Tori is one half of West Country Adventures. She is a qualified teacher, and kayak coach turned climbing coach, aiming to inspire and support women in their ambition to become independent rock climbers.
During our conversation, Tori candidly shares the challenges of working in the outdoors, particularly the wage disparities and financial challenges faced by women. She offers advice on how to gain experience, emphasising the importance of volunteering, shadowing, and observing others at work.
Tori's own journey involved studying outdoor education, travelling, managing a climbing retreat in Spain, and joining a team of polar explorers going up to the North Pole. Through these experiences, she has gained a wealth of knowledge and skills, and now offers valuable insight into the opportunities available for those interested in pursuing a career in the outdoors.
Tori is passionate about the outdoors and the benefits it offers, particularly for mental health. She also highlights the changing landscape of the industry, with governing bodies working to encourage women to work in the outdoors and provide support for them.
***
Get ready for an exciting month of July on the Tough Girl Podcast, as we shine a spotlight on women working in the outdoors. Sponsored by Land & Wave - join us as we delve into their stories, gain insights, and discover valuable tips from their incredible experiences.
Don't miss out on these empowering episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - hit the subscribe button and be part of the adventure!
Show notes
- Who is Tori
- Working with female clients
- Being athletic and loving team sports
- Studying at Exeter College
- Being a member of the Scouts
- Embarking on a career in the outdoors
- Teaching in a formal classroom setting
- The wage disparity between the outdoors and other industries
- Studying outdoor education and what it was like
- Starting out with very little knowledge
- Developing personal skills
- Needing to be to 18 to work in the outdoors
- Doing her Bachelor’s degree (Geography and Outdoor Education) at Manchester Metropolitan University
- Is university worth it?
- How to connect with and contact employers
- Advice for getting experience
- Why a wide range of experience is essential
- Looking for volunteer opportunities
- Shadowing and observing others at work
- Don’t go too niche too soon
- Going travelling to Europe after university
- Managing a climbing retreat in Spain
- Taking on a full time apprentice role in Yorkshire
- Joining a team of polar explorers going up to the North Pole
- Teaching polar explorers how to canoe on their sledges
- Loving paddlesports and climbing
- The opportunities available
- Leading overseas expeditions (After qualifying as a Mountain Leader (ML) and First Aider)
- Teaching on youth development programs
- Making the time for experiences outside and why it’s important
- Benefits for your mental health
- The challenges of working in the outdoors
- Wages and money
- Costs of equipment and clothing
- Dealing with the miserable days
- The financial challenges of women working in the outdoors
- Women dropping off in the qualifications/award system in their late 20s
- Flexibility and wages and why it’s even harder when you have children
- How the Industry has changed over the past 16/17 years
- The support from governing bodies to encourage women to work in the outdoors
- Dealing with knocks to her confidence
- Mountain Training and their 5 year plan (2021 - 2025)
- Gear for women that fits
- Running women only courses
- Concerns about dealings with periods
- How to connect with Tori
- Final words of advice
Social Media
Website: www.westcountryadventures.co.uk
Instagram:
@itsadogslife_climbing
@westcountry_adventures