Transcript
Speaker: Today's guest is someone I connected with through a shared love of one of the most fascinating shows on television, Alone. Drock from Ancient Boar Adventures brings a real passion for adventure, the outdoors, and the experiences that help us discover who we truly are.
Speaker: What started as a mutual appreciation for the outdoors turned into a conversation that I truly found inspiring. In this episode, we talk about adventure, the outdoors, and what really draws us back to the wilderness.
Speaker: Here is my conversation with Drock from Ancient Boar Adventures.
Speaker: And on this week's episode of the Outdoorsy Educator podcast, I am joined by Drock. Drock, how are you today? Very well, thank you. All good. Excellent. Why don't you tell our audience a little bit about who you are?
Speaker: Okay, so um my name's Drogh. We are living in sort of mid-Wales now. ah we I am the owner and manager of Ancient Boat Ventures and soon to be the South Wales Venture Company.
Speaker: So we're in the process of merging two companies together. So very exciting. So Fingers crossed it's going to be happening in the next two or three weeks time. Well, that's very exciting. that's ah Very exciting. Congratulations. Well, before the name goes and away, i need to ask you, where did Ancient Boar come from?
Speaker: Okay, so um our were previous home, believe it or not, used to have ah a waterfall, a massive waterfall right bang next to our house.
Speaker: ah They were cottages in the mountain built by Germans for the tin mines. So the name of the waterfall is the Toch. And in Welsh, Togh means ancient or mythical boar.
Speaker: So we named the company after the waterfall next to our house. So, yeah. I knew there was going to be an interesting yeah story behind that. And I thought it had a nice, you know, ancient boar adventure. Sounded very outdoorsy and wilderness and just come off the tongue. So, yeah.
Speaker: Absolutely. I mean, that literally the name drew me in because I was like, there's got to be little players to this. So that's fantastic. Yeah. It's always hard picking a company name, isn't it? It's like ah right a band name or your or your children. and ah Right. it's it's a It's a level of commitment that makes me feel uneasy at some because you're stuck with it, you know? Exactly. exactly i mean Even the outdoorsy educator, it's simple. It's yeah kind of who I am, but it took me a while to commit to it when I was setting all this up.
Speaker: yeah So let's let's go back a little bit. I'd love to hear. Obviously, the outdoors is a huge part of your life. What drew you to the outdoors? Has this been something that's a lifelong passion or came to you later? Yeah, yeah. I i think as um going back to my younger days, obviously, there wasn't as much know technology as it is now.
Speaker: Yes, you know, we had computers, there was no mobile phones. um We used to, you know, was very lucky to live to the Brecon Beacons to the right of me. And to the left of me, we had the Gawa Peninsula.
Speaker: So we had all the lovely beaches. So we pretty much spoiled for choice as as young children to go out and play. And, you know, we used to play. And then when the streetlights come on, we come in.
Speaker: And... Our forest and wilderness was our adventure playground. And since then, my my level of learning and understanding of the wilderness has grown and grown and grown.
Speaker: um That's why I wanted to pursue it as a teacher, just to pass on knowledge to other people. And especially children as well, you know, getting them off there you know getting off technology and getting outdoors like we all should.
Speaker: Oh, absolutely. Sometimes I hear, oh, kids should get off technology, which yeah I'm with you and I agree. But then sometimes I look at the parents who are just as guilty and the kids are just following their example. And again, I put myself in that category. We probably all spend too much time.
Speaker: Yeah. So that's and that's something I'd like to I'm going to dig into with a bit in a little bit. Yeah. It's it's funny you mentioned the lights coming on. I think that's almost a worldwide universal truth.
Speaker: Yeah, it is, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we're sort of a similar generation. And yet when the lights come on, it's time to come home wherever you are, wherever you are in the world. That's exactly that's the situation. um So, yeah, let's talk about being both you and I obviously have a passion for education, working with kids. And so, mean I mean, had a quick look through your website, of course, and you work with the Girl Guides, the Scouts, families, all sorts of demographics. Everyone.
