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Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors


Mar 16, 2021

Josh Flaherty is Executive Director of Adventure Recovery (AR). Josh's love for adventure began as a child when he traveled to national parks with his family. After college, he pursued a path as a rock band manager, including Motley Crue. Although successful, he struggled with addiction. In treatment, Josh participated in an outdoor program with AR, which reignited his early passions, and he never looked back.
Josh Flaherty shares his story of being a client, field guide, and executive director at AR.

Bio from AR website: Josh is an Adventure Recovery Guide and avid outdoor enthusiast. He brings 15+ years of experience as an executive in the entertainment industry to his expertise. Beginning at William Morris Endeavor, and then as a top manager and marketing executive at Tenth Street Entertainment, Josh managed numerous multi-platinum recording artists including Blondie, Motley Crue, Papa Roach, and Steven Tyler. Simultaneously, he has created and implemented multiple integrated cross-marketing campaigns for recording albums, tours, books, and many other events with companies such as H&M, LVMH, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Paco Rabanne, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Major League Baseball, and The Smithsonian. Josh has a passion for recovery and mental health and his career in the field is a testament to this calling.  He began as a client with Adventure Recovery in 2018 and then entered and progressed through AR’s Guide Training program. Josh is the first person in AR history to transition from client to Guide. Furthermore, he brings his operational, clinical, and business development acumen to the organization. After serving as the Director of Operations and Business Development for AR for a period, Josh stepped up to Executive Director. Additionally, Josh is in the Masters of Social Work program at Fordham University. Hence, Josh's experience and contacts in the recovery community, entertainment industry, and corporate America provide a unique insight into creating and expanding the Adventure Recovery offering, message, and reach. As Executive Director, Josh manages daily operations, staff supervision, and participates on the executive team, driving strategic growth and development.