Podcast episodes
Paul Wood: Tree hunting in Britain and Ireland’s towns and cities
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Let me ask you something: How well do you know the trees in your local area? Do you have a favourite?
One of mine is an ancient sweet chestnut in the Ashridge Estate in the Chilterns, not far from where I grew up. It’s enormous, with beautifully twisted bark, and it’s thought to be more than 400 years old. It’s the kind of tree you can’t help but stop and stare at for a while.
And that’s exactly what this episode is about — noticing the trees around us, and seeing them in a new light.
I’m joined by Paul Wood, author of Tree Hunting: 1,000 Trees to find in Britain and Ireland’s Towns and Cities. Paul spent four years travelling across the UK documenting remarkable trees in the places we often overlook — and encouraging us all to pay closer attention to something we usually walk straight past.
As he says, if you simply start looking up a little more, it can completely transform how you experience the outdoors.
We recorded this conversation while walking through Richmond Park in London — so as you listen, keep an ear out for the sounds around us: woodpeckers, parakeets, and the occasional plane heading to Heathrow…
I really hope you enjoy our chat — and don’t forget to stay tuned for the Sounds of Nature moment at the end of the episode: a small pocket of calm to help you pause, unwind and breathe in the outdoors, wherever you are.
Thanks again for listening,
Liv x
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Joy, rain and handstands – Hiking with Mountain Leader Sameed Asghar
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, Liv Bolton is joined by Sameed Asghar, who takes her and photographer Frankie Dewar on a hike up to a waterfall in Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire. It turns out to be possibly one of the wettest recordings Liv’s ever done… but also one of the most fun.
Sameed is a real force of nature. Despite the rain, he was throwing in handstands and yoga poses along the way, bringing so much joy and energy to what could very easily have been a complete washout.
It’s no surprise that he makes a brilliant Mountain Leader — even though that was never something he imagined for himself growing up in Birmingham, where he says his experience of nature didn’t stretch further than his local park.
Now, through his hiking company Summit Special Adventures, Sameed has led community and charity groups on hikes across the UK and around the world. At the heart of his work is a strong commitment to introducing people from ethnic minority backgrounds and inner-city areas to the outdoors, and to championing greater diversity in nature spaces.
We hope you enjoy the conversation — and a big thank you to Sameed!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Max Swinhoe: Living – and hiking – with an upper limb difference
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, Liv Bolton goes for a wonderfully atmospheric, mist-soaked walk in Eryri [Snowdonia] with Max Swinhoe.
Max’s love for hiking runs deep. She’s completed the 2,200-mile long Appalachian Trail in the US, tackled multi-day routes across the UK, and she’s now a Mountain Leader as well as a Mountain Rescue volunteer.
But hiking has also been part of a much more personal journey for Max — one of self-acceptance and embracing her upper limb difference.
She’s now working to improve the representation of disability in the outdoors community, championing visibility, challenging assumptions, and showing just what’s possible.
We hope you enjoy the conversation — and a big thank you to Max!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Beth Craigen: The outdoors youth worker changing lives through nature
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, Liv Bolton is in the beautiful Wythenshawe Park in Greater Manchester with someone who’s truly impacting lives through nature — Beth Craigen.
Beth is an Outdoors Youth Worker for the charity Nacro Greater Manchester Outdoor Learning, a qualified Lowland Leader, and a dedicated volunteer who seems to live and breathe the outdoors. The park is her classroom, her community hub, and the heart of so much of her work.
Her passion for nature has helped hundreds of young people discover confidence and connection outside, and she’s opening doors for women from diverse communities — breaking down barriers that often stand in the way of accessing green spaces.
A couple of weeks ago, Beth took Liv on an autumnal tour of the park’s 270 acres — from quiet woodlands to the vegetable patch— and she shared her journey into outdoor education.
They talked about everything from mountain biking and bushcraft to tree identification and the magic of helping others find their own love of the outdoors. They even bumped into one of her special colleagues!
We hope you enjoy the conversation — and a big thank you to Beth!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
‘It’s never too late’: The Running Granny Angela White on ultra running & healthy ageing
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
This episode takes Liv Bolton to the beautiful Howgill fells in Cumbria to walk with Angela White, better known as the Running Granny. Angela is a retired doctor and surgeon and now an ultra runner and personal trainer.
Over the past 15 years, she’s taken on some extraordinary challenges: 100-mile races, 24-hour mountain challenges, and even a Guinness World Record for running 875 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
And the remarkable thing? She only started running at the age of 53.
She’s now trying to spread the message about the importance of staying active throughout life so you can live healthier for longer.
Liv joined Angela for a rather steep hike (!) to hear her thoughts on healthy ageing, but also how the outdoors and her running challenges have helped her through some incredibly tough times.
We hope you enjoy the conversation — and a big thank you to Angela!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Soft Girls Who Hike: Meet Emily and Lucy, the women behind the #softhiking viral trend
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
This episode takes us to the beautiful Dove Stone Reservoir on the edge of Greater Manchester, where Liv Bolton walks with Emily Thornton and Lucy Hird — the duo known as Soft Girls Who Hike.
They’re the voices behind the viral #softhiking trend — a social media movement that’s reached millions and is redefining what it can mean to go for a walk in nature. Their message? Hiking doesn’t have to be intense or hardcore. You can take it slow, go at your own pace, and still reap all the benefits of being outdoors.
