Making Space: Rethinking Work and What’s Next

Guided Walk & Coaching Workshop in Edale Valley - 24th January

The thing that I valued most when I started to sense that I needed a change in direction with my career was meeting new people. By attending workshops and events and by joining group walks I had new conversations and met people with all sorts of different jobs and lifestyles. Stepping outside of my friendship and work circles refreshed my thinking and opened my mind to new perspectives.

This is why I’m leading an outside workshop this month. I want to help others feel a sense of community while thinking about change, and to facilitate conversations that feel supportive.

Guided Walk & Coaching Workshop in Edale Valley - 24th January

Making Space: Rethinking Work and What’s Next is a guided valley walk and workshop for people who are sensing that something in their working life may need to change, but aren’t yet sure what.

We’ll spend time walking and sitting together, using thoughtful writing and conversational prompts to slow things down, notice what matters, and create space for clearer thinking.

The pace is attentive and focused, with warmth and ease. We’ll finish in the pub, continuing the conversation more informally. You don’t need a plan or an answer — just a willingness to reflect, listen, and explore what might be next for you.

If you’re interested in attending and would like to ask any questions or to have a short video call then please email sarah@sarahventurer.com

If you can’t make it this time, but you’re interested in future events like this, please drop me a line to say you’d like to join the next one and I’ll keep you posted.

I hope to see you on Saturday 24th January in beautiful Edale, Peak District. I will provide a list of what to bring and a detailed weather forecast, along with parking information.

How can you create consistency during times of change?

Career change newsletter

I’ve been thinking recently about how much running has supported and inspired me through times of change. I started in 2016 when I was living in London and exploring a change in direction with my career. Initially I was running alone around the streets of the city before work, until I tried trailrunning with a group where I met lots of really nice people. Getting into trailrunning gradually led me towards the hills and it has stayed with me ever since.

Reflecting on this almost ten years later, after changing my entire life, I can see how the consistency of running has helped me through really challenging times. It grounds me, releases tension in my body, frees my mind, inspires ideas, reminds me to take care of myself, and connects me with the landscape. I see it as a dedication to myself.

While I’ve been consistent with running, my approach has been flexible. I take rest when I need to and I adapt with the seasons or other changes going on in my life. It feels like it’s in partnership with me, rather than something I fight for or against.

How can you create consistency during times of change?

If you’re thinking about making big changes in your life, a positive form of consistency can really support you. It might be something you’re already doing, that you’ve tried before, or something completely new. Running had really supported me when I was studying for my exams in school and college too - is there something that supported you in the past that you could try again?

If you’d like some further support to explore this then please email: sarah@sarahventurer.com

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What’s it like moving to a new country and setting up a creative business? Irina Kudres shares her story about moving to Bergamo in Italy with her partner and changing her career path. Previously working in digital marketing and PR, she is now doing portrait, documentary and brand photography.

COMPETITION GIVEAWAY
Irina is offering a giveaway of 3 ebooks + one signed photo from her photo storybook: Another odyssey - A week on the Riviera of Ulysses, Lazio, Italy. To enter the competition, email one of your photos of the winter season to: sarah@sarahventurer.com and Irina will choose three winners.

Irina’s interview is available on About The Adventure podcast - listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or download it here.

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Would you join my Career Change Meetup?

I’ve had an idea to start a career change meetup in the Peak District so that you can meet other people who are going through or thinking about a career change. The meetups would include a guided walk and facilitated workshop, plus some time to get to know each other. The theme for the first one would be: Create space in your life.

Please register your interest now by sending a short email to: sarah@sarahventurer.com and let me know if you’d be available to attend on Saturday 24th January from 9am in Edale. If you’re not available but you’d be interested in future sessions then let me know which days of the week are best for you.

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Featured outdoor coaching session

From Edale village we’ll walk up to the quirky rock formations at Ringing Roger on Kinder Scout. As long as it’s not too windy, we’ll have a brew up here while looking at the beautiful view. You can bring your own flask or I can share my hot chocolate with you. I’ll ask you about the changes that you want to make, what’s getting in the way or slowing progress, and together we’ll make a plan with a new approach for you to try.

