Emma & The Team
Emma & The Team
Emma
Founder / Mountain Leader & Paddle Instructor
Hey I’m Emma, I’m a qualified Mountain Leader & SUP Instructor from Hull, Yorkshire. I have a huge passion for exploring nature and outdoor activities. Over the last 15 years I have travelled 53 countries to absorb different landscapes, cultures, meet many diverse people and try lots of fun outdoor hobbies.
The whole of my working career has been as a Procurement professional in the corporate world but in December 2021 I made the decision that would change my life forever. I handed in my notice and hit the road travelling for one year How Vanlife Transformed My Life – Love, Joy & Belonging. This gifted me with time and space to really think and reflect on what I’m passionate about and where I want to spend my time and energy.
It was during this time that I founded Women Outdoors. Women Outdoors’s mission is to break down confidence and financial barriers that prevent women from getting outside, trying new things and meeting new people. Women Outdoors creates a safe space for all women, provides financial support were required and teaches the community about conservation, flora & fauna & outdoor skills.
If you would like to know more about my journey and creating Women Outdoors go to My Blogs
Bryony
Mountain Leader
Lakes & Yorkshire Dales
Hi, I’m Bryony, aged 42, and I’m fortunate to have lived in The Lake District National Park since childhood. My passion for the mountains led me to becoming a qualified Mountain Leader and Trail Runner, enabling me to share my knowledge of the place I call home, and providing the opportunity for others to discover this wonderful area.
My background is computer graphics; however, I love to travel and am at my happiest being in the mountains, often with my King Charles Spanel, Charlie! I’ve visited lots of different countries hiking, biking and snowboarding – basically if there’s something to get me outdoors, I’m there – I love it, and sharing the outdoors with others is a joy!
I work alongside Emma as a Women Outdoor’s guide on weekend hikes, wild swims and Navigation Courses in The Lake District. I love encouraging ladies to gain the confidence to step out of their comfort zone, get outside, and enjoy all the health benefits this brings. It’s so rewarding when ladies exceed their expectations, walking further than they thought possible, or climbing that fell they first thought impossible! All with the support of other likeminded ladies, challenging themselves!
Judith
Paddle Instructor
Peak District
Hiya, I’m Judith, aged 34, and I own an Outdoor Adventure Business in Tamworth. I started my outdoor career as a paintball marshal and realised the outdoors was a much more fun place to work than my previous warehouse role! I then landed an Outdoor Adventure Apprentice position in Yorkshire when I was 21 and never looked back! I progressed to managing adventure centres in France and The Emirates, and now own my own business teaching everything from bushcraft and archery to paddleboarding and kayaking!
I’ve always loved the outdoors, but spending time in New Zealand got me well and truly hooked! My role is so rewarding, getting people to try something completely new, and enjoy these outdoor adventures as much as I do. The best bit about my job – the buzz I get when others realise that they can do something they never thought possible!
This is why I enjoy working with Women Outdoors so much as a Paddleboard Coach! I love Emma’s ethos of getting women to conquer their fears and enjoy spending time outdoors. For me, the best thing about paddleboarding, is it’s more about technique than strength, so it’s something all ladies can try! Many ladies turn up feeling nervous or apprehensive, so to see them smiling out on the water is simply wonderful!
Sarah
Mountain Leader
Peak District
Hey, I’m Sarah, aged 38, and I’m fortune to live on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Prior to this, I’ve lived in both Liverpool and London doing various roles including marketing, photography, filmography and nannying! I’m so passionate about the outdoors and although I love hiking in the Peak District, I soon fell in love with the Lake District too and exploring new places there! Having encountered various friends/family members suffering with mental health issues, I booked on to a mental heath course in the Lake District so that I could help more. Of course, this was also another excuse to go back! This taught me so much and reenforced the health benefits of spending time in nature.
Due to my love of hiking, I was encouraged by others on the course to step out of my own comfort zone, and train to be a Mountain Leader! It was so much fun! I decided to combine the mental health training alongside the mountain leader training! Chatting with people out in the beautiful countryside, away from the daily stresses of life, is an absolute privilege –I absolutely love it! It’s so rewarding!
When Emma asked if I’d be willing to help with the Women Outdoors Peak District hikes and wild swims, I was over the moon! This is where my passion really lies! Getting other ladies to step out of their comfort zone, as I did, and reap the benefits of the outdoors! There is nothing nicer, then the final chat at end of a walk, where every lady’s experience is different – achievement, joy, laughter or pure relaxation!