Emily and Lucy, who live in Manchester and the Peak District, credit their time hiking together with deepening their friendship, helping with grief, and sparking a vibrant online and real-life community through their group walks.
Liv joined them for a gentle hike to learn more about the women behind the movement — and why they believe soft hiking is appealing for so many right now.
We hope you enjoy the conversation — and a big thank you to Emily and Lucy!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
How Kitsquad’s Fran Pearson helped nearly 5,000 people in poverty to access outdoors gear
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, Liv Bolton is off to Shropshire for a walk — and a bit of a splash — with Fran Pearson.
Fran is the founder of Kitsquad, a brilliant outdoors charity that’s already helped nearly 5,000 people experiencing poverty to get properly kitted out for adventures in nature.
Think waterproofs, sleeping bags, rucksacks, walking boots — all donated, and all making a world of difference.
Fran’s passion for the outdoors comes from a deeply personal place. And living in social housing and experiencing the realities of life on benefits, Fran knows just how expensive outdoor gear can be — and how that cost can be a major barrier to getting outside safely and confidently.
So, in 2020, she set up Kitsquad — turning generosity into access, and tackling gear poverty head-on.
Liv joined Fran for a walk near her home in Shropshire. It started off a little soggy— but they dried off inside the Kitsquad warehouse, surrounded by shelves of donated jackets, boots, sleeping bags, and stories.
Wanting to hear more about what inspired Fran to start the charity, Liv also asked why she’s so passionate about breaking down the cost barriers to the outdoors.
We hope you enjoy this episode and a big thank you to Fran and the volunteers of Kitsquad too!
Please be aware that there’s a discussion around a period of difficult mental health in it, so you can find more information and support on the Mind or Samaritans websites.
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Chantelle Lindsay: The wildlife conservationist who loves urban hiking
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In the first episode of a new series, Liv Bolton goes for a walk in Sydenham Hill Wood in south London with Chantelle Lindsay.
Chantelle knows the 23-acre wood extremely well as she’s a wildlife conservationist who works there for the London Wildlife Trust.
She’s also a presenter on CBeebies’ Teeny Tiny Creatures and has reported for BBC Springwatch.
Chantelle’s mission is to get young people and underrepresented communities engaged with nature and the outdoors. She’s also a huge advocate for urban green spaces.
Walking through the wood, Liv wanted to find out more about Chantelle’s love of nature, what her work in Sydenham Hill Wood involves and how she’s trying to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible.
We hope you enjoy this episode and a big thank you to Chantelle too!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
If you enjoy this episode, it would be fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
The Outdoors Fix throwback: Carla Khouri, the outdoors trailblazer
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life.
As there are now more than 60 episodes of The Outdoors Fix, and while I’m working on a new series, I thought I’d help you pick out some of my favourite conversations from over the years with these throwback episodes.
In this episode, I’m revisiting my conversation with Carla Khouri. Carla is a qualified mountain leader who’s also the course director for Black Girls Hike, a Duke of Edinburgh assessor, paddlesports leader and Merrell Hiking Club organiser.
But she lives in London and she used to be a science teacher!
Carla is also one of only two black female mountain leaders in the UK and she’s on course with her training to be the only black female winter mountain leader.
Carla took me to a beautiful park just minutes from her home in London, and we recorded the episode sitting on the grass within sight of a herd of fallow deer.
Someone who’s unafraid of following her heart, Carla’s story left me feeling inspired about having courage to follow your dreams at any age, and the impact of contributing to the outdoors community.
The Outdoors Fix throwback: James Rebanks, author and shepherd
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life.
As there are now more than 60 episodes of The Outdoors Fix, and while I’m working on a new series, I thought I’d help you pick out some of my favourite conversations from over the years with these throwback episodes.
In this episode, I’m revisiting my conversation with James Rebanks. James is a shepherd, farmer and the author of the bestselling books The Shepherd’s Life, English Pastoral and The Place of Tides.
James lives in the Matterdale Valley near Ullswater in the Lake District and his family has farmed in that stunning area for hundreds of years. He owns a large flock of Herdwick sheep, some belted Galloway cows, pigs and chickens.
While the outdoors has been a pretty constant feature in his life, James is now making wildlife a bigger part of it through his calls for farming to become more sustainable and nature friendly.
The Outdoors Fix throwback: Vicky Balfour’s ‘pockets of adventure’
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life.
As there are now more than 60 episodes of The Outdoors Fix, and while I’m working on a new series, I thought I’d help you pick out some of my favourite conversations from over the years with these throwback episodes.
In this episode, I’m revisiting my conversation with Vicky Balfour. Vicky’s an avid mountain biker, bike mechanic, writer, special needs parent and founder of Vicky Bikes, her business offering bike mechanic and cycling sessions.
Her mission is “to enable people of all ages and backgrounds to find pockets of adventure within the boundaries of everyday life.” So packing adventures outdoors around your everyday life.
Vicky took me mountain biking in the Kent countryside for this episode and we recorded it in the middle of a wood! It turned out to be one of the most powerful and extraordinary stories I’ve ever heard during my years recording The Outdoors Fix.
The Outdoors Fix throwback: Mountain leader Emma Holland
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life.
