Episode 50: Coaching in the outdoor environment – Jonathan Passmore and Ellie Lloyd-Jones explain why it works and how to do it

In a conversation with Rob Feltham about their new book Outdoor Coaching: A Practical Guide, Jonathan Passmore and Ellie Lloyd-Jones make a compelling case for undertaking coaching away from typical office-based or online settings. The outside environment adds new dimensions and possibilities to the coaching process. It also presents significant challenges, and the book guides readers step by step through the practicalities. Jonathan and Ellie also describe the ongoing Source to Sea (Thames walk) coaching project, which they are jointly leading and which puts into practice the principles outlined in their book.  

Topics covered in the discussion include: the rationale for outdoor coaching; the value of the cues and metaphors found in nature; and the evolutionary perspective which helps to explain some of the value that people gain from the approach.

Jonathan Passmore is an award-winning chartered psychologist and professor at Henley Business School, UK and University of Evora, Portugal. He is listed in the Thinkers 50 and Global Gurus list and has held board-level roles in the consulting, technology and sports sectors over the course of a 40-year career in business. He holds five degrees, is a master executive coach, team coach and supervisor, and has published widely with 40 books and over 250 science papers and book chapters, including The Outdoor & Nature Coaches Handbook (Routledge).  

Ellie Lloyd-Jones is a coach and founder of Elevate with Ellie and Elevate Netwalking, based in Cheshire in the northwest of England. With 20 years of corporate experience leading and developing teams, she is passionate about taking groups and teams outdoors to create space for connection, reflection and new perspectives. She is a qualified coach, NLP Master Practitioner and Strengthscope practitioner, and holds certifications in Outdoor First Aid, Mental Health First Aid and environmental sustainability.  

About the book: Passmore, J. and Lloyd-Jones, E. (2025), Outdoor Coaching: A Practical Guide for Coaches and Supervisors to Working with Clients, Teams and Groups Using Blue-Green Psychology, Libri Publishing.

Rob Feltham is Podcast Editor of The ABP