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Carla

@carlarunsonplants

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Freelance Outdoor Instructor.
Winter Mountain Leader | Paddlesports Leader | Vegan lover of food, science, fitness & adventures.

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A couple of weeks ago, we headed to the Lake District for a weekend of getting stuck into the hills with Carla Khouri 🥾⛰️

Our latest Hills Skills course, accredited by Mountain Training, was all about becoming more confident and independent outdoors.

Over the weekend, we had loads of opportunities to practise new skills, learn at our own pace and share knowledge with each other.

From navigating with a map to understanding the weather and thinking about what to do in an emergency, it was all about building confidence through experience 🙌🏾

And ofc plenty of laughter along the way😂

Big thanks to Carla for creating such a relaxed and supportive space to learn, explore and build confidence in the hills.

#BlackGirlsHike #HillsSkills #MountainTraining #LakeDistrict #BlackWomenOutdoors by @carlarunsonplants

What a beautiful day 😍
@merrellhikingclub combined with @sweatybetty for a day to remember.

After being kitted out with the new collab shoes 🥾 (big fan) we headed out for a hike through the Lea Valley before heading back along the river to my beloved Almost Wild Campsite. As always MHC hikes are female led and a huge thanks goes to @el.ventures.earth and @clairereharris for their support and expertise.

After the hike we were treated to a gorgeous plant based lunch 🥗 by @seedsofwild followed by yoga with @seolachris__ and chats about solo adventures with @the.wandering.wilson & @jourdaninthemountains

Can we do this all again please 🙏🏽 by @carlarunsonplants

Earlier this year I headed to Everest Base Camp. A breathtakinly beautiful part of the world and I can’t wait to go back. Maybe next year 👀 by @carlarunsonplants

What a wonderful experience. I’ve just got back from leading a month long expedition in Cambodia 🇰🇭 for @campsint
26 students, 2 school staff and a local tour guide made up our brilliant, hardworking and motivated team 💪🏽
We spent the month living in longhouses, tents and hammocks whilst we worked on community projects 🪏 immersed ourselves in the historical sites 🛕 around the country and trekked over mountains and through the jungle 🥾🌴⛰️
There were so many highlights but my number one has to be seeing young people develop confidence and skills, try new foods, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, make new friendships and having the time of their lives. by @carlarunsonplants

‘When I come here, I can feel my heart rate decrease’

These are just three moments from my conversation with outdoors instructor Carla Khouri @carlarunsonplants as we walked through Dagnam Park in east London for our podcast recording 🎧🥾

If you missed this episode when it came out, Carla’s story is one of changing direction, helping others discover the outdoors, and finding purpose in nature. It was a real privilege to hear it while walking through one of her favourite local green spaces🌳

If you’d like to read more about Carla’s journey and see a map of the walking route we took together in Dagnam Park - so you can go on your own adventure there! - you’ll find it all in my latest Substack.

The link’s in my bio.

Where’s the place that makes your heart rate slow down? 🌿

Liv x
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#hiking #hikinglondon #outdoors #adventure by @carlarunsonplants

What. A. Weekend. 🥹⛺👏🏾

Our incredible Cohort 3 has officially completed their @dofeuk Bronze Award qualifying expedition! 🙌🏾

After months of preparation, these 10 amazing young girls took on the challenge and absolutely smashed it.

From navigating the beautiful Stockport countryside to pitching tents and working together, they showed resilience, determination and teamwork every step of the way!🥾

A huge thank you to our DofE Project Coordinator, Alice (@alice_whittle), our DofE Volunteer Leader, Lashone (@lashone_the_explorer), our assessor, Carla (@carlarunsonplants) and BGH founder Rhiane (@rhianesworld).

A special thank you to @mountainwarehouse and @alpkit for providing the equipment that helped make this adventure possible.

Keep your eyes peeled this week as we share more from their journey… 👀

#BlackGirlsHike #DofE #BlackGirlsInNature by @carlarunsonplants

Spent some time doing walk leader training with Black Girls Hike and feeling grateful for spaces like this.

There’s something really powerful about learning alongside women the support, encouragement and shared experiences can feel both healing and rewarding.

