Why Men Need More Time Outdoors: Matt Potts on Finding Peace, Purpose, and Connection

What if one of the best things you could do for your mental well-being, your marriage, and your personal growth was simply to spend more time outside?

Life has a funny way of filling up every available minute. Between work, family responsibilities, emails, meetings, and the never-ending list of things we need to accomplish, it's easy to go an entire day without taking a moment to slow down.

We wake up, check our phones, rush through our schedules, and repeat the process the following day. Even when we have a few minutes to ourselves, we often spend them staring at another screen.

But what if some of the clarity, peace, and perspective we're looking for could be found by stepping away from all of that?

That's the message behind Wild Places, a book by author and lifelong outdoorsman Matt Potts.

I recently had the opportunity to welcome Matt back to the Books4Guys Podcast to celebrate the release of his book. After reading Wild Places and talking with Matt about the lessons behind it, I walked away with a greater appreciation for something many of us overlook: the importance of intentionally spending time in nature.

And the best part? You don't have to climb a mountain, go on a weeklong hunting trip, or travel across the country to experience it.

Sometimes, all it takes is a few minutes outside.

Meet Matt Potts: The Man Behind Wild Places

For as long as he can remember, Matt Potts has loved the outdoors.

From hiking and backpacking to fishing and hunting, nature has always played an important role in his life. Over the years, he's explored some incredible places, including the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming and the mountains of Colorado, where he has guided backpacking trips and spent countless hours experiencing the wilderness.

But Wild Places isn't simply a collection of outdoor adventures.

It's a book about what those experiences can teach us and how spending time in nature can help us become better versions of ourselves.

During our conversation, Matt explained that the idea behind the book had been developing for nearly twenty years, even though he became serious about writing it during the last three.

At one point in his life, things were going well. He had a successful career, a young family, and plenty to be thankful for. Yet he still felt a sense of discontent, a feeling that there was something more he was supposed to do.

As he began reflecting on his life and what he had to offer others, he kept coming back to his lifelong love of the outdoors.

He realized that the peace, restoration, and perspective he had experienced in nature were gifts he wanted to share.

That desire eventually became Wild Places.

1. Your Wild Place Doesn't Have to Be Somewhere Remote

When most of us hear the word wilderness, we picture mountains, national parks, remote lakes, or forests far away from civilization.

And while those places can be incredible, Matt believes we sometimes make the mistake of thinking we have to travel somewhere extraordinary to experience the benefits of nature.

During our conversation, he shared a story about visiting his mother at her retirement home in Philadelphia.

His mother loved gardening and being outdoors, although she wasn't the kind of adventurer Matt had become. During one visit, she asked him to take her down to the garden.

As they spent time among the flowers and plants, Matt could see how much the experience meant to her. She was taking in the beauty around her and enjoying the moment.

They weren't deep in the mountains. They weren't miles away from civilization.

They were simply sitting in a garden.

Yet the experience offered the same kind of peace and restoration Matt had discovered during his outdoor adventures.

That story stuck with me because it challenges how we think about getting outside.

Your wild place might be a trail through the woods, a bench at a local park, a quiet lake, or even your own backyard.

The location matters less than your willingness to slow down and appreciate it.

2. Sometimes You Just Need to Stop and Look Around

On the morning of my conversation with Matt, I was walking my dog before starting what I knew would be a busy day.

Like most mornings, I already had a long list of things I needed to accomplish. My mind was moving from one responsibility to another, and I could feel myself getting caught up in everything ahead of me.

But as we walked past a familiar line of trees, I decided to stop.

For about forty-five seconds, I looked up through the branches, listened to the birds, and took in the sky.

Nothing extraordinary happened. I didn't solve a major problem or suddenly come up with some brilliant idea.

I simply stopped thinking about everything I needed to do.

And you know what? It changed my morning.

I felt more relaxed, more focused, and better prepared to tackle the day.

When I shared that experience with Matt, he explained that this was exactly the kind of thing he hoped people would take away from his book.

You don't need an elaborate plan or an entire afternoon to benefit from stepping outside.

Sometimes, a brief moment of intentional stillness is enough to remind us that there's a much bigger world beyond our schedules and responsibilities.

