About The Adventure

In this raw and deeply personal conversation, Sarah Lister talks with ultra-runner and endurance coach Allie Bailey about the intersection of life, career, and running, shaped by the format of her new book. Allie shares her journey from a high-pressure career in the music industry to hitting rock bottom through alcoholism, and eventually rebuilding a life centered on her core values. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling "stuck" in a career or life path that doesn't feel like their own.Sensitive topicsAlcoholism: Allie speaks candidly about her history as a "raging alcoholic". She describes reaching "the bottom of the barrel," losing her home, partner, and money due to her addiction.Mental Health Struggles and Depression: Allie talks about her struggle with depression and mentions having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Suicide: Allie mentions trying to kill herself and talking to her sister about killing herself.Toxic Work Environments and Exploitation: The conversation touches on the harsh realities of the music industry, where Allie witnessed artists having "nervous breakdowns" and described the culture as one that "exploits you basically for your talent and makes you frightened to leave".Body Image and Self-Esteem: Allie mentions common insecurities she hears from athletes she coaches, such as "I'm not a real runner," "I'm too big to be a runner," and "I'm not good enough".Trauma and Difficult Family Dynamics: There is a brief mention of how some women "grow up miserable and pass that trauma down" , and Allie notes that for some people, "family isn't everything".Strong Language: The whole interview contains frequent swearing throughout the conversation.Core Content & Key TakeawaysValues are the Compass for Change:Allie emphasizes that unhappiness often stems from working against your personal values.She identifies her own core values as kindness, authenticity, and honesty.Success is redefined not by status or money, but by whether your decisions align with your value system.Breaking the "Lucky" Narrative:Allie rejects the idea that her career change was due to luck. Instead, she attributes it to belief, doing the work, and manifestation.She encourages listeners to stop "giving their magic away" to companies or people that don't deserve it and to start investing that energy in themselves.Thoughts are Not Facts:A central theme of Allie’s coaching and her new book is challenging the stories our brains tell us to keep us "safe".She discusses "fear storyboarding"—taking a fear to its logical conclusion to realise that reality is rarely as catastrophic as our imagination.The Myth of the Quick Fix:Real change requires active participation. Allie notes that reading a book or listening to a podcast won't change your life unless you do the work consistently.She highlights that "confidence comes from doing what you say you’re going to do".Navigating "The Dip":Allie discusses the inevitable emotional and physical drop that...

In this episode of the About The Adventure podcast, we hear the inspiring story of Claire Hunter, a former HR professional who has embarked on a transformative journey of career change. Claire shares her childhood dream of walking the Pennine Way, and how redundancy and life events led her to take time out for self-reflection and personal growth. She discusses the significance of her 'chrysalis year' in 2025, during which she completed various certifications and assessments, consolidating her skills and rethinking her career path.Now focused on aiding midlife women navigate change through coaching, leadership development, and mindfulness, Claire offers insights into starting her own business and the importance of nature and mindfulness in her coaching methodology. This episode captures Claire's evolution from a structured HR role to a fulfilling career aligned with her passions and values.Recording informationThis interview was recorded in Grindleford on 29th December 2025.LinksElysian LeadershipFollow Claire on LinkedInReferencesMy Pennine Way Reflective Journal by Claire Hunter on Amazon.Final notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!

Martin Swithenbank, an Outdoor Instructor and climber based in the Yorkshire Pennines, shares his journey from working in art studios and formal education to becoming an outdoor educator. Initially hesitant to apply for the job at an outdoor centre, Martin has found a new calling working with 10 and 11-year-olds, using outdoor activities to engage and inspire them. During the COVID pandemic, a stint working with at-risk children ignited his passion for making a positive impact outside traditional school settings. Encouraged by his friends and partner, Martin made a significant career shift by apprenticing at an outdoor centre. He reflects on overcoming self-doubt, embracing new opportunities, and the transformative power of outdoor education for both himself and the children he works with.Conversation topics include challenges in mainstream education, gaining confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome, believing in your abilities, embracing failure as growth and the power of human connection.Listen all of the way to the end so that Martin can ask you a question that may help you to think about your own potential career change.Recording informationThis interview was recorded in Edale on 17th December 2025.ReferencesWest Yorkshire PoliceCarl RogersA Mug of Life on InstagramFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!

