Walking Mentorship, which runs programmes combining walking, nature and mentoring, says corporate burnout and a reconnection with the outdoors are driving demand, according to founder João and partner Nuno.
The founders also see their model as a response to overtourism: taking people off the beaten track rather than to the same places at the same time.
“Walking Mentorship is a human transformation experience that combines walking, nature, and mentoring,” the founders told Emerging Travel. Walking and nature act “like levers, like amplifiers” that allow participants to go deeper in reflection.
“Eleven years ago, we were probably the crazy ones in the room, and we are not any more,” they said, pointing to a reconnection with nature since the pandemic and a growing focus on wellness.
Much of the work is with corporate teams. “People are exhausted. Many are very close to burnout,” they said. Heavy use of mobile phones, especially among younger people, is another challenge they hope to counter.
On overtourism, they said: “The problem is not that we have too many people travelling, the problem is that they’re all going to the same places at the same time doing the same thing.” Taking people “a little bit to the side” can ease pressure while still letting everyone travel, they said.
Walking Mentorship runs walking-based mentoring programmes for individuals and corporate teams. More information is at walkingmentorship.com.
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