Speaker: And what do you say if there's if there's a child that comes and they they're not feeling this? They're like, I don't want to do this. I want to be on my computer. Does that happen or does it really not? No, it happens a lot. So we deal with a lot of different type of youth groups um through our company.
Speaker: um Some are like go to mental health learning centers, youth groups. And what I say to the groups when they come to us to learn like bushcraft and wilderness skills,
Speaker: I always tell them it's at your own level and your own patience. Cause if you don't want to learn, that's fine. But the biggest part of those children was actually come in. If they just want to sit and listen, that's fine because they're outdoors. They're getting fresh air. They, you know, they can see what's going on.
Speaker: You know, if they want to help and make a cup of tea or something, or help poke the fire and get the fire going, that is absolutely fine. And then slowly and gradually, when they start listening, it starts bringing them in a little bit more. So like the second or third time they come, you know, they're getting their hands dirty, they start learning and they you know they start to love it. So it works every time, trust me.
Speaker: I love that because it sounds to me like the goal of the weekend isn't necessarily to be able to parasail down the side of a cliff. It's whatever whatever small goal might be.
Speaker: Very small. Yeah, they choose to do and make them feel welcome. um Exactly. yes so work emmanating yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah So I work with a lot of um work with a most amazing company called Coycleol and they deal with like mental health um for mostly adults. They do children as well, but mostly adults. But what I say to the adults is even before coming, it's just completing that application form. As soon as they do that, they're halfway there.
Speaker: And like people don't even think about doing that. As soon as they get to the end and they sign it, and they send it off and they feel, you know, they've got to come and then just take your time honestly and it works every single time. I think that's fantastic. I think it's something certainly I personally can relate to and maybe a lot of other people catch that first tiny step.
Speaker: it seems It seems huge. It seems intimidating. I want to put it off till tomorrow. Once you make that step, yeah usually everything is great after that.
Speaker: Definitely. We do a lot of... um I work with veteran whales as well, and we do a lot of courses through ex-soldiers. Right. um Suffering from, you know, PDSD.
Speaker: So with soldiers, um they get a lot of counselling. They sit in a room and they talk to, like we are now, one-to-one, talking about you know their feelings. But you can imagine these big, strong men and women, they don't really like it at all. What they like is sitting on a fire.
Speaker: with like-minded people, with ex-soldiers or ex-friends that they haven't seen for a long time and doing things with their hands. like So we do a lot of carving and whittling. And then as they're doing that, they're talking about the past and stuff and they get more out of that than they do from one-to-one counselling.
Speaker: And I just think that's the way forward, honestly. I couldn't agree more. Yeah, it's, i talked I've talked to a lot of people who have hiked, through hiked long distance trails, like the Appalachian Trail in particular. yeah And the amount of people who have left the armed forces and go and do that, it's almost like a conduit between military life and then ah getting back into civilian life, I suppose.
Speaker: And they find it very comfortable. It's a comfortable place to be with your feelings, to express your feelings, rather than sitting in ah in a cubicle or or so an office. You're absolutely right. Being around the fire is it allows it it to bring something out of people.
Speaker: Exactly. And it's like when you're speaking one-to-one like this, it's sort of like and like an interview, like a job interview. It's quite imposing for a lot of people. But when you sit on the side of someone and show them what to do,
Speaker: It's much more relaxing and people start walking up more. And it honestly, it's, it just works every time. And I love, love to see the progression of people as well. I love that. It's ah from the first to the last session. Yeah. Normally run, you know, about six week courses and by week six, they are absolutely thriving and,
Speaker: My job is done then. Honestly, i I'm so happy. It's amazing. It's got to be a great feeling when, you know, I'm sure there's ups and downs like every business, especially working with people. But when you put your head down at night, you've got to, I assume it's got to feel, you know, I'm i'm doing good work here.