What’s it like moving to a new country and setting up a creative business? Irina Kudres shares her story about moving to Bergamo in Italy with her partner and changing her career path. Previously working in digital marketing and PR, she is now doing portrait, documentary and brand photography.Irina’s home country is Russia and she has also lived in Malaysia and Germany. She talks about both the positive aspects and challenges of living in different countries, including the mountainous region where she lives in Italy now.This interview highlights the first steps that Irina took to becoming a freelance photographer and the importance of following your life path when you sense a calling for change.Recording informationThis interview was recorded online on 11th November 2025.Irina’s LinksIrina’s websitePhoto story book Another Odyssey Studio: Panoramico StudioConnect with Irina on LinkedInFollow Irina on InstagramFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!

From Classroom to Mountaintops: Emily's Journey of Grief and Career Transformation[Note: This interview includes sensitive topics about grief, mental health, and suicide. Please consider carefully if it’s a suitable time for you to listen to this content.]Emily Taylor, also known as Trigs and Teeth, shares her inspiring journey from being a teacher to becoming a prominent outdoor influencer and mountain leader. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she and a friend started exploring trig points in the Peak District, which eventually led her to create an Instagram page documenting her adventures. The page grew, and Emily continued to build a community around it, eventually becoming an Ordnance Survey Champion and collaborating with major outdoor brands like Rab and Acai Outdoor Wear. Emily opens up about her struggles with mental health, her father's tragic death, and how reconnecting with nature became a crucial coping mechanism. She describes her career transition from teaching, a profession she once thought she'd retire from, to leading walks, teaching navigation courses, and creating content for brands. Her story emphasises the importance of following one's passion, the power of nature in working through emotions, and the significance of a supportive network in making such a transformative career change. This episode contains sensitive discussions about mental health, grief, and suicide. Emily’s experiences highlight the critical need for self-care and the courage required to make significant life changes. Listen to the end for her thoughtful question that might help you evaluate your own career path.Recording informationThis interview was recorded outdoors in Edale beside Crowden Brook on 7th October 2025.Emily's LinksEmily's outdoor events for women on eventbriteEmily’s outdoor adventures: TrigsandteethConfidence building for outdoor women: peakoutdoorcoachingReferencesSuzanne HillAcai Outdoorwear websiteRab websiteTog24 websiteBlacks online websiteYoga teacher Emily in the Outdoors Instagram accountFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis...

This episode delves into the transformative career change journey of Ceri Jones, a former orchestral manager who shifted her path to become a food educator and cookbook author. Following the loss of her parents and a realisation of unfulfillment in her job, she found solace and passion in writing a recipe blog that led her to pursue culinary arts. The story covers her pivotal decisions that eventually lead her to fulfilling her dream of writing a cook book, published in 2024.She now enjoys a diverse career combining food education, content creation, and recipe writing. Emphasising the importance of discovering and pursuing one's passion, the episode offers insights into overcoming challenges and redefining personal and professional fulfillment. Don't miss the closing question that encourages reflection on pursuing career changes without regrets.Ceri's first cookbook ‘It Starts with Veg : 100 Seasonal Suppers and Sides‘ was published by Pavilion Books in June 2024.She trained over 10 years ago as a ‘Natural Chef’ in Berkeley California and since then has been building her online platform as a recipe writer, honing her skills as a chef by cooking for over 70 yoga and wellbeing retreats around the world, and teaching hundreds of cookery classes to a wide range of communities. For 3 days a week she is the sole Food Educator at the Garden Museum in London where you can find her leading cookery workshops for kids, families, community groups and the general public.Working in food is her second career. She previously worked in the world of music, project managing concerts and tours for a London based international orchestra, and before that a music degree specialising in clarinet performance. She still enjoys playing the clarinet and singing in her spare time and regularly performs with two ensembles in South London where she lives. Recording informationThis interview was recorded online on 5th June 2025.LinksCeri's websiteSimple and Seasonal SubstackFollow Ceri on InstagramFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!

