Media
ABOUT THE BOOK
You Are Nature is a 102-page blend of personal memoir and science, offering readers a grounded alternative to screen addiction and burnout culture.
The book draws on childhood experiences in rural Kentucky and Yellowstone National Park, as well as years spent working at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana, where the author plowed fields, tended gardens, and learned what it means to live close to the land.
Featuring central Indiana landscapes throughout, the book introduces readers to shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), a practice backed by research showing that time in nature reduces stress, improves focus, and supports emotional well-being.
This isn't a productivity hack or a new optimization strategy. It's a reminder: we are not separate from nature. We are part of it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Bouse is a coach, writer, emotions educator, and possibilitarian based in Muncie, Indiana. He helps people find possibilities through emotional intelligence coaching, nature-based experiences, and workshops.
He is the founder of Optimistic Coaching, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) coach, a certified forest bathing guide, and a nature connection specialist.
Before coaching, Adam worked at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana, where he plowed fields and tended gardens. He has also worked in tech startups, nonprofits, and communications.
Adam's work is influenced by Mary Oliver, Parker Palmer, and Richard Rohr. He writes regularly about grounded optimism, resilience, and nature on Substack.
In 2025, Adam's wife Stacey passed away after a brief illness. You Are Nature is dedicated to her memory and to the walks they shared.
DOWNLOADABLE ASSETS
Press Materials
Book Images
Author Photo
Nature photography by the author to accompany stories or media coverage can be found at unsplash.com/@adambouse
Suggested Interview Questions
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You worked at Conner Prairie for years before becoming a coach. How did that experience shape this book?
What is forest bathing, and how is it different from just "going for a walk"?
The book addresses screen addiction and burnout. Why do you think so many people feel disconnected from nature right now?
Your wife Stacey passed away in 2025, and the book is dedicated to her. How did grief influence your writing?
You call yourself a "possibilitarian." What does that mean?
This is a short book — just 102 pages. Why did you choose that length?
You're offering experiential events rather than traditional book signings. What does that look like?
Who should read this book?
What's one simple practice readers can try after reading You Are Nature?Description text goes here
CONTACT INFORMATION
Media Inquiries:
Adam Bouse — adam@optimism.coach
www.optimism.coach
Book Website:
optimism.coach/book
Social Media:
Substack: bouse.substack.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adambouse/
KEY TALKING POINTS
Local connection: Former Conner Prairie (Fishers, IN) staff member; book features central Indiana landscapes
Timely topic: Addresses screen addiction, burnout, disconnection — offers forest bathing as scientifically-backed alternative
Science meets story: Blends personal memoir with neuroscience research on nature's impact
Accessible and grounded: 102 pages, no jargon, highly accessible
Experiential approach: Author offers forest bathing workshops, "Walk Your Problems" sessions, and nature-based events
Personal journey: Written in part as a path through grief after author's wife passed away in 2025
AUTHOR AVAILABILITY
Adam Bouse is available for:
Media interviews (print, radio, podcast, TV)
Book signings and readings
Forest bathing workshops and guided nature walks
"Walk Your Problems" experiential sessions
Speaking engagements and lunch-and-learns
Keynote addresses
Podcast guest appearances
QUICK FACTS
Author: Adam Bouse
Release Date: April 19, 2026
Publisher: Optimistic Coaching Press
Format: Trade paperback (5.5" × 8.5", 102 pages) | Ebook
Price: $16.95 (Print) | $9.95 (Ebook)
ISBN: 979-8-9954779-0-7
Genre: Nature Writing / Memoir / Self-Help
For Readers Of: Mary Oliver, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Anne Lamott, John Green, Parker Palmer
