I Want To Live Again: Brody’s Journey and Fundraiser

Today, we’re catching up with one of our amazing Ambassadors, Brody. As someone who embodies the adventurous and resilient spirit of Venture Scotland, Brody is preparing to take on a new challenge—the Kiltwalk this September. In this Q&A, we dive into Brody’s motivations, their journey with Venture Scotland, and what the Kiltwalk means to them. Get ready to be inspired!

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I’m 26, I enjoy spending time in nature with my Romanian rescue dog, Foxy. My favourite place is the beach where you can collect rocks and forests with lots of trees to climb! I play rugby every week, I also enjoy paddle sports and rock climbing!

Tell us a bit about how you know about Venture Scotland:

I found Venture Scotland when I was diagnosed with complex PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), I decided to choose their programme instead of group therapy. I believed that healing in nature with people who cared and respected those in need would give me the best chance at helping me survive the chaos. By the end of the programme my life changed for the better. I’m now more confident, have healthy relationships in my life, motivated to achieve anything I put my mind to, and I WANT to live again. The experience is life changing.

Have you always been an outdoorsy person?

From since I can remember I’ve always loved being in nature. There’s so much to explore and experience, I find it so peaceful and rejuvenating.

Tell us a bit about your fundraiser! What are you doing to fundraise?

My team and I are participating in the kilt walk and spreading the word about what Venture Scotland are all about! We are tackling the mighty stride at 20.5 miles!

How did you choose that activity?

We were given a few options and the kilt walk sounds awesome and so fun! I couldn’t say no.

And what are you hoping to get out of the experience?

I hope to give back to the charity that helped me change my life for the better. The more awareness about Venture Scotland the better!

What made you decide to fundraise for Venture Scotland?

The work they do is incredible and so important now more than ever. It’s one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems, not a lot of people know about it! So I’d like to give back to them and spread the word as much as possible. You can support my fundraiser here!

How does fundraising for Venture Scotland make you feel?

I feel privileged and proud to help in any way I can! I’m excited and ready for the day Venture Scotland uses the outdoors as a vehicle for improved mental health – what do the outdoors mean to you? It means sanity. Often we get lost on our phones and don’t look up and take in our surroundings once in a while – it’s not good for the soul! Listening to the bird songs, waves crashing on the beach, the trees blowing in the wind – every part of nature is breathtaking. My brain can be a difficult place to be most days unless I’m outside grounding myself. It really has benefited my life in so many ways.

If you could only take part in one VS activity session, what activity would it be and why?

Paddleboarding 1000% , I love being on the water! I found my love for it on our trip to Loch Ard. Where we also learned about paddle sports safety and rescue, it was awesome!

If someone was thinking about supporting Venture Scotland, what would you tell them?

They would be making an incredible contribution to a life-changing charity, it would benefit so many others struggling and get them the help they deserve to thrive.

What’s your favourite joke?

What do you call a wild dog that meditates?

….Aware Wolf