Belinda Kirk, Founder

Belinda Kirk is an explorer and the leading campaigner promoting the benefits of adventure on wellbeing.

For the past twenty-five years, she has led dozens of international expeditions and remote filming trips. Belinda has walked through Nicaragua, sailed across the Atlantic, searched for camels in China’s Desert of Death, discovered ancient rock paintings in Lesotho and gained a Guinness World Record for rowing unsupported around Britain. She has led numerous youth development challenges, pioneered inclusive expeditions for people with disabilities and managed scientific research missions in the Amazon, Sinai and Alaska.

In 2009, Belinda established Explorers Connect, a non-profit organisation connecting people to adventure and has encouraged 30,000 ordinary people to engage in outdoor challenges.

In 2020 she launched Adventure Mind, the first conference to explore the positive impact that adventurous activity has on wellbeing.

She has written Adventure Revolution: The life-changing power of choosing challenge. It’s the first book to explain why adventure is essential to wellbeing. Drawing on lessons learnt from leading groups into the wilderness and the latest findings in neuroscience and psychology, Belinda shows how adventure has the power to transform the timid into the confident, the addicted into the recovering, and the lost into the intentionally wandering

Neil Froggitt

A landscape gardener by trade, I spend most of my time exploring the UK and the rest of world, notching up experiences as I go. It's not unusual for me to be packing up for a weekend away for a spot of pack-rafting, trekking, stand-up paddleboarding or exploring different areas of the country. An active adventure seeker and intrepid traveler by nature, I have already successfully trekked to Everest Base Camp and explored the relatively untouched Myanmar.

Heather Bolton

I grew up in Scotland but never really appreciated the fun that could be had outdoors until I moved away from it. I love the buzz and bustle of London but that's best when it's balanced with a healthy dose of fresh air and open spaces. I'm glad to be involved in mini-adventures with Explorers Connect: it's so easy to turn a weekend or evening into something fun without any big fuss in organising. My favourite things are bikes, mountains and campfires so I'm hoping to get involved in adventures that combine any of those.

Will Phillips

I am a Visual Effects artist, working on films in a darkened basement. Being a graduate in Zoology, I'm still not quite sure how I ended up living in London and working behind a computer for my day job! However, I balance my time spent indoors by getting outside as much as possible. I love to have a midweek mini-adventure whenever possible and to get out on the water on my stand-up paddleboard.  I am currently training to cross the Channel by SUP and am always on the looking for an adventure - big or small!

Caroline Jack

Twelve years ago I left a career in the city to retrain as an osteopath and pilates teacher.  Being in the outdoors has always been an important part of my life and my favourite way to escape from it all is by long distance trekking. A few trips I have really loved include the Tour de Mont Blanc, the Haute Route and Annapurna Basecamp.  Recently, I have had some bike adventures including cycling around Kilimanjaro. I am also happy just to escape for nights wildcamping. I have been involved with EC for the last few years and love the ethos of making adventure both large and small so accessible, and am looking forward to an adventurous 2017.

Louise Treves

I'm a civil servant by trade, and only recently got into the outdoors having hated doing D of E at school - we got blisters, we got lost, we nearly set our tent on fire, that sort of thing.... These days, thanks to groups like EC, I know either how to avoid getting into those situations, or what to do if it still goes a bit wrong, and try to cram in as much hiking, camping (preferably wild), travelling to weird and wonderful places, and learning new skills as I can. So it's definitely time to help get fellow EC members out and about as much as possible - look forward to meeting everyone!

Simon Jones

I’ve been a member of Explorers Connect for a few years and always enjoyed combining being outdoors and physical activity. I’m a big distance runner and really enjoy helping others either start or improve their running. Recently, I’ve become a UK athletics licensed running coach. I’ve been lucky to have had some good travel experiences, including living in a tent for a month. I like spending time in the mountains or doing anything that’s a little bit adventurous.

John Hocking

I'm a hillwalker, mountain biker, kayaker and climber: but, truth be told, I'm up for most adventures if there's a pie and a pint at the end! My ideal adventure would be either a walk around the moors or mountains with a night wild camping or a kayak trip with a night on a secluded inaccessible beach. That being said, I have a busy job and home life commitments; I'm just as happy squeezing in a 5-9 mini-adventure in the nearby area!

Pippa Taylor

I am happiest when I'm outdoors, breathing in fresh air and stunning views. I love hiking and regularly visit the Brecon Beacons as well as making trips further afield. I love all water sports and last year I dived into long distance open water swimming culminating in completing the Dart10K. This year I have bought a touring bike in search for a new challenge and new adventures. You could say I am jack of all trades and master of none!

Steve Bullock

I like a bit of everything -- hiking, biking, climbing, running, kayaking, rowing... Jack of all trades, master of none, will give anything a go! By day I'm an utter nerd -- physics teacher turned engineering lecturer, also host The Cosmic Shed podcast. Big goals include long-distance cycle and a few more 4,000m+ peaks! I'll be arranging some stargazing micro-adventures and a few other events.

Nick Duncan

I have always dabbled with adventure and have tried a lot of different disciplines. I really like walking and camping especially if I can help people in the process. I am not an extreme adventurer and due to work commitments short adventures works best for me. I have been involved with Explorers Connect for about four years and thoroughly enjoy and recommend it! I still have a lot to learn however I cannot wait to help such an amazing group of people. I love fossilling and photography so will be trying to organise fossil hunts, or photography adventures.

Lawrence Tatlock

Lawrence lives in London and heads up ecommerce for Vollebak, a start up making the future of adventure clothing. Away from work he and his fiancée Jennie like to get out into the wilderness whenever they can. Lawrence helps out with the emails that we send to the Wild Night Out community and hopes that we can bring the benefits of getting out into the wild to more and more people across UK.