Life & Career Coaching for people, teams and community
In Yorkshire.
You don't need fixing. You need a different kind of space. And a chance to ignite change!
Most of us are remarkable at keeping things going. We're resourceful, adaptable, resilient in ways we don't even notice until something starts to wobble, or your body gives you signs of tension or exhaustion, anxiety or stress. Your head full day and night. The inner voice, giving all sorts of opinions on what you should or shouldn’t do, could or couldn’t be. Dancing between the hopes for the future and the moments from the past, you wish had gone differently. All this noise isn’t a sign of failure, it’s important feedback just calling for the mind and body to pay attention to and take note on.
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It’s a sign that things can be better or different, with a chance to change. I am here to help you with that.
This inner feedback is letting you or your team know that the pace is unsustainable, or the path doesn't fit anymore, or the version of yourself you've been putting on for the world isn't you at your most natural self. Maybe you've known this for a while. Maybe something happened so you can’t ignore the situation. Perhaps you are just needing a space, to try and figure all this out?
Whatever's brought you here, that feeling is worth listening to. You're life can be lighter, your energy more vibrant and you can be more of your self - that true Nature!
Welcome to Where the Mind Grows
I'm Jennie-Kate McQuinn but most people call me JK, a nature-led life and career coach, team facilitator and community gatherer based in North Yorkshire. And the founder of Where the Mind Grows Nature-Led Coaching and Natural Leadership Programmes.
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I work with people and organisations who are ready to think and BE kinder to themselves, their communities and are Natural world too. You're seeking a space to enhance your well-being, your leadership, and help create a wholesome life or resilient and compassionate workplace culture. To nurture steps towards vitality, values and a life with greater flow and ease.
Apart from the odd sessions online, (for those too far from the woods). I work outside in private woodland, or parks and countryside, in the kind of open space that makes your shoulders drop as you exhale. I draw on something that I think most coaching misses; the intelligence of the natural world itself. Something that I see, helps grow our wisdom and trust more deeply within ourselves too.
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It’s not just about being IN nature, but learning from it too.
Nature isn't just a backdrop here. It's a teacher. Forests, ecosystems, and seasonal cycles have been solving the problems of complexity, change, depletion, and renewal for 3.8 billion years. There's a great deal worth understanding and adapting for ourselves from that.
More on the science behind all of this below. But first, where are you now?
Three ways in
Where the Mind Grows services and offerings stem across three interconnected areas of focus. Each one is distinct, but all are rooted in the same belief; that when people are genuinely well, connected, and resourced they can do remarkable things and be happier & healthier in life, work and relationships.
Rooted Self
Life & Career Coaching one-to-one
One-to-one Life & Career coaching for people navigating anxiety, stress & low mood. Coaching for Adult Men and Women, needing help with regulating emotions in a complex ‘always on’ world. For those at career crossroads. Struggling with confidence, identity, communicaftion for themselves or with others (work/life). With space for those navigating grief, an adversity (past or present) or feeling lost or unsure about choices and directions. We work together from a private woodland I lease near Ripon, North Yorkshire. Through Walk and Talk sessions in public wild locations across West & North Yorkshire or Online via Zoom.
This is person-centered coaching that works with your actual strengths, your particular way of being in the world. Not a blueprint. Not a pre-decided formula or programme you need to fit yourself too. A conversation that takes you & your goals seriously whilst offering a supportive, creative & inspired environment in which to help make change feel easier.
Nurtured Workplaces
Team & Organisational Well-being
For organisations especially those in the purpose-led, charity, and social enterprise sectors who want to nurture something more honest, trusting and more sustainable than most workplace well-being programmes or culture and change programmes dare to be.
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Team development, leadership, employee coaching, and regenerative organisational work.
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We take teams outside. Whilst also helping individuals and collectives connect more deeply and have real and sometimes courageous conversations and explorations together. The kind of space that can really ignite or support change, longer term.
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A 'living systems' approach means you’ll be helped to see your organisation, team or even your role from an ecosystems perspective, understanding how Nature can be an active ‘consultant’ to help aid overall learning, development, change and well-being. The result healthier, more psychologically safe teams and organisations, better connected for the future, now.
Gathering Community
Retreats, Events & Group Connection
In a world that can often feel fleeting and disconnected, inspired by the interconnection of ecosystems and the very woodland you’ll gather in. Gathering Community is Where the Mind Grows third area of focus.
From retreats, events, experiences and co-working & networking events in the wild. Amongst community these offerings aim to reduce isolation and loneliness which can contribute to mental health issues. As well as offer a space for people to reconnect with themselves as part of the Natural world. Rooted in a sense of belonging, joyful and honest human connection and a celebration of people and place.
Events nurtured from respect, love, mutuality and of course a wonderful dose of the Wild. For people who want to grow alongside others, not just alone. For people who value that community is a core need for a thriving future.
What Nature can actually teach us...
Beyond the nice idea of getting out amongst the Nature world for your session. Sessions in the wild offer the opportunity to learn from Nature principles:
Healthy natural systems aren't built on extraction and exhaustion. They're built on diversity, reciprocity, rest, and cycles of growth and release. Depletion or over-busy isn’t a strategy. The Natural world doesn't mistake constant productivity for health. Trees know when to shed, compost, when to root deeper, when to reach, and when to go pause and observe.
Much of what leads people and organisations struggle, burn-out or lose faith is designed by how our modern lives and workplaces have evolved. The opposite of those Natural and wise principles that have supported the Natural world to survive and thrive for billions of year’s. But we are waking up, we are realising this speed and intensity of life, isn’t sustainable and Where the Mind Grows offers curious coaching and facilitated spaces in which to truly consider ‘what is mine to do’ and help you create changes that don’t just benefit your own situation, but contribute to a healthier more hopeful future too.
Being in Nature optimises learning, thinking and the opportunity to cultivate change. Walking down to the woods, is an ideal time to let Nature reconnect you. With that your Cortisol (stress hormone) will dissipate, muscles relax and blood pressure drops to help with calm. You’ll find focus and openness feel easier amongst the bird song and canopy. Moments of awe and surprise in the flowers, fauna, wild life and view help create endorphins and dopamine which in turn support create mindsets and resilience for problem solving and choice making. It’s amazing how helpful the woods can be to our coaching approaches together.
Gently, practically, and with a lot of curiosity, we’ll seek to discover - often playfully, but always purposefully- what becomes possible when you start working with your true nature rather than against it.
"My personal well-being has been hugely improved. I'm prioritising my own needs in all areas of my life. I feel more connected to nature and I've built daily habits that allow me to spend time outdoors and can see the impact on my wellbeing. " Bridget
Not sure where to begin?
A lot of people who end up here arrive with a general sense that something needs to change and not much more than that. That is enough for the next step
Book a free 20-minute discovery call together with me JK. We'll talk through where you are, what you're looking for, and what might be a useful next step. No pressure to commit, no heavy sales pitch, just an open conversation to ensure we are a great fit.
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And if you think you or your team need some time in the woods too. You can check out our Nurtured Workspaces pages or simply secure a totally free consultation. A 30 minute conversation to help scope out your team needs and understand if and how time in the wild, could be that first next step to a healthy culture.
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bOOK TO DISCUSS NURTURED WORKPLACES HERE
Need more time?
Browse at your own pace the blog, free resources, are a great place to start or join the weekly newsletter for free and receive some free welcome resources and a reflection and offering from me each week, to your inbox.