A Passion for Progress: emily Greaves and mental Health Advocacy in MTB
Table of Contents
- 1. A Passion for Progress: emily Greaves and mental Health Advocacy in MTB
- 2. Breaking the Stigma
- 3. Scotland’s Rugged Beauty: Exploring Epic Trails with the AMC
- 4. into the Wild: Hiking Through iconic Landscapes
- 5. Comrie Croft: A Mountain biker’s Haven
- 6. reaping the benefits of mountain biking
- 7. Risk is Rewarding
- 8. Risk is Rewarding
- 9. The Thrill of the Trails: how mountain Biking Heals
- 10. Breaking Down the Therapeutic Benefits
- 11. Mental Health on the Trails: scotland’s Trail Therapy Program
- 12. Doing the Work
- 13. It’s all Worth it.
Table of Contents
- 1. A Passion for Progress: emily Greaves and mental Health Advocacy in MTB
- 2. Breaking the Stigma
- 3. Scotland’s Rugged Beauty: Exploring Epic Trails with the AMC
- 4. into the Wild: Hiking Through iconic Landscapes
- 5. Comrie Croft: A Mountain biker’s Haven
- 6. reaping the benefits of mountain biking
- 7. Risk is Rewarding
- 8. Risk is Rewarding
- 9. The Thrill of the Trails: how mountain Biking Heals
- 10. Breaking Down the Therapeutic Benefits
- 11. Mental Health on the Trails: scotland’s Trail Therapy Program
- 12. Doing the Work
- 13. It’s all Worth it.
Emily Greaves exudes confidence. A former member of the military, she speaks her mind candidly and has a laugh thatS undeniably infectious. If you were facing a crisis, she’d be the one you’d want by your side, a calming force in the storm. So, when she recounted the story of a friend’s suicide, her voice faltering with emotion, it was a deeply affecting moment – a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities that can lie beneath even the strongest exteriors.
This experience, amongst others, fueled Greaves’ passion for mental health advocacy within the mountain biking community. She recognizes the unique pressures that riders face: the constant pursuit of performance, the risk of injury, and the isolation that can come with the sport.
Breaking the Stigma
Greaves recognizes that talking about mental health can still be taboo, especially within the often-macho world of mountain biking. Yet, she firmly believes that open conversations are essential. “We need to normalize these discussions,” she says, “to create a safe space where riders feel comfortable sharing what they’re going through.”
Scotland’s Rugged Beauty: Exploring Epic Trails with the AMC
Calling all adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts! The appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) recently led a captivating trek through Scotland’s breathtaking Highlands, offering a unique blend of impressive landscapes, challenging trails, and unforgettable experiences. From rugged mountains to serene lochs, this expedition showcased the remarkable beauty and diverse terrain Scotland has to offer.
into the Wild: Hiking Through iconic Landscapes
the AMC expedition ventured through some of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, including the Cairngorms national Park, renowned for its towering peaks and pristine forests. Hikers traversed challenging trails, rewarded with panoramic views of sprawling heather-covered hills and glistening lochs.
“The camaraderie on these trips is truly special,” shared one AMC member. “[The] shared experience of tackling demanding trails in breathtaking surroundings creates lasting memories.”
Whether tackling demanding ascents or enjoying peaceful moments by serene lochs, the AMC’s Scottish adventure offered a unique blend of challenge and reward, creating lasting memories for all who participated.
Comrie Croft: A Mountain biker’s Haven
Emily Greaves, a skilled mountain biker, is part of the coaching team at Comrie Croft, a private trail system in Scotland offering an alternative to traditional public riding spots. Stepping onto these trails is like entering a world of its own, far removed from the standardized signage and regulations often found elsewhere. Comrie Croft boasts over 21 kilometers of purpose-built trails catering to riders of all abilities, from gentle blues to challenging blacks. Beyond the riding, the property offers a full-service bike shop, guided or coached rides for individuals and groups, a skills area, appetizing organic food, and a well-stocked store brimming with everything from vegan chocolates to locally crafted hats. You can even camp in comfort, choose from a variety of accommodations, relax in a sauna, or tie the knot in this enchanting setting. It’s a genuine reflection of Greaves and her husband’s passion for mountain biking and their desire to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all outdoor enthusiasts. This unique environment, and Greaves’ expertise, made Comrie Croft the perfect starting point for a groundbreaking experiment: exploring the transformative power of mountain biking for mental well-being.
reaping the benefits of mountain biking
We all know that mountain biking can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience.