Jenna’s interview captures a personal journey, documenting her career path from an academic beginning in literature and journalism to a fulfilling career as a counsellor. After working in veterinary publishing for nine years, she knew she wanted to do something that felt more meaningful with her career. She wanted to help people and not be stuck behind a desk, so she joined the police.Later she trained as a detective and joined the child abuse unit. These intense experiences rekindled her intrinsic desire to connect and help people, ultimately leading her to pursue counselling. Her career change was driven by the realisation of the importance of mental health, empathy, and the need for professional fulfillment. Alongside battling personal challenges like anxiety and burnout, she embarked on counselling training while managing a full-time job as Deputy Editor at Trail Magazine, which gave her the opportunity to reconnect with the mountains and to push herself out of her comfort zone in a restorative way.With the support of her family and loved ones, she set up her private counselling practice, aiming to integrate nature and human connection in a peaceful space. The story highlights the significance of following one’s passion, the necessity of self-care, and the value of supportive networks in making significant career transitions.Make sure you listen until the end to answer Jenna’s question, which might just help you take the next step in your career.Recording informationThis interview was recorded online on 9th May 2025.LinksJenna’s counselling websiteFollow Jenna on InstagramReferencesTrail MagazineWill4AdventureMind Over MountainsFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!

The key message in this episode with Julia Hames is about figuring out what it is you want and then taking the baby steps to get there, because sometimes the path in the middle isn’t always clear.Julia tells us about her move from living in a big town to rural life in South Wales, and about her career change from working 12-hour shifts to running a B&B alongside her Smallholding and developing Wordpress websites. She talks about the challenges of running a B&B, particularly during the Covid pandemic, and tells us why she decided to give that up for a more balanced lifestyle and to do a part-time degree.Julia tells her story with a great positive spirit, which has obviously helped her to get through some really tough times, alongside the accountability network that has supported her in the local community. By listening to this episode you’ll also find out what it’s like having a Smallholding around self-employment, why she has put her travel dreams on hold, and why you should give something a go if you really want to do it!Keep going until the end to answer Julia’s question, which might just help you take the next step in your career.Recording informationThis interview was recorded online on 18th February 2025.LinksJulia Hames on LinkedInJulia’s website: Coding CottageCoding Cottage in Instagram and FacebookFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!

This episode is about choosing to live happily by dreaming your way there and making new decisions to steer the direction. Author Paul Besley talks about some of the challenges he has faced throughout his life, including alcoholism, bullying, a severe mountain accident, working in a high-pressure job as a salesman, and living with asbestosis disease. He shares what he has learned along the way and how he manages to find contentment through life’s challenges. Paul imparts his wisdom and advice in ways that feel relatable and attainable. By listening to this episode you’ll also find out how Paul turned his career around to becoming a published author, which started with writing guidebooks, and later on his memoir- The Search by Vertebrate Publishing. Keep going until the end to hear Paul’s powerful question for you to answer. It’s a really good one (once he remembers it!).Recording informationThis interview was recorded online on 11th November 2024.LinksThe Search - Paul's published memoirBlog - Monthly Happenings by Paul BesleyPublished works - by Paul BesleyInstagram ReferencesThe Search - book by Paul BesleyWild About Kinder - podcast episode interviewing PaulMark Richards - AuthorTrail MagazineCiceroneAndy Kirkpatrick1001 Climbing TipsVertebrate PublishingMountain RescueFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for...