As there are now more than 60 episodes of The Outdoors Fix, and while I’m working on a new series, I thought I’d help you pick out some of my favourite conversations from over the years with these throwback episodes.
In this episode, I’m revisiting my conversation with Emma Holland. Emma’s a qualified mountain leader who runs her own mountain leader business, Emma Holland Mountain Training. Having worked for Nottingham City Council since she was 18, it wasn’t until her 40s that Emma took the big leap to shift the direction of her career and life towards the outdoors. Now you’ll often find her in the Peak District leading groups on hikes, teaching navigation or wild camping in the hills. Emma’s story proves that it’s never too late to pursue your passion.
Juls Stodel: A journey to 104 bothies and 100 Scottish islands
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
For this episode, Juls Stodel takes Liv for a walk to a bothy in the Scottish Borders.
Juls is a hiker and trustee of the Mountain Bothies Association. She journeyed to 104 bothies in Scotland, England and Wales in 2023 – a challenge that took her a year.
From bothies on remote Scottish Islands to ones hidden away in the Highlands, it was a unique adventure.
On their walk, Juls also opened up about her schizophrenia diagnosis, something she’s not spoken about publicly before, and why she wants to break the stigma around the mental illness.
Juls is now part way through her new challenge – visiting 100 Scottish islands.
What’s behind these challenges and why is Juls encouraging others to create their own original adventures?
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
This is the final episode of series nine – but don’t fret! There are more than 60 episodes to delve into in our archive.
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
For information and support around the topics in this episode, head to the Mind or Samaritans websites.
Robert Finch: The orienteer and trail runner working for Ordnance Survey in the Cotswolds
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, Liv Bolton goes for a hike up the very steep Leckhampton Hill in the Cotswolds with Robert Finch.
An orienteer and trail runner, Rob works for Ordnance Survey as a Field Surveyor.
He’s a listener of the podcast and when he heard Liv was looking to speak to someone who works with maps, he got in touch!
Liv learnt so much about mapping from the conversation, including how trig points really work!
Rob also shared his orienteering and trail running adventures and tips for fitting more of the outdoors into your every day.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
Episodes in each series are released fortnightly. The next episode will be released on Sunday 24 November.
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Rob Finch can be found on Instagram @finchinthefield
Rob’s raising money for Keswick Mountain Rescue Team – if you’d like to donate, head to: https://www.justgiving.com/page/robs-bob-keswick-mrt
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Marie Cheng: Leaving London life for the outdoors and trail running
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, Liv Bolton goes for a walk in the Peak District with Marie Cheng.
Marie’s life has been transformed by the outdoors in the last few years. Before the pandemic, Marie used to work as a consultant in London. She loved hiking and skiing, but felt like they were just fleeting moments in her busy, urban life.
Just before lockdown she decided to make some big, brave changes. She quit her job, moved to Sheffield and based her life in the Peak District.
Her dog Millie and a new interest in trail running soon followed.
A few years later, Marie now has a career working for outdoors brands and trail running dominates her free time – she’s run the Snowdonia ultramarathon as well as races in the Alps.
Marie’s message is about encouraging us all to take small steps towards our dreams to see where the journey takes us.
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
Episodes in each series are released fortnightly. The next episode will be released on Sunday 10 November.
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Marlon Patrice: Nature, grief and setting up We Go Outside Too
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, Liv Bolton goes for a walk on Harborne Walkway in Birmingham with hiker, runner, model and founder of We Go Outside Too Marlon Patrice.
We Go Outside Too is a group which aims to make the countryside more accessible for the black community and to increase representation in the outdoors.
It was set up in 2020 after the tragic death of his son through knife crime, when Marlon realised how much nature was helping him and that he wanted to engage his community with it too.
We Go Outside Too is based in Birmingham and they offer days out in the countryside, walks, tree planting and outdoor poetry workshops. Transport and kit are often provided and they are supported by brands and organisations, including Merrell.
They’ve organised more than 30 walks so far and engaged more than 1,000 people with their events.
The social enterprise won a Head Outside Award in 2023 at Kendal Mountain Festival – awards which celebrate people or organisations helping people with mental health challenges to get outdoors.
Marlon lives in Birmingham and he took Liv for a walk on Harborne Walkway to record their podcast episode.
Formerly a railway line, it’s now a green, quiet oasis in a bustling, noisy city.
Liv sought to find out why Marlon wanted to engage his community with the outdoors, and what’s been the impact of We Go Outside Too so far?
If you enjoy this episode, it would fantastic if you could subscribe. And do tell your family and friends about it – thank you!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
Episodes in each series are released fortnightly. The next episode will be released on Sunday 27 October.
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Alastair Humphreys: Author and adventurer getting more Local
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, Liv Bolton goes for a walk in Swanscombe Marshes by the River Thames in Kent with the adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys.
Al’s relationship with the outdoors has changed a lot over the years – he’s been on extraordinary expeditions all around the world, travelling through over 80 countries by bicycle, boat and on foot, but more recently he’s focused on spreading the message about embracing the outdoors and adventure where we all live, through his concept of Microadventures.
Al’s latest book, Local, which has been shortlisted for the 2024 Wainwright Prize in the nature writing category, saw him spend a year exploring a map of his neighbourhood – one grid square at a time.