Risk is Rewarding
Mountain biking isn’t just about adrenaline and physical exertion. It offers a unique mental health benefit, something many of us instinctively understand. A stressful day? A pressing problem demanding space and time to breathe? We grab our bikes and head out. While it doesn’t make problems vanish, the combination of adrenaline, fresh air, connection with nature, and the focused concentration required to navigate trails provides a valuable outlook shift. This intuitive understanding now has scientific backing. In Scotland,a groundbreaking program is harnessing the power of mountain biking as therapy,formally integrating trails into treatment plans. Guiding this innovative approach is Moira Greaves, one of the first mountain bike guides and coaches in Scotland to be trained as a Trail Therapy practitioner. The program, available to local patients through self-referral or recommendation by healthcare professionals, offers a structured experience: participants receive a mountain bike from the rental fleet, learn how to ride, and join group rides twice a week for eight weeks, all covered by the Scottish National Health Service. We first reported on this unique program in 2019 and 2021, detailing its launch and funding. Recently, we had the opportunity to connect with Greaves on the trails, exploring her hands-on experiences delivering this therapy and gaining insights into the transformative changes she observes in participants.Risk is Rewarding
We all know mountain biking involves inherent risks; that’s part of what draws us to the sport. The exhilaration, the technical challenges, and the constant testing of our limits create a sense of achievement and self-revelation. But what happens when this sense of risk is channeled into a therapeutic context?The Thrill of the Trails: how mountain Biking Heals
The rush of adrenaline as we conquer a challenging mountain bike trail is a feeling unlike any other. This exhilarating experience is more than just a thrill; it’s at the heart of a growing therapeutic approach known as Trail therapy. Emily Greaves,a passionate advocate for this method,believes that facing and overcoming risks on the trail holds the key to unlocking powerful mental health benefits.
Greaves emphasizes that truly effective trail therapy goes beyond simply riding a bike; it’s about confronting the challenges that real mountain biking presents. As we approach a tough drop or a steep climb, our bodies react instinctively. Fear floods our bodies, triggering a surge of adrenaline and other stress hormones. However, when we successfully navigate these obstacles using our skills and experience, we experience a profound sense of accomplishment and relief. ”It’s really critically important to have that fear,” Greaves says.
This process of facing and overcoming fear on the trail translates into valuable life skills. By learning to manage stress and navigate challenging situations in a safe and controlled environment, individuals can build confidence and resilience that extends beyond the bike.
Breaking Down the Therapeutic Benefits
To better understand the therapeutic power of trail riding, consider these steps:
- Facing a challenging feature triggers a natural fear response.Our bodies flood with stress hormones, preparing us for action.
- We draw on our skills and experience to navigate the obstacle, engaging both our physical and mental abilities.
- Overcoming the challenge results in a surge of positive endorphins, rewarding us for courageously facing and conquering our fear.
Trail Therapy effectively harnesses these instinctive responses. It provides a powerful framework for individuals to confront their fears, build resilience, and ultimately gain greater control over their mental and emotional well-being.
Mental Health on the Trails: scotland’s Trail Therapy Program
The Scottish Highlands, known for its breathtaking scenery and rugged trails, are now proving to be a powerful tool in the fight against mental health challenges. The innovative Trail Therapy program is using mountain biking as a way to help individuals address their mental well-being in a unique and engaging manner. 
photo: Andy McCandlish
Doing the Work
Far from a fleeting experiment, the Trail Therapy program is the brainchild of Occupational Therapist Niamh Allen, an avid cyclist who firmly believed that the challenges and rewards of mountain biking could considerably benefit those struggling with various mental health issues. Working in collaboration with developing Mountain Biking in Scotland and other local partners,Allen secured funding to train practitioners like Jen Greaves and Scott Murray,some of the first officially accredited Trail Therapy guides. Since its inception in 2018, the program has garnered international attention. Its affordability, leveraging existing trail infrastructure during less busy periods, and its complementary nature to other therapies like counseling or medication have made it an attractive option for individuals seeking alternative ways to improve their mental well-being.