Speaker: Yeah, yeah. I've had like um some of the veterans that we've had, we've had even their children, ah draw me pictures saying thank you drop for helping my dad and they draw little pictures of their dad sitting around a fire and they they email or they post them to me and that that just obviously broke my heart like so I know that works. So I keep them in my workshop.
Speaker: They're all laminated up. So I keep them all safe. I love that. And, you know, money makes the world go round and we all need to make money. We've all got bills to pay. But the value of that is what it's all about. Exactly. Honestly.
Speaker: Yeah, i yes I just love it. I've mentioned this a few times on previous episodes of the podcast. I've interviewed a couple of therapists, psychologists, you know, mental health professionals who work with people, and they are seeing a several of them have experimented with and I'll get the name of what they call it wrong, but essentially going for a therapy session on a nature walk instead of being in an office and they're exploding with popularity. People are choosing, yeah let's let's go for a one mile or a two mile walk for our 45 minute session. Instead of being in an office, they're using...
Speaker: there's tools in there they use nature as a metaphor for for maybe transitions in life and things but yeah with without exception the therapists i've spoken to have said people just there's something innate in this where you open up a little more when you're in nature it feels you're not looking at each other you're looking at the nature and the path in front of you and that actually makes it easier just to be yourself yeah yeah i find you should say that with um um you know, companies having meetings and offices. What I've started doing as well is using our forest area for companies to come in to have their team meetings outdoors.
Speaker: Right. So we'll put like a French army parachute up. We'll have the fire on, all like like the chairs are laid out. So instead of having their office meeting in work, they come out and do it. So we'll set up a you know a whiteboard for them to just crack on as normal.
Speaker: But what a difference in people. People are more engaging as well. Mm-hmm. yeah yeah it was all more Yeah, I mean, there is something to it, isn't there? Yeah, there's something to look forward to. Yeah, I mean, I'd much rather be sitting outside on a tree stump having my staff meeting than in a sterile white cubicle-styled office. Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, with without a doubt. Yeah. So, and I guess this ties in, it's something that i think about quite a bit. Do you think that the outdoors, does it kind of give people permission to sort of be a different version of themselves or even be authentically themselves? Do you see, you've kind of already touched on this, but a different side of people when they're outside versus in an office? Yeah.
Speaker: Massive. Before I started Ancient Boar, I used to work in hostels with ah young people. i'm going to say young men because between 18 and 25, because there was more young men coming through.
Speaker: um So our hostels, we used to work long shifts, you know, we'd be there all day and and night does as well. But there was a lot of like substance misuse in the hostels as well.
Speaker: And I was always the outdoor guy in work. Right. So what what I used to say to the lads was, let's not buy drugs today or buy a little bit of drugs and spend that money on a packed lunch.
Speaker: and then go out for a walk instead. So i used to get funding you know for rucksacks and walking gear and I'll just hike them all day. And then when I'm hiking and and talking to them, the next time I see them, the substance misuse gets reduced and reduced and reduced down.
Speaker: But I'll take them to places that on their doorstep that they've never seen before. Never, and they did know that was in their in their village. Right. That's something that I've got a particular interest in is like even going on holiday. You know, we we we look at far flung, beautiful, incredible places that we all want to visit. I think almost everywhere in the world, there's incredible stuff on your doorstep. and And I think about it was one of those funny core memories when I was in secondary school. My modern studies teacher asked us that, you know, must have been in May.
Speaker: yeah know Where's everyone going on their holidays? Are you going on a holiday this year? And a few of us answered. And then somebody asked him, I'll never forget Mr. Webster, and it's been almost 30 years. And he said, actually, i was ah was born in Glasgow. I've lived in Glasgow my entire life. He's probably in his 50s. And he's like, I'm actually going to stay in Glasgow and see all the stuff that the tourists see, because he's he'd never done it.
