to be doing. Sure, the actual coursework wasn’t as easy as I expected, and classes were online Zoom at 6 am on Fridays.
I’m learning new things like how to run a business and get trained in wilderness first aid. Just a lot of new things that seemed daunting at first but have been fun to take on.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Forest Therapy Immersions?
I founded Forest Therapy Immersions to offer authentic forest bathing experiences, guided by my certification in the practice. I know what it’s like to look at screens for work all day, for me forest bathing is a way to wash away all that screen time and connect with the real natural world again.
Forest therapy, from a participant’s viewpoint, begins with acknowledging the land’s history, followed by a gentle invitation to engage deeply with our surroundings. We immerse ourselves in the environment, paying close attention to sights, scents, sounds, and the sensations our bodies perceive.
Each session is structured around “invitations,” gentle prompts that encourage participants to connect with a particular aspect of nature. These aren’t directives, but suggestions meant to enrich the experience. A favorite of mine is “cloud gazing,” where we find a cozy spot, lie back, and simply watch the clouds drift by. It’s a reminder of the rare luxury to pause and appreciate the beauty overhead, something our hectic lives seldom allow.
Following each invitation, our small group, typically between five to eight people, comes together to share our reflections. As the guide, I tailor these invitations, usually three to four per walk, to suit the specific environment we’re exploring. This role is about more than leading; it’s about facilitating a space for individuals to find tranquility and a deeper connection with nature and themselves.
I’ve been most proud to lead a walk with a local outdoor camp called HAWKS LA. I led a morning walk in Millard Falls was just amazed at how easily kids can connect with nature and share some really profound things during a walk.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thankfully I see Forest Bathing as a bounty of positivity. It would be risky to NOT find an outlet to destress and get away from work. It’s like a garden to cultivate.
There’s a risk in putting yourself out there, especially when there’s a bit of a performative and service aspect to leading walks with a group. It’s fun, but something I have to take seriously.
Pricing:
- Local Forest Therapy Walks – $30 per person
- 2hr Private Group Walks (up to 6) – $120
- Group/Company Rates $200-$500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.foresttherapyimmersions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankieofthewoods/
