Have you ever dreamt about creating an outdoorsy life and career, but you didn’t know how you could make it happen? Helen Iles’ story might give you some food for thought!

Helen lives in Dolgellau in southern Snowdonia and she is a mountain rescue volunteer for the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team, a part-time teacher, landscape photographer and mountain leader.

Over the years, she’s managed to create a portfolio life and career that enables her to spend a lot of her time in the beautiful mountains that surround her home town.

I travelled to Snowdonia for a walk with Helen and she took me to a beautiful lake in a very quiet part of the National Park. It was a gloriously sunny, hot day and we recorded the episode sat on the shores of Llyn Cynwch.

I wanted to find out from Helen how she’d managed to create this life for herself, what the reality is like, as well as what mountain rescue volunteering and landscape photography involves.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Outdoors Fix and don’t forget to listen out for Helen’s tips and advice for those interested in becoming a mountain rescue volunteer or landscape photographer.

Also don’t miss the birdsong at the end of this podcast episode for a short, calming escape from your busy day.

Liv x

The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk

You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix

This episode of The Outdoors Fix was kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.

Merrell is launching a year-long campaign called #StepFurther to encourage people from all walks of life to get outdoors on a micro-adventure to experience the benefits for both their physical and mental health.