Everything Awesome

Four years ago Lesley Dodson and I started what felt like a long, slightly silly, but really quite cool challenge.
We wanted to see what England really had to offer, what different town’s, cities and countrysides looked like.
To achieve this we decided to spend one night in every county.
We got a little carried away and squeezed in most of Scotland, and the NC500 into that as well, but as of today.
Every one of the 49 administrative counties in England have hosted Lesley and I.

From rooms in pubs so dirty and damaged it was hard to sleep, being the only guests in a 60 room hotel, so the owner shared the family evening meal with us, hippy teachers, a couple of golf courses, converted sheds and a room on the 9th floor in Covent Garden, its been an adventure. Assisted of course by being with my best friend for it all.

Whether you are looking to conquer a literal mountain or overcome a personal physical challenge, Everything Awesome is a premier outdoor adventure and rehabilitation organization based in the heart of the Peak District and Sheffield. Far from being a typical tour company, Everything Awesome blends high-octane adventure with expert coaching and specialized medical rehabilitation, creating an inclusive gateway to the great outdoors.

Here is a breakdown of what we here at Everything Awesome can do for you.

1. Master New Skills with Expert Coaching

At the core of Everything Awesome is a commitment to high-quality instruction. Led by Mini Mansell an instructor with an exhaustive portfolio of qualifications the organization offers structured coaching across a variety of disciplines.

• Mountain Biking (MTB): From “Jumps and Drops” workshops to the fundamental core skills, you can learn to navigate technical trails with confidence. We also offer MIAS (Mountain Bike Instructors Award Scheme) Level 1 and 2 courses for those looking to turn their passion into a professional qualification.
• Rock Climbing: Whether you are transitioning from “Gym to Crag” or wanting to learn the complexities of Traditional (Trad) climbing, they provide safe, expert-led sessions. We even offer ladies-only climbing sessions to foster a supportive environment for female adventurers.
• Paddlesports & More: You can book Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) taster sessions, navigation courses (like “Find Your Way in a Day”), and even archery lessons.

2. Experience Bespoke Adventures

Everything Awesome excels at creating unforgettable memories through guided experiences. If you aren’t looking for a “lesson” but rather a “journey,” they offer guided mountain bike rides through the rugged Peak District, “Waterfall Walks” (such as the stunning Middle Black Clough), and “Weaselling” (a unique Peak District activity involving scrambling through natural rock tunnels and boulders). These sessions are perfect for families, stag/hen dos, or corporate team building events where the goal is to bond through shared adventure.

3. Specialized Rehabilitation & Inclusion

What truly sets us apart is our “sister” mission in Neuro and Spinal Rehabilitation. We act as specialist Rehabilitation Assistants (RAs), working alongside Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to support individuals recovering from life-altering injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, and cerebral palsy.

We believe that the outdoors should be accessible to everyone. If you have complex physical needs or use a wheelchair, Everything Awesome uses their specialized skill set to adapt activities like climbing or paddling to your specific requirements. We focus on the “Adventure Sports Specialist Rehab” model, helping individuals rediscover their identity and physical potential through nature.

4. Empowerment and Mental Well-being

Beyond the physical activities, Everything Awesome provides a space for personal growth. Our philosophy is built on “Challenge by Choice,” allowing participants to set their own limits and overcome fears at their own pace. This approach builds immense self-confidence and offers a powerful mental health boost, using the transformative power of the Peak District’s landscape to reduce stress and foster a sense of accomplishment.

Summary

In short, Everything Awesome provides the tools, the expertise, and the environment for you to “ditch the routine.” Whether you are an elite athlete looking to shave seconds off your descent, a beginner nervous about your first climb, or someone navigating a difficult recovery journey, we offer a personalized roadmap to help you experience the world in an awesome way.

Although the title does preclude a gender, i hope the message doesnt. The message being, go prepared. So many problems, just wont become a problem, if you are prepared for them.

The classic “gentleman’s pat-down.” Whether you’re checking your pockets before leaving the house or making sure you haven’t lost your soul (or your keys) at a funeral, this mnemonic has a surprisingly long history.

While most people use it as a quick checklist to ensure they have their essentials, its roots are a bit more “holy.”

The Meaning Behind the Phrase

The phrase is a mnemonic for the Sign of the Cross (the ritual gesture made by Christians, primarily Catholics). The movement of the hand corresponds to the items mentioned:

• Spectacles: Touching the forehead.
• Testicles: Touching the lower abdomen/waist.
• Wallet: Touching the left shoulder (where a man historically kept his wallet in an inside jacket pocket).
• Watch: Touching the right shoulder (referring to a pocket watch kept in the waistcoat).

Historical Context

• The “Pocket” Logic: The order reflects a time when men’s fashion was more formal. Most men were right-handed, so they kept their wallet in the left breast pocket (easy to reach with the right hand) and their pocket watch in the right waistcoat pocket.
• Pop Culture: You might recognize this from movies like Nuns on the Run (1990) or Austin Powers, where it’s used as a joke to help someone “fake” being religious. It also famously appeared in Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino.
• The “Pocket Pat”: Today, it’s mostly used by people who aren’t necessarily religious but want a rhythmic way to ensure they haven’t forgotten their gear.

