From Detective to Outdoor Adventurer - The Roar of RAW - Ross Worthington

In this episode, Donna interviews Ross Worthington, the owner of RAW Adventures, a family-run outdoor adventure business based in North Wales. Ross shares his journey from growing up in a semi-rural area in the southeast of England, where he was influenced by his family's legacy in the police force, to becoming a police officer himself. He discusses his experiences in the police, including the challenges and traumas he faced, and how these shaped his perspective on life and opportunities. Ross also highlights the fulfilling work he does with charities and schools through RAW Adventures, emphasising the importance of connecting with nature and empowering others to embark on their own adventures.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Ross Worthington transitioned from a career in the police force to running a family business, Raw Adventures, which focuses on outdoor activities and empowering individuals to connect with nature. Ross's childhood experiences, including a serious neck injury, shaped his perspective on life and motivated him to seize opportunities, leading to a proactive approach in both his police career and business endeavours. The discussion highlights the importance of mental health support for public service workers, emphasising that exposure to traumatic events can accumulate and affect well-being over time. Ross underscores the significance of having a close-knit group of friends outside of work who can provide emotional support and perspective, especially during challenging times in high-stress professions. Ross shares various experiences from his time in the police force, illustrating the unpredictability of the job, from dealing with serious incidents to the mundane aspects of paperwork, and how these experiences shaped his understanding of human behaviour and resilience. BEST MOMENTS "I think some of it retrospectively I would not have thought of this at the time, but definitely retrospectively I know that I will try and make the most of opportunities that presented to me." "What was your first choice of career that you didn't do?" "I remember grabbing him by the scruff of the neck, pinning him up against the door and shouting at him. He's like, you don't know what week I've had." "You never know what you turn up to and that can happen every single day." "You might be rostered for a 12-hour shift, but if you've got a patient on the back of the ambulance and there's nowhere for you to drop them off, you can't just go home." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.  She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles.  Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.