Hi, please tell everyone where you are based and what you do!
I’m based in Tynemouth on the North East coast of England and I do a few things. I work part time for a charity called Children’s Cancer North, I volunteer for my local coastguard rescue team (another charity called Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade), which I absolutely love, I’m a qualified SUP/ SUP Surf instructor, which i mostly use in the summer to teach in local outdoor & surf schools, and I have recently also qualified as a first responder.
Rope Tech Training with TLVB
What’s your favorite way to spend time outdoors?
I love to be near or in water, whether it’s paddle surfing, searching for beautiful spots for cold water dipping or learning something new like wing foiling
Me and my paddle surf board
Can you share your favourite, memorable outdoor adventure or experience?
I have so many lovely experiences from home with my friends that having a favourite one is tricky. One of my favourite things to do that is very simple is a sunrise dip in the sea where I live. However, in November last year I went on a bit of a trip of a lifetime with my mum, sister and cousin.
My Mum and I at Bhutan, 4,000m camp
We travelled to Nepal for 2 weeks and then I spent a further 4 days in Bhutan with my mum. To be able to do this was something really out of the ordinary for me, experiencing different cultures, hiking in the lower level hills of Nepal with the four of us and then mum and I climbed to 4000m in Bhutan, camping overnight. The whole trip was amazing for lots of reasons, but especially having that quality time connecting with my mum, sister and cousin - away from our busy home lives. Bhutan was especially good - my mum is a real inspiration and it was a privilege for me to be able to experience that with her.
Swimming with my Mum at Holy Island
How do you manage to find a balance between being active and life’s other responsibilities i.e. work and family?
I have gotten better at managing work-life balance. I will be 50 in July, and was diagnosed with ADHD just over 4 years ago. It was a big learning curve for me but since then I have identified what I am not great at, where my strengths lie and where I can add value. I reduced my working hours and changed my role to more project based work and this helped greatly. I have also gotten better at saying no to things, and protecting my own mental health and energy if I'm not feeling great. I am still working this out but I feel like I have made steps in the right direction.
Me and my dog Lucca
As a family, we try to sit down every Sunday and go through everyone’s plan for the week ahead (I have 2 teenage girls) and this helps me with my planning and thinking about when the girls will need me. Planning ahead is a bit of an achilles heel for me, but this works quite well.
I have learned to prioritise things that bring me joy and do less people-pleasing, and I think that this has also helped greatly with work-life balance.
Is there anyone in particular that inspired your love of the outdoors?
Definitely my mum! She is a ‘mountains’ person. She mountaineered with her dad a lot as a young woman and has been on many adventures. She’s been a quietly inspiring role model throughout my life.
My Mum, Dawn Gumbly, in her 20s
What role does nature play in your mental well-being?
Nature plays a huge role in my mental and physical wellbeing. I think I would struggle if I couldn’t get outside!).
Being in nature is therapy, it’s joy, it’s time with friends, it’s putting the world to rights, it’s self discovery, it’s challenging and awe inspiring all rolled into one!
Tree hugging in Scotland
I always feel better for being in nature, whether it’s a quick dog walk, a sunrise dip in the sea, a family ski holiday, time doing water sports or a hike with my friends in Northumberland, there’s nothing better than getting outside into the fresh air, living in the moment and taking in those green and blue spaces.
For me, now knowing that I have ADHD I definitely also recognise it as a means of helping to regulate my emotions as well as giving me that good dopamine hit!
Hiking in Scotland
What’s the one piece of gear or clothing you never leave home without on an outdoor trip?
I’d probably say my trusty Osprey ‘day’ rucksack. I have many, many bits of outdoor gear and I love it, but this was a good investment. I took it to Nepal and Bhutan with me as well as using it whenever I go out walking at home. I love how comfy it is to wear, and its size and functionality that’s built in is perfect for my needs. Whenever the rucksack comes out, you know you’re going to be doing something fun.
I am also a huge fan of anything wool! You can’t have too much!
When did you discover FINDRA?
Probably a couple of years ago via Jo Mosely who is a friend and someone I have collaborated with on a few projects. She’s one of your brand ambassadors and another great source of inspiration for me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Acceptance is key to moving on.
On writing this blog, what do you feel is the key motivational or inspirational message you would like to highlight to our followers that would inspire them to get outdoors more.
There is a growing body of evidence around this, but I think that my main message would be that getting outside is good for you - and you always feel better for having had a bit of fresh air. You might not always feel like it and for some it may be intimidating but you don’t have to have lots of specialist kit or amazing skills to enjoy the outdoors. It is possible to start off small. Go for a walk on your local beach if - like me - you’re lucky to live by the coast, or take a walk in your local park, nature reserve, woodland or river.
Me and Lucca in the snow - photo by Chris Peacock
It’s also important to find something that you enjoy doing. My love for the outdoors has spanned over 30 years - I worked in outdoor education as an instructor aged 18 and it’s always been a part of my life since.
Over the years I have tried MANY different aspects of being outside but some have stuck more than others, and now hiking and being in or near water are my essentials. When I started cold water dipping before the pandemic, I also started doing a little jump for joy at the end by putting my phone camera on a timer. This has translated into many hundreds of jumps now and it’s a bit of fun that gets incorporated into doing things with my friends. For me, these little things are a small reminder to be grateful for our physical and mental health and to bring a bit of fun into the day. Laughter is good medicine.
Moon reflection jump for joy!
Sunday Inspiration
Favourite Podcast
I’m not a big reader as I find it difficult to concentrate, but in terms of podcasts I’m a bit of a geek! From Roadside to Resus which is (mostly) a podcast about different aspects of pre-hospital care.
Favourite Quote
Favourite Song
I’ve always loved ‘reach for the stars’ by S Club 7 - totally cheesy, but a great song along and always leaves you feeling happy!
