I recently had the opportunity to take part in a spotlight interview with The Wild Path as part of their Wild Path Conversations series. It was a chance to reflect on my journey into the outdoors, talk honestly about setbacks and lessons learned, and share what North Survival represents to me now, and what I hope it will become in the future.
In this conversation with Ahron, we explore where my connection to the outdoors began, why the path into this industry is rarely a straight one, and how time outside has played a crucial role in my own mental health and sense of purpose. We also discuss the realities of building a career in the outdoor sector, the importance of experience over qualifications alone, and the value of community, stewardship, and respect for the spaces we work in.
This interview is as much about people as it is about the outdoors, about finding your place, doing work that matters to you, and understanding that meaningful paths are often built slowly. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed taking part in the conversation.
Hello everyone and welcome to The Wild Path Conversations, an interview series helping
you discover the people, ideas, and careers shaping the future of the outdoors.
Throughout these conversations we’ll be speaking with leaders, professionals, and
change-makers across the sector to share insights and inspiration for your own career
journey.
Today I’m joined by Dan Povey a freelance outdoor instructor who runs North Survival in
the North East and is building a career rooted in practical skills, stewardship, and
community. His journey into the outdoors hasn’t been a straight line, moving through a
range of roles before carving out a path in the sector.
Introducing Dan and North Survival
Ahron: Dan, to start, it would be great to hear a bit more about you and North Survival, and
how you describe the work you’re focused on.
Dan: My path into the outdoors has been quite an arduous one, but after a lot of setbacks
I’m finally where I want to be. I’m a freelance outdoor instructor based in the North East,
and North Survival is the company I use for my freelance work at the moment.
Right now it’s my limited company, but I want North Survival to become more than that.
In the future, I’d love to have access to a small area of woodland and offer experiences
centred around community and wellbeing. That might look like mental health days where
people gather around a campfire, share food, talk, and just spend time together.
Being outdoors helped me hugely during periods of mental health struggle. Getting back
to basic needs, being outside, sitting by a fire – whether alone or with friends and family
– can be incredibly grounding. What I want to do is bring people together in that way,
because although there are lots of like-minded people out there, I think many of us feel
more disconnected than we used to.
Finding the Outdoors Early
Ahron: Where did your connection to the outdoors begin?
Dan: It started when I was very young. I was lucky to have my dad introduce me to the
outdoors. From about the age of six, we went on bike rides, camping trips, and spent a lot
of time outside together. Camping became something really special that I looked forward
to.
What we did back then would probably be called bushcraft now, but at the time it was
just camping. We’d light a fire, cook food, and my dad always taught me to look after the
environment – take litter home, leave no trace, and respect the space you’re in.
Over time I got even more into it than he did. I started reading about survival techniques
and learning as much as I could. When I got my first car at 17, I had the freedom to go out
more regularly, and that’s when I really fell in love with it. I was out every weekend,
camping and exploring. That early exposure shaped everything that came after.
School, Learning Styles, and Feeling Like an Outsider
Ahron: Your route into the outdoors wasn’t a straight line. Can you talk a bit about that
journey from school into where you are now?
Dan: I can probably speak for a lot of people in the industry when I say I wasn’t great in a
classroom environment. That doesn’t mean I don’t like learning – I love learning – but
everyone learns differently. I’m a hands-on person, and that’s often why people end up in
outdoor work.
At school, the focus tends to be on traditional pathways. There’s nothing wrong with that,
but it doesn’t suit everyone. When I was younger, I was told my options were university
or learning a trade – go into construction, get something practical. University definitely
wasn’t for me. I wasn’t academic, and I struggled to sit still and write for long periods.
I tried the trade route, but that didn’t work out either. What I didn’t have at school was
any real exposure to the outdoors as a career option. That’s why things like the Duke of
Edinburgh Award are so important. Outdoor education used to be more visible and more
accessible, but it feels like it’s talked about less now. In some cases, it’s still seen as a bit
of a joke of a career.
I’ve been told before that working in the outdoors isn’t a real path, and I understand
where that perception comes from. It isn’t easy to carve out, and there’s no clear ladder.