3. Nature Can Teach Us to Become Better Listeners

One of the chapters in Wild Places that immediately caught my attention was Chapter 9, titled "The Husband's Hope: How Wild Places Can Improve Your Marriage."

As someone who is always trying to become a better husband, I was interested in hearing how Matt connected spending time outdoors with strengthening a marriage.

His answer was surprisingly simple.

Listening.

Matt explained that years of hunting, fishing, and exploring the wilderness have taught him to pay close attention to his surroundings.

When you're outdoors, especially when you're hunting or observing wildlife, you have to notice things that might otherwise go overlooked.

You listen for birds. You pay attention to movement. You become aware of the details around you.

Matt believes that same skill can make an enormous difference in our relationships.

And I couldn't agree more.

I know there are times when my wife is talking to me and I'm physically present, but my mind is somewhere else. Maybe I'm thinking about work, checking something on my phone, or trying to finish another task.

I'm hearing the words, but I'm not giving her my full attention.

One lesson I've learned over time is that being a better husband doesn't always mean having the perfect answer or solving every problem.

Sometimes, it means simply listening and making sure the person you love feels heard.

Matt was quick to admit that this is something he's still working on himself.

That's part of what makes the message so relatable.

We don't have to be perfect listeners to become better ones. We just have to recognize how important our attention is to the people around us.

And if spending time outdoors can help us practice being more observant and present, that's a lesson worth bringing home.

4. Getting Away Can Help You Show Up Better at Home

There's an important distinction between escaping your responsibilities and taking time away so you can return to them with a better mindset.

Matt isn't encouraging men to abandon their families, disappear into the woods, or ignore the challenges waiting for them at home.

In fact, his message is quite the opposite.

He believes that spending intentional time outdoors can help men return to their families, relationships, and responsibilities feeling restored.

During our conversation, Matt talked about how much better he feels after spending time in the wilderness. He comes home with a renewed sense of purpose and a greater desire to love and serve the people around him.

I think that's an important lesson for all of us.

Sometimes we convince ourselves that working harder, staying busier, and constantly pushing forward are the best ways to take care of the people who depend on us.

And while hard work certainly matters, so does taking care of ourselves.

If we're constantly exhausted, distracted, or overwhelmed, it's difficult to give our best to the people who matter most.

Making time to recharge isn't necessarily selfish.

Sometimes, it's exactly what allows us to be better husbands, fathers, friends, and leaders.

5. The Outdoors Reminds Us That Not Everything Is in Our Control

One of my favorite parts of talking with Matt is hearing about his experiences hunting elk in the mountains.

If you've never been elk hunting, it's a completely different experience from what many people imagine.

Elk can travel incredible distances, disappear into difficult terrain, and challenge even the most experienced hunters.

Matt shared a story about an archery hunt in southwestern Colorado that took years of preparation and patience.

He had waited approximately eight years to draw the hunting tag and decided to spend two weeks in the mountains.

The trip wasn't exactly smooth sailing.

At one point, a questionable gas station burrito left him feeling so sick that he couldn't hunt for a couple of days.

But he stuck with it.

Eventually, he found himself watching an incredible scene as numerous bull elk moved through a meadow, bugling, fighting, and competing during the mating season.

He described it as one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences he'd ever witnessed.

He ultimately harvested a bull elk near the end of the hunt, but what stood out to me wasn't simply the success of the hunt.

It was how much he enjoyed the entire experience.

The challenge, the patience, the uncertainty, and the opportunity to witness something extraordinary all became part of the memory.

I think there's a lesson there that applies well beyond hunting.

We spend so much of our lives trying to control outcomes. We set goals, create plans, and measure success by whether things turn out exactly as we expected.

Nature has a way of reminding us that we don't control everything.

And sometimes, the most meaningful experiences happen when we stop trying to.

6. Finding Peace in Nature Can Strengthen Your Faith and Purpose

Faith is another important part of Matt's story and the message behind Wild Places.

Throughout his life, Matt has viewed his love of the outdoors as a gift from God. Spending time in nature has given him opportunities to reflect, pray, and reconnect with what matters most.

Toward the end of our conversation, he pointed to the example of Jesus, who repeatedly withdrew to quiet places throughout the Gospels.

