Welcome to episode 19 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Alex Staniforth about his adventurous lifestyle and his battle with mental health.

We cover how his experience in school pushed to seek other interests and where this has taken him. To Nepal, Tibet and all over the UK. Alex now uses these experiences to tell his story and motivate others through speaking at schools, businesses and events.

He is the co-founder of an amazing charity, Mind Over Mountains, which is making great strides in assisting peoples mental health using the outdoors.

Alex talks about his first 100 mile fell run, since recording this he completed the Lakes, Meres & Waters on the 9th April 2022.

It can all be watched on YouTube and Spotify and listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The pod is on Instagram and Twitter help us spread the word and share it whenever you can. Please like, share and comment, especially on Apple where it helps with the algorithm.

If there are any guests you want to hear from let us know and we will try our best to sit down with them.

Please enjoy listening to the interviews and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Alex Staniforth on Instagram/ Twitter / Website

Mind Over Mountains on Instagram/ Twitter / Website

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter

Welcome to episode 18 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Brian Sharp from Mountain Wave coaching.

Brian is now based in the highlands of Scotland after being introduced to the mountains a bit later in life. He is forging a lifestyle around running, tourism and coffee!

He shares his adventures on his social media channels which inspires him through the people he connects with. Brian has lots of ideas, which he tells me about, for the future involving local Highland suppliers.

His achievements have led him to be supported by Rab and Teko socks.

I chatted to him whilst we were at Fort William Mountain Festival. Thanks to the festival and Outdoor Capital of the UK for making this happen.

It can all be watched on YouTube and Spotify and listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The pod is on Instagram and Twitter help us spread the word and share it whenever you can. Please like, share and comment, especially on Apple where it helps with the algorithm.

If there are any guests you want to hear from let us know and we will try our best to sit down with them.

Please enjoy listening to the interviews and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Brian Sharp on Instagram

Mountain Wave Coaching on Instagram/ Website / YouTube

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter

Welcome to episode 17 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Shane Ohly, who has a passion for all things adventure, with his take on the definition of the term.

He started when he was a teenager as a climber, establishing himself as ‘loose cannon’ of the sport, climbing bold solos and admits that there was an element of recklessness. He then transitioned into a mountain runner, focusing on orienteering based races, as well as big mountain routes. Shane talks about his dedication to the whatever adventure he sets his mind to.

Nowadays, he is race director at Ourea Events, still getting out to climb and run, but the logistics of planning world renowned running events, like the Dragons Back or Skyline Scotland, keeps him busy. We discuss the safety aspects he has developed and the environmental management that goes into these events, amongst other things.

It can all be watched on YouTube and Spotify and listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The pod is on Instagram and Twitter help us spread the word and share it whenever you can. Please like, share and comment, especially on Apple where it helps with the algorithm.

If there are any guests you want to hear from let us know and we will try our best to sit down with them.

Please enjoy listening to the interviews and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Ourea Events on Instagram / Twitter / Website

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Welcome to episode 16 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Isaac Kenyon.

Isaac is a world record holding adventurer who is sculpting his adventurers around the need to promote a positive environmental culture and this is reflected in the Pedal 4 Parks film he is involved in that was shown at COP26.

We talk about how he found the outdoors through swimming initially as he learned about the positive impact to growing mental health concerns whilst at university. Also, about the adventures his outdoor passion has taken on and how this overlaps into his day job. He tells us about Climate Explorers and how the team involved plan to use this for outdoor education across the globe.

As we were in the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William during the Mountain Festival this year, there is a bit of background noise from other people moving around the hotel. Hopefully it doesn’t distract from the great chat I had with Isaac.

It can all be watched on YouTube and Spotify and listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The pod is on Instagram and Twitter help us spread the word and share it whenever you can. Please like, share and comment, especially on Apple where it helps with the algorithm.

Thanks to the Outdoor Capital of the UK and Fort William Mountain Festival for assisting in making this interview happening.

If there are any guests you want to hear from let us know and we will try our best to sit down with them.

Please enjoy listening to the interviews and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Isaac: Instagram/ LinkTree

Climate Explorers: Instagram / Website

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter

Welcome to episode 15 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast. This is ‘moment’ on the path, a short edition where I talk to Hazen Audel about the upcoming release of his National Geographic series ‘Primal Survivor: Escape the Amazon’.

In the new series, explorer Hazen takes on his toughest challenge yet, fighting his way through 500 miles of tropical Amazon jungle using only traditional survival methods at the most perilous time of year, the rainy season. Hazen’s journey is continually hampered by rain, flooding areas and blocking his paths.

However rainy season has its rewards. Wildlife is on the move meaning Hazen gets to witness some astonishing sights, from dense primeval forest and savannahs filled with snakes, to tall granite mountains and swamps filled with caiman. Can Hazen complete his long journey and escape the Amazon before the rains makes it impossible?

Filmed using National Geographic’s trademark high-end documentary style, each episode sees Hazen tackle a different leg of his perilous journey as he bravely takes on the mission to escape to the edge of the forest before being trapped by the floods of the rainy season.

Tune in to catch the adventure: ‘Primal Survivor: Escape the Amazon’ from Thursday 14 April at 9pm on the National Geographic channel.

It can all be watched on YouTube and Spotify and listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The pod is on Instagram and Twitter help us spread the word and share it whenever you can. Please like, share and comment, especially on Apple where it helps with the algorithm.