This walk can work well as a 3-hour coaching session for 4 miles, or as a 5-hour session if you’d like to walk a bit further. Here are a few dates I have available in January:

• Wednesday 14th January

• Friday 16th January

• Tuesday 27th January

• Wednesday 28th January

If you have a specific date in mind, or if you can only meet on a weekend, please let me know and I’ll do my best to find a suitable date for us. Email: sarah@sarahventurer.com

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What’s new?

• Part one of my new substack series Mapping Your Career Change: A Guided Journey is now available as a subscription. The first topic is: Create space in your life and you can get a 7-day free trial before you pay. It includes coaching questions that will help you to explore a new approach to career change.

• In 2026 I’m guiding beginner walks for people who want to walk up Kinder Scout in the Peak District. Two dates so far: 31st January and 28th February and more dates on the way. The idea is for people to build up fitness and confidence for longer walks throughout the year.

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Gift vouchers

Gift an outdoor coaching session with a voucher to print at home or send online. You can personalise it with your own message and choose how much you spend. It is valid for one year and bookings can be made at short notice with plenty of flexibility. See more details on my website.

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Podcast recommendations

I’ve listened to a couple of really good interviews that focus on career change recently.

• Dave Taylor aka fellrunningguide on his transition from working in outdoor education to becoming a running and navigation coach. This interview is available on the brilliant Studmarks podcast by Christopher Goldie.

• Jamie Rutherford on his transition from working as a dentist to becoming an adventure photographer. This interview is available on the Home Trails podcast by Samuel Hill.

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Thank you for reading my newsletter. I’ve loved sharing my podcast episodes and coaching questions with you this year. There’s more of this coming in 2026 and if you’re interested in working with me 1-1 or joining my new meetup idea then drop me an email: sarah@sarahventurer.com

Mapping Your Career Change: A Guided Journey

Introduction to a new series

You want to change your career path.
You don’t know what to do.
You can’t find the answers in job ads.
You don’t know where else to look.
You need support and guidance.

My new series will take you on a guided journey to bring the clarity that you seek. You will be an active participant by answering questions, trying new things, and making informed decisions.

I will share my personal story of career change so that you have someone to relate to. This will include the big challenges that I faced along the way and how I worked through them. My aim is to give you real life examples for how career change can be approached in exploratory and maintainable ways that prioritise your health and wellbeing. And then you can come up with your own ideas from a new perspective.

I used to work as a Data Analyst in the energy industry. It wasn’t a considered career path but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. In my early 30s I realised that I felt completely lost, ashamed that I didn’t know what to do, and powerless to make any big changes. Step-by-step I found my way to a new career path that gives me the freedom I dreamed about back then. My work as a Career Coach, Hill & Moorland Leader, Podcast Host and Author, feels meaningful and gives me a sense of purpose. It didn’t happen overnight and although I felt impatient sometimes I can see now that I needed dedicated time to understand what I want to do, where I want to be, and who I need around me to live in a fulfilling way.

I think it’s important to tell you that I don’t have children, so that you know that I’m not writing from the perspective of a parent. I also haven’t had anyone else dependent on me for care. I know that this can make a big difference in terms of responsibility and capacity. While I’m aware of these factors, I’m not writing about them here because I don’t have first-hand experience.

This content is not being written in a strictly chronological order. It will be a series of topics that will sometimes overlap. I will aim to publish a new topic every month and each one will include a set of exercises. You will need to be a paying subscriber to access the content which costs £6 per month or £60 for a year. If you prefer to set up a subscription outside of Substack then you can pay me directly by BACS to receive a PDF by email instead. Please email sarah@sarahventurer.com to request this option.

My newsletter will continue to be free of charge.

The first topic is: Create space in your life

These are the subheadings:

• Why is creating space important?

• Why I needed to create space in my life

• How I created space around my job

• The side effects

• Reserve some space for rest

• Creating space for you - writing prompts

It will be published on Substack 26th November 2025 at 3pm. If you want to receive it before then, you can set up a regular payment by BACS to recieve it as a PDF or Google Drive file by email instead.