His passion about outdoors adventures that are accessible to all of us and possible within our current routines, is totally infectious and I’ve wanted to chat to him for years, so I hope you enjoy the episode!
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
Episodes in each series are released fortnightly. The next episode will be released on Sunday 13 October.
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Phoebe Sneddon: Gravel biker, mum and NHS paediatric consultant
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
In this episode, cyclist, mum and NHS paediatric consultant Phoebe Sneddon chats to Liv Bolton on a walk in the Peak District.
Phoebe’s big passion is cycling, and she loves bike packing, cyclocross and gravel biking with a trailer carrying her children.
Through her adventures and medical expertise, she hopes to encourage as many women and girls as possible to get outside to boost their confidence.
Phoebe is also keen to showcase that you can get outdoors and have brilliant adventures even when you have small children.
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
You can find photos of the guests on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Cath Pendleton: The ice swimming ‘Merthyr Mermaid’ – Live from the Big Retreat festival
Cath Pendleton works full-time in an office in Wales and is a single mum to two daughters. But she’s also swum an ice mile in Antarctica, won Bronze for Team GB in the World Ice Swimming Championships in Russia and completed a swim across the English Channel.
Cath’s inspired countless women to get outside and have an adventure, including TV presenter Louise Minchin, whom she persuaded to go free diving under the ice in Finland!
Also known as ‘the Merthyr Mermaid’ (referencing Merthyr Tydfil where she lived), Cath certainly knows about juggling real life to make time for outdoors adventures, and she had so many insights to share when I spoke to her at The Big Retreat Festival in Pembrokeshire.
Don’t miss Cath’s tips for getting started with ice swimming at the end of the episode, as well as a minute of the sounds of nature for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Cath’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
Liv x
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
You’ll find Cath Pendleton on Instagram @swimcathswim – The Big Retreat Festival is @thebigretreatfestival
You can find photos from our recording on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is now available: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
The audio from the festival was produced by Pete Crouch from Liquid Studios: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petecrouch/
Siobhan Daniels: The ‘Retirement Rebel’ adventuring all over the UK – Live from the Big Retreat festival
At the age of 60, Siobhan Daniels decided to sell her flat and most of her belongings, buy a motorhome and explore all around the UK.
Five years later, she’s fulfilled so many of her dreams, including spending months adventuring around Orkney and the Outer Hebrides, watching beautiful sunsets in the wilderness and writing a book about her journey.
Siobhan, who calls herself a ‘pro-age campaigner’, is determined to encourage older women to dismiss age as a barrier to adventure, and to go out and have the time of their lives.
I had a fantastic time chatting to Siobhan in front of an audience at The Big Retreat Festival in Pembrokeshire. It was a conversation that will stay with me and inspire me for years to come.
Siobhan’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
Liv x
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
You’ll find Siobhan on Instagram @shuvonshuvoff – The Big Retreat Festival is @thebigretreatfestival
You can find photos from our recording on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is now available: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
The audio from the festival was produced by Pete Crouch from Liquid Studios: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petecrouch/
David Haze: Prison to paddleboarding and breaking world records – Live from the Big Retreat festival
David Haze’s story is one of the most extraordinary that I have ever come across on this podcast.
He’s a nine-time world record breaking paddleboarder and ocean activist. But five years ago, he was in prison for burglary and handling stolen goods.
In the years since his release, he’s grabbed his second chance at life and undertaken some extraordinary paddleboarding adventures, breaking records in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Iceland.
Just last month, he paddleboarded across the English Channel in tandem with his adventure partner Joe Cartwright, something that he’d already broken the record for solo.
David’s also made a name for himself in zero-carbon, environmentally-friendly adventures, and he was recognised for this in 2023 when he was named Ocean Activist of the Year by the campaigning charity Surfers Against Sewage.
I spoke to David at the Big Retreat festival in Pembrokeshire in front of a live audience and I heard more about why he feels paddleboarding has helped his rehabilitation after prison, how he got into the sport, and why he’s passionate about encouraging others to have more adventure in their lives.
Don’t miss David’s tips for getting started with paddleboarding and how we can have more environmentally friendly outdoors adventures at the end of the episode, as well as a minute of the sounds of nature from one of my morning walks for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
David’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
Liv x
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
You’ll find David Haze on Instagram @nomadicpaddler The Big Retreat Festival is @thebigretreatfestival
You can find photos and videos from our recording on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is now available: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Audio from The Big Retreat Festival produced by Pete Crouch at Liquid Studios: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petecrouch/
Carys Rees: Mountain rescue volunteer and This Girl Walks founder – Live from the Big Retreat festival
Having had a very outdoorsy upbringing in Carmarthenshire in South Wales, Carys Rees decided that she wanted to give something back to the outdoors community.
She’s certainly doing that – by being a volunteer for the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, an ambassador for The Ramblers, and encouraging others to explore South Wales through her hiking-route website, This Girl Walks.
It’s a busy life for someone who lives in a city, Cardiff, and who works in London for part of the week.
I spoke to Carys at the Big Retreat festival in Pembrokeshire in front of a live audience and I heard more about what the outdoors means to her, how she fits it into her life, and why she’s so keen to spread awareness of the joy of hiking and nature.