Speaker: All this stuff, you you you know, you think I'll see that one day, it's it's two miles down the road, I'll go there someday and then take off to Greece. yeah And I always think, yeah what valuable lesson that is. There's so much beauty right around us, but we overlook it often.
Speaker: Oh, yeah. It's like the UK has got some of the most beautiful countryside and woodlands you will ever see, honestly. One of the best holidays I've ever had literally cost us fuel and some food.
Speaker: We went and done the Scotland 500, the Highland Tours. Oh, yeah the yeah yeah, the North Coast. Oh, blew my mind. Blew my mind, honestly. And, of course, as you know, Scotland, you've got the right to roam as well.
Speaker: Right. um So we've done a bit of wild camping up there, and it cost... pittance, you know, compared to going abroad and spending thousands of pounds on, you know, a plane trip across Europe or to Australia.
Speaker: It was brilliant. Honestly, loved that i never forget that journey. Yeah, and it's I think there really is a lesson. I do pride myself in the fact I have a North Coast 500 road sign, and I like to is i like to think it's the only one in America. It's probably not, but it hangs it hangs in my garage, and yeah, that's there. Yeah, there's definitely, I think, something to that about just looking on our doorstep. I'm like you. I grew up, we we lived in Scotland. We went on holiday in Scotland, and yeah i'm so looking back, I'm so grateful for
Speaker: that that's the way I grew up, not going to an all-inclusive resort in the south of Spain. no Nothing against that at all. and just No, no, no, no. Yeah, not at all. But I just, I think there's definitely something to that.
Speaker: What I say to people as well, it's about um a lot of people say to me, like like young people, well, I've got the confidence in going out and doing stuff. But I always tell them a good way of thinking about it is, I call it mini adventures.
Speaker: It's about breaking it down slowly. If they haven't got the confidence or the kits to go camping or something, just camp in your backyards or camp in your living room for a start. Right. There'll be always something to go. um If it's not your backyard, go to somebody else's or a family member, your gran or your auntie.
Speaker: um And then I've camped in some, well, weird places. Right. It's like I know a guy who used to live in London and used to camp on roundabouts. Really? Because there's no woodland around him. Honestly, yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, he was just breaking that mini adventure down all the time. That's outstanding. like what Isn't it? It's amazing. yeah yeah Yeah. Because there was no woodlands around him. So he the closest one to him was a roundabout. So he used to sleep on air he did.
Speaker: they' just It just makes me smile. Just the visual of it, you know? Yeah. yeah What's that? like Living his best life in a roundabout. On a roundabout. isn' Yeah. And like I've done that. like i've We've talked. I've hiked sections, not any huge sections, but bits of the Appalachian Trail. And in Texas, there's a place called the Lone Star Trails, 100 miles. I've done the West Island Way, things like that.
Speaker: And yeah they're incredible and amazing. But some of my favorite camping experiences is there's a state park 10 miles from my front door. And on ah on a Friday afternoon, I'll say to Kate, my wife, you know, do you want to go? and it's 10 minutes of throwing stuff in the car.
Speaker: It's a 10 minute drive. And suddenly we're the woods and it's not that remote. You know, it's a state, there's facilities. And it's just the best. It's just the best. Excellent. That's the way.
Speaker: yeah that's the way absolutely um so it you know you run and i sometimes i use these terms interchangeably and they're different but the survivalness in this wilderness yeah what do you really think the wilderness teaches people other than the physical sort tangible skills of starting a fire it goes beyond that in my experience oh god yeah it's self-reliant it's there what found is at a very young age um There's, to me personally, there's nothing more than camping on your own.
Speaker: Listen, when I teach, I always say, you know, go in pairs. um I always tell people, you know, to to give GPS coordinates or anything to family members just in case of emergency. but for me, even as a very young age, like camping on your own is just the best. It just makes person of you so, so much.
Speaker: And I've always liked the darkness in front of me. Even when I do my top setups, I never have anything in front of me. everything Everything's open. And I just like looking into the, over the fire, into the darkness. And it just makes you so think.
