“If you’d just seen my room where I work at that time there were hundreds of post-it notes everywhere. There was lots of paper on the floor, from transcripts that have been cut off, highlighted themes clumped together. It was a very dynamic, lengthy and in-depth process, but also really rewarding”
Self-confessed Outdoor Coach Practitioner Annabelle stepped firmly into the academic world during her research project as part of the MSc in Coaching and Behaviour Change at Henley Business School. Her decision to explore the outdoors, nature and significant life transition connections, and contribute towards the currently lacking amount of research within the outdoor and nature-connected coaching world stemmed from a love of the outdoors and tough personal experiences of significant life transitions.
She gives us the nitty-gritty details of her interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA) research analysis process based on semi-structured interviews and the Bridges Transition Model. This model offers a framework to illustrate the transition through three stages from Endings, through the Neutral Zone and New Beginnings. Through the process, she discovered five key themes; a deeper connection to self and coach, self-prescription of nature, being present and change in identity.
Plus Annabelle shares how tomatoes, strawberries and mushrooms form her earliest memories as a child, how trail running deepened her connection with the natural world and her desire to share the outdoors with others led to her becoming a Hill and Moorland Leader.
Note: This episode discusses references to significant life transitions that could trigger an emotional response whilst listening. Make sure you have the support you need and look after your own mental and emotional well-being.
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Our guest
Annabelle works in the financial services sector and has over 25 years of experience in banking and leadership role. She mentors and coaches, both internally within her organisation and through industry networks, and volunteers on charity and not for profit boards.
Annabelle also has her own coaching practice, Guiding Action, where she focuses on outdoor coaching to help clients connect with nature and themselves. She is a qualified Lowland and Hill and Moorland leader.
In 2020, Annabelle earned her Professional Certificate in Coaching from Henley Business School and is currently completing her MSc in Coaching and Behavioural Change.
Her recent research on outdoor coaching and significant life transitions informs her own practice, providing her clients with a supportive environment in which to navigate the personal and emotional impacts of change.
