WHO WE ARE

PHIL WALKER

ROLE: LEAD WELLNESS & FITNESS CONSULTANT & WILDFIT DESIGNER
INTERESTS: Make my day! Let me make you healthy and happy!
QUALIFICATIONS: Level 2 Fitness Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer, Level 3 Nutrition ...

Discovering Bodybuilding at the age of 16 is where it all started for me, my first weights bench and weights were thought of by my parents as a ‘passing’ teenage phase, just a flinging interest with health and fitness. 17 years later I am still as interested as ever, continually developing my skills, knowledge and of course the body over a 16 year career as a sports and wellness professional and amateur athlete.

From fitness instructor to personal trainer and facility manager, I have prescribed and personally experienced many forms of exercise, experimented with many nutritional plans but at the end of the day it all comes down to 3 main factors, Dedication, Discipline and a large amount of Motivation.

I suffered a large stroke in June 2010 due to an AVM or Arteriovenous Malformation, a congenital condition I was not aware of until I collapsed in the gym, whilst training for the upcoming 2010 Amateur Natural Bodybuilding qualifiers.

After 9 hours of brain surgery I began a long period of recovery, having only left hospital in July 2010 and initially unable to even stand up, let alone walk, I have focused so intently on making a full recovery of health, perhaps even more physically fitter than before but definitely even more determined. Incredibly, I have made a full recovery, amazing my doctors, I am fully aware attaining a high level of health and fitness was a significant difference between life and death. This has inspired me to promote the true value of healthy body, healthy mind. WILDFIT is a unique opportunity for us help to pass on these benefits to others, health and fitness really is key to living a positive and fulfilling life.

Since my event, I turned all of my attention to a different form of fitness training, utilising many different forms of equipment that we take for granted each and every day. I have designed many different personal exercise programs for myself and others over the last few years adapting everything to using only what I see outside, whilst on my own fitness adventures. Beyond this, I have used my qualifications and experience to prescribe simple but effective wellness assessments and plans to ensure that my clients, colleagues and friends can benefit from my knowledge and live healthy, happy lives, whether at work or at play.

Using different terrains, rocks, stones, branches, logs, trees, stiles, fences and gates, i have built myself back up from a literally useless heap to attaining good physical shape, running up to 10 miles and lowering my bodyfat to a consistent 8% (which is relatively low). I was approached by my friend and now colleague Matt, towards the end of 2010 who was developing the idea of utilising the natural environment to develop and deliver fantastic eco-friendly fitness programs set within new or restored habitats to the general public, sports people and others, drawing on their understanding of environment and sport science technology integrated with my fitness knowledge.

MATT JOHNS

ROLE: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST AND WILDFIT DESIGNER
INTERESTS: I like wildfit

I grew up with a passion for the environment. From school through university and now as my career I’ve studied, explored and played outdoors, particularly with rivers, woodlands, mountains and wildlife. I’m a Member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning, Chartered Environmentalist, Member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Fellow of the Geological Society and Director of Johns Associates/wildfit. I regularly undertake and lead environmental field trips to study a wide range of animals and landscapes and to understand how different environments are functioning and threats and responses by wildlife and natural systems.

My other passion is for getting fit, feeling happy and revelling in the great outdoors. This was inspired by my family including my grandad, who competed in the 1948 London Olympics and my Dad, a keen rugby player and outdoor enthusiast. Usually my version of fitness training involves getting muddy, wet and covering difficult ground! These skills also come in handy when carrying out environmental surveys. During a period serving with the Royal Naval Reserve, I learnt the ropes of military fitness at the hands of Royal Marine PTI’s and gained a good understanding of how to achieve and maintain good levels of fitness using your own body weight and whatever you happen to find around you. I compete in a number of annual events including the infamous Tough Guy, the Hellrunner and the OMM mountain marathon. Phil Walker is now honing my fitness - WILDFIT style! 

I passionately believe that by placing people in the right environment -either outdoors or at inside, at whatever scale, rural or urban, existing or new, and providing the basics of knowing how to exercise, eat well, have a good sleep, relax and above all - have FUN! remarkable results can be achieved. WILDFIT allows me to prove this! 

CLAIRE DREW

ROLE: INTERIOR ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNER AND AROMATHERAPIST
INTERESTS: I'd love to transform your workspace into a healthy and stimulating environment - making you more effective whilst feeling great!

I have always been passionate about good design and making the most out of interior spaces so that they are enjoyed.  Focusing on the environmental aspects of interior design allows me to ensure that good design also contributes to healthy working and resting.  

Good interior environments are not just about the right sort of furniture and decor (although undoubtably these contribute to the 'feel' of a space).  Good interior environments are all about using the benifits of being outdoors (clean air, good lighting and Vitamin D, plants, pleasing smells and space to move and sit naturally).

I love being able to be able to transform workspaces, where so much time is spent and which are the powerhouses of business, education, health care, leisure, to name a few, into thriving enriching environments that actually contribute to wellness, help to reduce sick days and make people stop and say "wow! why can't we work in a place like this".  Google or Apple inspire and look after their staff in this way, but its not just the privilidge of the mega-corporations.  Through the use of sensible and well-thought out interior features (e.g. lighting, plants, bespoke essential oil blends, work station assessments, ventilation and art) I can deliver all of these benifits within an affordable budget.  All that is needed is a decision to say "yes - lets do it!" It will be the best decision made for  your team and their wellness at work.

ALISON PADKIN

ROLE: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
INTERESTS: Living landscapes, big or small make the different to how you feel. Challenge me to transform your workplace into something that makes you feel better!

Alison has worked as a landscape architect for over 20 years within both the private and public sector.  She has a broad experience in various aspects of landscape design, planting and management plants, specification and supervising landscape installations.  Alison works alongside architects, engineers, ecologists, arboriculturalists, public artists and environmental consultants.

Her passion for using plants and landscape design to influence the mood, activity and emotion of people is put to good effect with WILDFIT. Whether it is in the creation of small pocket parks or outdoor courtyards in public or workplaces, sensory gardens, green walls, or landscaping around outdoor fitness, educational or nature trails, she is able to make the most of existing scenery and then enhance it, in a cost effective way to maximise its health and wellness benifits. 

Alison is a Licentiate Member of the Landscape Institute and contributes to a local landscape and health network.