Speaker: And having that time alone as well. Yeah, it's, I mean, I completely relate. It's, ah yeah again, Kate will tell me, usually a couple of times a year, shell she knows before I do that I need to get away for a night or two by myself.
Speaker: you know You know, she'll see it in me. She'll see a behavior change. she'll see She won't tell me what she sees because she thinks I'll try and hide it. But she's like, okay you you tomorrow's Friday, you need to go camping. I'll see you Sunday.
Speaker: Yeah, because she knows that that is just such a great reset. And it is. And it's just, yeah, it's completely different camping with a friend, completely different.
Speaker: And that's and that's why it helps you a lot as well, because, you know, even getting your wood in or making something, you've got to do it all on your own. Right. Confidence, confidence building is just goes through the roof when you do this as well. It's amazing.
Speaker: Yeah, um ah we go camping with friends and that's incredible and what great experience, but it's different. Yeah, it feels different. yeah Everything feels different about it when you're on your own. Yeah, knowing you've got to yeah carry everything or whatever, you know, it's yeah yeah it's freeing in a funny way. And i i like you, obviously, it's a passion of mine.
Speaker: Oh, yeah, love it, honestly. Yeah. yeah but I did want to ask you, Wales, you know, um several thousand miles away. Wales is getting, ah i would I wouldn't say a resurgence, but it's certainly getting on people's radars here.
Speaker: OK. For a couple of reasons. Now, I've been to Wales once, but not really. I spent a day in Anglesey waiting for the ferry over to Ireland yeah years ago. Yeah.
Speaker: And it's it really is it's certainly in the States. It's on people's radar because of this the television show Welcome to Wrexham, which has been a huge hit. ah okay yeah had the fo yeah yeah Yeah, all about the football because it's yeah Rob and Rob Mack and the other guy's names escape me, but super famous actor anyway. So people are sort of that there ah there's a romance brewing between people here and Wales.
Speaker: And so I think it's going to be on people's radar. And then it really got me thinking. And I sent your website actually to my sister because she has a beagle. And on the front of your website, it looks like hard dog. And I sent it to my other sister, sent it to my parents.
Speaker: It's shocking me the amount of people that have not been to Wales. You look at it, you know you you you you do just five minutes worth of Googling and you're this is incredible. And yeah i was wondering if you could tell people why Wales should be on people's list.
Speaker: Wales. We are incredibly blessed here. Our beaches, the mountains, um even Wrexham is North Wales, right at top. The North Wales have got some of the best mountain ranges on the planet. Honestly, they are so beautiful. Dangerous, don't get me wrong. You've got to know what you're doing in the mountains. There's a lot of good adventure companies out there that will help you.
Speaker: But it's absolute, this place is idyllic. Where we live now, we're living in mid Wales now. So we moved from the Neath Valley, where we do most of our work, to mid Wales to start our ah our new venture up here. um And I can hear, I'm talking to you now, I can hear all the birds of prey above me.
Speaker: You can hear them cawing. We've got all the kites above us. um crystal clear waters people are so friendly um it's just the best place and is this saw scotland i always think that Wales and Scotland have some so there's got this a sort of kinship there yeah I think it rains more in Scotland doesn't it oh yeah without a and your mosquitoes are bigger as well Yes, but you know, it's, and people have asked me about the landscape and this, that and the other, like living in the States now, one of the things that I love is there's incredible mountains, that you know the peaks of, it's like the continent of Europe, essentially geographically. So we have all this stuff, but I think Scotland and England and Wales sort of, it's all these wonderful things condensed down into a small area. So they're all pretty close.
Speaker: yeah Yeah, we've got a huge, rich rich history here as well. um we've got i think it's I think we've got more castles more than anyone. um We've got many castles around here, still a lot intact as well, which is great. There's one not too far from it's called Karakene Castle. it is absolutely What a stunning place, honestly. Absolutely stunning.