Can tarot help with making changes in your life? Jessica says tarot is for anyone who is interested in their personal development, open to something a bit different and just wants to learn more about themselves.This interview is about a meandering career that has led Jessica towards becoming a tarot reader. Her work includes 1:1 readings in person in Sheffield & online, as well as at markets,  festivals, and private events, and workshops teaching people how to read tarot.As well as sharing her journey and how tarot can help people, Jessica talks about the challenges and fears she has worked through along the way. At the end she does a live tarot reading for me and offers you a question to explore.Recording informationThis interview was recorded at Paradise bench in Edale on 28th August 2024.ReferencesSheffield Creative GuildMarie KondoLinksVisit Patterns and Synchronicities website Follow @jessica_sync on InstagramConnect with Jessica on LinkedInSubscribe to Jessica’s newsletterAttend Jessica’s Tarot 101 WorkshopSupport My PodcastAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you can contribute £5 monthly to the show. This supports the cost of making the podcast and in return offers you a 10% discount on coaching sessions with Sarah and events by About The Adventure.Final notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!

Are you prepared to sacrifice your life for your job? Ranaa Farooq says that she’s not willing to, despite her fear of judgement the guilt she has felt about leaving the NHS and medicine in general. Ranaa Farooq is an abstract painter and life coach living in Sheffield, who describes the process of painting itself as therapy. In this interview she talks about her artistic journey and realisation that there’s more than one way of helping people.Some of the themes that we discuss include her dreams about being an artist while growing up, how she gets into a meditative space and lets herself be guided how she feels while painting, what it’s like having her own art studio, and the importance of taking a break. At the end she has a question for you that may prompt a new way of thinking about any changes you want to make in your own life.Ranaa’s LinksRanaa's coaching websiteRanaa.farooq.art on InstagramRanaa Farooq Art on FacebookReferencesOpen Up SheffieldHanging Water StudioBloc ProjectsCiara GilmoreFrontier GalleryArt in the GardensRecording informationThis episode was recorded in the foothills of Edale Valley on 24th April 2024.Support My PodcastAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you can contribute £5 monthly to the show. This supports the cost of making the podcast and in return offers you a 10% discount on coaching sessions with Sarah and events by About The Adventure.Final notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!

Can slowing down enable us to get to where we ultimately want to go more efficiently? ‘Slow Coach’ Andy Mort shares his unique approach to coaching and creating community in this enlightening interview. He tells us that he became a coach accidentally after people had directly approached him about it, prompting him to take up training and blend this with his work as a sound artist. Before taking up coaching, Andy was an Undertaker. As you can imagine, this provides a unique career change story. He shares compelling insights into his experience and how this influenced his perspective on life. Andy shares why he chooses to live between friends’ homes rather than settle in a place of his own, and why he has set up an online community for gentle rebels. Other topics include the challenges he faced while training as a coach, being an introverted performer, how ambient sound and meditative narratives can help people, and the value of podcasting.This interview has a lovely steady pace and really valuable coaching questions at the end, so please take the opportunity to make yourself comfortable and give yourself the time and space to listen.  ReferencesThe Coaching AcademyLate Bloomers: The Hidden Strengths of Learning and Succeeding at Your Own Pace - by Rich KarlgaardLook Again: The Power of Noticing What was Always There - by Tali Sharot, Cass R. SunsteinLinksAndy’s websiteThe Haven online communityGentle Rebel PodcastAndy's music on SpotifyFollow Andy on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedInRecording informationThis episode was recorded online on 4th April 2024.Support My PodcastAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you can contribute £5 monthly to the show. This supports the cost of making the podcast and in return offers you a 10% discount on coaching sessions with Sarah and events by About The Adventure.Final notesVisit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: sarah@sarahventurer.comSubscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by a...

