“Life is too short to play it safe”

I never imagined that my life would take me from being a business advisor in Cambridgeshire to standing on the summits of the world’s highest peaks. 

My love for the outdoors started early. I grew up in the beautiful countryside of Cambridgeshire in the 70s and 80s, a time when childhood felt limitless. My parents were incredibly outdoorsy, and we were always doing something adventurous, especially when it came to water activities. While I was splashing around rivers or lakes, my brother was gearing up for his thrilling path as a Harrier jet pilot. It’s safe to say that adventure ran in the family, and those experiences helped plant the seed for the life I’d go on to lead.

My school life wasn’t nearly as idyllic. At the age of nine, I was sent to boarding school, and if I’m being honest, I hated it. It was a stark contrast to the free-spirited, nature-filled life I had known at home. Being confined within the walls of a traditional school, especially when you’re someone who craves the outdoors, was suffocating. The bullying I faced there didn’t help either. It was hard, really hard, and for years, I struggled with the feeling that I just didn’t fit in. Boarding school gave me a solid education, but it also came at the cost of missing out on time with my family and, in many ways, losing touch with the free-roaming child I had been. I would sneak out just to have moments of freedom—something that felt essential to my sanity at the time.

Looking back now, I see how those difficult years built a kind of resilience in me, the kind you don’t realise you’re developing until much later. But in the moment, I only knew one thing—I had to find my way back to that adventurous, free-spirited girl who was happiest outdoors.

In my early twenties, I found solace in working with horses in New Zealand. I’d always loved animals, and spending time with them gave me the same sense of freedom that I’d craved growing up. I ended up staying in New Zealand longer than planned, choosing horses over college, and it felt right at the time. But eventually, I returned to the UK, where I somehow drifted into the world of retail. And let me tell you, I quickly realised that working in retail was not for me. It was unfulfilling, to say the least. Day in and day out, I felt like I was stuck in a life that wasn’t truly mine.

That all changed when a friend convinced me to do a charity parachute jump. I had a crippling fear of heights, but something about facing that fear intrigued me. To this day, I’m not sure if I did it to prove something to myself or because I was simply tired of playing it safe. Whatever the reason, the moment I jumped out of that plane, I felt a rush of adrenaline, unlike anything I had ever experienced. That was the turning point. My passion for adventure was reignited, and I started to say yes to more and more challenges. Soon after, I signed up for charity bike rides in Peru and New Zealand, which ultimately led me to a career in leading adventures.

Transitioning from retail to a life of adventure wasn’t easy. I had to make a lot of sacrifices, including selling my house and moving into a rented property so I could follow my heart. But it was worth it. I ended up working for Discover Adventure, a company that gave me the chance to lead expeditions and live the kind of life I had always dreamed of. My employer, was incredibly supportive during that transition, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to pursue my passion full-time.

My first major mountaineering challenge came when I summited Mera Peak in Nepal. It was a turning point, not just because it was my first big mountain, but because I learned so much about leadership during that trip. My guide, Rolf, was an incredible mentor, and he showed me that leadership wasn’t about being the strongest person in the group; it was about resilience, communication, and staying mentally tough when the odds were against you. I also learned that, much like in life, climbing isn’t just about reaching the summit. It’s about the journey—the small, incremental steps that get you there.

After that, the challenges kept coming. I summited Aconcagua in Argentina, and that was a whole new level of tough. The altitude, the lack of oxygen, the physical toll—it pushes you to your limits and makes you dig deep into reserves you didn’t even know you had. But more than anything, it reinforced the importance of resilience, both in body and mind. I went on to summit Manaslu in 2013, another monumental experience that required intense preparation and the support of a great team. By that point, I had learned that the mountains reveal who you really are, and that they strip away all pretence. They show you your weaknesses, but they also show you just how strong you can be if you keep pushing forward.

Everest had been on my radar for years. I was fortunate enough to secure sponsorship, which allowed me to raise money for a children’s mental health charity while pursuing my dream. In 2015, I was finally there, standing at Everest Base Camp, when the unthinkable happened. The earthquake in Nepal sent an avalanche hurtling towards us. I’ll never forget the sound of the snow rushing down, or the helplessness I felt in that moment. When it was over, three of my team members were gone. The emotional weight of that experience is something I carry with me to this day.

In the aftermath, we focused on rescue efforts, but the emotional impact was profound. Surviving that tragedy taught me the value of living in the present moment, and how important it is to lean on others in times of crisis. It also underscored the importance of community support—something that helped me heal in the months that followed.

Despite the trauma, I knew I had unfinished business with Everest. I returned the following year, and although I successfully summited the world’s highest peak, the psychological challenges were intense. It wasn’t just the physical difficulty of the climb, but also the behaviour of some of the other climbers. It became clear that not everyone was there for the right reasons, and I found myself questioning my purpose. In the end, I learned that you have to own your actions and remain true to yourself, no matter what others around you are doing.

These days, I balance my time between leading expeditions and working as a leadership development coach. Adventure is still a huge part of my life, but I’ve realised that leading others and helping them push beyond their limits is just as rewarding as reaching the top of a mountain. Of course, there are personal challenges I’ve had to deal with along the way. Menopause hit me harder than I expected, physically and mentally. It’s an adjustment, especially when you’re trying to stay in peak condition to lead teams in extreme environments. But once again, resilience is key. You learn to adapt, to listen to your body, and to keep moving forward.

I’m currently gearing up for my next big adventure—an expedition to Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia. I’m excited, but I’m also more mindful of pacing myself these days. Adventure has become more about the quality of the experience than ticking off another summit. I’m also expanding my focus on leadership talks and coaching, sharing the lessons I’ve learned with others, whether it’s through workshops or speaking engagements. And then there’s the simple joy of everyday life—like planning a road trip to Ireland with Monty, my dog and faithful companion.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned from all of this, it’s the importance of saying yes to opportunities that make your heart sing. Life is too short to play it safe. Don’t let fear stop you from pursuing your dreams. Whether it’s a parachute jump, a new career, or a mountain that seems impossible to climb, take the leap. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, work hard, and never underestimate the power of resilience.

Looking back, I’d tell my younger self to embrace fear and take more risks. Live a life that’s true to who you are—that’s the greatest adventure of all.

This blogpost was written by John Matthews on behalf of Tales to Inspire.