High up in the remote Himalayas, isolated from society for weeks on end, Nathan has begun to discover what genuinely matters. Learning to disconnect from the pull of our increasingly-connected world, instead focusing on nature and connection with other participants is crucial to maintaining a positive outlook and good mental health when on expedition. But then, a climber’s oxygen levels plummet, and the serenity rapidly vanishes. Miles away from the nearest hospital, no phone signal, with a patient on the brink of unconsciousness – decisive action and strong leadership is required in order to save their life.
As an expedition doctor and recently appointed Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Nathan has evacuated climbers from mountains all over the world, faced challenging decisions in the desert, and helped people negotiate the dangers of the jungle. Through his role as an expedition doctor, Nathan has developed a unique perspective that allows him to talk passionately about resilience, leadership and positivity in the face of prolonged isolation and challenging situations. Today, as a doctor on the frontline against COVID-19, these skills are coming into action now more than ever before enabling Nathan to give talks with clear messages of resilience, practical tips to maintain mental wellbeing, and ultimately, hope.
Nathan is also the founder of Eco Medics – a group of medics on a mission to promote sustainability in healthcare systems. The NHS currently contributes about 5% of the UK’s total carbon output, meaning it is directly impacting the health of the very population it is trying to treat.
Looking forward to the future, Nathan’s travels have given him a renewed sense of urgency with regards to climate change and the importance of individual and organisational responsibility. Importantly though, as we all look forward to traveling again in the hopefully not-too-distant future, Nathan has an important message to deliver about sustainable travel and how we can make travel a force for positive change, rather than a destructive activity reserved for the privileged minority.
Nathan now shares what he has learned from his experiences to inspire others to embrace change. While each inspirational talk he gives is tailored to the event, the topics and themes he covers include:
- Finding a sense of purpose – embracing change and new challenges
- Isolation & how to maintain mental wellbeing
- The power of getting away from technology
- Travel as a force for positive change
- Sustainability – how to change individual behaviours to create real organisational environmental and financial impact
