"It's deepening into…an apprenticeship, it's deepening into a love affair, it's deepening into friendship. It's so kind of nuanced and colourful. It's difficult to put into words. But I'm opening like a flower.

The more time I'd spend with nature, not just in nature, but, like, really being in conversation with nature, and listening which is an ongoing practice, it's just been extraordinary, the impact that it's had on my life. I don't quite know where it's going. I don't really want to, but it's… the magic and the mystery of it all continues to unfold" - Hamish Mackay-Lewis

Somerset based purpose and wilderness guide Hamish Mackay-Lewis joins us with a blend of autumn and spring energies held gently within his life and work respectively. We trace his lived experiences being lost on the journey of life where comparison can be poison to the soul; then enchanted by a twinkle in eye that led him to a ten-day meditation retreat on the Sunshine Coast in Australia and much-needed balm to soothe his soul. We dance between the past, present and future; then settle into his need for stillness and a simple life.

From an innate desire to belong, seek familial approval and adventure that led to the British Army, his gaggle of unruly inner children parented by a brutal and unskilful teenager and his desire to play with playfulness Hamish exudes a deep connection to the natural environment, universal consciousness and spirit.

About

Hamish is a purpose and wilderness guide who helps people find belonging both in themselves and in the natural world. He believes that land and people are medicine for each other, and that wisdom is found in the immediacy of our lived experience.His journey from serving in the British Armed Forces to guiding others into nature and purpose has given him a deep understanding of what it means to feel torn between the life that feels secure and the one that’s quietly calling you to be more fully yourself.

Drawing on ancient and indigenous wisdom, embodiment practices, and contemporary psychology, Hamish helps people cultivate the courage to be radically honest with themselves and invite greater depth, aliveness and adventure.

He lives in Somerset and seeks out wilderness whenever he can. He loves nothing more than witnessing the moment someone rediscovers their own wildness.

Website: www.hamishmackaylewis.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hamishmackay-lewis/

Substack: https://substack.com/@hamishmackaylewis

To find out more:

www.rootedrisingpodcast.com

‘I feel almost parental towards it. I've seen it as a tiny little trickle, and I've seen it beautifully pure, the water, as if you could take a drink out of it.

There are elements of the walk that take you away from the river. There's either diversions or just naturally areas that we can't walk past, and I miss it. It doesn't feel like our walk. It doesn't feel like our journey when we're not next to the Thames.

I'm almost tracking and tracing its journey, and I have 3 children, so I've seen their journey as they're reaching their mid to late teens, and it almost feels the same for the river and me’ – Ellie Lloyd-Jones

In-person connections and chance conversations life at the heart of this episode. After a fleeting exchange at the Coaching Outdoors LIVE @ Henley Business School in June 2024 Jonathan and Ellie embarked on a journey along the banks of the River Thames. The journey from Source to Sea with career coaching conversations along the way has been captured in their book; ‘Outdoor Coaching – A Practical Guide for Coaches and Supervisors to Working with Clients, Teams and Groups Using Blue-Green Psychology’.

Set against the backdrop of seasonal change through spring into summer then autumn with blossom, blackberries and Virginia Creeper the River Thames remains a constant companion where deep bonds are formed. Our conversation weaves through an urgent need for land stewardship, the future of outdoor coaching and emergence of a new community based on shared values.

About

Ellie Lloyd-Jones is the founder of Elevate Netwalking and is passionate about helping people reconnect with themselves and others through nature. After experiencing the pressures of corporate life and the resulting burnout, she found solace and clarity in the outdoors. This experience inspired Ellie to create spaces where others can step away from their busy routines, reduce stress, and gain fresh perspectives.

Combining her experience in leadership and coaching with the proven benefits of nature, Ellie leads team coaching sessions and Elevate Netwalking events in Cheshire and has ambassadors in Cambridge and North Wales where the events are designed to foster meaningful connections and personal reflection.

Website: https://www.elevatewithellie.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-lloyd-jones-wild-coaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatewithellie/

Jonathan Passmore is an internationally respected psychologist and one of the top 10 professional coaches in the world. He is also Senior VP at Coaching Hub, and part-time Professor of Coaching and Behavioural Change at Henley Business School and Professor Catedrático at the University of Evora, Portugal. Prior to joining Henley, he founded the UK’s first Coaching Psychology post-graduate masters degree programme in 2008 at the University of East London where he was programme director for five years.

Jonathan has wide experience in consulting, having worked for both bespoke leadership development consultancy firms, and global companies including PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM Business Consulting. Also, a prolific writer, Jonathan has authored more than 100 scientific papers and over 30 books.

Website: https://www.jonathanpassmore.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-passmore-08427b57/

To find out more:

www.rootedrisingpodcast.com

‘Slowing down, letting go, being quiet. And probably in the first time in my life, I feel quite calmly that. The phrase I’ve used recently is, ‘I’m not chasing chickens’ and that feels like a big relief’

I love your introduction, it felt slow and gentle and that feels ridiculously almost like a novelty in this world. Everything’s quick, faster and convenient – or we’re led to believe’ – Carmen Rendell

Old wise woman and fairy godmother Carmen Rendell joins us from Richmond on Thames amidst the autumn energy of stripping back and letting go in the air. From her childhood roots centred around sport, she invites us into her world and a series of endings that shaped the trajectory of her life. All based on her ability to decide ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and honour her choice. Wizard school offered a new pathway into psychotherapy and her creation of SoulHub brought alternate therapists together to form her tribe.

Her adamant belief she didn’t want to ‘sit in a box’ as a therapist and what emerged from one client who said ‘yes’ to heading outside. She guides us from playgrounds to graveyards with a beauty of not knowing what lies ahead physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, metaphorically and spiritually.

We dance between Richmond tube station, Canary Wharf Waterstones book store, Everest Base Camp and the banks of the River Thames to gleam a snap shot into significant points along her journey. Before she leaves Carmen invites us to play the game of life with a lightness, joy and self-love; then leaves us to ponder the question - what world do you want to live in?

About

Carmen Rendell is a UK‑based therapeutic coach, walking therapist, trainer and founder of the wellbeing community and consultancy Soulhub.

Over the course of 20 years, she worked in corporate communications in organisations such as Barclays, Musto, Jack Wills, and Lloyds and SportsAid Foundation. After divorce and a very personal journey of self-enquiry at the School of Wizards, she retrained to focus on healing work that combines nature, coaching, and psychotherapy.

Her therapeutic practice is “integrative,” thereby drawing on different methodologies—psychodynamic, person‑centred, among others, as she works both in nature (walking therapy) and online with clients from all walks of life.

She’s an adventurer, traveling widely, including to Everest Base Camp, walking the Camino, sailing the Clipper around the World Yacht Race. She a Sports Scientist from Loughborough University, and National League hockey player, and more recently tapping into her more creative side with upholstery, dancing and singing. These life experiences feed into her therapeutic approach.

She is also training to be a celebrant, and works in partnership with her soulmate and life partner Andrew Cuerden on projects such as “Walk‑In, Dance‑Out” and other immersive experiences.

Website: www.soulhub.co.uk

To find out more:

www.rootedrisingpodcast.com