For Matt, those examples reinforce the importance of stepping away from the noise of everyday life to find rest and perspective.

Whether someone approaches time outdoors through faith, personal reflection, or simply a desire for quiet, there's something valuable about creating space to think.

We spend so much time reacting to what's happening around us that we rarely stop to consider where we're going, what matters most, or whether we're giving enough attention to the people and priorities in our lives.

A quiet walk, a few minutes by the water, or an afternoon on a trail can create room for those questions.

And sometimes, that's exactly what we need.

7. You Don't Need to Be an Outdoorsman to Get Started

One of the things I appreciate most about Wild Places is that its message isn't limited to experienced hikers, hunters, or people who live near the mountains.

You don't need expensive equipment, specialized training, or a week off work to spend more time outdoors.

If you're looking for a place to start, keep it simple.

• Take a short walk without headphones. Pay attention to the sounds and sights around you rather than filling every quiet moment with another podcast or phone call.

• Find a nearby park or trail. Spend fifteen or twenty minutes exploring somewhere you haven't visited before.

• Enjoy your morning coffee outside. Leave your phone inside and give yourself a few minutes to start the day without distractions.

• Spend time near water. Whether it's a lake, river, creek, or beach, find somewhere you can sit and enjoy the surroundings.

• Invite someone to join you. Take your spouse, children, or a friend on a walk and enjoy an opportunity to connect without screens competing for your attention.

The point isn't to turn every outdoor experience into another challenge or accomplishment.

It's to create moments when you can slow down, appreciate what's around you, and return to your day feeling a little more grounded.

You might be surprised how much of a difference those moments can make.

Why Wild Places Is a Book Worth Reading

What makes Wild Places interesting to me is that it combines Matt's personal experiences in the outdoors with lessons that apply to everyday life.

This isn't simply a book about hunting, fishing, or hiking.

It's about being intentional with your time, learning to listen, strengthening your relationships, and recognizing the importance of stepping away from the constant demands of life.

Matt has spent years exploring some of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the country, but he doesn't believe everyone needs to have those same experiences to benefit from his message.

He wants people to discover their own wild places, wherever those might be.

I also appreciate the authenticity behind the book. Matt isn't presenting himself as someone who has everything figured out. He's sharing the lessons he's learned, the areas where he's still trying to improve, and the experiences that have helped shape his life.

That's the kind of personal growth I enjoy reading about.

It's practical, relatable, and grounded in real experiences.

And as someone who had the opportunity to read Wild Places before its release, I'm excited to help introduce Matt and his work to the Books4Guys community.

Final Thought: Sometimes the Best Thing You Can Do Is Step Outside

I think back to that short moment during my morning walk when I stopped, looked up through the trees, and listened to the birds.

It lasted less than a minute.

But it was enough to change how I approached the rest of my morning.

That's what I hope people take away from Matt's message.

You don't have to wait for your next vacation, plan an elaborate adventure, or travel hundreds of miles to find peace in nature.

You can start right where you are.

Take a walk. Sit outside. Watch the sunset. Find a quiet place and give yourself permission to enjoy it.

And when you return to the responsibilities waiting for you, maybe you'll bring back a little more patience, perspective, and appreciation for the people around you.

Sometimes, becoming a better version of yourself starts with something as simple as stepping outside.

Featured Book Partner: Wild Places by Matt Potts

Books4Guys is proud to feature Matt Potts and his book Wild Places as one of our Featured Book Partners.

Through personal stories, outdoor adventures, and thoughtful lessons, Matt encourages readers to reconnect with nature, strengthen their relationships, and discover the peace and purpose that can come from spending intentional time outdoors.

Whether you're an experienced outdoorsman or someone who simply wants to slow down and enjoy life a little more, Wild Places offers an invitation to discover what the outdoors can mean for you.

Get your copy of Wild Places by Matt Potts, here!

Listen/Watch our conversation with Matt Potts on the Books4Guys Podcast

About Books4Guys

Books4Guys is on a mission to help more people become better readers, thinkers, learners, and leaders.

Through book recommendations, author interviews, and our weekly newsletter, we introduce readers to books and ideas that encourage personal growth, leadership, and lifelong learning.

Visit Books4Guys.com to discover your next great read and subscribe to our free Saturday morning newsletter.