EP7 Wilderness Encounter Africa

12/04/2024

Are we Dis-Located from the Outdoors?

We often think of going into nature as a luxury, not a necessity, as we stroll through the forest sniffing lavender and pine, or as we book that holiday hotel on the beach. However, we might want to consider that we evolved in nature so it's strange that we have become so disconnected. I know on this mailing list I am communicating with nature coverts, but if you think about family, friends, and those we walk alongside in the office, many people don't recognize how eco-alienated they have become.

Interesting, researcher and psychologist, Elizabeth Nisbet, from Trent University in Ontario, sent 150 students on a walk. 75 of them were going to traverse a pathway alongside a canal, and the other 50% were going to go through various concrete tunnels connecting diverse academic departments of the University.

Before they set off they were asked to predict how enjoyable the walk was going to be. On their return they completed a questionnaire that measured their wellbeing. Most of them over-estimated how pleasurable the tunnel walk would be, and under-estimated the benefits of the nature walk.

Social scientists advocate that forecasting errors, as displayed by the students, play a big part in how people chose to construct their lifestyles. Thus, Nisbet's dejected conclusion was:
"People may avoid nearby nature because of their chronic disconnection from nature causes them to underestimate the hedonistic benefits."

I am looking forward to all the Nature Enthusiasts who are working in a Corporate Environments joining me, and our surprise world-renown guest, on the next Weekly Wilderness Webinar where we MEET THE MASAI and a TRADITIONAL ELEPHANT MATRIARCH

14/03/2024

WEEKLY WILDERNESS WEBINAAR

Enjoy the discussion that took place yesterday around Being Family or Team in an Organizational Setting inspired by the lifestyle or Elephants & Meerkats

Mandy (Robinson) Young talks with JOY Langley and Simon Badman about an organizational culture of belonging - being family or team - inspired by the way elephants and meerkats relate and behave. We cover;

- Being an organizational family or team that grows through adversity

- Having a leader who creates a family / team culture where employers can be vulnerable and share personal challenges;

- Matriarchal servant leadership that is protective and leaves a heritage

- Innovative teamwork embracing several diverse approaches to risk

- Passing on skills by coming alongside those we equip, and

- How to become personally and organizationally involved in finding solutions for climate change and implementing them.

Mandy (Robinson) Young talks with Joy Langley and Simon Badman about an organizational culture of belonging - being family or team - inspired by the way elep...

03/04/2023

Accessible wilderness encounters are just around the corner...

Anyone been Foraging? My son and I were recently part of the podcast The Butterfly Effect with Dan Ashby and a group called Edible Year. I was amazed at how many qualities, capabilities and diverse experiences plants offer our senses and our stomachs. Did you know that trunks of some trees like have...

29/03/2023

Wow what a week.

On Monday I purchased a beautiful piece of land in Tideswell at an auction. It is currently zoned for agriculture, but it is a land fill with views of pastures, trees and hills, between two sets of houses. We will apply for residential rights and look forward to building a home there if approved.

That was Monday. Tuesday I was offered a contract to publish my book Awaken the Wild Within by Integrity Media UK. We are both motivated to inspire and pave the way for good mental health and healing. As you know I have a focus on empowering personal transformation through adventures in wilderness places observing wild animals, swimming with free, ocean-moving dolphins, and walking and talking with the Masai.

Today I received a publication offer from Austin Macauley, they were one day late - smile.

I'm super excited to journey with the team at Integrity Media who are uniquely personal in supporting the authors they promote. I look forward to encouraging many readers to take a journey of their own to Awaken their Wild Within

29/03/2023

Lets do something so this does NOT happen! These intriguing creatures are sentient, feeling and intelligent

They're building the world’s first octopus farm. Here's how we can stop them:

08/03/2023

Morning, what are the ways you most like to gain understandings and inspirations?

Do you believe that can happen walking on the beach, wandering through the woods, sitting around a campfire watching the flames flicker?

On a recent online Fireside Conversation we considered what we could learn from eagles?