Speaker: Yeah, it's a it's without boring you too much of the sort of how I haul it when I come home. So every other year I come home for a month and then I'm with my family in Scotland. yeah And then i always take a little trip. You know, we've gone to Amsterdam. We've gone to you up north in Scotland. gone different places. But I was telling Kate, i think I think Wales has to be on the list of places to come and visit because it bugs me that I've not seen more of it.
Speaker: No, you say that, but um what we have found over the last recent years is tourism has dropped. Really? Okay. I think so. For for for venture companies anyway. Right. um I think over the past, um maybe I'm going to say two or three years, we've noticed a massive decline as well. Interesting. So hopefully next year will change. Yeah, it is, honestly. Yeah.
Speaker: yeah I wonder if that kind of goes hand in hand with you know economic things, you know price of fuel, yeah all that sort of stuff. Yeah, definitely. That is that. We've got the 20 mile an hour zones around here as well, which is is a massive decline for us. But um obviously, i tourism is good because Wales is so beautiful. But in the adventure game as well, because we provide such a niche thing. yeah ah You know, like a cave in, jumping off waterfalls. You know, it is amazing thing to do, but it is amazing.
Speaker: for the right person, do you know what mean? It's like stag do's, we're a big seller of ours. Right. And I don't think like people are getting married anymore, or maybe it's cheaper to go abroad, don't know. Right.
Speaker: Yeah, so that's dropped huge. Yeah, I suppose when you can get a cheap flight to Krakow or somewhere, you know, these cheap flights, it's it might actually be cheaper to go somewhere in Europe at times than drive. Exactly, than drive to Wales, yeah. yeah Yeah, that's that makes me really sad, to be honest. Am I timey?
Speaker: Yeah, right. yeah that's that's such a shame um yeah before we kind of get towards the end of this i i i hope i'm a pronouncing it right and it's okay to ask i just saw your website um that you're an ambassador for tidy butt is that right yeah tidy butt yes that's right and i don't know much about it because i wanted to ask you i didn't want to but it just seems like an organization that really might speak to my heart so i was wondering if you okay tell me just touch just a touch about it Okay, so our slang over here obviously is bit different to where you guys are. so tidy
Speaker: So, but is a term of endearment. So, for a friend, a mate. So, it's like, hiya, but. Or, hi, mate. So, tidy but just means, how are you? i I'm tidy but.
Speaker: I love that. I'm doing well. i'm i'm doing well So um it was set up by a good friend of mine called Rhys. He was ah a rugby player. um He is from South Africa.
Speaker: I think he had... um massive problems with his heart, which led to him going off the rails a little bit, shall we say. but he he turned his life around and then started this charity about men getting out and talking. So...
Speaker: What Tidybutt used to do is work in schools as well and get all the schools down to me. And we used to take them on adventures in the rivers, bushcraft, kayaking, as much as we can do with them, just to get them up that mainstream thing at school and start learning more about the outdoors.
Speaker: So i've I've come along with Tidybutt as well. And what we do, we provide like a free men's circle every month. So we don't charge where men can just come along, sit around the fire and again,
Speaker: I think if you talk about mental health, it brings back memories. So we don't really mention it at all. We just talk about the now. Right. What's going on. Yeah. If we talk about films or music, it doesn't matter. But we don't talk about people's past experiences. Right.
Speaker: we just concentrate on guys talking again. Because men don't talk. I don't talk. Right, right. don't. Yeah, weak like math I think men keep in keep a lot of things themselves.
Speaker: I find it really fascinating that I talk to you know a lot of men, especially through this podcast and things. And I feel like we've taken one big step because a lot of men are acknowledging, you know what, we don't talk and maybe we should. There's a lot of work to go. We're still not doing all the talking we should. But I'm really thankful that I feel like we have taken that first step, which can be difficult as we talked about earlier.