Does it take a lot of courage to change your career path? Peter Morton thinks it does, and it was his own boss who gave him the nudge to do so! In 2006 he left his job in IT to pursue a career in outdoor education as a freelance instructor. This led on to the creation of RedOakBushcrafts, a family run business in the Peak District.RedOakBushcrafts offers bushcraft, wilderness and survival skills courses in the Peak District and canoe expeditions in Scotland.Here are the questions I ask Peter during this interview:Do you find it challenging to do people-facing work?What do you see is the impact on the people that come on your courses?What was it that reignited your passion for the outdoors?Did you feel impatient about your career progression when you left your IT job?Did something trigger your decision to leave?How did it feel for you to be making such a big change?Do you think you would’ve stayed longer if your boss hadn’t given you the nudge?Are you pleased you’ve taken these steps towards what you’re doing now?Do you feel like it takes a lot of courage to leave things behind?Which parts of your work do you absolutely love?Do people really bond on your canoe trips?What aspects of your work do you really not like?What have you learnt along the way?Has your work/lifestyle turned out as you expected?How do people react to the type of work that you do?Do you feel that your work is meaningful when comparing it to your previous job?What were the first steps that you took with setting up RedOak?What do you think your friends and family think of what you do?Do you think you need an outdoorsy background to pursue an outdoors career?Do you train people to do what you do?Do you feel like you have a good standard of living?Do you create as much free time as you can?What question would you ask somebody who is thinking about a career change?RedOakBushcrafts LinksWebsite InstagramFacebookRecording informationThis episode was recorded on the slopes of the Great Ridge in Edale, underneath a tarp, on 9th February 2024.Support My PodcastAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you can contribute £5 monthly to the show. This supports the cost of making the podcast and in return offers you a 10% discount on coaching sessions with Sarah and events by About The Adventure.Final notesVisi About The Adventure website to email Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Subscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis...

**Please note that during this episode Jess talks about chronic health issues and grief.**How important is support throughout a career change? This is the thread that runs through this interview with Jessica Snape-Burns, who shares her 10-year journey with Amerron Acres - a Community Interest Company (CIC) in Edale that provides a tranquil, safe and nurturing environment for therapeutic healing to take place. Jess offers Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL), family visits, retreats and wellbeing workshops.Jess had a strong draw to animal welfare from a young age, choosing to volunteer with injured and sick animals at a sanctuary as a way to spend time with equines. She  has always found comfort in the company of horses and set up Amerron Acres so she could share her special herd to help others on their healing journey.  Experiencing her own health struggles, with debilitating and disabling neurological symptoms causing years of wrong diagnoses and deteriorating mental health, she was eventually diagnosed with a chronic spinal CSF leak. Although mostly better now, she knows the value of self-care, resting and taking care of our mental health as a priority.You can read more about Jess, Director & Practitioner at Amerron Acres, on her website from which these notes have been adapted.At the end of the interview, Jess asks you a question and offers really helpful advice too.Here’s the list of questions that I asked Jess:How did horses first come into your life?How do you get to know a horse?Do the horses look to you for guidance?How can you describe each of their personalities?Was this building already here for you to use?Have the other horses had a more challenging past?Where were the seeds of this idea to set up Amerron Acres?What work were you doing before?What’s helped you through all of the challenges?Did you come to Edale with this idea to set up Amerron Acres?What’s involved in the logistics of getting the horses here?Can you tell us about your illness?What are your foundations for self-care?Who can you best help through your facilitation here?How do you facilitate a session with somebody who fears horses?Do you still get surprised by the results of your work?What role do the goats play?How can people work with you? What do you offer?How do you look after yourself in between sessions?Do you have a vision for what you move towards in the future?What’s the training you’ve done?What question would you ask somebody thinking about a new career direction?What’s the significance of 'Amerron'?Amerron Acres linksWebsiteInstagramFacebookReferencesHorse Boy MethodPoTSEagalaLeapAndrew Critchlow -

