‘Slowing down, letting go, being quiet. And probably in the first time in my life, I feel quite calmly that. The phrase I’ve used recently is, ‘I’m not chasing chickens’ and that feels like a big relief’

I love your introduction, it felt slow and gentle and that feels ridiculously almost like a novelty in this world. Everything’s quick, faster and convenient – or we’re led to believe’ – Carmen Rendell

Old wise woman and fairy godmother Carmen Rendell joins us from Richmond on Thames amidst the autumn energy of stripping back and letting go in the air. From her childhood roots centred around sport, she invites us into her world and a series of endings that shaped the trajectory of her life. All based on her ability to decide ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and honour her choice. Wizard school offered a new pathway into psychotherapy and her creation of SoulHub brought alternate therapists together to form her tribe.

Her adamant belief she didn’t want to ‘sit in a box’ as a therapist and what emerged from one client who said ‘yes’ to heading outside. She guides us from playgrounds to graveyards with a beauty of not knowing what lies ahead physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, metaphorically and spiritually.

We dance between Richmond tube station, Canary Wharf Waterstones book store, Everest Base Camp and the banks of the River Thames to gleam a snap shot into significant points along her journey. Before she leaves Carmen invites us to play the game of life with a lightness, joy and self-love; then leaves us to ponder the question - what world do you want to live in?

About

Carmen Rendell is a UK‑based therapeutic coach, walking therapist, trainer and founder of the wellbeing community and consultancy Soulhub.

Over the course of 20 years, she worked in corporate communications in organisations such as Barclays, Musto, Jack Wills, and Lloyds and SportsAid Foundation. After divorce and a very personal journey of self-enquiry at the School of Wizards, she retrained to focus on healing work that combines nature, coaching, and psychotherapy.

Her therapeutic practice is “integrative,” thereby drawing on different methodologies—psychodynamic, person‑centred, among others, as she works both in nature (walking therapy) and online with clients from all walks of life.

She’s an adventurer, traveling widely, including to Everest Base Camp, walking the Camino, sailing the Clipper around the World Yacht Race. She a Sports Scientist from Loughborough University, and National League hockey player, and more recently tapping into her more creative side with upholstery, dancing and singing. These life experiences feed into her therapeutic approach.

She is also training to be a celebrant, and works in partnership with her soulmate and life partner Andrew Cuerden on projects such as “Walk‑In, Dance‑Out” and other immersive experiences.

Website: www.soulhub.co.uk

To find out more:

www.rootedrisingpodcast.com

'When I got the diagnosis, it was like, all of a sudden so many things made so much sense. I’d always given myself a really hard time.

My choice was to start medication, and that’s been really helpful for me. It almost opened up a whole world of possibilities. I kind of went from feeling like I had to be running all the time, to feeling like I could actually stand still and make some choice' - Emma Thorp

Rooted in the unique heath and woodland of Ashdown Forest in East Sussex Emma Thorp joins us from her lovingly crafted coaching retreat space; previously owned by the legendary historic figure Tinker Wright. Autumnal shades of gold and orange tinge the air with a kind of shedding before winter.

We trace her roots and conscious explorations to heal her past trauma from a chaotic collective of early childhood experiences with parental conflict, divorce, endless nannies and being bullied at school. Through a corporate career that left her exhausted and ADHD diagnosis that offered a glimmer to understand her habitual thoughts and behaviours. From ancestral trauma, living estranged from her family and living with an autoimmune condition Emma gives us a candid lowdown on how her life and relationship with the natural world has shaped her identity as a human being and coach.

About

Emma Thorp is an executive coach, retreat host, and founder of Thorp Coaching a practice dedicated to helping leaders think clearly, lead sustainably, and reconnect with what really matters.

Before retraining as a coach at Henley Business School, Emma spent decades in senior leadership roles, including founding and exiting her own consultancy and serving as Chief Commercial Officer and Board Member at a global life sciences firm. She brings that lived experience into her coaching blending commercial pragmatism with deep, human insight.

​As the only professional coach licensed to work on the Ashdown Forest, Emma runs her Forest Revival Retreats from a purpose-built space nestled within this ancient landscape. Through her coaching and her volunteer work, she helps fund and protect the Forest weaving its natural wisdom into leadership development for individuals and teams.

​An ICF ACC accredited coach and EMCC Senior Practitioner, Emma’s work is described as grounded, intuitive, and refreshingly real. She’s passionate about sustainable leadership, neurodiversity, and the role of embodied and nature-based practice in coaching. Website: www.thorpcoaching.com

Resources

Book - Coaching & Trauma by Julia Vaughan Smith

LinkedIn article - Spice brained leadership by Emma Thorpe

Hoffman Institute UK

Video - Franz Hoffman description of the Hoffman trauma process

Right to Roam

Three Acres and a Cow

To find out more:

www.rootedrisingpodcast.com