Hi, I’m Laura (a little back story)

Hi!  I thought I should introduce myself.  I’m Laura (she/her).  I’m 35 and I live with my husband, Roo, in a little city in the east of England called Norwich.  It’s famous for Colman’s mustard, Norwich City Football club, Stphen Fry, and Delia Smith.  Hopefully you’ve heard of one of them, but it’s a pretty small city so you could be forgiven if not. 

I grew up in Sussex in the south of England.  I’m the youngest of three, and the only girl so I have 2 very protective big brothers.  I think my love of travel was came from my folks, who both lived abroad in Europe and the states as young adults in the 70s (thanks Mum and Dad!), and we were so lucky to have some awesome holidays growing up as a consequence.

I’m not sure if it’s in the genes (my Mum was a German teacher) or it was from encouragement to always try to speak the language wherever we were, but I have an affinity for languages and have picked up some good skills in a few now.  I love learning a language, and thought about studying it for my degree, but I decided it would be better as a side-hustle.  

I’ve always loved animals and cared for the planet, so I decided to study Environmental Science at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.  After trying out lots of different aspects of environmental science, I ended up specialising in Ecology and did a year in industry in South America as part of my degree.  I spent 5 months in the Peruvian Amazon, interning for an eco-tourism and wildlife monitoring project, and 6 months in Brasil collecting data for a huge research project into forest deforestation and fragmentation.  It was tough work, but I made some great friends and had some serious (fun and not-so-fun) adventures.  

When I came back for my final year of my degree, I started dating Roo and somehow 15 years have passed by, and I’m still living in Norwich.  It wasn’t what I had planned but it’s an awesome city and we have a great life there, with Roo’s family all close by.  I got my undergrad, and wasn’t ready to leave uni so I stayed on for a masters in Ecology before hitting the real world.  That was a tough adjustment!

When I finished uni, I wanted to teach kids about the environment and especially endangered species.  I was lucky enough to eventually get my dream job in the education team of a zoo; doing feeding talks and teaching school groups about animals (and as often as I could – how to conserve the natural world).  After 3 years of working in a couple of zoos, I got pretty disheartened as I didn’t feel I was having the impact that I wanted. So after some soul searching and struggles with depression and OCD, I ended up quitting my job feeling a little lost as to what to do next with my life.  

I didn’t work for a little bit after that, and Roo took over the breadwinner role in our house.  I spent some time in Amsterdam on a shoestring thanks to my brother being out there, and afterwards spent a year taking a temp role, caring for my 1-year-old niece a day a week, and volunteering in an Oxfam shop (thrift store) while I tried to figure out what to do.  I’ve worked in retail on and off since I got my first job in the village shop when I was 14 so it seemed like a good fit.  I started as a volunteer at Oxfam with no self-esteem and depression, eventually I got a permanent role as a deputy shop manager and now have the confidence to take on Shop manager secondments (and recently a learning & development role) sometimes at the drop of a hat.  Oxfam have supported me through quite the transformation!

Here I am, 7 years in and taking a sabbatical to hike the Appalachian Trail.  I’ve had some good therapy along the way to fully get to know myself and help me live my life how I want to.  I will always be grateful that I’m fortunate enough to have been able to spend that time, effort (and I don’t want to know how much) money on myself, and learning how to be the best (and happiest) version of me.  Without that (and Roo’s incredible love and support), it’s possible that I wouldn’t be here today.  I certainly wouldn’t be getting ready to take on the AT.

I know that the AT will be a test of my new-and improved relationship with myself and no doubt a test of mine and Roo’s relationship at times too, but we’ve been through enough struggles that I’m confident that we will be able to work through any rocky patches (actual or mental!).

 I think that’s all you need to know at the moment.  I just want to give a big shout out to all my family, friends and great colleagues who have supported me along the way to the AT.  All the little words of love and encouragement, and actions of support have helped us to get here.  Sending love to you all.

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