The power of the outdoors can be transformative. Connecting with new experiences and like-minded people through walking, climbing and mountaineering creates powerful communities and lifelong memories. We want to diversify the people we normally hear talk
In this one we explore the stigma of mental illness, what exactly Mental Health First Aid is, and the importance of expedition leaders who can support mental health as well as deal with broken legs and snake bites. Stu Skinner is an experienced expedition leader, mental health first aid provider and the founder of the charity Changing Horizons. He wants us to normalise conversations about mental health, break the taboo of suicide and is passionate about the mental health benefits of outdoor activity. Content information: In our conversation, Stu talks about experiencing mental health challenges including suicidal thoughts and attempting suicide. He also explains he lost a friend to suicide. There are no details about the events. Stu also talks about recovery, hope and the importance of talking to each other and breaking down stigma. Show notes and full transcript available at https://www.thebmc.co.uk/finding-our-way-podcast Find Stu on Instagram @OfTalesOnTrails and his charity at www.ChangingHorizons.org If you need to talk to someone, call Samaritans on 116 123 for free, at any time. You can also find help at www.samaritans.org For further information or support in relation to issues raised in this episode, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/ https://www.mind.org.uk For further information about Mountain Training's courses including Hill & Mountain Skills and the Mountain Leader qualification, please visit: https://www.mountain-training.org/. For information on funding available to support course attendance visit: https://www.mountain-training.org/help/resources/bursaries-for-our-qualifications. Finding Our Way is sponsored by Berghaus, and hosted by BMC walking ambassador Mary-Ann Ochota and expedition leader and equity champion Cress Allwood. Our editor is Chris Stone. The cover artwork was designed by Neil Arch. Get involved with the conversation – share your thoughts on @teamBMC on instagram and twitter with the hashtag #FindingOurWay.
In this one we get some good views and good vibes with founder of outdoor network Steppers UK, Cherelle Harding. We hear how the music of Bob Marley brought her a new appreciation of nature, why outdoor upskilling is key to making change stick, and what needs to be done to improve nature connection in urban areas. Cherelle is the founder of Steppers UK, a community group based in the Midlands, focused on encouraging more people from under-represented backgrounds into outdoor activities including walking. In this episode of Finding Our Way, Cherelle, a young woman of Black Caribbean ethnicity talks about racism, feeling safe in the countryside and her work to improve the representation and confidence of people from black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities, as well as barriers for people living in urban areas. Show notes and full transcript available at https://www.thebmc.co.uk/finding-our-way-podcast-cherelle-harding Find Steppers UK on Instagram @Steppers_UK For further information or support in relation to issues raised in this episode, please visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/discrimination-because-of-race-religion-or-belief/ For further information about Mountain Training's courses including Hill & Mountain Skills and the Mountain Leader qualification, please visit: https://www.mountain-training.org/. For information on funding available to support course attendance visit: https://www.mountain-training.org/help/resources/bursaries-for-our-qualifications. Finding Our Way is supported by Berghaus, and hosted by BMC walking ambassador Mary-Ann Ochota and expedition leader and equity champion Cress Allwood. Our editor is Chris Stone. The cover artwork was designed by Neil Arch. Get involved with the conversation – share your thoughts on @teamBMC on instagram and twitter with the hashtag #FindingOurWay.
In this one we talk about how to make clubs more inclusive, the joy of maps, getting qualified as an outdoor leader and how a supportive community with common interests can build confidence, skills and a lifetime of outdoor connection. Rob Mitchell is a mountain leader for Outdoor Lads, a UK-wide community who run a range of sociable outdoor activities for gay, bi and trans guys. In this episode of Finding Our Way Rob, a gay man, talks about discrimination linked to homophobia. He also talks about the importance of a supportive community to help individuals deal with stress and life challenges. Show notes and full transcript available at https://www.thebmc.co.uk/finding-our-way-podcast-rob-mitchell Follow Outdoor Lads on Instagram @OutdoorLads and at www.outdoorlads.com For further information or support in relation to issues raised in this episode, please visit: https://www.stonewall.org.uk For further information about Mountain Training's courses including Hill & Mountain Skills and the Mountain Leader qualification, please visit: https://www.mountain-training.org/. For information on funding available to support course attendance visit: https://www.mountain-training.org/help/resources/bursaries-for-our-qualifications. Finding Our Way is sponsored by Berghaus, and hosted by BMC walking ambassador Mary-Ann Ochota and expedition leader and equity champion Cress Allwood. Our editor is Chris Stone. The cover artwork was designed by Neil Arch. Get involved with the conversation – share your thoughts on @teamBMC on instagram and twitter with the hashtag #FindingOurWay.
