A new company in Bedford promises to help people put their ‘best foot forward’ and remind them of what is important in their personal and professional lives, by offering walking coaching in the countryside in Bedford and surrounding areas.
Bedford trainer, teacher, explorer and adventurer Tom Barwood transformed his own experiences of working in education, running his own business, traveling the world, and navigating life to help others.
As an avid walker, Tom said he had had the idea of a walking coaching service for some time, but it really moved during the lockdown when he went for remote walks with various friends. to gently test the idea.
To his knowledge, Best Foot Forward is the only walking coaching service in the region.
“With so many of us with life plans on hold, it was clear that people, including me, were losing direction,” said Tom, a coaching diploma holder and certified practitioner in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP). .
“So by going out for a walk and talking to me about what was important to me, in the great outdoors, I was able to reconnect with the things that matter in my personal and professional life. “
Tom uses his own experiences and acquired skills to take people on short walks, lasting about an hour.
“Foot coaching enables side-to-side communication, which will help generate great ideas and potential solutions,” he said.
“For some people, it’s a lot more productive than sitting in a room and talking face to face like you would with a traditional coaching session.”
Increased self-esteem
Surveys also found that 71% of those surveyed felt happier and less tense after a walk coaching session, while 90% felt their self-esteem increased after a country walk.
Tom says it’s because being outside and using physical energy helps people “access parts of the brain that may be currently ‘turned off’.”
This then allows them to relax, breathe and produce endorphins, putting them in a more positive and constructive state of mind.
Throughout their walk, Tom asks a series of questions, helping people determine what may be preventing them from achieving their personal or professional aspirations.
People who have gone out for a local walk with Tom have found it really helped them get back on track or find a new direction in their lives.
Anna from Bedford said: “Tom listens without judgment and uses his extensive training to coach you and steer you towards finding your own solutions, or just give you time to talk about what you think, offering clarification and insight. validation of your thoughts. “
Tom says that if necessary he can also take people further.
A client who recently returned from a walking coaching ‘expedition’ in Wales said: “I think being in the mountains really helps you focus on problem solving; Away from the constant interruptions of mobile devices, surrounded by the grandeur of the outdoors and forced to focus on the here and now is a great way to get yourself to really explore your concerns.
You can follow Best Foot Forward on Instagram at @bestfoot_forwarduk or find out more at bestfootfwd.co.uk.
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