If there are any guests you want to hear from let us know and we will try our best to sit down with them.

Please enjoy listening to the interviews and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Hazen Audel on Instagram

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter

Welcome to episode 14 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Calum Maclean.

Calum is a Gaelic speaking presenter and broadcaster who does a lot of work for the BBC. In the podcast we talk about how this is part of his identity and how he has developed this in his work today. We delve into his up bringing, trips down under and how he uses his creativity to make content for his social media channels and BBC The Social.

He is an ambassador for the Outdoor Swimming Society and we talk about the popularity of the sport and the resources the organisation has to help new swimmers safely into the past time.

We recorded this at Fort William Mountain Festival, thanks to them the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and Outdoor Capital of the UK for facilitating the interview.

It can all be watched on YouTube and Spotify and listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The pod is on Instagram and Twitter help us spread the word and share it whenever you can. Please like, share and comment, especially on Apple where it helps with the algorithm.

If there are any guests you want to hear from let us know and we will try our best to sit down with them.

Please enjoy listening to the interviews and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Calum on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook

Outdoor Swimming Society on Instagram / Website

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter /  YouTube

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Welcome to episode 13 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Simon Yearsley. Simon has spent his entire adult life climbing, he has first ascents all over the globe.

There was a short period where he ventured into caving and this established two of the most life affirming relationships he still holds today.

Simon talks frankly about how he balances his passions and loves. And how two major events in recent years have altered his path. Included in this podcast there is a section (crudely recorded) where his lifelong friend and climbing partner, Malcolm Bass, talks at the Fort William Mountain Festival. Malcolm had a life changing stroke which he is currently recovering from.

Thanks to Simon for sitting down with me, it was a great chat and the time flew by. Simon did want me do add that Bert Jenkins won a prize at Kendal Mountain Festival, not Keswick as he mentioned in the interview.

As discussed in the podcast, there is a page to donate to the the Move Mountains for Malcolm fundraiser page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/move-mountains-for-malcolm

Thanks to Fort William Mountain Festival for the great weekend which brought so many people together and allowed me to get this interview. The Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and Outdoor Capital of the UK were amazing that weekend allowing me to record the podcast in their office. And thanks to Paddy Cuthbertson from Little House Media for his support in helping to organise the interview.

Remember to like and subscribe our YouTube channel.

Move Mountains for Malcolm: Instagram

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Spotify / Apple Podcast

Welcome to episode 12 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Franco Cookson. Franco is a professional climber that has established himself as an expert in falling.

But don’t think this is a bad thing, it only helps him climb harder. He stars in the film “Fall Theory” produced by Alastair Lee, which was shown as part of the Brit Rock Tour. Davy speaks to him to find out what brought him to climbing and how he prepares for the big falls.

Franco has helped to develop the climbing scene in the North York Moors, producing a guide book for the area. He is keen to establish bold routes in the area and he tells me about his process of grading routes.

Thanks to Franco for giving up his time between climbing and working.

Remember to like and subscribe our YouTube channel.

Franco Cookson: Instagram / YouTube

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Spotify/ Apple Podcast

Welcome to episode 11 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Gilly McArthur.

She really needs no introduction, she is an amazing illustrator and we talk about the quirkiness of her creations. We also discuss how she came from the corporate world to find her path through a career break, basing herself in Chamonix. Which has led her now to being a inspiration in the UK for open water swimming.

We had this chat on the shores of Lake Windemere after we had a ‘swim’ in the cold water of the lake. The sound is affected by the surroundings, whether it be other people around or the water lapping on the shores behind us.

It can all be watched on YouTube and Spotify and listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The pod is on Instagram and Twitter help us spread the word and share it whenever you can. Please like, share and comment, especially on Apple where it helps with the algorithm.

If there are any guests you want to hear from let us know and we will try our best to sit down with them.

Please enjoy listening to the interviews and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Gilly: Instagram/ Website

Women’s Trad Festival: Instagram / Website

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter

Welcome to episode 10 of Paths in the Outdoors podcast, this episode we talk to Nashy of Get After It podcast and dad of the Get After it Family

He is an adventure, fitness and sports enthusiast and proud father of three. He is the first to seize opportunities in outdoor adventures, regularly pushing himself and his family out of their comfort zone in an attempt to secure a satisfying work/life balance.

His adventures have led to him becoming an Ambassador for Scottish based adventure brand, Vango.

The chat also included Abby, mum of the Get After family as she moves from a career in Forensic Science to fulfilling her dream as a full time fitness and well-being instructor. She is also co-director at Groundswell Scotland.

We chat about adventure, mental health, family and what the aspirations are for the Get After It Family.

Once the chat finished Nashy led us down to his local dip location in East Lothian which is seconds from Get After It HQ. Excuse the outro sound as we had just dunked ourselves in the sea and the GoPro microphone was still draining the sea out.

It can all be watched on YouTube and Spotify and listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The pod is on Instagram and Twitter help us spread the word and share it whenever you can. Please like, share and comment, especially on Apple where it helps with the algorithm.

If there are any guests you want to hear from let us know and we will try our best to sit down with them.

Please enjoy listening to the interviews and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

MyOutdoors on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook /  YouTube

Davy Wright on Instagram / Twitter

Paths in the Outdoors on Instagram / Twitter