Following topics will include:

• Explore career ideas

• Demonstrate curiosity

• Move your body

• Declutter your life

• Build confidence

• Challenge yourself

• Get dedicated support

• Set boundaries

• Prioritise balance

Contact details

If you have any questions or if you’d like to book a 1-1 coaching session with me, please email: sarah@sarahventurer.com

You can find out about my work at abouttheadventure.com

How can you make room to explore your career direction?

Career change newsletter

If you feel frustrated about having no idea which career path to follow then you need to create space to find out what you want. This space will require curiosity about your interests, dedicated time to try new things, and exploring your creativity. You will need to make room to focus on yourself in environments where you can feel relaxed and uninhibited. Quality time with yourself will help to bring the answers you’ve been looking for in your career and beyond.

How can you make room to explore your career direction?

Perhaps you can make some small adjustments to begin with. I used to live in London where it took so much of my time and energy commuting on the tube. I literally felt suffocated, travelling underground with little space to breathe. I decided to try out commuting my boat instead. I could easily get a seat with plenty of space which meant that I could study, journal or read throughout the journey. The views from the Thames were beautiful which made it much easier to think openly. I’d get off at Waterloo and walk to Vauxhall, which set me up well for the day. Although it cost a little bit more money than the tube, it made a really positive difference to my energy and wellbeing.

What little things can you try, that could make a big difference?

My new substack subscription Mapping Your Career Change: A Guided Journey can support you with creating space in your life. You’ll receive more information on Wednesday this week.

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Emily Taylor on About The Adventure Podcast

If you’re a teacher thinking about a career change or if you’re looking into training as an outdoor leader, then Emily Taylor’s career change story will be particularly engaging. Emily talks about:

• leaving her teaching career after thinking it was the profession she’d retire from

• her grief after her dad took his own life

• creating a community for women who are learning to navigate and going on great adventures

• collaborating with brands

• qualifying as a Mountain Leader

• family life with her husband and children

Emily’s interview is available on About The Adventure podcast - listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or download it here.

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Featured Coaching Session Walk

My coaching client is a great nature spotter! She picked up a leaf (see photo below) with a growth on it known as a ‘gall’. The cherry gall wasp produces these growths on oak leaves that look like red cherries. Inside the gall the larvae of the wasp feed on the host tissues, but cause little damage.

Nature spotting during a coaching session in Edale valley

This coaching session was focused on questions around career development. Should they stick where they are or take on a new challenge by applying for a promotion? We explored this for three hours while walking in the Edale valley and sitting in the woods with flasks of hot tea. We talked about the risks and challenges involved, how to approach them if and when they came up, and what they truly wanted for themselves and their family.

Valley walks are always an option for my coaching sessions, but now that the temperature is dropping and there will be ice and possibly snow soon, they are a particularly good one for the season. For anyone new here, I’m based in Edale in the Peak District and offer coaching sessions outside. Video coaching sessions are also available if Edale is too far for you to travel.

Send me an email if you’d like to book a 20-minute chat or to ask any questions: sarah@sarahventurer.com

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Gift vouchers

Gift an outdoor coaching session with a voucher to print at home or send online. You can personalise it with your own message and choose how much you spend. It is valid for one year and bookings can be made at short notice with plenty of flexibility. See more details on my website.

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What’s new?

• The next episode of About The Adventure podcast is an interview with Irina Kudres about her career change from working in digital tech to a more creative role. She talks about how to spot and understand when you need a change and the importance of testing new things before making a big decision. Coming soon!

• Part one of my new substack subscription Mapping Your Career Change: A Guided Journey will be published on 26th November. If you subscribe, you will be an active participant by answering questions, trying new things, and making informed decisions. It costs £6/month or £60 for a year. If you don’t want to wait until then, you can request a PDF copy now: sarah@sarahventurer.com

• In September I co-facilitated Life Beyond the Crossroads for Adventure Queens. Over two days, participants explored the rolling hills and valleys around Edale, using the natural environment as a mirror for change. Group walks, coaching conversations, and guided reflection activities helped them unpack personal challenges and rediscover their own direction. Read the blog post.

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Thanks for reading my newsletter, it’s great to connect with you here. Drop me a line if you have a question or if you’d like to book a chat about my coaching work. Until next time - keep warm, always take your headtorch, and leave only footprints!