In this one we head to the high mountains to discuss the Death Zone, climbing – and falling – on Everest, attempting K2, inspiring non-climbers, and the pressure and dangers of dropping weight to climb harder. Bonita Norris has summited three of the world's 8000m peaks and retains the record as the youngest British woman to climb both Everest and reach the North Pole. She's also written candidly about suffering from bulimia as a teenager. In this episode of Finding Our Way Bonita talks about eating disorders, eating habits and body image amongst climbers. She also describes falling and getting injured on Everest. Show notes and full transcript available at https://www.thebmc.co.uk/finding-our-way-podcast-bonita-norris Follow Bonita on Instagram @BonitaNorris http://www.bonita-norris.com For further information or support in relation to issues raised in this episode, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/ https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk Finding Our Way is supported by Berghaus, and hosted by BMC walking ambassador Mary-Ann Ochota and expedition leader and equity champion Cress Allwood. Our editor is Chris Stone. The cover artwork was designed by Neil Arch. Get involved with the conversation – share your thoughts on @teamBMC on instagram and twitter with the hashtag #FindingOurWay.
In this one we sit down with Glasgow-based photographer and filmmaker Euan Ryan to talk getting hit by rocks, why climbing is a strange sport full of brilliant people, mental health journeys, chronic illness, hidden disabilities and the taboo of ‘poo issues'. Euan has documented para-climbers on the Eiger, climbing with autism, and the mental healing that climbing can offer in his most recent film, ‘We Need to Talk About Kev'. He also suffers from Crohn's disease, a painful and sometimes debilitating inflammatory bowel condition. In this episode of Finding Our Way, Euan, who suffers from Crohn's Disease, talks about his chronic illness, managing a diagnosis and treatment. Show notes and full transcript available at https://www.thebmc.co.uk/finding-our-way-podcast-euan-ryan Follow Euan on Instagram @FinalCruxFilms & watch his films https://vimeo.com/finalcruxfilms https://www.finalcruxfilms.com For further information or support in relation to issues raised in this episode, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/crohns-disease https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk https://www.noteverydisabilityisvisible.org.uk Finding Our Way is supported by Berghaus, and hosted by BMC walking ambassador Mary-Ann Ochota and expedition leader and equity champion Cress Allwood. Our editor is Chris Stone. The cover artwork was designed by Neil Arch. Get involved with the conversation – share your thoughts on @TeamBMC on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #FindingOurWay.
In this one we talk about the importance of decent kit, being paid to do cool stuff, the problem with the term ‘BAME' and why building relationships with the whole community matters with outdoor instructor and community mentor Rehna Yaseen. She discovered a passion for outdoor activities in her teens and now helps other young people find their own passion for the ‘great outdoors' as the leader of the Ashton Youth Club in Greater Manchester. In this episode of Finding Our Way, Rehna, a young Muslim woman from a British Pakistani community, talks about inequalities linked to gender and ethnic minority communities. She describes some of the pressures that women from South Asian communities can feel. Show notes and full transcript available at https://www.thebmc.co.uk/finding-our-way-podcast-rehna-yaseen Follow Rehna on Instagram @outdoors_with_rehna https://www.lindleyeducationaltrust.org/social-investment/ For further information or support in relation to issues raised in this episode, please visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/discrimination-because-of-race-religion-or-belief/ For further information about Mountain Training's courses including Hill & Mountain Skills and the Mountain Leader qualification, please visit: https://www.mountain-training.org/. For information on funding available to support course attendance visit: https://www.mountain-training.org/help/resources/bursaries-for-our-qualifications. Finding Our Way is supported by Berghaus, and hosted by BMC walking ambassador Mary-Ann Ochota and expedition leader and equity champion Cress Allwood. Our editor is Chris Stone. The cover artwork was designed by Neil Arch. Get involved with the conversation – share your thoughts on @TeamBMC on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #FindingOurWay.
The power of the outdoors can be transformative. Connecting with new experiences and like-minded people through walking, climbing and mountaineering creates powerful communities and lifelong memories. We want to diversify the people we normally hear talking about the outdoors, celebrate their stories, shine a light on their insights, and create a place for discussion, inclusion and practical advice. So welcome to Finding Our Way, a podcast that aims to be thought-provoking, upbeat and entertaining. Finding Our Way is brought to you by the British Mountaineering Council and proudly supported by Berghaus. It's hosted and produced by BMC walking ambassador Mary-Ann Ochota and expedition leader and equity champion Cress Allwood. Our editor is Chris Stone. The artwork is by Neil Arch. Season 1 launches on 22nd September 2021 – follow now on your podcast app so you don't miss an episode. Get involved with the conversation – share your thoughts on @team_BMC on Twitter and @teamBMC on Instagram with the hashtag #FindingOurWay.
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