Emily Bell — How Adventure Had An Impact On My Life
This is the nineteenth in a whole series of interviews with all sorts of different people to show what effect adventure can have on your life. The aim is to show how even the smallest amount of adventure can impact your life no matter who you are or where you come from.
If you’d like to take part and have a good story with good pictures, please contact me via www.mattprior.co.uk
Next up is Ms Emily Bell who was born in Chile during an earthquake! Ever since, life has been anything but normal. From South America to Scotland, she spent her childhood building dens, rolling around in the mud and camping. Her life has always been centred around animals and the outdoors.
In 2012, she supported Dave Cornthwaite by stand-up paddle boarding 1001 miles down the Lower Missouri — having never stand-up paddle boarded before. She spent 60 blissful nights sleeping on the banks of the river.
In 2013, Emily kayaked the length of Britain as crew captain on Sean Conway’s big swim. She spent 4 1/2 months running operations as well as kayaking the coast from England and Wales across to Ireland and back to Scotland, through storms, darkness and bitter cold. Before stepping in her kayak at Lands End, she had never kayaked before, let alone in the ocean.
Emily has a passion for the outdoors alongside years of experience across operations, production, publishing and project management. She has put this to use by running operations for Pangaea Exploration, alongside Emily Penn, to enable scientists, filmmakers and everyday people to gain access to the most remote parts of our world. Last year, she was also involved in launching an adventure project called Avaunt.
Please could you give us a quick run down on your life before adventure played a part:
I was miserable doing financial headhunting (in high heels) in London. I sat at a desk for 11 hours a day googling accountants. After only 1 1/2 years, I walked in and quit.
“I sat at a desk for 11 hours a day googling accountants.”
How and why did you get involved in all of this?
Flash forward a couple of years and Dave Cornthwaite turned up at the magazine I was working for. He said he was about to swim the Missouri River and he needed a writer. It was leaving in two weeks. I asked for a sabbatical from work, moved out of my flat, booked my flights and I was off to paddleboard the Missouri, having never even seen a paddleboard before. Having worked my way up in magazines, I wanted to get the same experience in the world of adventure — with the long term goal of linking the two.
How has adventure impacted your life?
It has made me very very happy. These expeditions allowed me to create my dream and now I run two different projects I love — an adventure magazine and ocean conservation boat. I also fill my life with adventure (and the outdoors) so I deserve that burger and red wine at the end of the day :)
“I asked for a sabbatical from work, moved out of my flat, booked my flights and I was off”
“These expeditions allowed me to create my dream and now I run two different projects I love.”
What benefits has adventure brought specifically?
Creating a life where I can work remotely, wear trainers, be spontaneous, pack my bags and head off on an amazing trip but still have my projects, work with incredible people. Adventure and the outdoors, even without everything else, makes me very happy. I have to have it in my life.
Why would you suggest others should get involved?
I am short, blonde, small-footed girl who isn’t particularly good at anything but I absolutely loved paddleboarding the Missouri and kayaking Britain, even though I hadn’t done either of them before. Yes I was colder than I have ever been, scared, tired and all the rest, but it was life changing. As everyone says, just say yes. You won’t regret it. Even if you hate every minute of it, it will make you come home and appreciate being where you are. I just feel life is too short to say no to doing something a little bit scary. So show yourself you can.
“Adventure and the outdoors, even without everything else, makes me very happy. I have to have it in my life.”
“Yes I was colder than I have ever been, scared, tired and all the rest, but it was life changing. As everyone says, just say yes. You won’t regret it.”
Do you think anyone could do what you do?
Yes, absolutely anyone can do it! But a lot of my friends would hate doing what I do. They like the structure of an office, a company, work hours, colleagues. I like managing my own hours, jumping between various projects, suddenly buggering off on expeditions. I absolutely love it. Even if I have to work over weekends, on holidays, through the night, I still love it. So if you think it might be for you, do it!
“I just feel life is too short to say no to doing something a little bit scary”
What would you say are the main excuses for not doing this sort of stuff and how would you suggest people overcome them?
Time and money. My boyfriend and I don’t own a home or have any children yet so it’s been a lot easier to plan trips without having those commitments. I guess, whoever you are, at whatever stage of life, try and fit adventure into your life in some form or another. Even if that’s an hour bicycle ride with the family on a Saturday. Or a camping trip one holiday, even if it’s just for one night. You don’t have to bugger off for six months of the year, just fit pockets of adventure into your life.
If you’re keen to do a big trip, put some money aside each month, or find a paid position on an expedition. In terms of time, if you really want to do it, you will make it happen.
“I guess, whoever you are, at whatever stage of life, try and fit adventure into your life in some form or another.”
“In terms of time, if you really want to do it, you will make it happen.”
What’s next for you?
I’m excited to see where things go with Pangaea Exploration and Avaunt Magazine over the next 12 months. I’m definitely going to attempt to run Hadrians Wall again later this year. I feel like I should row an ocean too — that would be my ultimate challenge as I’m terrified of the water!
To get in touch with Em or follow her exploits online: www.embell.co.uk
“I guess, whoever you are, at whatever stage of life, try and fit adventure into your life in some form or another.”
Interested in your own adventure?
Click here to find out more:
www.mpadventureacademy.com
Other Interviews:
Sean Conway
Sophie Radcliffe
Alastair Humphreys
Squash Falconer
Dave Cornthwaite
Anna McNuff
Chris Burkard
Lois Pryce
Chris Brisley
Matt Prior
Jimmy White
Ian Packham
Travis Crozier
Paul Everitt
Shirine Taylor
Charlie Frew
