How to Incorporate Nature into Your Coaching Practice

"I love the work you do with others in nature. I’m a coach and would love to take people outside as part of my coaching practice. How can I start?"

As more people become aware of the benefits of spending time in nature for mental and emotional well-being, many coaches ask me this question which reflects a growing desire to break free from the traditional indoor coaching model and leverage the outdoors for deeper reflection, creativity, and insight.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been finding ways to incorporate nature into my coaching practice. It’s been a learning experience, and while I’m still refining it, I’ve found a few approaches that have worked well for me. If you’re curious about bringing nature into your sessions, here’s what I’ve found helpful so far.

 

My Journey to Outdoor Coaching

Unlike many nature-based coaches, I didn’t grow up with a passion for the outdoors. It wasn’t until my late 30s that I began to understand the power of being in nature for my own mental well-being. After two decades in the corporate world leading and developing teams, I launched my coaching business. However, I faced two significant challenges:

  1. Balancing time — Seeing clients, spending time with family, and finding personal time to enjoy nature was tough.
  2. Networking — I had relocated to a new area, and I found it difficult to meet like-minded people or find networking opportunities that fit my schedule and comfort.

That’s when I decided to bring the outdoors into my coaching practice. Below, I’ll share how I made it happen and what I’ve learned along the way.

How I Got Started with Nature-Based Coaching

1. Scouting & Planning the Route

I found a local forest trail and familiarised myself with it by visiting several times. I planned the exact route and completed a risk assessment to ensure it was safe and suitable for group walks. This step was crucial for feeling confident about the environment where I'd be coaching.

2. Checking Insurance Coverage

If you’re taking people outdoors, it’s essential to ensure your coaching insurance covers this. Some insurers may not be familiar with the concept of outdoor coaching, so you may need to explain it and give them time to review the specifics.

3. Organising Events: From Free to Paid

I started with free "netwalking" events, but after three months of no-shows from registered participants, I shifted to charging a small fee. This helped ensure commitment from attendees.

4. Incorporating Coaching into Walks

I gradually introduced light coaching into these walks. Before each event, I emailed participants to understand their business challenges and prepared coaching prompts to guide meaningful conversations. This helped participants engage with the coaching theme during the walk. I also collected important information (medical issues, injuries, dogs, etc.) to ensure everyone's safety.

5. Maintaining Small, Safe Groups

I capped group sizes at 10-12 participants to foster psychological safety and ensure everyone could contribute. The day before the event, I sent clear instructions, including the meeting location and my contact details.

6. Embracing Nature as Co-Coach

During the walk, I encouraged participants to reflect on how nature mirrors their inner world. Welcoming silence and allowing nature to guide the coaching process added a powerful dimension to the sessions.

Respecting the Environment During Outdoor Coaching

As outdoor coaches, it's important that we not only benefit from nature but also ensure we’re protecting it. When hosting coaching sessions outdoors, I always encourage participants to follow the "Leave No Trace" principles. This means being mindful of staying on designated trails, disposing of any waste properly, and respecting wildlife. Additionally, I choose routes that minimise disruption to local habitats and ensure that we leave the environment in the same or better condition than when we arrived.

To further reduce our environmental impact, I encourage participants to car-share whenever possible or consider walking, cycling, or using public transportation to the event location. Respecting and protecting nature helps ensure these beautiful spaces remain available for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

Expanding to Team Coaching Outdoors

I adapted my method for team coaching by working with organisations, taking them outdoors during the workweek. Nature played a role in sparking creativity, encouraging problem-solving, and offering a break from their usual office environment.  I adapted common coaching practices to use outdoors too which helps to bring somatic work into play.

Giving Back to Nature and the Community

Giving back is at the heart of my business. To further support the local community and environmental causes, I donate 10% of the ticket price for each netwalking event to a local charity. Additionally, as a company, I contribute regularly to Ecologi, to help fight climate change. 

Lessons I’ve Learned

1. It Takes Time

Outdoor coaching is still a relatively new concept, and many people may not fully understand the power of blending nature with coaching. Be patient as awareness grows.

2. Insurance Can Be Tricky

Not all insurance providers understand the nature of outdoor coaching, so give them time to explore what’s needed for coverage.

3. The Outdoor Coaching Community is Supportive

Connecting with other outdoor coaches has been incredibly valuable. There’s a growing network of people worldwide who are passionate about this, and many of them are willing to share advice and experiences (LinkedIn has been a great platform for this).

Resources for Coaches Interested in Outdoor Coaching

There are few official training programs for outdoor coaching, but here are some valuable resources I’ve used or recommend exploring:

Training Courses

Books & Podcasts

Inspirational Coaches & Leaders in this space I would highlight recommend following in addition to the above

Events

 

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Keep Learning

Bringing nature into your coaching practice is incredibly rewarding, both for you and your clients. Start small, with familiar routes and small groups, and let nature guide the process. It might take time for clients to see the value, but as awareness grows, so will your confidence and expertise.

If you're interested in joining one of my outdoor coaching sessions head to my Elevate Netwalking page or if you have any other questions, feel free to get in touch!

Additionally, if you're passionate about outdoor coaching and would like to become an ambassador, I'd love to hear from you. 

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