Don’t miss Carys’ tips for volunteering in the outdoors and places to hike in South Wales at the end of the episode, as well as a minute of the sounds of nature from my recent holiday to Scotland for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Carys’ episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Carys Rees is @this.girlwalks on Instagram. The Big Retreat Festival is @thebigretreatfestival.
Audio recorded at the festival recorded by Pete Crouch from Liquid Studios.
Feed swap: The Salt Path author Raynor Winn speaks to the Folk on Foot podcast
Hello! I’m currently in the middle of producing a new series of The Outdoors Fix podcast. So in the meantime, I’ve got a special episode for you that I think you’ll enjoy!
Some of you will remember an episode I recorded with Matthew Bannister back in 2020 – he’s the founder of the multi-award winning Folk on Foot podcast where he goes walking with leading folk musicians in beautiful spots that have inspired their music.
I really loved chatting with Matthew and hearing all about how and why he started Folk on Foot, and I’ve devoured each episode over the years. It’s an absolutely stunning podcast, and complete escapism, even if you’re like me and don’t know a huge amount about folk music.
So I’m thrilled that he’s let me share with you one of my favourite episodes of Folk on Foot which I think you’ll love. It’s Matthew’s walk and conversation with the author Raynor Winn, who’s bestselling book, The Salt Path, tells the story of her journey along the 630-mile South West Coast Path with her husband Moth, after they’d become homeless and he’d been diagnosed with a terminal neurodegenerative disease.
Raynor has also been collaborating with the Gigspanner Big Band to create a show which marries her words about the South West and traditional music from the area.
The Outdoors Fix has always been about sharing conversations and inspiration so we can all fit more of the outdoors into our lives – so I hope you enjoy Matthew’s wonderful chat and walk with Raynor and you take away something from it too.
There are dozens of other episodes of Folk on Foot available, recorded all over the country, from Shetland to Port Isaac, and with musicians like Eliza Carthy, Johnny Flynn and Karine Polwart.
One of my favourite episodes is with Sam Lee where he sings among nightingales in Sussex – I’d definitely recommend listening to that one.
Just search for Folk on Foot wherever you get your podcasts, or find them @folkonfoot on social media.
If you’d like to listen to my conversation with Matthew on The Outdoors Fix, where he tells me all about his outdoors life and why he set up Folk on Foot, it’s the episode from July 2020.
And stay tuned for a brand new series of The Outdoors Fix podcast in the next few weeks! Until then, enjoy your adventures outside – we all know it’s the best place there is.
Liv x
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk
You can find photos and videos from the recordings on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix
The Outdoors Fix book is now available: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Folk on Foot team:
Host: Matthew Bannister
Producer: Natalie Steed
Digital marketing manager: Owen Ralph
Liv’s highlights from 5 years of The Outdoors Fix podcast
*10 February 2024 marks 5 years since the first episode of The Outdoors Fix podcast!*
To celebrate this milestone, I’ve got a NEW PODCAST EPISODE for you of some of my favourite moments from The Outdoors Fix recordings over the years!
I’ve loved speaking to every single one of my guests, but the moments I’ve picked are some of the snippets that have had the biggest impact on me and helped me to make the outdoors a bigger part of MY life.
So if you’d like to listen, head to your podcast platform and I hope you enjoy the episode!
I’d also love to hear what your favourite episode has been and why.
I remember 10 February 2019 very clearly – it was a grey, drizzly day. I shared my first episode and then went on a long walk on the Capital Ring in London with friends to distract and shake off the nerves.
It had taken me weeks to make fitting it around my job, I’d freaked out several times over the recording equipment, and I didn’t know whether anyone other than my family would listen to it…
But ever since my 10-week Te Araroa hike in New Zealand after burning out, and how much better the outdoors made me feel, I’d wanted to learn from the people who knew more about it than me, and share their knowledge.
I hoped that perhaps the podcast could help us motivate and equip EACH OTHER to get outside and experience nature’s power more often.
Via 50+ conversations and episodes recorded all over the British countryside (favourite location so far was hiding from the rain in a sheep barn…), I’ve learnt so much about the outdoors, and I hope you might have taken away something too.
But most of all, I think what I’ve found most valuable from these past 5 years was discovering something incredibly simple – that even just 10 minutes in nature can make things feel better. It’s a tool that I wished I’d known about much, much earlier.
I’ve also learnt that the people who love the outdoors are some of the kindest, most generous and inspirational people I’ve met.
So thank you for all the support for The Outdoors Fix podcast since 2019 and to all my wonderful guests. What a ride it’s been!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
Tom Burns: The Knepp rewilding project’s ranger and woodsman
Tom Burns is the ranger and woodsman at Knepp estate in West Sussex, a pioneering rewilding project led by the estate’s owners and conservationists Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree.
But growing up in the town of Crawley and passionate about rugby, Tom never expected that his life would lead him to a career where he’s up at dawn with the birds, coppicing woodland and protecting ancient trees.
Tom took me for a walk around Knepp – and we saw so much wildlife, including Exmoor ponies, stags, long-horn cattle and buzzards. It’s a truly beautiful place filled with hope about nature and protecting our planet’s biodiversity.
Don’t miss Tom’s suggestions for the best places to see ancient trees at the end of the episode, as well as a minute of the sounds of nature from Knepp for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Tom’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% discount at Merrell.co.uk (One product per person until 31 Dec 2023) Just use the code OUTDOORS20.