In what ways can making videos feel meaningful? This is what Stephen explains at the beginning of his interview while sharing the reasons why he started a YouTube channel. In addition to making YouTube videos, Stephen also uses creative filmmaking to grow brands. He specialises in outdoors/tourism and also covers promos, events, online advertising for a range of industries. His business, Grafters Media has helped clients gain customers, win awards and gain multi-million investments. He talks about the aspects of commercial work that he finds most challenging and how he is trying to establish more balance in his life so that he doesn’t feel so stressed and get sick.Themes during Stephen’s interview include the pressure he puts on himself to do a good job, his thoughts on nerves being a part of life, what it’s like to combine personal hobbies with work, the importance of keeping active, how he got into making commercial videos, and why he started trailrunning. At the end of the interview, Stephen asks you a question that might help you to open up your thinking about taking a different career path that will give you more creative freedom and time outside.Here’s the list of questions that I asked Stephen:Why did you start a YouTube channel?Did you feel nervous about speaking to the camera and sharing your videos when you started?Why is it that you still show up and do it?Do you want to spend time outdoors without being on camera?What’s it like doing what you do?Where do you think your stress is coming from?How has it been to get yourself to this place?Did you already know how to use cameras before you started the YouTube channel?Do you think this is what you’ll continue to do as your line of work?Do you believe that you could still find the thing you will stick with?How long have you been doing this type of commercial work?How proactive are you with finding client work?Have you accepted nerves as part of the experience?What question would you like to ask your listeners?LinksStephen’s YouTube channelStephen's video of us running on Kinder ScoutStephen’s instagramStephen’s twitterStephen’s LinkedInReferencesJacob Tonkin on InstagramFell Running with Jacob Tonkin video on Stephen’s YouTube channelRunkeeperRecording informationThis episode was recorded at my house in Edale on 2nd November 2023.Support My PodcastAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you can contribute £5 monthly to the show. This supports the cost of making the podcast and in return offers you a 10% discount on coaching sessions with Sarah and events by About The AdventureFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to email...

What if there’s life outside of a classroom? This is one of the things that Louise Earnshaw kept considering before she made the decision to leave her job as a teacher after 20 years. Dismayed by the pressure and toxic environment, she left teaching in April 2023 to be a freelance outdoor instructor and artist. She says she feels so much happier managing her own time and pursuing the things she loves.Themes during Louise’s interview include her concerns about finances, imposter syndrome, feelings of inadequacy during her early education years, the positive impact of outdoor pursuits, and managing her time now that she has more freedom and flexibility. At the end of the interview, Louise gives you a simple creative task that might help you to take a step towards making a change in your life.Here’s the list of questions that I asked Louise:What does it feel like being sat here on a Wednesday morning when just a few months ago you would’ve been doing your job as a teacher?Is the outdoors instructing something that you did alongside teaching?How do you balance all of the different elements of your work?What was it about Ali Foxon’s training that made you fly with it?How long had you been thinking about leaving teaching?Did you feel powerless to be able to do anything about it in the educational system?Have you taken a big hit financially?What would you say are the unmet needs that you experienced as a teacher that you’re discovering about yourself now?Is there anything that unsettles you now that you have more freedom?Why do you think you doubt yourself?Did you go into teaching because you had a challenging experience at school?What question would you like to leave us with?Links to Louise’s workLouise Earnshaw Artist websiteInstagramFacebook pageReferencesDuke of Edinburgh’s AwardThe Adventure Element websiteDr Ali Foxon websiteDr Ali Foxon on About the Adventure PodcastSam Marshall - Artist and Printmaker websiteRecording informationThis episode was recorded in a Peak District woodland on 5th July 2023.Support My PodcastAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you can contribute £5 monthly to the show. This supports the cost of making the podcast and in return offers you a 10% discount on coaching sessions with Sarah and events by About The AdventureFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to email Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for

