Award Winning Film Maker, Adventurer, Guide & Mental Health Advocate
A B B I E
B A R N E S
Hi Abbie, can you introduce yourself?
I am the founder and director of Spend More Time In The WILD, an organisation that seeks to inspire and empower individuals to get outside for the benefit of mental and physical health, whilst building meaningful connections with the natural world and each other.
My roots lie in environmental conservation. I started filmmaking at the age of 13, and through my films I won awards both nationally and internationally, one being awarded by Sir David Attenborough. I was able to speak in the European Parliament, start World Orangutan Day, and highlight issues such as the unsustainable use of palm oil, and problems around marine debris.
Backpacking came onto the scene when I was 16. I walked the West Highland Way with my mum and each year we jumped on a new and slightly longer trail. By 18 years old I was off on solo adventures, hiking thousands of miles each year and producing films about my travels. I worked along the side as a personal trainer and fitness instructor, but found my mental health held me back from growing this endeavour. So instead, I put all of my energy into making films, and soon WILD was born.
Since its creation in 2016, WILD has grown into a worldwide community of passionate and courageous individuals working together to enjoy the beauty of our wild spaces and protect them for generations to come. Through the project I produce weekly videos on YouTube following my adventures and challenges, offer walks and events, talks and workshops, run a podcast, manage a thriving online community space, and am currently in the throws of preparing to ski solo across Greenland in the spring of 2021 to raise awareness about mental health and chronic pain in the adventure world.
Do you consider yourself to have any mental health issues?
Managing my mental health is my full time job. I have struggled for as long as I can remember with a number of mental health conditions, which at times, have led to me attempting to end my life. I was unable to work as a result, but through the hardships and challenges, WILD was born.
It has been a long journey to get to where I am now but I wouldn’t change a thing. I still have to look after my mental health on a day to day basis, and for me find that moving and getting outside play a vital role in helping me feel well.
How do you think getting outside improves mental health?
I believe getting outside can work wonders on our mental health. Exploring natural spaces can offer peace, solitude, and space for processing and healing. Whilst taking on bigger adventures in outdoor spaces can offer an insight into the human potential that lies within us, helping to challenge the noise within our heads and instead live out what lies within our hearts.
Has someone ever initiated a conversation about their mental health?
I talk about mental health with people from all walks of life each day. Sometimes conversations are deep and hard, other times they are more generic and light. But, in my opinion, any conversation about mental health matters, and provides space for someone to feel seen and heard in a helpful and healthy way.
Do you have a favourite place to go when you need some downtime, if so where?
Anywhere outdoors really! Whether walking or biking. It is actually some:mes more about the ac:vity than the place.
Finally – what two items would you take to a desert island?
Presuming that my hat would come with my anyway because it is basally a part of me, my two items would be... A camera, and a notepad and pen/pencil. I would bring my dog but oddly enough he doesn’t really enjoy the outside much..!!
Spend More Time in the Wild and join the community here…
www.spendmoretimeinthewild.co.uk
Have a read of Abbies Ordnance Survey Get Outside Profile too