Kate
Hill & Moorland Leader & Yoga Instructor
Peak District
Joe
Mountain Leader
Snowdonia & Yorkshire Dales
Hey, I’m Joe, aged 32, and was fortunate enough to meet Emma when we completed our Mountain Leader assessment together. Based in Liverpool, I’ve been walking in the countryside since I was a baby really, and especially love Eryri National Parks where I do lots of my mountain leading, as well as helping with the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
I love everything about the countryside, particularly in Wales from the ruggedness of the glacier mountains, right down to the intricate details which others often miss. I really enjoying giving back, pointing out the alpine flowers, flora, mushrooms and generally teaching people about everything that surrounds them. You’ll often see me at the Women Outdoors Wildflower Events!
I decided to train as a mountain leader when out walking with a mate who was already qualified. When I realised, he got paid to do what I love, I thought amazing, I need to this too and never looked back! Up until recently I have been working for the Local Authority, delivering events for schools, but I’m soon to start a new role at an Outdoor Education Centre in Anglesey and I can’t wait to get started!
Its amazing being able to help with Women Outdoors, I think it’s great what Emma does, it’s such a good idea! Taking down those barriers to help women build confidence and get outdoors is just great! I really enjoy meeting people from all different walks of life on the walks, from businesswomen, to nurses, teachers, and students. Everyone is always so friendly and its always such a nice environment for women to connect with each other!
Megan
Mountain Leader
Peak District
Hi, I’m Megan, aged 30, and I’m a qualified Mountain Leader, fortunate enough to assist Emma at Women Outdoors in The Peak District, alongside my day job in engineering. The outdoors is so much more fun!
I was raised in Devon and was introduced to Dartmoor from a young age, but I first fell in love with the mountains during a holiday to the Pyrenees when I was about 10 years old! In addition to my guided Mountain Leader hikes, I now love the thrill of high-altitude expeditions in various parts of the world, such as the Alps and Himalayas.
I got into hiking around ten years ago and became a Mountain Leader two years ago, when I was encouraged to do so by other leaders, who said my friendly personality and Mental Health First Aider training, paired perfectly with leading expeditions. There is nothing better than a good chin-wag whilst walking in the countryside!
Outside of Women Outdoors I work alongside schools assisting with Duke of Edinburgh exhibitions, and regularly get involved in charity challenges for a range of excellent causes.
I particularly enjoy working with Women Outdoors to see the sense of fulfilment and enjoyment that the ladies experience at the end of each walk. They may not feel they can reach the summit of a mountain but seeing them reach their own personal summit is so rewarding for me. It doesn’t feel like a job – I love it! Watching ladies push themselves, the processes they go through, whilst pushing and supporting others in a comfortable setting is incredible. I’m so proud to be a part of it!
Katie
Mountain Leader
Peak District
Hello ladies, I’m Katie and I’m so excited to be working with Emma and the team at Women Outdoors as mountain leader! I’m 53 and I’ve always loved the outdoors and have been fortunate to have always worked in the countryside in some capacity. Back in the day, before my daughter was born, I worked in countryside management; I’ve volunteered at mountain running events and have even helped in gamekeeping along the way.
My main passion is taking part in ultra marathons in the mountains, which involves some running, but mainly walking…..and with cake! I loved it so much that I now own a company called RunUltra, which involves listing ultra marathons, writing race reports, articles and gear reviews. Unfortunately, a knee injury and knee surgery hindered my running somewhat.
My love of mountains and outdoor gear led to me wanting to learn more about how to keep safe when on difficult terrain. I recently completed my Mountain Leader assessment which was the most amazing experience. I absolutely love encouraging women to face their fears of the outdoors, providing knowledge and a little kit guidance, to enable women to remove that fear and enjoy walks by themselves, safely. It’s a pleasure to see the determination in women new to walking, or those taking on a slightly tougher challenge, and watching them accomplish their goals, and the positive impact it has on their wellbeing. I can’t wait to meet more inspirational ladies through Women Outdoors!
Ellie
Mountain Leader
Scotland
Hi folks, I’m Ellie and I can’t wait to work with Women Outdoors! I’m 28 and currently completing a PHD in Biomedical Engineering. Alongside that, I’m fortunate to work as Mountain Leader in the stunning Scottish Highlands!
My passion has previously been kayaking, which I coach too, however, a shoulder injury limited my kayaking somewhat. Always keen to be outdoors in the mountains, I started to enjoy multi day hikes and wild camping – it’s awesome! I just love the hills, the scenery and the adventures! So much so, that I wanted to be able to share this with others and completed my Mountain Leader training. I’ve loved leading hikes up Ben Nevis and can’t wait to work with Women Outdoors on the West Highland Way!
I’m really looking forward to hanging out with girls who share these similar interests, meeting people from all different backgrounds, showing them around this stunning area and having a good old natter along the way!
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