What makes you feel energised and alive? Jen Scotney says that she is still finding her way since she stopped working as a human rights lawyer. She feels like she is forging a unique path which is scary, but she has faith that if she does what she enjoys she can’t go wrong.  Themes during Jen’s interview include running, burnout, chronic fatigue, bereavement, the shame of not being able to cope with work, self-employment and career change. She also talks about the importance of flexibility to allow for time in nature, deep rest, and authentic connection.At the end of the interview, Jen asks you a really powerful question that might help you to take a step towards making a change in your life.The first 20 minutes of the episode is focused on running, Jen’s work as a coach, and how osteoarthritis has affected her. In the second part of the interview Jen talks about her career as a lawyer, the effects of burnout and chronic fatigue, and the steps she has taken since she decided to stop working as a lawyer.Here’s the list of the questions I asked Jen: How do you work with people as a running coach?How has not running anymore had an impact on your work as a running coach?How do you handle stressful times without running?Do you give yourself permission to give yourself time off?How difficult was it to make the decision to not enter the winter spine race?Does choosing yourself and your health apply to your career decisions as well?Did the profession disappoint you?How did it feel making the decision to step away from your career as a lawyer?When you were initially considering a career change, how do you think you got to where you are now and how is that going to guide you?Do you ever feel like it can be lonely if most other people are in office jobs?Question sent in from Angie: What do you do to stop yourself from spiralling when you’re having a bad day?How do these things apply now with your podcast and writing a book?Is your relationship with your husband better since you became happier with the work that you’re doing?Are there some areas in your life now that you feel resistance towards?What’s the motivation to share your story?What are you working towards?Links to Jen’s work:Buy Jen’s book - Running Through the DarkRead Jen’s substack and subscribe for a small monthly feeListen to Resilience Rising PodcastSee her upcoming eventsFollow Jen on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookFollow Resilience Rising Podcast on InstagramReferences:Montane Winter SpineMarcus...

Why is it important for humans to reconnect with nature? Anna Danby says it is essential if we ever want to move towards a more sustainable way of being on planet earth and when thinking about our impact on this place that we call home. This ethos has shaped her career from doing a Post Grad course at the University of Edinburgh in ‘Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education’, to taking up a position within the Learning Team at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, and what she does now as the Founder of Wild Roots Highland Guiding.Themes during Anna’s interview include moving to live in the Scottish mountains, training as a Mountain Leader during her pregnancy, starting a company during the covid pandemic, resilience, collaboration, outdoor leadership and wild roots.At the end of the interview, Anna asks you a question that might help you to break out of thinking that it’s too late or too challenging for a career change.Here’s the list of the questions I asked Anna:How would you describe the mountains in Scotland?What’s your preferred time of year in the mountains?How did you get to where you are now?What was it like doing your Mountain Leader training when you were pregnant?Has it taken a lot of courage to take the steps in your career?Have you had times in the mountains when you’ve felt really vulnerable or fearful?How do you facilitate connection with the landscape through your offerings?Is it tricky to do because people want to chat?What transitions do you witness in people?What’s it like collaborating in your work?What’s the most effective way that attracts people to your offerings?Do you worry about the weather when you’re leading an experience?Has your outdoor work affected your personal adventures and family life?Where do your wild roots lie?What’s the impact that you want to make through your work and in your life?Do you think that most things can be resolved and worked through?Wild Roots Highland GuidingTake a look at Anna’s website to find out more about her work, and follow Wild Roots Guiding on Instagram and Facebook. You can also connect with Anna on LinkedIn.Recording informationThis episode was recorded online on 15th June 2023.Support My PodcastAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you can contribute £5 monthly to the show. This supports the cost of making the podcast and in return offers you a 10% discount on coaching sessions with Sarah and events by About The Adventure.ReferencesShona Macpherson - Counselling and life coaching websiteShona Macpherson on InstagramLindsay Warrack - massage, yoga and wellbeing websiteJon Fearne - endurance and adventure sports coaching

