This two-time world record holder uses nature to calm his mind
Josh Patterson tells us why he's hooked on the outdoors
It's often hard to find the motivation to get yourself out there, especially when we're stuck behind a desk. But you're unlikely to find anyone more up for it than Josh Patterson, a two-time world record holder, former reality star and mental health campaigner who's completed marathons across all four UK countries, including doing the entire thing in a wheelchair to raise money for spinal charities. That's 900 miles in only 19 days. The man does not do thing by halves.
We recently sent Josh to try out a few nights in Akash, one of our Wales cabins, and he loved it so much he headed back to Flint in his home town Norfolk to immerse himself again. It's not every day we get a legit champion coming through our doors, so we thought we'd catch Josh in a rare moment of inaction and ask him about his love for all things nature and how it helps his mental health.
Unyoked: You're no stranger to spending time in nature, especially when training and competing. Tell us about your love for the outdoors. Josh Patterson: I think for me, the outdoors is home. You know, coming from Norfolk, it's what I've grown up knowing and what I love. Because of work and the opportunities that I've been given, it's brought me to a major city. And so to be able to get out, if not home, you know, somewhere else for me is very grounding. And it's just a huge benefit, I would say, to my mental health and my wellness in general. I'm 33 I'm going to being in nature enables me to be a kid again, where you can explore that there's so many different places and different opportunities. So, you know, for me, it's, it's where I've created some of my happiest and fondest memories and where I'll continue to create many more now with my child.
Why do you think getting out of the city and into wild spaces is so important for mental health? Should Brits be doing more of it? 100%. We consistently talk about grounding ourselves. And actually, you know, if you look at various different studies, where walking on the ground barefoot, or being near the ocean, there's an impact that this has on our body physically and mentally. It's so important when you come from a city where if you think about it, everything really removes us away from our natural habitat. We work under artificial lights, we're amongst concrete and pollution.
I think we have to be able to go back to where our origins are oriented, you know what I mean? The problem is society is so built on on luxury now that the thought of going to nature, almost seems quite daunting. And actually what I would personally say is with the right environment around you, there is something so so beautiful and hugely beneficial to anybody from all different walks of life in just stripping everything back. I actually think we can be happiest when we are living the most simplest of lives. And actually, that simplicity is what I think these cabins can give you, which is their greatest asset.
I actually think we can be happiest when we are living the simplest of lives.
I guess we're so used to seeing what the next thing is we need to improve our life, whether that's a gadget or something like that, and we don't really understand what the benefit is of having nothing, right? Well, I think if you look at the two different parallels, you've got one environment that is there to consistently stimulate you in every way possible. The other relaxes you in every way possible. But actually, I think it enables you to have that thinking space and time to reflect on things. Because if you're consistently going 100 miles an hour, it is really hard. Even the most creative people will have blocks. And that's why I think when you see them in movies, or when they discuss in interviews or magazines why they take themselves off to these villas or beach huts or remote islands. It's to make things a little quieter. So they can, you know, hear those voices, or get the creative voice inside their head back, because there's so much noise that can be lost. At your level, it seems like you've got a lot of people around you, both professionally and personally. How do you feel about going out by yourself? Do you enjoy isolation time? I think doing it alone offers a whole new experience, to be honest. Again, we become so dependent on everyone around us. And sometimes (depending on what your situation is) actually just having that space is so important, whether that's away from your partner, or your children, your working environment or your social life...I think it's really important to have that time for yourself. If you really want that growth, go to one of these cabins with really stunning views and the peace and quiet, to just sit. Even if you want to consistently work, working in a space [like this], just you without distraction, again, I think is what makes it such an asset.
I'm guessing looking after your mental health and being mindful, and as we discussed previously, understanding your own routine and what works for you, whether that's time in nature or quarterly or how often you need to do it is something that could be a benefit. Yeah, exactly. I mean, it's what I think we have to be very empathetic and have an open mind too. I'm very lucky where my life has come from, from nature, right? I've grown up amongst it. So that's my happy space.
I know full well there are others who were raised in the city and the idea of the country is their worst nightmare. That's because I think their ideology of what it's like to be in the country is that it's just very slow and boring. Well, it's not, you know, it can be as fast paced as you really want it to be, hence why the adventure element I think makes it so exciting.
But I think what's really valuable about these cabins is it's a little bit like an osteopath, for instance, or a physio where they get so frustrated when somebody goes to them when they're injured, rather than for preventative measures to ensure that it doesn't happen. Although these cabins are one of the healthiest prescriptions you can have, they are there permanently and I think you shouldn't just go there when you are at [the point of] burnout. I think it's really good and healthy for you to consistently go to these sorts of things throughout the year, you know, to try and prevent that as best as you possibly can.
Well, you kind of answered half of my next question, which was were you always someone that liked to explore new places? Obviously, I know you're from Norfolk, but is that something you've become a bit more confident about, especially going out on your own? Yes, for sure. I mean, this is the way I approach it. With my ADHD, right, my mind is 101 miles an hour. And so for me to focus, I find very difficult. So, you know, as much as I would love to be able to sit and read a book, for me, it's just highly unlikely that that is ever going to happen. And so for me, you know, travelling to these different locations is like reading the book, where it's more interactive. I would much rather go there and see it for myself and be told by the locals, you know, this valuable information. It's just a different person's approach to how they like to educate and learn for themselves.
Nature is a beautiful thing and I think once you respect it and show it your time, it will reimburse you in full.
You've previously discussed your battles with mental health issues. As a young child, there's a lot of evidence to suggest that time and nature can aid those with feelings of anxiety and depression. Based on your experience with us, do you feel that's true? Yeah, 100%, because I think you've got to be accountable when you're at these locations. And I think that's what's really important is that they hold you accountable, essentially, for the actions that you do. Ultimately in life, we just have to feel like we have purpose. You know, whether it's the man or the woman of the cabin's responsibility of sourcing the firewood and lighting the fire in order to cook your food, it is a really good feeling. Nature is a beautiful thing and I think once you respect it and show it your time, it will reimburse you in full. And, you know, I think that's one of the great things about these cabins is that they're situated in some of the best places with the best views and, you know, quite frankly, being sat in any part of the world, let alone having your cabin, which is an added plus, and watching that sunrise or sunset, it's invaluable. It's something that you can't buy, to have a view like that. It's just so rare. I totally agree. I stayed in Akash recently, It was just awesome. Okay, last question. You're, you're a world record holder multiple times over. And a lot of people reading might think that nature is only useful as a site for fitness, but cannot also be somewhere you go to relax. Is it easier than people think? This is where I'll be very honest with you. There are definitely times where, if social media is your platform, or you constantly are connected to the internet, sometimes there's some of these cabins you don't have that luxury. There is no signal. I think you really need to take that into account. What is it that you want to get out of it? Do you really like the idea of embracing nature and switching off from the world? Or do you like the idea of being in your cabin and being on social media whilst the world goes on? Sometimes the balance is good, you know, so you're not going completely cold turkey. But for me, that was just one of the perks of the cabin. I've stayed in one with full signal and 4F and I've stayed in one with none. Two very different experiences. One, I've definitely got to bed a lot earlier! I'm glad you've sort of tried the two different experiences and I think you still got a lot out of both of them. I think that's the money, mate. I just absolutely loved it and just something I would highly recommend to anyone and everyone to try at least once for sure. Certainly if you're in a relationship or with a good friend, I think this is such an amazing intimate experience.
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