Tom’s Journey – From Burnout to the Fells

Tom had spent years working under intense pressure in a Michelin-starred kitchen. The long hours and relentless stress eventually took a toll on his mental health, leading him to walk away from his career and, for a while, from day-to-day life. Struggling with anxiety and low motivation, even getting out of bed became a challenge.

When Tom was referred to Tracks & Dales, he was unsure. A few early attempts to go on short walks didn’t come to fruition, his anxiety was overwhelming. But in time, he took the first step and joined us for a walk and climb at Hutton Roof. That day changed everything.

Through our structured outdoor sessions, Tom began to rebuild his confidence. He learned new skills and discovered joy in movement and nature. We supported him to take his climbing further by introducing indoor sessions, which allowed him to build independence in a supportive environment

From there, Tom went on to tackle a challenging walk and scramble in The Langdales. The experience was tough, but it gave him a renewed sense of achievement. Today, he’s set his sights on Helvellyn, a peak that felt impossible just five months ago. Tom is also now back in employment, working at a small independent pub in Ulverston and feeling happier, healthier, and more connected than he has in years.