What have you got to lose? Sarah Manning-Ball asked herself this question before setting up Glorious Grazes and Posh Picnics. In this episode, she tells us her career change story from working in the corporate world to following her dream of opening her own food business. At the end of the interview, Sarah asks a question for you to explore if you are thinking about a career change.Themes during Sarah’s interview include mental health, imposter syndrome, career coaching, and practical steps towards making dreams happen. It carries a content warning because Sarah talks about suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression at several points during the episode.We recorded this approximately one year after our coaching session together, on 8th June 2023 while sitting next to a waterfall along a beautiful brook in the Peak District National Park.Here’s the list of the questions I asked Sarah:What makes your picnics glorious and posh?Where did the perspective that food is glorious come from?What made you decide to create a business around this love of yours?How are you feeling now compared to how you were feeling in the corporate world?What made you suddenly see things so clearly?Do you think part of it was about giving yourself permission to follow something you really enjoy?What were the first few steps you took to make it happen?What grew out of that?What role has nature played in your journey so far?How does that compare to how you would deal with anxiety beforehand?What sort of environments do you work in now?How do you manage the challenges of working with people now?Have you needed to set boundaries with people?What’s it like between the excitement of getting a booking and the commitment involved with that?Have you had any wobbles since you started the food business?What’s one of the highlights that you’d like to share?What would you say to your younger self now knowing this information?Do you believe in there being the perfect time to make a change like this?What’s your method of working through your fears?What question would you like to ask people who are in a similar headspace as you were just a few months ago?Glorious Grazes and Posh PicnicsTake a look at Sarah’s website to find out more about her work, and follow Glorious Grazes and Posh Picnics on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.Support My PodcastAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you can contribute £5 monthly to the show. This supports the cost of making the podcast and in return offers you a 10% discount on coaching sessions with Sarah and events by About The AdventureFinal notesVisit About The Adventure website to email Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Subscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career...

How can the power of observation shift your perspective? In this episode, Ali Foxon shares how sketching outdoors transformed her life, career, and her mental health.She talks about the incredible benefits of sketching nature and making it more accessible, where the idea for green sketching began, what it’s been like to leave previous jobs behind, her experience of becoming an author, and how she delivers workshops despite anxiety about public speaking.At the end of the interview, Ali asks a question for you to explore if you are thinking about a career change.Here’s the list of that questions that Sarah asked Ali:If you had your sketchbook with you now, what would you choose to draw first?When you're sketching, what does it do to you and your state of energy?How do you encourage people to start sketching?Have you seen people break through their worries, barriers or resistance about spending time sketching?Where did green sketching all begin for you?What was your first experience of sketching like?How did you come up with the idea of “green sketching” and how has your career evolved?What has worked really well in terms of engaging people with your work?What will people experience from your book?What was your experience of writing the book like?What does your son think about what you do?Did you take your decision to change your career lightly?How do you feel now about stepping away from your previous career?What’s helped you most along the way?What are some of the skills you’ve learnt?How do you deliver workshops when you’re anxious about public speaking?Where would you like things to go from here?How would you describe your experience of making a living from your work?Do you feel like it’s given you more freedom in terms of how you spend your time?Do you feel like your priorities have changed?What question would you ask somebody who is thinking about a career change that allows them more time to connect with nature?This episode was recorded while sitting in a woodland along the start of the Pennine Way in the Peak District, by Sarah Lister on 7th October 2022.Take a look at Ali Foxon’s website to find out more about her work, watch her Tedx Talk on YouTube - Drawn to love nature, and follow her on Instagram.Final notesAbout The Adventure has a patreon community where you receive support with your own career change. Sarah is in the process of starting a career change support network to include both online and in-person events. You can support the podcast and get involved with the community for £5 per month.Visit About The Adventure website to email Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Subscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.Thanks for listening!