Training together wasn’t just about building skills and confidence as a walk leader, but also about connection, community and creating more welcoming spaces outdoors.

Big appreciation to Black Girls Hike for investing in people and making the outdoors more accessible, inclusive and inspiring.

#WalkLeader #BlackGirlsHike #OutdoorCommunity #WomenWhoWalk #NatureConnection WalkingForWellbeing MaroonAdventures InclusiveOutdoors HealingInNature by @carlarunsonplants

I’ve just wrapped up a brilliant Lowland Leader training course in the South Downs working for @bgh_uk 🌿

Four women, all completely engaged, curious, and up for learning. What really stood out was the way they supported each other throughout: sharing ideas, building confidence, and creating a space where everyone could grow.

From weather and navigation challenges to group management discussions, they showed real commitment and openness. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey and to watch skills and confidence develop over just a few days.

I’m proud of this group and so excited to see where their walking leadership takes them next 💚

#LowlandLeader #WomenOutdoors #Mountaintraining#representationmatters by @carlarunsonplants

Meet Carla Khouri (@carlarunsonplants) 👋🏽

Winter Mountain Leader, outdoor instructor, and passionate advocate for getting more women into leadership in the outdoors 🏞️

From school teacher to training in the Scottish mountains, Carla spent 5 years pushing through challenges, and tough (freezing) conditions to achieve one of the industry’s most demanding qualifications, proving she truly belongs in this space 🙌🏽

Now, she’s leading BGH training courses and helping others start their journey 🥾

Ready to take that first step? Explore our upcoming training courses led by Carla & open to all women - head to our website under “Training Opportunities” to find out more 📲 by @carlarunsonplants

Self-promotion without the cringe: ‘How can you be genuine, open and honest?’

The next episode of the Woman’s Hour Guide to Life is out now - and it’s all about self-promotion 👀

Whether you’re asking for a raise, applying for a new job or simply trying to update your online bio, blowing your own trumpet can bring up all kinds of discomfort.

So writer and motivational speaker Stefanie Sword-Williams @stefaniesw joined @bbcnuala to share how we can advocate for ourselves, without the cringe.

She shared her advice on how to put yourself front and centre, without shying away and being too modest 🙌

Stefanie was also joined in the conversation by Winter Mountain Leader Carla Khouri @carlarunsonplants who was looking for some tips on self-promotion, as well as neuroscientist Gina Rippon.

You can listen to this episode of The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life by searching for Woman’s Hour on BBC Sounds.

Have you got any tips that have worked for you? Share in the comments below 💭
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#GuideToLife #BBCWomansHour #SelfPromotion by @carlarunsonplants

‘When I’m not in the room, who can speak up for me, advocate for me and say my name?’

Want to know how to advocate for yourself and your career without cringing? 🙋‍♀️

Our next episode of the Woman’s Hour Guide to Life is out now - and we’re focusing on something that can make us squirm - self-promotion 👀

Stefanie Sword-Williams @stefaniesw is a writer and motivational speaker who wants to change the narrative around self-promotion.

She spoke to @bbcnuala about why women often suffer from what she calls ‘careout’ from putting others’ needs before our own, and why we should shout about our own achievements.

Stefanie was also joined in the conversation by Winter Mountain Leader Carla Khouri @carlarunsonplants who was looking for some tips on self-promotion, as well as neuroscientist Gina Rippon.

You can listen to this episode of The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life by searching for Woman’s Hour on BBC Sounds.

What are your thoughts about this? 💭 Share in the comments below!
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#GuideToLife #BBCWomansHour #SelfPromotion by @carlarunsonplants

60 years after it was established as a qualification, we have our first Black Winter Mountain Leader! Her name is Carla, and she’s quite the legend. A 50 year old mum of two who lives in London, Carla’s a former teacher turned freelance outdoor instructor with a passion for the mountains and representation in outdoor leaders.

If you came to the Women in Mountain Training Conference in 2024 you will recall how important this journey was to her as she shared her story in the outdoors through an inspirational talk.

We’re so excited she recently passed her Winter Mountain Leader assessment 🥳

Read the full interview on our website.

#wintermountainleader #learnleadinspire by @carlarunsonplants