We share a lot of information about our groups and what they are up to so we thought we would start a regular feature about the amazing teams of Instructors, leaders and WALX Masters who make all of that happen

This month we spoke to Emma White (pictured) who operates a WALX group in Leamington Spa as her main business. A former secondary school science teacher, Emma shares her insight into what it is like delivering a range of walking based solutions to customers with differing goals.

What appealed to you about setting up a group?

I went the Purbeck Festival in 2016 knowing very little about Nordic Walking or the team behind what is now WALX , I immediately took to walking with poles everyone was so friendly , and it was only towards the end of the weekend that it occurred to me this could be something I could start in Leamington. The initial appeal was  flexibility in my working week  having very recently stopped teaching  that summer after a  bereavement. The skills and knowledge I had gained from being a science teacher were obviously transferrable and I realised that I could combine a new career with my love of exercise and the outdoors. The thought of this being a potential career really excited me

Emma helping people adjust their poles

Has it lived up to your expectations?

Without question. Becoming a WALX  Master has been the best decision I have ever made. In the past 6 years I have been supported by the WALX team. The training and guidance is second to none. Having not done anything like this before I was very apprehensive about running my own business, and found some of the initial setbacks slightly daunting, but with the experience and support from the WALX team and other Instructors, I can honestly say I now have a viable and thriving business: not to say without its challenges

Describe a typical day of WALX………..

On the 2 mornings a week I don’t lead one of the WALX  HQ online zoom sessions that people join in from home, I tend to do an early e mail catch up, check bookings and plan the sessions for that morning tailored to those who have booked in.

My first session is  usually  a 1-2 hour walk starting approximately 9 am with 2 or 3 more specific sessions to follow. One of these sessions will be a strength and endurance or a wellness  walk approximately 45 mins – 1 hour.

On two days a week I leave a slot open to deliver introductory Discovery sessions for anybody who has made an enquiry about what I offer. These enable me to find out about their fitness levels, goals and any medical issues etc. It then helps me to point them into the right sessions and help them to achieve their goals.

There are 2 evening sessions for those unable to attend  during the  day but generally I am home early afternoon, where I will respond to emails and post on social media photos of what we have been up to (if I remember!)

I also run specific sessions for two local parkinson’s disease groups where I typically use the smoveys (pictured) to encourage large movements and  stimulate neuro receptors

Who might you be taking out and about with you……………

On a typical day I would take out group members of all ages who join me regularly (probably paying a monthly direct debit) and are constantly improving their fitness and activity levels. Many were not so fit initially but some were already keen walkers.

Those who attend my wellness sessions tend to have underlying health conditions and these sessions  focus more on improving mobility, flexibility, balance and general activity levels. So on a typical day I will be engaging with a variety of walkers from a variety of backgrounds from retired folk in their late 80’s to fit and active people with successful careers. The great thing is we are often all together in the Park and they all get on brilliantly.This is one of the wonderful aspects of being a WALX master  – the diversity of those you meet and how interesting they are. I have learned so much from them and they comment how they have done the same from mixing with other group members who they typically would never meet up with.

Tell us about the changes you have seen in your walkers 

The changes I see in my walkers is huge, both from physical and mental wellbeing. They grow in confidence and participate in activities they wouldn’t have dreamed of i.e. walking in a open space with a bean bag on their heads or using a band to work on their strength! As they start to feel better in themselves and can see/feel the improvements in their movement, breathing, posture and physical health they are willing to give anything a go! We inspire them to join walks they would never have considered and take them to festivals where they explore even further afield too. It is very powerful & rewarding knowing you have made so many things possible for them.

For instance here’s a quote from a lady in her 70’s who decided to go to the Himalayas on a walking holiday

Thank you Emma for all you have done, I’m very much enjoying walking with such a great group of people. Your support gave me the confidence to do the  trip and without doubt you helped and prepared me to get fitter and stronger for this trek

Some of them have made such massive progress that I just wish there was a WALX group in every town because I know so many other people could be enjoying the same benefits for instance this walker has been walking with me for 5 years.

I have EGPA plus resultant nerve damage/problems and two years ago I spent six months using a wheelchair when I was outside the house.  I did improve to the point of being able to walk with a stick, but I walked quite slowly and couldn’t imagine ever being able to put on some walking boots and tramp across the fields as I once did.  I also put on quite a bit of weight as I was no longer commuting to Birmingham with all the rushing about that that entailed.

Joining WALX has literally changed my life I can honestly say that it does the mind and spirit as much good as it does the body.

I think for me, it’s the fact that the sessions don’t feel like exercise but are designed to help people achieve their goals coupled with the power of being out in nature with a sociable supportive group. As this customer says….

I find that the sessions are brilliant – they are all very varied.  If anyone had told me a year ago that I’d be attempting lunges and squats in a field  I’d have thought that they were mad.  Love that we have fun while we’re doing all this as well! (I have got to nearly 60 before I have been able to put some kind of physical activity and the word “fun” together in the same sentence.

Recently I completed my WILD PATH training with WALX which has taught me to connect deeply with nature and help others to do so when out walking. I was astounded by the effects it had on my walkers and will definitely being building on that side of things now too.  Every day is a learning day, a day I make a difference and a day I get to be outdoors with lovely people so all in all – I think I made the right choice swopping teaching for WALXING!

If you would like to make a difference like EMMA, contact us to find out how we can provide all of the training and tools you would need to set up a WALX group in your area. We have partners waiting for us to provide WALX programmes all over the UK and are on a mission to find and support the right people. Contact gill on gill@walx.co.uk for more information. No previous knowledge or fitness level required – just an understanding of how being active outdoors can be life changing and a desire to work for yourself as part of a motivated, professional team.

Would you like to run a Group like Emma? We’re looking for motivated people that want to change lives in their community, including their own. Complete the simple Quiz below and receive a personalised feedback report to see whether you have what it takes to run a Group 

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