This was the response of one of the participants afterwards:

It’s a very interesting perspective in terms of therapy. I was surprised by the practical way Mandy operates, since the concept of the healing power of nature sounds very abstract. All in all, it was a very fascinating experience that can change someone’s mindset or view on life.
(Calvin Theron FreeMe Wildlife Experience 2022 - student).

06/03/2023

Greetings I hosted two animated Fireside Conversation with the wonderful FreeMe Wildlife workers, whose hearts and hard work is set on conserving wildlife that would otherwise not get a chance. Their CEO Wade Whitehead also embraces personal and professional growth through life-lessons from nature. Here are some of their comments:

Gabbi Lloyd
The experience with Mandy Young was eye opening in different ways of approaching psychology as well as gaining insights into personal insights. The sessions were relaxed and comfortable which encouraged openness as well as allowed for time to personally reflect on one’s thoughts. Answers were not given or withheld but rather hinted at so that individuals could attain the knowledge from the answers personally and answers would be personally relevant to each individual. Thank you for the interesting session.
Gabbi Lloyd (FreeMe Wildlife - Clinic Manager).

More to follow next week, but you are invited to join the next Fireside Conversation, please let me know your interest with a thumbs up or heart in the comments below

05/09/2022

MOTIVATE YOUR INNER MEERKAT

This week we explore Motivation. What is motivation and how do we activate it?



What is our inner Meerkat anyway and what does 'it' have to do with how motivated we do or don't feel?



Recent research coming from the University of Tokyo in Japan asks whether motivation is extrinsic or intrinsic, and is job engagement and high work performance linked.



Brene Brown advocates motivation inspires wholeheartedness and suggests:



"Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion and connection to wake up in the morning and think: No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am good enough". c



The Tempstar Staffing organization with the motto: "The Team with the best player wins", believes:



"Passion powers the hard work, determination and creativity that makes great accomplishments possible. Successful novelists, film directors, scientists, CEOs, world-class athletes, and other people who have risen to the top of the files all possess a deep motivation that gives them the wherewithal to work extraordinarily hard at something even when it's uncertain how, when and even if, they will enjoy rewards for their efforts|.



On this Fireside Discussion let's find out some truths from our Mentors - the Meerkats about Motivation, as we:



MOTIVATE OUR INNER MEERKAT.

If you would like to attend on Wednesday, 7th September 2022

at 5 PM GMT (UK time)

please click here:

https://mandy-young.aweb.page/p/3d9f1a32-f6a0-42f2-a0f1-552e3b53f08e

21/08/2022

Does your Organization or Team focus primarily on Goals, People, or Process?

On our recent online Fireside Conversation where participants gain personal and professional life-changing insights from observing wild animal interactions or by listening in to the wisdom of indigenous people, the members of a wild dog pack were our mentors. They are great at being team and the way in which they relate launched an interesting discussion.

Click the image below to find out what they inspired:

Kate Griffiths was one of the participants with some great thoughts and ideas. Her final comment was:

"The wild dogs’ sensitivity in their faces and ears is something I hope I always remember as it touched something deep inside me. We are so connected to all life on earth".

If you would like to participate in the next Fireside Conversation

on Wednesday 7th September 2022 at 5 pm Uk time
the topic will be:

MOTIVATING YOUR INNER MEERKAT

please email us at
[email protected]
if You would like to
JOIN US

During our recent Fireside Conversation, we were inspired by a Wild Dog Pack where the Alpha Female was giving birth to a new generation of pups -providing the ongoing survival of the pack. The rest of the pack, especially the Alpha male, were aware and attentive to the pain she was going through in...

10/08/2022

Tonight, Wednesday 10th August 2022 at 5 pm we are going on a vicarious safari online during our free, bi-monthly Fireside Conversation to gain professional and personal life-changing insights from observing a day in the life of a wild dog pack. If you would like to join me read and click below:

Greetings my name is Mandy Young, I am an Ecopsychologist and I have spent over a quarter of a century observing wild animals with social behavior, walking and talking with indigenous people, and swimming with free, ocean-moving dolphins. My passion is to take you for a walk on the wild side to Awak...