Munira Ali: Walking London’s 3,000 parks and green spaces
Munira Ali discovered the joy of walking in 2019 when she was struggling with her mental health. She’s now attempting to walk in all of London’s 3,000 parks, spreading the message, particularly within her British-Somaliland community, about the pleasure of exploring urban green spaces.
Munira’s enthusiasm about walking in London’s parks is utterly infectious so I couldn’t wait to chat to her and hear more about the impact of the outdoors on her life and why she thinks city green spots are so important.
For our walk, Munira took me to Wanstead Park in east London, a beautiful place with ancient woodland, lakes, old ruins, and meadows.
Despite living in London for a decade, I’d never heard of it beforehand – so it summed up for me the endless possibilities of exploring from your doorstep – and how a curiosity about your local area can lead to big adventures.
Munira shares her must visit London parks at the end of the episode, so don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Munira’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% discount at Merrell.co.uk (One product per person until 31 Dec 2023) Just use the code OUTDOORS20.
Sarah Banks: Writing a Wild Guide to North East England
Sarah Banks is a journalist and writer who’s just spent 18 months researching and writing the Wild Guide to North East England.
In search of 1,000 different wild spots for the book, Sarah explored all over Northumberland, the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Wolds and the North Pennines, finding lakes and rivers for swimming to hidden meadows, beaches and ancient ruins.
That sounded so much fun I knew I had to chat to Sarah to find out how she did it, and all the adventures she had along the way, so we went for a walk in Worm Dale in the Yorkshire Wolds together.
Sarah shares her suggestions for her must visit adventure spots in North East England at the end of the episode, so don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Sarah’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% discount at Merrell.co.uk (One product per person until 31 Dec 2023) Just use the code OUTDOORS20.
Katy O’Neill Gutierrez: The mum who set up Blaze Trails, the parent and baby walking community
Katy O’Neill Gutierrez is a mum of two and the founder of Blaze Trails, a network of walking groups all around the UK for parents and their babies.
Realising that getting outdoors was crucial to her mental health after a traumatic labour with her first daughter, Katy started organising walks with friends.
Those initial walks have led to the creation of a network of 56 walking groups around the UK with thousands of parents inspired to get out in nature with their young children.
I went for a walk with Katy by the River Chess in the Chess Valley in Hertfordshire – a beautiful spot with a rare chalk stream. I wanted to find out more about how the outdoors helped her as a new mum, why she wanted to set up Blaze Trails, how she’s grown it to what it’s become today and what it’s been like to make the outdoors into her career.
Katy shares her favourite family walks and hiking with your baby tips at the end of the episode, so don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Katy’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% discount at Merrell.co.uk (One product per person until 31 Dec 2023) Just use the code OUTDOORS20.
Elise Wortley: Surviving alone in the Canadian wilderness & following forgotten female explorers
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Elise Wortley is an adventurer who follows in the footsteps of intrepid female explorers of the past.
Her fascination with these women has taken her on expeditions all over the world for her Woman with Altitude Project, from the Himalayas dressed in a yak coat and wooden backpack; to Iran trekking with a mule in a 1930s Burberry mac; and to the Scottish Highlands, wearing a 1940s cotton skirt and hobnail boots.
More recently, Elise took part in Channel 4’s survival series, Alone, where she managed to survive for weeks on her own in the Canadian wilderness.
Elise took me for a walk in Battersea Park in London and we recorded her episode of The Outdoors Fix podcast there.
I wanted to find out what was behind all of Elise’s adventures, how she balances it with her full-time PR job, and what it took to survive for weeks in the Canadian wilderness.
Elise shares her bushcraft and survival tips at the end of the episode, so make sure you don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Elise’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% discount at Merrell.co.uk (One product per person until 31 Dec 2023) Just use the code OUTDOORS20.
Carla Khouri: The science teacher turned mountain leader training to be the first black winter ML
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Carla Khouri is a qualified mountain leader who’s also the course director for Black Girls Hike, a Duke of Edinburgh assessor, paddlesports leader and Merrell Hiking Club organiser. But she lives in London and she used to be a science teacher!
Carla is also one of only two black female mountain leaders in the UK and she’s on course with her training to be the only black female winter mountain leader.
Carla took me to a beautiful park just minutes from her home in London, and we recorded the episode sitting on the grass within sight of a herd of fallow deer.
Someone who’s unafraid of following her heart, Carla’s story left me feeling inspired about having courage to follow your dreams at any age, and the impact of contributing to the outdoors community.
Carla shares her tips for lesser-known spots to explore around the UK at the end of the episode, as well as how to start out and secure work if you’re interested in becoming a mountain leader, so make sure you don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Carla’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is out now: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% discount at Merrell.co.uk (One product per person until 31 Dec 2023) Just use the code OUTDOORS20.
Emma Holland: Becoming a mountain leader in mid-life in the Peak District
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Emma Holland is a qualified mountain leader who runs her own mountain leader business, Emma Holland Mountain Training. You’ll often find her in the Peak District leading groups on hikes, teaching navigation or wild camping in the hills. Through her walks and courses, she’s trying to give people the confidence to safely plan their own outdoors adventures.