Speaker: It is, yeah. And they've been doing lots of charity events as well. And they've just grown and grown and grown. They've even got themselves like ah a coffee shop now, like a drop-in centre as well. um So anybody who comes onto my courses, um they're entitled to free counselling as well.
Speaker: So that's what the money is for, to get counsellors in to help professionals. I'll sit and listen and talk to anyone about their problems, but I'm not really trained, should we say. That's all you need is a good year at the end of the day, isn't it? so Absolutely. I was in Scotland this last summer. We were in Inverness. And I'll get the name wrong. I think it was Mikey's Line. But it's a very similar sounding charity. And they've actually got an old, um like a Volkswagen camper van sort of thing. And they've converted it instead of having a bed in the kitchen and all of that inside. It's like a small office with it with ah ah a sofa. And they go to sort of remote areas and just park up at at a supermarket or somewhere, put a big sign out and just say, if you want to chat.
Speaker: you know, come on in. And they just, it's simple. It's not a big counseling session. It's not therapy. It's just, if you just want some, just need to talk to somebody. And, so and they said some people will come in with a mental health crisis and other people will come in, you know, just, I just need to tell someone, I don't know how I can pay my bills this month.
Speaker: And I, you know, and they just need to get that off the chest. And I think scott that's good. That's good. Yeah. Yeah, and I'm just hoping things like, you know, that they're doing and you are doing, this is the start of something. and i feel a lot I feel really good about it. I feel like there's good things happening.
Speaker: Yeah, it's good. We've we've even taken on um some of the men who come with us. We've even taken them on as employees as well in the adventure game as well. So learning and them stuff as well. It's just been brilliant, honestly.
Speaker: That's just wonderful. As we kind of wrap up this conversation, there's always three questions I like to ask my guests that I've not prepared you for. and the first one i like is, we always want to be in life successful. And I was curious, what how do you kind of view that or or even define it? And if that has changed over the years?
Speaker: um
Speaker: Well, yeah, I i am very very lucky. I know you've met Sarah. For her at my side, that is that is my success. Family is everything. Without her, she's the one who pushed me to pursue my role in the wilderness.
Speaker: ah Because when I originally started, like I said, I was i was working in hostels, but I was always freelancing as an outdoor instructor. Right. um And i was it was too much for me. And, and you know, i I was getting a lot of um anxiety and mental health through it. So she said to me, just quit.
Speaker: Right. Just quit and start on your own. Without her, I would never have done it. So success is being with her. Trust me. She's my hero. I love her. She's my hero.
Speaker: Yeah. it's So my money isn't everything to me. If I could do my job for free, I i swear to God, I will. It would. But yes, you know we have got to pay bills and stuff. um We never charge a lot. We try to keep it down to minimum, just where I can help as many people as I can. That's what we're all about, yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, I love that. That's is beautifully said. and And you're right. Like, you know, I've had had this conversation with my parents yesterday, i think. You know, I've got some friends and I'm not everyone's on their own path and um there's no judgment. There's no anything. And they are they are working so hard because their goal is retirement.
Speaker: yeah and And I consider myself very fortunate. Yet there'll be a day I want to retire, I'm sure. Yeah, yeah. But right now, I can't imagine not doing what I'm doing because I love it.
Speaker: as Yeah, and don't take a little bit of a retire. Yeah, how lucky am I to have stumbled into something that... You're absolutely right, if I... I mean, we but I think every couple has had the conversation, what if you if you win the lottery sort of thing?
Speaker: I'm not walking out tomorrow. You know, know i'm I'm going to have a i would have a transition process to hand things off to somebody and make sure it's taken care of because I love it.
Speaker: Yeah, exactly. Yeah. and like you know I hit the lottery and meet in Sarah. um She's got a very, very hard job in, she's the director of this huge care and support company.
Speaker: right ah So it's it's very, very hard. But this is why we've come to Brett for Forrest Barnes. So eventually she can retire. But I will never give up my job. As as long as I can stand, I will do my role.