Greaves explains that the program focuses on a holistic approach, integrating mindfulness techniques and physiological awareness alongside the physical activity of mountain biking. ”Because then we can manage their cortisol, and do breathing exercises to calm down, and get to a place where they can ride a feature,” she says. “The hit of dopamine afterwards is visible — you get to the bottom of an amazing trail, and you’ve loved it, and everyone’s high vibing, you’re up.And that’s that feeling that everybody gets.”
For participants like Corie Davis, the benefits extend far beyond the trails. “The emotional regulation… the decision-making… it helps,” Davis remarks.”When you’re stressed,or scared… you can transfer that to going for a job interview or phoning the gas company or whatever you need to do.”
It’s all Worth it.
Emily Greaves has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of camaraderie and outdoor adventure. Through a program she spearheaded, Greaves helps individuals reclaim their well-being by introducing them to mountain biking. What Greaves finds most rewarding is the sense of community that blossoms within these groups. Participants, who initially commit to just two hours a week on borrowed bikes, often find themselves extending their sessions, forging strong bonds as they tackle challenging terrain together.The experience frequently inspires them to invest in their own bikes and organize rides independently, demonstrating the program’s lasting impact. Though deeply committed to the program, Greaves humbly avoids taking credit. A notably poignant conversation with participant John Hollingdon solidified the meaning of her work. “He said that trail therapy had done more for him than any medical intervention, any tablet, anything else he’d tried,” Greaves recalls. This resonated deeply with Greaves, whose close friend Gareth tragically took his own life two years prior. “I said that if I can stop another person from doing that… John looked at me and said, ‘you have.’” *Some names have been changed to protect the anonymity of participants.*This is a great start to an article about the use of mountain biking as therapy. You’ve clearly laid out the concept of ”Trail Therapy” and provided a good introduction to the program in Scotland. Here are some suggestions for further advancement:
**Expanding on the Benefits**
* **Specific Mental Health Conditions:** Mention specific mental health conditions that Trail Therapy can be beneficial for (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.) and briefly explain how it addresses their symptoms.
* **Scientific Evidence:** Are there any studies or research supporting the effectiveness of Trail Therapy? Citing some would add credibility to your piece.
* **Personal Stories:** Quotes or anecdotes from individuals who have participated in Trail Therapy would add a powerful human element.
**Delving Deeper into the Program**
* **Program Structure:** How does a typical Trail Therapy session or program look? What are the activities involved? How long does it usually last?
* **qualifications of Guides:** What specific training and qualifications do Trail Therapy guides need?
**Addressing Potential Concerns**
* **Accessibility:** Who is this program suitable for? Are there fitness requirements or any limitations?
* **Safety:** How are safety concerns addressed? Are there medical professionals on hand?
**Looking Ahead**
* **Future of Trail Therapy:** What are the future plans for the program? Are there plans to expand it?
**Improving Readability**
* **Break down larger paragraphs:** Make your text more digestible by breaking up long paragraphs into shorter ones.
* **Use subheadings:** Add subheadings to guide the reader through the article and make it easier to follow.
* **Stronger transitions:** Use transitional phrases to smoothly connect ideas and paragraphs.
By incorporating these suggestions, you can create a more thorough and engaging article about Trail Therapy in Scotland and its potential to positively impact mental well-being.
This text appears to be an excerpt from a larger article discussing the “Trail Therapy” program in Scotland. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* **What is Trail Therapy?**: It’s a program that uses mountain biking as a therapeutic tool to help individuals struggling with various mental health issues. Developed by Occupational Therapist Niamh Allen, it incorporates mindfulness techniques and focuses on building physical and mental resilience.
* **How it Works**: The program trains certified guides like Jen Greaves and Scott Murray. It utilizes existing trail infrastructure and complements other therapies, making it an affordable and accessible option. The focus is on holistic well-being, addressing both physical and emotional challenges.
* **Benefits**: Participants experience emotional regulation,improved decision-making skills,and a sense of accomplishment. They learn to apply the coping mechanisms gained on the trails to everyday life situations.
* **Community Impact**: The program fosters a strong sense of community among participants, who often continue biking together after completing the program.
* **Testimonials**: The article includes quotes from program participants, like Corie Davis and Emily Greaves, highlighting the positive impact Trail Therapy has had on their lives.
**the article emphasizes the effective and empowering nature of Trail Therapy as a means to improve mental well-being through the joy of mountain biking and the support of a community.**
