Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right—journaling, planning, goal-setting - yet still feel stuck?
In this episode of Work in Progress, performance psychologist and mountain leader Sarah Huntley explores why real growth often doesn’t come from another productivity tool, but from changing your environment and stepping into adventure.
Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and personal experience, Sarah explains how adventure accelerates clarity, confidence, focus, and performance - especially for busy, ambitious professionals who feel flat, disconnected or stagnant.
If you’re craving momentum, energy, and a genuine reset, this episode will show you why the breakthrough you’re looking for may be just outside your comfort zone.
Key Takeaways:
Why journaling and planning alone often fail to create real change
How adventure and time in nature reduce stress and improve mental clarity
The neuroscience behind novelty, challenge and peak performance
Why stepping outside your comfort zone builds resilience and confidence
How shared adventure deepens connection and trust
Practical ways to use micro-adventures to reset your nervous system
Why reflection works best after experience - not instead of it
Adventure calms the nervous system and boosts emotional regulation
Novel experiences stimulate creativity, motivation, and learning
Discomfort—when chosen intentionally—drives growth
You don’t need extreme travel; powerful adventures exist close to home
Shared challenge builds deeper, more authentic relationships
If 2026 feels like the year you want to go deeper, Sarah is hosting a brand-new adventure and wellbeing retreat in the Cairngorm National Park, Scotland from 28th November -4th December.
Expect:
Guided hiking in stunning Scottish landscapes
Cold water immersion in remote lochs and waterfalls
Breath work and mindset sessions
Time for reflection, connection, and clarity
Nourishing, home-cooked food
This retreat is designed for active, curious professionals who want more than a spa break - it’s about wellbeing, adventure and perspective. Spaces are limited and previous retreats have sold out.
Check out the retreat brochure
Join the early-bird booking list (Booking opens 10am on Wednesday 28th January!)
Subscribe to the Work in Progress podcast for weekly conversations on growth, adventure, wellbeing and high performance - and join Sarah next week for a behind-the-scenes look at how to design experiences that create real transformation.
Stay curious. Stay adventurous.
