And we are back!! Its time to welcome in the new decade and what better way than with inspirational adventure seekers just like you. Here at The 5 to 9 headquarters we are gradually getting outdoors, working off the christmas pounds we piled on and are looking forward to an exciting year ahead. A massive thank you once again for those that have attended and supported our events thus far; we have some exciting plans on the horizon we can't wait to share with you all.

So what is all the hype about? The 5-9 Micro Adventures is a new community driven project, hoping to build a platform that inspires people to utilise their time outside of work, towards exploring and undertaking adventures, that will help them reconnect with themselves and nature. As well as these speakers we have active experts who will offer guidance within their field and opportunities to take part in future adventures they may organise.

We are firm believers in the mental health benefits gained from being outdoors, switching off from our phones and other modern stimuli, and engaging with what mother nature has to offer; from camping to climbing, from swimming to bush craft, from Yoga to Trail-running. With a plethora of opportunities out there within touching distance of the big smoke, we hope to educate, inspire and facilitate micro-adventures through talks and presentations from aspirational adventurers and expert partners. Not only will the community get a chance to hear some incredible stories, but will also have the opportunity to chat and mingle with our speakers, who in turn can help every day people realise that getting outdoors is more accessible that first realised. The 5-9 platform is a place for everyone to share and inspire one another through their adventures.

OUR FABULOUS SPEAKERS!!

ABE McCAULEY

We are so happy to have Abe, a “regular” (though not so regular in our eyes!) Londoner who was able to take the 5 to 9 ethos and make it a regular part of his life.

After an unfortunate split from a partner and the mental wear and tear from a fast paced career in banking, Abe and a friend decided to try to go on a microadventure after hearing about the concept from a podcast. One day with no kit, no prior experience and no idea where exactly they were going they took off on a commuter train out towards Essex. A night in an abandoned castle and a breathtaking sunrise later, life was good again and they were hooked. 18 microadventures later ranging from Epping Forrest to New York city Abe believes microadventures changed his life. Come hear stories, lesson and tips on how to get going yourself from the man himself!

ELI BISHOP

https://www.instagram.com/to_outdoors_and_beyond/

An Outdoor Instructor and blogger she believes that everyone has their own mountain to climb and every step towards that is an achievement. Her career previously was the polar opposite and the pressure of running a Textile Design Degree and working in the fashion/textile industry resulted in ‘burn out’. Having been diagnosed with anxiety Eli turned to the outdoors Eli believes that the outdoors is the perfect remedy for everyday life; the stress & anxieties it brings and that you can achieve good physical and mental health by getting outside. We are really excited to hear how Eli bridged the gap and to inspire

MEL NICHOLLS

https://melnicholls.co.uk/Home

London and Rio Paralympian Mel Nicholls lives adventure and is racing her way worldwide.

A series of life changing strokes as an independent fit and healthy young woman, a life devoted to horses, a rider, runner, cyclist and all round adrenaline junkie, Mel was left unable to walk and use much of the left side of her body following her third stroke in 2008.

…Fast forward four years after watching the Beijing Paralympics from her hospital bed, Mel raced in front of an 80,000 home crowd and the rest of the world, in wheelchair racing at the London 2012 Paralympics. Just 15 months after taking up the sport.

Mel went on as part of the GB Athletics team to represent her country for the next 4 years, achieving track world records, European and World major medal success and becoming a Paralympic finalist at both London 2012 and Rio 2016. At the end of 2016 Mel made the move from track to turn her focus to endurance and road racing in wheelchair racing and her new sport of handcycling, where in her first season on the GB team achieved international medal success.

Great Britain Para Athlete Mel has her sights firmly on a bright future, combining her love for her sport with her passion of adventure. Mel’s mottoes of Dream Big and Live an Adventure are no truer than her real life adventure tales as she continues to push her own boundaries and challenge perceptions of what is possible. Not content to leave her adrenaline-fuelled, outdoor world in her past life, Mel reconnected with her adventure spirit while exploring a small island off the west coast of Scotland. Mel’s spiritual home remains the birthplace of her discovering what is possible and rediscovering her adventure.

Mel’s workplace is the great outdoors and brings a unique take on adventure with disability, the female role and as a sportswoman. Her love of adventure and wild places shine through in her passion for storytelling in her blogs and writings and developing project work in encouraging and supporting anyone facing barriers to get active outside.

Mel is an athlete and adventurer, outdoor leader, motivational speaker and aspiring writer. With her zest for life and always with a smile on her face, Mel hopes to inspire others to reach for the top of their own mountains and believe that anything is possible.

Tickets are now available to buy via the event pages. Any questions in the meantime then hit us up on Facebook or Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/thefive2nine/?ref=bookmarks

https://www.instagram.com/the_5to9/?hl=en

The 5 To 9 Micro Adventure Team