Having worked for Nottingham City Council since she was 18, it wasn’t until her 40s that Emma took the big leap to shift the direction of her career and life towards the outdoors. Her story proves that it’s never too late to pursue your passion.
Emma took me for a stunning hike on the eastern edge of the Peak District for this episode and we recorded it sat on the grass in the shade of some birch trees. It was a fascinating conversation about turning the outdoors into a career and how it can positively influence the path of your life.
Emma shares her tips for becoming a mountain leader and where to go walking in the Peak District at the end of the episode, so make sure you don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Emma’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is now available to pre-order: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% off discount on their shoes at Merrell.co.uk So just use the code FIX20 which is valid on all full price items on their website.
Debbie Croydon: The open water swimming coach who set up Soul Swimmers
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Debbie Croydon found a deep love of swimming in open water later in life and she’s working hard to encourage women, particularly from Black and Asian communities, to give it a go too.
Debbie’s a swimming teacher, an open water coach and triathlon coach – she’s also the co-founder of the community swimming group, Soul Swimmers. Set up in 2020, the group aims to encourage more women from diverse backgrounds to take up swimming, particularly outdoors in open water. Debbie’s based in London and she’s also a triathlete who has competed for Team GB in the World Championships for triathlon in her age category of 60-64!
Debbie and I met back in the summer and chatted by the shores of the West Reservoir in London, an open water swimming reservoir. I wanted to find out how Debbie found her love of open water swimming, what sparked the idea to set up Soul Swimmers, and why she’s determined to see more women from diverse backgrounds enjoying a dip outdoors.
Debbie shares her tips for open water swimming at the end of the episode, so make sure you don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature at the end for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Debbie’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is now available to pre-order: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% off discount on their shoes at Merrell.co.uk So just use the code FIX20 which is valid on all full price items on their website.
Kate Capelli: The founder of Adventuress in the Wild championing women in the outdoors
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Are you looking to join an adventure community or thinking about setting one up?
For this episode, I went for a walk with Kate Capelli, the founder of Adventuress in the Wild. It’s an adventure community for women based in London and the South East that’s massively grown since Kate set it up a couple of years ago.
The group offers everything from weekly walks around London and bouldering through to hikes in Surrey and the Chilterns, and wild weekends in Snowdonia, the Peak District and South Downs. There are trips abroad in the works too.
With so many events on offer, Kate, who is now a qualified lowland walk leader and hiking guide, has created a big buzz around the community and she’s opening up adventure to hundreds of women. As someone who defines herself as queer, she emphasises that the group is open to all women, particularly those in the LGBTQIA+ community & women of colour.
Kate and I met back in the summer and chatted in Ashridge Estate in the Chilterns, only about 10 minutes from where I grew up! I wanted to find out what sparked the idea to set up her adventure community, how Kate runs it and how it’s profoundly changing her life.
Kate shares her tips for getting outdoors more and great places to explore in London at the end of the episode, so make sure you don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature at the end for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
Kate’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is now available to pre-order: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% off discount on their shoes at Merrell.co.uk So just use the code FIX20 which is valid on all full price items on their website.
Chris Gaskin: The Special Forces veteran who set a Wainwright record in the Lake District
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Have you ever wanted to take on an outdoors challenge or tick off an outdoors goal but you’ve never got round to it or you’ve doubted yourself? My guest in this episode, Chris Gaskin, is someone who might give you the confidence to go for it.
Chris is a Special Forces veteran and endurance athlete from Yorkshire who set the record in 2021 for the fastest solo and unsupported continuous round of the Wainwrights in the Lake District. He managed to climb all the 214 Wainwright fells and walk in between them in just 11 days, 10 hours and 58 minutes. The fastest known time for the 325-mile feat during which he also carried all his own food and equipment. Chris tackled the endurance challenge to raise money for the military community and charity Walking with the Wounded.
I loved chatting to Chris about his challenge when we went for a walk together on the Pennine Way in the Peak District. But what I found equally fascinating was the mental resilience approach he uses to get through difficult moments in life and big physical challenges. A mnemonic called MINDSET. It’s something that I found incredibly useful and inspirational to hear about and I think you might too. You may not be focused on setting a Wainwright record like Chris, but his techniques might just help you with whatever outdoors challenge or goals you’d like to pursue.
So listen to the episode to find out what MINDSET stands for and how Chris used it to help him complete his Wainwright record-setting round.
Don’t forget to listen out for Chris’ endurance challenge tips at the end of the episode as well as the minute of sounds of nature to bring a bit of escapism into your busy day.
Chris’ episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. I hope you enjoy it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is now available to pre-order: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% off discount on their shoes at Merrell.co.uk So just use the code FIX20 which is valid on all full price items on their website.
Vicky Balfour: The mountain biker finding ‘pockets of adventure’ in everyday life
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Are you desperate to go on more outdoors adventures but feel like you never have enough time?
Vicky Balfour’s story might just be the spark of inspiration you’re looking for!
Vicky lives in Kent and is an avid mountain biker, bike mechanic, writer, special needs parent and founder of Vicky Bikes, her business offering bike mechanic and cycling sessions.
Her mission is “to enable people of all ages and backgrounds to find pockets of adventure within the boundaries of everyday life.”
