Jamie Neill: How Scotland’s Munros saved me when my badminton career ended

What do you do when your sporting career, which has been your life since you were nine years old, comes to an end? For my guest Jamie Neill, the answer was to put on a pair of hiking boots. Jamie was a professional badminton player travelling the world and playing for Scotland in the World Championships. But when his playing career had to stop, he swapped the indoor courts for the outdoors and he hasn’t looked back. He’s now summited over 200 Munros, climbing 40 of them in just one week; hiked the West Highland Way and summited the three highest peaks in North Africa. He also joined a walking group which led to him meeting his partner Nikki and starting a family. Getting outside has truly helped Jamie’s mental and physical transition from a sport that so dominated his life. Jamie and I met 18 months ago on a group walk on Blencathra in the Lake District. He started telling me about his story then, and I’ve wanted to get him on the podcast ever since! I hope you enjoy the podcast episode. Listen out for Jamie’s outdoors tips and the relaxing minute of sounds from nature at the end of the podcast. If would be fantastic if you could rate, review and subscribe to the podcast – it really helps other people discover it – and please feel free to spread the word to your family and friends! Thanks! Liv x * You’ll find Jamie on Instagram @jamieneillscotland and @i_am_healthandfitness The Outdoors Fix is on Instagram and Facebook @theoutdoorsfix * The Outdoors Fix is a podcast produced and hosted by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk This episode of The Outdoors Fix was supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell is launching a year-long campaign called #StepFurther to encourage people from all walks of life to get outdoors on a micro-adventure to experience the benefits for both their physical and mental health.

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Making adventures outdoors a bigger part of your life. Do you ever sit at your desk wishing you were hiking, wild camping, rock climbing, paddleboarding or wild swimming? If you’re nodding your head, The Outdoors Fix is for you. It’s a podcast to to inspire YOU to get outside and make adventures outdoors a bigger part of your life! Hiker and journalist Liv Bolton speaks to fantastic women and men who have changed their lives to get outdoors more and their stories and tips can help listeners do the same. There’s also practical advice about hiking, cycling, wild swimming and landscape photography to get stuck into too. Recorded outside, the podcast also opens up the conversation about how the outdoors can be key to our wellbeing. You’ll hear how it’s helped some people with their mental health, connected people, brought purpose and a whole lot of fun to people’s lives. You can find the podcast and more information on The Outdoors Fix website or on Instagram @theoutdoorsfix If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe to make sure you get all the episodes when they come out and please rate and review it to help other people find us. Thanks! * The Outdoors Fix is a podcast hosted and produced by Liv Bolton @liv_outsideuk It is proudly supported by outdoor footwear brand Merrell. Merrell is launching a year-long campaign called #StepFurther to encourage people from all walks of life to get outdoors on a micro-adventure to experience the benefits for both their physical and mental health.