Discovering Nature Through Foraging

The Wild Body Forager
In 2022, my partner Sadie, Macclesfield’s own Neil, classical musician Hannah, and I embarked on a one-of-a-kind journey — cycling the length of the UK without clothing. Our goal was to raise funds and awareness for Rewilding Britain and MIND, two causes close to our hearts. Nature connection and mental health are deeply intertwined and vital to wellbeing.

Following that, I led a year-long project of forages and photoshoots to create a unique charity calendar, The Wild Body Foraging Calendar. But it became much more than just a series of photos — it became a shared journey of body acceptance, stories, and community, which I captured in my book.

Am I comfortable in my own skin? Absolutely. Have I embraced clothing-free moments during some forages? Yes — always with respect and ensuring everyone present feels comfortable, especially when we spotted a perfect photo opportunity for the calendar.

Is anyone expected to be clothes-free on a forage? Not at all! Everyone participates at their own comfort level, with zero pressure or expectation.

Foraging and Body Positivity

A Journey of Connection

The book chronicles a year of foraging adventures and photoshoots, culminating in the creation of the Wild Body Foraging Calendar, which aimed to raise awareness and funds for Rewilding Britain and MIND — two charities whose values are deeply important to me.

Connection with nature and our environment is vital for our future. Rewilding Britain’s motto — “think big, act wild” — perfectly captured the spirit of our 1,000-mile cycling journey. Our relationship with nature isn’t just about sourcing wild food and physical nourishment — although that is a huge part of it — it’s also essential for mental wellbeing.

During the pandemic, my life was turned upside down by bereavement, divorce, career changes, and the challenge of becoming self-employed while living in a partially converted van and renovating a narrowboat — the very boat I’m writing in now. It was an intense time, and I experienced a mental health breakdown that’s hard to describe. For 18 months, dark thoughts were a constant presence, and I cried daily for hours while working on the boat.

These experiences must be talked about. Mental health struggles are a normal part of life and should not only be discussed in moments of crisis. It’s especially difficult for men to reach out — many of us were raised to be strong and self-reliant, not to ask for help. But mental health is not a weakness; it’s part of being human. So many of us agree on this, and it’s important to keep the conversation open and honest.