OUTDOOR LIVES
When a long-distance trek saved Radio 4 producer and podcaster Liv Bolton from burnout, she began documenting the life-changing effects of ‘The Outdoors Fix’ on others. Firstly in a popular podcast, and now in a new book, Liv meets people with inspirational stories to share about their experiences in the great outdoors. Over the next six pages three of them share their stories with you.
Have you felt it? Maybe it was while you were walking under trees in summer, sunlight streaming through the leaves, turning them lime green. Or at the edge of a lake, dipping your toes in the icy water and feeling the pebbles massage your feet. Perhaps you were high up in the hills, looking at a beautiful view and watching birds surf on the wind as you caught your breath from the climb. It’s that feeling of your mind emptying. Your body loosening and relaxing. The fizziness of excitement or joy in your stomach. Being in that moment in nature and not wanting it to end.
It’s hard to know exactly how the outdoors makes each of us feel, and sometimes words can’t describe it. But what we do know (and scientific research backs this up) is that being in green spaces can make us feel good, help our mental health and leave us wanting more. The cacophony of life, work, responsibilities and where you live, along with worries about skills, logistics and experience, can often seem like insurmountable barriers to getting outdoors more, having adventures and chasing that feeling. But what if you heard stories and experiences from people who’ve found ways to work around those hurdles, or in some cases climb over them? What could your life look like after that? Liv Bolton, The Outdoors Fix
THE CHALLENGE HIKER
“YOU CAN’T HELP BUT BE AWARE OF HOW SHORT OUR WINDOW OF HEALTH AND FITNESS CAN BE”
Jamie Neill
“My grandpa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in his early 40s and my mum developed it aged 37. I’m in my late 30s now. Seeing physical health deteriorate in front of you, you can’t help but be aware of how short our window of health and fitness can be. It’s made me determined to make the most of my physical abilities, take on as many outdoors adventures as I can and encourage others to do the same.
“I haven’t always been into hillwalking and the outdoors. In fact, my childhood in Hamilton in Scotland was m
