Over the past few years, The Journey has been lucky enough to run exclusive interviews with some of the most inspirational personalities in the UK. Here are some of the pearls of advice we’ve picked out.
“We shouldn’t think of being outdoors as anything other than essential. The planet’s biggest brains are making games and programmes that are addictive to children, so it’s our responsibility to shoehorn them out to where the real miracles of life are, in nature.” Cerys Matthews, musician and DJ
“The outdoors encourages us to abandon the self-absorption and entitlement that I think modern technological culture has created. You’re not really that bothered about a social media spat when you’re on Sharp Edge or getting a face full of spray on Lizard Point. The outdoors connects us with older, deeper ways of being and moving.” Stuart Maconie, author, DJ and president of the Ramblers
“I want to get up and get out and meet people. That’s where the real memories are, and I think it’s really important we reinforce that. The whole ethos of YHA is very much to be there in nature, with your brothers and sisters on this planet, experiencing the best Earth has to offer. That’s a bloody wonderful thing!” Simon Reeve, explorer and TV presenter
“Every one of us can make a difference. We don’t have to wait for ‘them’ to do it, whoever ‘they’ are. So sign those petitions, go on those marches, stand up for your right to exercise your voice and demand positive change in the countryside.” Chris Packham, naturalist and TV presenter
“Always love what you do. If you enjoy and are passionate about what you do, you’ll have success — and you’ll also take a lot from it.” Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympian
“Are we all adventurers? One hundred per cent. Children are naturally adventurous and curious — they want to be explorers. We’re all adventurers, it’s in our DNA, that’s how we’ve evolved. Adventure allows people to change their lives, to learn how to face fear, to become braver and to build new relationships. There are so many benefits to getting out there, and the key is that you bring back these lessons to the rest of your life.” Belinda Kirk, explorer and campaigner
“The outdoors can teach us pretty much every tool we need to go into the big wide world, be it from a business perspective, a professional perspective or a personal perspective. It teaches us to interact with each other when things are going well, and when they’re not. It teaches us to be organised and on point when it comes to navigation, or packing a rucksack, and a lot of the time it gives us a heightened sense of awareness.” Kenton Cool, high-altitude climber
“Slow travel is a wonderful way to travel. You really get to know a place, you get to meet people. If you don’t have a well-planned itinerary but just know that you want to get to a certain part of the country, when you get there you can follow your nose, make friends and hear about other nearby places you would never have thought to go to.” Gillian Burke, naturalist and TV presenter
“The issue of opportunity and diversity is systemic — it’s linked to a lot of other things, like class and jobs and money. It’s so important to focus on letting people explore, especially during a cost of living crisis. It’s not something that should be reserved for the middle classes.” Mya-Rose Craig, aka Birdgirl, writer, environmentalist and founder of Black2Nature
“If you’re experiencing something new, take it all in and try to have fun while doing it. Do something which makes you excited to wake up in the morning.” Ellie Simmonds OBE, Paralympian
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