But nothing worth doing is easy. There’s no right or wrong career – whether you work
outdoors, learn a trade, or go into academia – what matters is doing something you enjoy
and making a difference.
“It’s Not a Real Career” – Until It Is
Ahron: You mentioned that people used to question whether this was a real career path.
How do you respond to that now?
Dan: It’s funny – I don’t get asked that anymore. I don’t really need to respond to it. The
silence speaks for itself.
People do still ask what my long-term plan is, but who really knows their plan in full? I
have ideas about where I want to go, but things evolve. What’s changed is that people
around me now see this as a legitimate path because I’m making it happen.
I’ve also got friends who are following similar routes into the outdoors, so it’s more visible
now. I’d like to think that if someone younger finds themselves in the position I was in,
they might be sent to talk to me. If I can help someone see that this is a real option, that
matters to me.
Inspiring people is important. I wouldn’t be where I am without the people who inspired
me – the ones I looked up to. Even if someone doesn’t want a career in the outdoors, I’d
still like to help people respect the outdoors more. Sustainability comes up a lot now, and
our green spaces are under real pressure. Protecting them for future generations feels
vital, and I hope I can play a small part in that.
Getting Started: Experience First, Qualifications Second
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Ahron: For someone listening who’s considering this path, what does a realistic route into
the outdoor world actually look like?
Dan: There are lots of ways in, and no single right path. If I were starting again at 18, I’d
do exactly what I did – apply to one of the larger outdoor centres and work a season there.
You have to take it for what it is. It’s entry level, and you might not get the respect you
think you deserve at first, but everyone starts somewhere. What you do get is a real taste
of the industry. You make incredible memories, meet amazing people, and work out
quickly whether this life is for you.
Even for those who don’t stay in the sector long term, that first season is rarely regretted.
For some of us it sets the course of our lives. For others, it becomes a formative
experience they carry forward.
This route isn’t just for school leavers either. I know people who’ve come into the
outdoors later in life, after working in office-based roles they didn’t enjoy. The reality is
that this isn’t a high-paying industry, especially at the start, and that’s something you
have to be honest about. You’re not doing it for the money. It’s about balance, and for
many people the trade-off is worth it.
When it comes to qualifications, experience matters more than most people realise.
Group experience in particular. Employers will take you far more seriously if you’ve spent
time working with different groups than if you’ve simply collected certificates.
A lot of people rush into qualifications before they’ve actually worked in the sector. But
working with people is a skill in itself, and it’s very different from being technically
proficient at an outdoor activity. You can teach skills, but you can’t shortcut experience.
If you’re older and testing the waters, start small. Get a basic qualification, work part-
time at a climbing wall, help with Duke of Edinburgh groups at weekends, or assist on
sessions. Get your feet wet and see if you enjoy the reality of the work.
Experience can’t be bought. Anyone can be put through qualifications, but you can’t
replace time spent managing groups, adapting to situations, and learning how to work
with people safely and confidently. That groundwork is what really matters.
The Human Skills That Matter Most
Ahron: Beyond experience and qualifications, what personal skills or traits do you think are
most important for doing well in this space?
Dan: Attitude is a huge one. You have to genuinely enjoy what you’re doing and project
that onto the people you’re working with. Whether they’re clients, guests, or groups
who’ve paid to be there, your attitude shapes their experience.
Safety always comes first, but so does fun. A positive mindset contributes to both. If
something goes wrong, you need to focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. That
problem-solving mindset is essential.
People skills matter just as much. You’re working with all sorts of people – children, adults,
parents, professionals – and you need to be interested in them. You have to enjoy meeting
new people and adapting how you communicate.
Approachability, adaptability, and confidence are important too, but confidence doesn’t
mean ego. Nobody in this industry is truly “elite”. We all have strengths and weaknesses.
You need to listen as much as you lead, especially when you’re starting out. There are
people who’ve been in the sector for decades, and you can learn a huge amount from
them. In many ways, instructors learn by watching each other. We borrow styles,
techniques, and approaches, and that’s how the industry evolves and improves over time.
