Team

Jen

I have been involved in the outdoors for many years and have felt that the greatest times of growth for me has been when I have been immersed in nature with an encouraging group of people, , sharing, laughing,  and supporting one another.  As an outdoor leader, or when kayaking or sharing a cup of tea, I have found such healing in sharing stories, and empathy for life’s challenges and achievements. I have experienced and seen first hand the amazing impact that sharing an adventure, meal or time with other women in nature has on my mental and physical state. There is such a sense of belonging, empowerment, joy, confidence, and support in a well facilitated group of women in the outdoors.

Empowering women through the outdoors has been a dream of mine for some time now and it wasn’t until working with Rachael on the Regenerate program through Adventure Works, that we thought we could actually start up a program for women from different backgrounds and offer something special, combining our expertise and experience in various fields.

I have had the privilege of working with adolescents, and adults from all walks of life in the outdoors and in teaching over the past 20 years, and have seen first hand the positive impact that adventure, belonging to a community, and the stability that nature provides in one’s life, has on individuals. I love seeing people sharing stories, and encouraging each other to be the best version of themselves.  I utilize music, craft, team building and technical skills to create a solid foundation for personal growth and a sense of community.

As an experienced instructor I am known for connecting with the people that I work with, helping them to feel secure, encouraged and motivated. My areas of expertise and qualifications are in rafting, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, bushwalking, wilderness first aid, teaching and music.

Rachael

I am passionate about the healing power of nature and positive connections with others.  I have experienced this healing potential myself on my own journeys into nature, and I have seen in others how time in the outdoor world can create deep shifts and a more positive connection to self, others and the world.

I come from a diverse background, having worked in corporate and the community sectors,  as an outdoor educator, family therapist, counsellor and yoga instructor.  I hold a certificate iv in outdoor recreation and am a member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).  In order to continually improve and grow I have and continue to attend workshops and training for my own growth as a person and as a therapist, this has included completing further education in trauma informed approaches, nature based approaches as both a yoga instructor and therapist.

For a number of years I have offered individual counselling as well as facilitated women’s circles and retreats for small groups, offering women time and space to reconnect to themselves and the great outdoors. As I continue on this journey I am continually amazed by the simple power of holding and offering space in the natural world and have learned to trust in individual processes and the natural world more.

I believe in the strength and resilience of women and their children and how positive connections with others and nature can continue to grow this strength and allow women to build greater self confidence and the ability to trust themselves more.

Working together with Jen is exciting, I feel that we offer a wonderful blend of relaxation, fun, connection and adventure that each of us couldn’t do alone. Through Flow outdoors I look forward to going on many journeys with women witnessing and supporting growth, connection, adventure and stillness.