Speaker: I love that. my My second question for you is... I always like to ask guests about the ah most the most impactful book you may have read. It might not be your favourite book, it might be, but one that you've you've really found impactful on your life.
Speaker: Ooh. Book. Yeah. um
Speaker: Okay. Right. Good question. Yeah. So... Right. i This is going to be a funny one. So when I was younger... um I read, um completely off the hook, I read the Rambo book.
Speaker: Right. You know the Rambo from the Yeah, yeah. Right, so I read, i god when did it come out? in eighty d so I was born in 76. So think it came out in 88, 89.
Speaker: And after watching and reading that, i I just thought, you know, this guy stuck in the wild, um just, I was just like, wow, look at this. This is amazing. Right. And then from there, I started buying like, you know, a sort of wilderness books from there. So that hooked me, this guy just running off into the wild without nothing.
Speaker: And honestly, it started from watching Rambo film. That brings such a smile to my face. Like, I always love that. Yeah. I'm glad you asked me. No one's ever asked me that. But yeah, it was from a Bramboa movie and book. ah friendm boom but that I will never forget the answer to that question. That's outstanding. My fate my final question for you really is um if you could take somebody on a wilderness weekend, and I'm going to take Sarah out of the equation because I know that might be your answer. And it's somebody just camping in the forest for 48 hours.
Speaker: I want to know who it is and it could be somebody famous, somebody not famous, somebody you know, don't know, somebody dead alive, somebody who's ever existed. Who would you like to pick the brain of over a campfire?
Speaker: Oh, good question. um
Speaker: I've been very lucky to meet a lot of famous people in my life. Yeah. I used to play in a band as well, so I met a lot of musicians. ah One of my cult heroes ah is, a massive comedy fan as well, is Rick Mayall.
Speaker: Bless his soul. That's a good idea answer. I absolutely adore Rick Mayall and everything he's possibly done. I've seen him in theatre in The New States, but I've never seen him in any other thing. And to sit with him and sit with him and so talk to him would be, honestly, it'll That would make my day.
Speaker: that i mean I'd be standing on the edge of the forest just hearing laughter. i thought mean Exactly. The guy is hilarious. He can't do nothing. You don't have to speak that man, don't and he you? He's laughing. He's so good. yeah he is he He has a gift. If people would like to find you, ask questions about what you do, about your your weekend retreat, anything like that, where's the best place for people to find you?
Speaker: Okay, so our um website is www.internboard.com. um Just everything, you can message me through there. Emails. Like I said, we work throughout the year. um People always think that the winter period, we close down.
Speaker: We don't. right i think camping, anyone can camp in the summer. Because the weather, nights use it yeah when you're in this in the winter, you're using your skill set a lot, lot more.
Speaker: So we're very lucky. Up here, we've got a place called Waterfall Country. It's in the Brecon Beacons. It is beautiful. And we're very lucky to use land right opposite Waterfall Country. um i think Bear Grylls used to use that land as well, the Survival Academy. So it's only me and them really use that land, and it's so beautiful.
Speaker: um So we yeah, we do winter camps, gorge scrambling. It's the most amazing activity. jumping off waterfalls, bit of cave in. And you can add the wilderness skills element to as well and sleep out.
Speaker: it's I can't believe I do this for a living. So so that pinch course I'm so glad you do for your sake and all the people's lives that you get to touch. I think it's just fantastic. Drock, this has been an an absolute pleasure. Thank you so much for joining me today.
Speaker: No worries. Thanks. Thank you so much.
Speaker: Thank you again to this week's guest and I hope today's episode was as enjoyable for you as it was for me and perhaps even inspired your next adventure. If you did enjoy the show, please be sure to subscribe, leave a review or follow us wherever you get your podcasts. You can find more information at theoutdoorsyeducator.com or follow us on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook. Until next time, thank you so much for listening to...
Speaker: The Outdoorsy Educator Podcast.