02/08/2022

Are you a Wild Man or a Wild Woman, looking for Wild Ways as Illustrated by Wild Dog Packs to have a Business or Sports Team Model for the 21st Century of Interdependence and Integrity?

Join me on the free, online next Fireside Conversation to find out!
Details below:

IN THE BEGINNING… A Creator God and Mother Nature are the two realities that have a huge influence in developing who I am: I believe when God created the earth the first process He installed was interdependence. He told us to take care of the earth and she would sustain us. Interdependence is one ...

25/07/2022

Brain wave research measured by EEG and biofeedback technology released in 2021 shows that dolphin-human interactions can enhance physical healing, stimulate immune systems, reduce phobias, get rid of addictions, release childhood trauma to be resolved and a new life script written, bring spiritual enlightenment and inspire participants to transform their lives with new clarity and courage.

However, not everyone can swim with dolphins, so I am inviting you to participate in a free, online Dolphin Dreamtime Meditation and to find out the response of 4 cancer patients who participated in this healing Meditation several years ago.

Click below to find out more and to receive the zoom link to participate on Wednesday at 5 pm UK time.

WHAT IS GOOD HEALTH? In the 21st century, we consider good health as the absence of disease. However, when considering the interaction between our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being we must add non-physical factors to the mix, for example - peace of mind, contentment, and a sense of deep....

20/07/2022

MASAI WISDOM FOR BUSINESS RESILIENCE & LONG-LEGACY LEADERSHIP

The Masai have values and a cultural system that supports resilient survival in harsh conditions. They learn leadership, responsibility, accountability, and a heart for community young age. They are world leaders in sustainability and know how to live alongside all they share their environment with:

Read How Here:

https://www.wildernessencountersafrica.com/post/masai-wisdom-for-business-resilience-long-legacy-leadership

13/07/2022

FIRESIDE CONVERSATION ONLINE TONIGHT AT 5PM UK TIME
MASAI WISDOM for BUSINESS RESILIENCE

I would like to invite you to the bi-monthly free online Fireside Conversation where you can gain personal and professional understandings from observing wild animal interactions and learn from the wisdom of indigenous people who still know how to live in an interdependent way with their environment and wild places.

I am an Ecopshcologist, primarily trained as a Psychotherapist many decades ago, who has spent over a quarter of a century observing wild animals, walking and talking with the Masai and the Bushmen, and swimming with free, ocean-moving dolphins
www. https://lnkd.in/dkEMamPf

The Fireside Conversation tonight is Masai Wisdom for Business Resilience:

While many Maasai practices appear outdated and barbaric to western sensibilities, they have been borne over hundreds of years by the need to instill the discipline, strength, and unity required to survive in the bush

Hope to see you online later at 5 pm UK time, click on the link below to access the zoom link, and please send me your email address on a personal note or to [email protected] if you would like to get future invites. I think in two weeks' time the focus will be on the dolphins or the wild dogs.

Select Limited Places Available

17/06/2022

Awe, is such a little word, only three letters, but it has such an impact. The concept of awe was first described in the 18th century by An Irish philosopher called Edmund Burke. I think there was an explosion of thinking about the value of nature in the 18th century because people were moving out o...

11/05/2022

Does Ecotourism contribute toward Re-wilding the Earth?

https://thesocialtalks.com/search/?q=does+ecotourism

04/05/2022

Madikwe Game Reserve was one of the first places I was privileged to get up close and watch lion and wild dog behavior.
www.wildernessencountersafrica.com

17/04/2022

Don't let depression get you down...there's hope

Nature has this incredible way of bouncing back with restoration and renewal that does not come as naturally to us in the way we deal with trauma. In fact, because our unconscious believes whatever we tell it, our mind often sabotages our happiness. Especially when we are feeling down, then the way....