This episode of The Checkpoint podcast is sponsored by The North Face®️.

In episode 18 we speak to Mary-Ann Ochota, she is a broadcaster and anthropologist who spends a lot of time outdoors! She’s a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a hiking ambassador for the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and likes nothing more than exploring the British countryside – whether that’s rolling farmland trails, remote archaeological remains or a scrambly mountain ridge line.

Over the past couple of years, she’s particularly focused on trying to help improve diversity and inclusion in the outdoors. You can read some of her thoughts here: https://www.advnture.com/features/diversity-in-the-outdoors and check out the ideas that a panel of outdoor influencers (including BTR cofounder Marcus!) came up with following a panel event hosted by Arcteryx: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_lN7DQKo=/.

Later this year she’ll also be launching Finding Our Way, a new podcast from the BMC, championing diverse voices. Keep an eye out for it! Mary-Ann’s also written books on history and archaeology, including Hidden Histories: A Spotter’s Guide to the British Landscape which helps you puzzle out all those lumps and bumps and historical features you might spot on your trail runs.

Follow Mary-Ann on twitter and instagram @MaryAnnOchota or at www.MaryAnnOchota.com