In this week’s ‘Meet The Moderator’, we chat to our South East moderator Laurie Jay to find out what she gets up to when she isn’t outdoors and what she enjoys best about the outdoors. We very much enjoy Laurie’s inspirational mantras…
What do you enjoy most about being in the outdoors?
I love adventuring and the energy that I feel when I’m by the water whether that be lakes, waterfalls or rivers. I like watching the reflections while reflecting. If I were to take advice from a lake, it would be: “Be clear, make positive ripples, look beneath the surface, stay calm, shore up friendships, take time to reflect and be full of life.
The adventure of life is to learn, the purpose of life is to grow, the nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to case. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.
MY MOTO IS –JUST DO IT. The best things in life are on the other side of fear.
Why did you join OAG and what are the benefits of being a moderator?
I joined OAG as a friend of mine had mentioned during lockdown that she wanted to hike more so she gave me the task to find us more hikes to go on. I searched and searched until I came upon a post on instagram…
“If you love, Hiking , the great outdoors, connecting with other woman, climbing , surfing paddle boarding bouldering and kayaking. YOU SHOULD JOIN US ON OUTDOOR ADVENTURE GIRLS”
I was hooked from the moment I saw this and just have been so inspired since. I had found my tribe .
I’m an “all-in” person so from the first BIG WEEKEND I went on, I just wanted to be involved so much more and was so happy when Sophie Davis asked me to be a moderator.
The benefits of being a moderator are being able to connect with everyone through all different areas and see what the team have been planning – I love being a part of such an amazing creation!
What do you do for work?
I work full time for a Japanese bank in London but also am a part-time children’s entertainer – some might say complete opposites but I’m a true believer in balance. A job that pay the bills. And a job that fuels your soul. I love entertaining and dressing up as different characters for the kids, there’s nothing more uplifting than the energy that comes from a kids party! Playtime is such an important thing and so many of us forget our inner child as we grow up. I’m a BIG kid at heart.
Where are you based?
I am currently living in Croydon but I’m looking to move to Tonbridgewell by the end of the year so I can be closer to my sister when she has her little baby.
Do you have any walking companions?
When lockdown hit, I signed up to borrow my doggy which is a great app to find local dogs in your area to take on your walks . I met a wonderful dog in my local area called Monty and we go for a walk 3 times a week over at Shirley hills. Unfortunately, he is a little terror so I have to keep him away from lakes as he loves to chase the geese.
Do you have any outdoor goals?
I love the outdoors and want to be more involved in open water swimming, cycling and running. My goal one day is do compete in a Tri-aphelion!
What are your 5 tip-tips to give to anyone wanting to explore the outdoors more?
- BE PREPARED. After running a MARATHON in 2020 I realised the importance of good shoes. Anti-blister socks and anti-chafing gel as well as comfortable underwear bra included. Personally, I get quite irritable if my clothes don’t feel right so I have to make sure I am COMFORTABLE.
- Stock up on SNACKS. My go to snack would have to be hard boiled candy. Lollipops , MAOAM , hard boiled fruit candy and fruitella – a nice bit of sugar to keep your energy up.
- Keep HYDRATED. I would also say one thing I realised when I did the Yorkshire 3 peaks was that I got very aggy on the way because I didn’t have enough water. I did not realise the importance to make sure you keep yourself FULLY hydrated! I was bright as a button after drinking more.
- TRACK your miles. I have my own Garmin watch which I love as it has GPS tracking on. Also, as I have ADHD, I can be prone to misplacing my phone – the watch has a find my phone app on it and, also contactless payment on too.
- Download HIKING APPS. Strava is my go-to app on tracking all my walks /hikes/runs and Koomoot is a great app to find hikes in your area.
