Episode Twelve - Bridging the gap: Removing barriers to outdoor coaching

‘When I started looking at all of this, I did have that presumption that everyone can access nature. Nature is there for everyone, and unpacking that unconscious bias is really powerful and really important, and recognising, wow, I didn't know that, but now I do know that. And, I'm going to try to do something about that, because that's really important to me’ Ruth Geddes, coach & supervisor with a passion for equity ‘Is outdoor coaching an accessible and equitable practice?’Driven by the threads of nature, equity and outdoor coaching Ruth Geddes posed this question for her Masters research project at the University of East London despite considerable personal and professional discomfort. Her conversations with coaches and clients revealed the gap which exists with seen and unseen, spoken and unspoken conscious and unconscious needs. She invites coaches to ponder the following questions: Who may feel excluded from my coaching practice and why?How could I be proactive in adapting my marketing and coaching practice to increase accessibility?When looking around a local nature space, see it with fresh eyes. Can everyone access this space? If not, why not?The roots of her mantra ‘informed by psychology, inspired by nature’ can be traced back to a wee village on the east coast of Scotland with fond memories from the beach, rock pools and sea. Ruth is on a mission to spread awareness on equity, inclusivity, safety and belonging within the outdoor coaching realm. Bio: Ruth Geddes is a Positive Psychology practitioner with an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, a Senior Practitioner Coach accredited by the EMCC and an accredited supervisor. Her research explored barriers to participation in outdoor coaching, with a particular focus on accessibility and inclusion.Ruth’s coaching integrates evidence-based positive psychology with nature-based approaches, helping people reconnect with themselves and nature through the often-overlooked magic of everyday outdoor spaces.Alongside her coaching practice, Ruth works in Higher Education as a Wellbeing Team Manager.Her work is informed by psychology, inspired by nature.Ruth Geddes CoachingLinkedInInstagramResources: Conceptual article in Journal of Positive Psychology - Outdoor Coaching – an Accessible and Equitable Practice? Ruth Geddes, MSc., Alison Bishop, PhD - Journal of Positive Psychology Coaching (JPPC) Vol 3, 2026Dr Alison BishopTo find out more:www.rootedrisingpodcast.com