Listen to the episode to find out her tips for adding more adventure into your weekly routine. You’ll also hear why she moved from city PR to mountain biking and setting up her own biking business, as well as how nature and being outdoors helped her through a very difficult couple of decades in her life.
Vicky took me mountain biking in the Kent countryside for this episode and we recorded it in the middle of a wood! It was such a great morning and an absolute highlight of my years recording The Outdoors Fix.
She shares her tips for mountain biking routes and getting outdoors at the end of the episode, so make sure you don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature at the end for a little bit of escapism in your busy day.
I hope you enjoy the episode and please feel free to rate and review it, or tell your friends about it!
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
The Outdoors Fix book is now available to pre-order: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc
This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell.
Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% off discount on their shoes at Merrell.co.uk So just use the code FIX20 which is valid on all full price items on their website.
Sharnee Gardner: From modelling for Vogue to life as a professional gardener
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Ever thought about changing your career and becoming a gardener?
Sharnee Gardner’s story might just give you the inspiration you need!
Originally from Australia, Sharnee moved to the UK aged 16 after being scouted to be a model.
She’s appeared in Vogue and countless other fashion magazines, and done catwalks and fashion weeks all over the world.
But in the last 18 months, she’s completely transformed her life to become a professional gardener!
I met up with Sharnee in Painshill Park in Surrey – where she was a gardener at the time.
I was so intrigued by her story and wanted to find out what drove her to push her modelling career to the side to focus on the outdoors and nature, and how she made the jump to gardening.
I hope you enjoy this episode of The Outdoors Fix and don’t forget to listen out for Sharnee’s fantastic tips and advice for those interested in a gardening or conservation career, or just how we can bring a bit more nature into our lives!
Also don’t miss the sounds of nature 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 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.
Kumbi Kariwo: The nurse who used rock climbing to get through the Covid-19 pandemic
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Kumbi Kariwo first came across rock climbing as a child in Zimbabwe.
It’s a sport that has been important to her throughout a large part of her life, particularly after she moved to the UK aged 18.
But little did she know just how vital it would become during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kumbi is a nurse and rock climbing became her much-needed escape from the huge stresses of working on the front line of the NHS.
Having seen how much rock climbing has given to her, Kumbi is also keen to encourage other people into the sport and to make it more inclusive.
I met up with Kumbi for a lovely walk in Charlecote Park, a National Trust house and deer park in Warwickshire, not far from where she lives.
I wanted to find out from her why she loves rock climbing so much, why she’s trying to get so many other people into it and why the outdoors and rock climbing helped her while being a nurse in the Covid-19 pandemic.
I hope you enjoy this episode of The Outdoors Fix and don’t forget to listen out for Kumbi’s tips and advice for those interested in rock climbing or making the outdoors a bigger part of your life!
Also don’t miss the sounds of the sea 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 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.
Helen Iles: Life as a mountain rescue volunteer and landscape photographer in Wales
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
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 South Snowdonia Search and Rescue, 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 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.
Jack Williams: The Himalayas, cancer and mountain leading in Snowdonia
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
My guest in this episode is mountain leader, hiker and trail runner Jack Williams. Jack’s outdoors life has had many different chapters.
In his twenties, Jack was gripped by pursuing expeditions all around the world, including to the Himalayas and the Sahara Desert. He worked in hospitality and retail in between trips to finance them.
But five years ago, he found out he had testicular cancer. Going through that experience led to changes in his relationship with the outdoors and adventure goals.
He’s now a qualified mountain leader, leading groups and courses in Snowdonia and he’s also focused on family, creating outdoor adventures with his two young sons.
In the summer, I met up for a beautiful walk with Jack in Llangollen in North Wales, where he now lives. I was keen to hear all about his outdoors story but particularly how getting outside helped him cope with his illness as well as how he’s now shaping an adventurous life for his family in the UK.
I hope you enjoy this episode of The Outdoors Fix and don’t forget to listen out for Jack’s tips and advice for those interested in becoming a mountain leader or making the outdoors a bigger part of your life!
Also don’t miss the birdsong at the end of this podcast episode for a short, calming escape from your busy day.
Liv x
If you’re affected by any of the issues in this episode, there are links to help and support on The Outdoors Fix website.
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 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.
Elise Downing: Life after running 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain
The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton.
Elise Downing was in her early twenties and sitting miserably in an office when she decided to do something more than a little out of the norm. She looked at a map of Great Britain and wondered if anyone had ever run around the coast. As you do. A search online suggested not many had. A big running adventure like that would be a good reason to quit her job, she thought.
Scoot to 2016 and Elise became the first woman and youngest person to run around the coast of Britain. A distance of 5,000 miles (!). She’s now written a book, Coasting, about that epic adventure.
I met Elise for a walk in Leigh Woods near Bristol on a warm but blustery day in August. I wanted to find out what it really takes to get to the start line of a huge challenge like hers, how her body coped covering up to 40 miles a day, and what life has been like since she stopped running around the coast. Post-adventure life is a part of the story that we don’t often hear about.
Elise is keen to share the message that anyone can go on a big adventure, you just have to be the one who actually does it.
I hope you enjoy this episode of The Outdoors Fix and don’t forget to listen out for Elise’s tips and advice for those interested in trail running or making the outdoors a bigger part of your life!
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 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.