For me, as an outdoor professional, this tends to mean, phone, keys, penknife and specs. (plus first aid kit as a default)

When working, this could include, compass, or bike pocket multi tool,

Of course, in 2026, the modern version is probably more like: “Phone, Keys, Wallet, Vape”—though that doesn’t quite have the same theological ring to it.

The idea of a “personal car park” usually conjures images of concrete slabs and reserved spaces, but for me, it’s something far more magnificent: the entire expanse of the Peak District National Park. It’s where I escape the hum of daily life, trading traffic jams for winding lanes and the claustrophobia of the urban grind for the endless horizon. This isn’t just a place to park my vehicle; it’s where I park my worries, my stresses, and my digital distractions, allowing my mind to breathe freely amidst nature’s grandeur.

Stepping out into the Peaks is an immediate sensory feast. The air, crisp and clean, carries the scent of damp earth and heather, often with a hint of sheep on the breeze. My eyes drink in the undulating landscape – the soft, rounded hills of the White Peak giving way to the dramatic, rugged gritstone edges of the Dark Peak. Each turn of the road, each ascent up a well-worn path, unveils a new vista, a fresh masterpiece painted by ancient geological forces and centuries of human interaction. Sunlight dapples through ancient woodlands, illuminating moss-covered stones, while the calls of curlews echo across vast moorlands.

This “car park” offers more than just stunning views; it offers solace and rejuvenation. I find myself drawn to the quiet valleys where crystal-clear streams tumble over rocks, or to the exhilarating heights of Mam Tor, where the wind whips through my hair, carrying away every last shred of tension. Whether I’m tackling a challenging ascent up Kinder Scout, enjoying a gentle stroll through a charming Dales village like Castleton, or simply sitting by a drystone wall, watching the clouds scud across the sky, I feel an profound sense of connection and belonging.

It’s a place of contrasts, of raw beauty and gentle serenity. The wild, untamed expanses remind me of nature’s power, while the cosy pubs and quaint tearooms offer warmth and respite. Every visit feels like hitting a reset button, a chance to recalibrate and reconnect with what truly matters. My personal car park is far more than a parking spot; it’s a sanctuary, an adventure playground, and a constant source of wonder that always leaves me refreshed and ready to face the world, until my next return.

The Dunning Kruger effect describes a cognitive bias where people with limited knowledge or skill in a specific area tend to overestimate their abilities and competence in that area. This bias can lead them to incorrectly perceive themselves as more skilled than they are, and also mistakenly underestimate the abilities of others, according to Psychology Today. 

Key aspects of the Dunning-Kruger effect:

• Overestimation of Abilities:Individuals lacking expertise or knowledge in a particular domain may be overly confident in their abilities and overestimate how much they understand or know. 
• Lack of Metacognition:This bias is often linked to a deficiency in metacognition, the ability to think about one’s own thinking and performance. 
• Reverse Effect:While commonly described as a bias of those with low competence, some theorists also discuss the opposite effect, where highly skilled individuals might underestimate their abilities relative to others, according to Britannica. 
• Unawareness of Ignorance:Individuals with low competence may not be able to recognize their mistakes or limitations, further reinforcing their inflated sense of ability. 

Examples of the Dunning-Kruger effect:

• Beginning Aviators:A new pilot might overestimate their ability to handle complex flight maneuvers, according to the British Psychological Society. 
• Medical Residents:Junior doctors may think they are capable of treating patients more effectively than they actually are, according to the British Psychological Society. 

Personally, i think i live most of my life about half way up the Slope of Enlightenment, Or, is this just me sitting on the Peak or Mount Stupid?

But, as a sports coach, i may be able to help, wherever you are.

Living the best life.

My life, so many things are unimportant, age, gender, religion, colour, income, social standing. None of these make any difference at all.

A bold statement!

Standing at the top of a drop in, Mountain bike, Snowboard, Ski,   Pushing the tail of a skateboard over the coping,  ready to drop into that bowl, Rolling into some downhill MTB, Hanging off a rope, with rock in front of me, and birds behind.

I live a world where  as a 60-year-old man it’s cool for me to chat to a 15-year-old boy if he is doing something Uber fucking cool and that 15-year-old boy at the same time will chat away to me because he hopes I’m still doing this shit when he is my age.
There are no obstacles other than self imposed ones.  Free your mind from those, make friends because they have shared interests and the world will just feel better.

The Printroom, Hillsborough did a great job of embroidery, i now have my logo onto a Buffalo Systems Belay Jacket.

Really impressed with the job they did.

Happy Winter Solstice.
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the first day of winter.
From this day onwards, the daylight will get longer until June 21st. But, as its the first day of winter, the days will get colder, the weather wetter, until around the sprint equinox when the buds will start to appear on flowers and trees. 

When it happens In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22. In 2024, it will be on Saturday, December 21 at 9:21 AM GMT. 

What it means The winter solstice happens when the Earth’s axis is tilted the farthest away from the sun, causing the sun to be at its lowest point in the sky. This results in the shortest day and longest night of the year. 

How it’s celebrated Many cultures around the world celebrate the winter solstice with holidays and festivals, including:

• Yule: A pre-Christian festival celebrated in Scandinavia 
• Saturnalia: A festival celebrated in Ancient Rome 
• Dongzhi Festival: A festival celebrated in China and East Asia 
• Inti Raymi: An Incan celebration in Peru that honors the Sun god