Katy O’Neill Gutierrez: The mum who set up Blaze Trails, the parent and baby walking community

The Outdoors Fix is a podcast to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. It’s hosted by Liv Bolton. Katy O’Neill Gutierrez is a mum of two and the founder of Blaze Trails, a network of walking groups all around the UK for parents and their babies. Realising that getting outdoors was crucial to her mental health after a traumatic labour with her first daughter, Katy started organising walks with friends. Those initial walks have led to the creation of a network of 56 walking groups around the UK with thousands of parents inspired to get out in nature with their young children. I went for a walk with Katy by the River Chess in the Chess Valley in Hertfordshire - a beautiful spot with a rare chalk stream. I wanted to find out more about how the outdoors helped her as a new mum, why she wanted to set up Blaze Trails, how she’s grown it to what it’s become today and what it’s been like to make the outdoors into her career. Katy shares her favourite family walks and hiking with your baby tips at the end of the episode, so don’t miss her advice. There’s also a minute of the sounds of nature for a little bit of escapism in your busy day. Katy’s episode of The Outdoors Fix is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. It’s also embedded below. I hope you enjoy it! Liv x The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk You’ll find Blaze Trails on Instagram @blaze.trails You can find photos and videos from our recording on Instagram @TheOutdoorsFix The Outdoors Fix book is now available: http://bit.ly/3GJDLJc This episode of The Outdoors Fix is kindly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell are offering listeners of The Outdoors Fix a 20% discount at Merrell.co.uk (One product per person until 31 Dec 2023) Just use the code OUTDOORS20.