The Outdoors and Mental Health
Ahron: Mental health comes up a lot when people talk about the outdoors. Why do you think
it’s such a powerful space for wellbeing?
Dan: You don’t have to look far to find studies showing how beneficial green spaces are.
I believe the outdoors brings us back to the fundamentals of living. It reconnects us with
an environment we’re surrounded by, but often too busy to notice.
We’re lucky in this country to have rights of way and access to the countryside, but many
people don’t realise how accessible it actually is. It’s there for everyone.
I was out walking on Boxing Day recently, and it was great to see families out together,
even in the cold. It shows how deeply rooted the outdoors is in our culture. That
connection builds respect, and respect is key.
For me, loving and respecting the outdoors is closely tied to loving your own existence. I
want to share how it’s helped me and how it might help others. It’s not for everyone, and
I recognise that, but it’s proven to make a difference.
I’m also working with the charity Mind Over Mountains, which focuses on mental health
through time in the outdoors. They support people who are struggling, and that work
really resonates with me. I want to help make that impact more visible and encourage
people to find their own positive connection with nature.
Setbacks, Endurance, and the Expedition Ahead
Ahron: You mentioned an expedition you’re planning. Can you tell us more about that?
Dan: The expedition was originally meant to happen this spring, but I broke my leg last
year and couldn’t train, so it’s been pushed back. In some ways that setback has only made
me want to do it more.
I’ll be taking it on with a close friend and former colleague, Josh. The plan is to complete
all of the Wainwrights in one continuous round, with additional sections including a
coast-to-coast route, plus some canoeing and running at the start. It’ll take around 30
days.
The expedition is about personal challenge and endurance, but it’s also about raising
awareness and funds for Mind Over Mountains. We want to test ourselves physically and
mentally, learn more about who we are, and at the same time look at the bigger picture.
We’ll be spending time in the Lake District, and anyone who’s been there recently will
have seen the impact of litter and overuse. It’s brilliant that people are getting outside,
but it comes at a cost. Seeing local people litter-picking early in the morning really brings
it home. If that was your home, how would you feel?
What North Survival Could Become
Ahron: Looking ahead, what do you see North Survival becoming over the next few years?
Dan: I want to put my own twist on it. I don’t want it to be a traditional outdoor company.
For now, it’s my freelancing platform, but over time I want it to grow into something more
personal. That includes offering my own experiences, sharing expeditions, and
continuing to write through the blog. It’s a space that reflects my journey, my values, and
the kind of work I care about. I don’t have everything mapped out, and that’s okay. I want
it to grow organically, alongside me.
Final Advice for Career Changers
Ahron: Finally, if someone is sitting at a desk job right now, dreaming of a more outdoors-
led life, what would you say to them?
Dan: I’d say it’s not too late to make a change. Most of us will have two or three careers
in our lives.
If it feels like the right time, then maybe it is. Go for it – but go for it sensibly. Think about
the risks, the sacrifices, and what you need to put in place. But don’t let fear be the thing
that stops you.
Reflection
This conversation with The Wild Path gave me the chance to pause and look back at the journey so far, from early camping trips as a child, through years of uncertainty and setbacks, to building a life rooted in outdoor work, community, and purpose.
What stands out most to me is that there is no single route into the outdoors, no fixed timeline, and no perfect version of success. This industry is built on people, experience, and attitude just as much as it is on technical skill. It rewards curiosity, humility, and a willingness to keep learning. Often from those around you.
The outdoors has been a constant source of grounding for me, especially during difficult periods. That’s why the future of North Survival is about more than instruction or expeditions. It’s about connection to nature, to each other, and to ourselves. Whether that’s through shared experiences, community-led days around a fire, or supporting mental health initiatives like Mind Over Mountains, the aim is to create space for people to slow down and reconnect.
If there’s one thing I hope people take from this interview, it’s that it’s okay not to have everything mapped out. Meaningful work often grows organically, shaped by lived experience and values rather than rigid plans. And if you’re reading this from a place of uncertainty or curiosity about a different path, know that change is possible, and sometimes the hardest steps lead to the most rewarding ground.