What do you do when your sporting career, which has been your life since you were nine years old, comes to an end? For The Outdoors Fix podcast guest Jamie Neill, the answer was to put on a pair of hiking boots. 

Jamie was a professional badminton player travelling the world and playing for Scotland in the World Championships. But when his playing career had to stop, he swapped the indoor courts for the outdoors and he hasn’t looked back.

He’s now summited over 200 Munros in Scotland, climbing 40 of them in just one week! He’s also hiked the 96-mile-long West Highland Way and summited the three highest peaks in North Africa, all of which are over 4,000m high.

Getting outside has truly helped Jamie’s mental and physical transition from a sport that so dominated his life. 

‘Jamie and I met 18 months ago on a group walk on Blencathra in the Lake District. He started telling me about his story then, and I’ve wanted to get him on the podcast ever since! 

We had a fantastic chat – and I also heard about his 5 for 35 challenge – five outdoors challenges all before he reached the age of 35. It’s got me thinking about what my 5 for 35 would be…’ – explains hiker and journalist Liv Bolton – Host of the Outdoors Fix podcast.

If you’re looking for an episode to inspire you to make the outdoors a bigger part of your life, then Jamie’s story is the one to try!

To listen to his episode, head to Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts, and search for The Outdoors Fix.

You’ll also find pictures of Jamie and his adventures on @theoutdoorsfix on Instagram or Jamie’s Instagram accounts @jamieneillscotland and @i_am_healthandfitness.

I hope you enjoy the podcast and that it helps motivate you to get outdoors and feel great! – Liv