Lauren Munro-Bennett, run, SWIM & triathlon coach

“Nature doesn’t judge, discriminate, or have any expectations”

Lauren Bennett works as a running, triathlon and open water swimming coach in the Lake District National Park. In recent years she’s suffered from anxiety and depression and has been diagnosed with ADHD, but is using her experiences to inspire others to connect with nature.

“The outdoors has been a constant throughout my life. It’s only over the last few years, through my mental health struggles, I have realised how important it is to be outside. To be immersed in nature and feel connected to it.

“I was lucky enough to grow up, quite literally, on the edge of Grizedale Forest in the Lake District. I think this is what sparked my love of the outdoors; being surrounded by nature with the mountains on my doorstep.

“From the age of 7, I was competing in swimming galas. Aged 10, every weekend was spent trawling round the weirdest, wildest, forgotten, back-end-of-nowhere pockets of Cumbria and Yorkshire, taking part in fell races. This is where the competitive part of my personality took firm roots, along with my self-worth becoming tied up with race results.

“This competitive streak continued into university, where I was solely focused on competing in triathlons. Training multiple hours each day and competing at an elite level whilst studying for a joint honours’ degree was pretty all-encompassing. Up until my early twenties, my identity was being an athlete: My self-worth was built on racing performance. Even though most of my training and racing was outside, my focus was on my racing results.

Mental health struggles

“It was after university when my mental health started to deteriorate. Over the last four years, I’ve had multiple depressive episodes, manic periods, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. There have been times when I was so crippled with anxiety and depression, I wasn’t able to leave my room. I cut off all contact with friends. There’s been times when I tried to end my life. Depression is ugly and cruel. Anxiety can be debilitating. Luckily, back in 2019, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which was a big step for my recovery and learning to understanding myself.

“It’s always easier to look back with hindsight and rationalize why things happened. Many factors led to me becoming unwell, but I think it stemmed from an inability to trust myself. Through many counselling sessions, I have worked really hard to truly believe I am good enough as a person, without performing at races. I’m still learning to trust myself and nature has been a massive part of this.”

Expression in nature

“Nature has been integral to my recovery. Nature doesn’t judge, discriminate, or have any expectations. It doesn’t care if you haven’t showered or brushed your hair. When I was recovering from depression, I didn’t need to hide myself when I went for a walk or for a dip in the lake. It was freeing and liberating.

“It still feels like that now. Whether it’s going for a run in the mountains, a swim in any icy tarn, preparing for an epic bike touring trip, or just my cycle commute to work, it connects me with the outside world and reminds me how awesome it is. This is why nature is so special. I feel so lucky to have this connection with it and everyone deserves to experience it.

Photo: Holly Parkinson

Inspiring others

“I’m really passionate about sharing the wonderful outdoors with others. And now I am able to encourage and support others incorporating it into their lives as well. I’m a running and triathlon coach, and earlier this year I became an open water swimming coach. I’m so grateful to be in a position where I can encourage others to incorporate the outdoors into their life too.

“Let’s talk more openly about mental health. And we can learn from nature by doing it without judgement.”

Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/laurenm_b/

Photo: Hugo Hunt

Support Papyrus UK:
”Papyrus UK is a fantastic resource that shares useful information about suicide in young people. Their services helped me through some dark times. It is also a great resource for those with loved ones going through tough times. Head over to their website at www.papyrus-uk.org”