The Less Trodden Path

Episode 25:

This week, Laura takes over the podcast with a good friend Liv who you may remember from episode 19 [https://anchor.fm/the-less-trodden-path/episodes/The-Less-Trodden-Path-Olivia-e113squ] to join her on speaking about and opening up on; VULNERABILITY, MENTAL HEALTH & BODY POSITIVITY. Three subjects that mean a lot to both, in their own separate way.

The Less Trodden Path is very much about inspiring others to follow their dreams... their mission... what they truly feel they are destined to do, no matter what that may be and what it may take. However, The Less Trodden Path is also very much about sharing the full raw and honest reality of the whole journey and what can be expected along the way - whatever the journey may be.

In this episode, Laura and Liv dive into their journey with vulnerability, mental health and body positivity, talking about their own struggles and how it's made them who they are today. Tune in to join their open discussion, and reach out to hear more, share yours or simply talk.

IG: @livinavanwithmatt

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 24:

This week we speak with Mark & Sophie, also known as VanLife Eats, who share their journey from simple food lovers living in a van looking for recipes, to now food lovers living in a van who have created a much needed RAW, REAL & AUTHENTIC food blog and recipe platform for the van life community.
Recently reaching the business’ one year anniversary, Mark and Sophie share the process they have been through, alongside some ideas of what’s to come - including their first festival - the VanLife Eat’s big picnic, which is this August, and btw it is very nearly sold out so be sure to get your tickets! We also shared stories of our favourite van recipes, alongside cooking disasters for a bit of van life reality.
It was a huge pleasure speaking with Mark & Sophie, and we hope that you have a go at making some of the delicious recipes that don’t require huge amounts of space and equipment.

Where to find more about VanLife Eats
IG: @vanlife_eats | @vanlifeeatsbigpicnic
https://foxmethod.teachable.com

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 23:

A years worth of free yoga classes from his local yoga studio transformed Chris’ life from selling suits and €400 shoes in Sweden into barefoot hippie island life in Bali. It’s safe to say Chris has had an unexpected but magical journey so far.
After completing his teacher training in Bali, Chris never left and now has been teaching yoga and movement passionately ever since. Known for his fun, functional and challenging style with a focus on simplicity and curiosity, Chris has coined his custom style as the Fox Method. Applying his philosophies not just in yoga, but into his approach to life too. Sometimes life has you feeling set and ready, sometimes life has you in a mess, for Chris this is what it’s all about - Staying curious and asking questions without expectation of answers. This conversation was full of wisdom including a recommendation to ditch footwear all together…

Where to find more about Chris Fox
IG: @thisischrisfox
https://foxmethod.teachable.com

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 22:

What would you do, if you were confronted with two men holding AK47s?

After speaking with Katy in our last episode, her partner Tom was super keen to share his journey and, after small talk of his 'hitchhiking with nothing but £3 experience’, we needed to hear more. Tom has mastered the ‘go-with-the-flow’’ vibe to what seems the max, making travel his life mission, embracing all the cultures the world has to offer alongside experiences that can only be found by throwing yourself into unique scenarios, ignoring the fear. Tom has only been stopping when money is low before setting off again once recharged. Now he’s taking on a new adventure in his and Katy’s van… next stop? Somewhere that makes a good story!

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 21:

This week we spoke to Katy who reached out to us to share her journey in hope to inspire and help others. Katy opens up about her path so far, from her humble countryside upbringing to going through a relationship that she thought was normal, before finding out she was in fact experiencing abuse. Since finding the courage to take control of herself and her life, Katy has been on a continuous healing journey of reshaping her life; now finding herself living what she could only dream of all those years ago. Speaking with Katy was an eye-opening pleasure, shining light on a world we can so easily be unaware of.

For anyone who may be interested in finding out more, or anyone seeking for help from abuse, Katy has recommended the following:
https://www.womensaid.org.uk
https://www.refuge.org.uk
& holliguard the app which you can download on your phone.

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 20:

This week we came together for a raw and unedited talk about our journey's so far. This time last year we would never have guessed that we'd have done everything thats happened over the past 12 months. We can only equate it to taking chances and allowing the universe to work it's magic. However, it's important to remember that no journey is linear and there's ups and downs to everything; we are not here to paint a glossy picture, we wish to shine light on the whole story. There's been the highest of highs and there's been some lows but that's what it's all about! As well as us talking, Benedict got the guitar out to accompany the podcast with 4 songs he's written over the past year, all of which have a story behind them which he goes through on the podcast. We hope you enjoy this slightly different episode for podcast number 20 of the less trodden path!

IG: @lauraandbenedict | @augustradioproject
www.thelesstroddenpath.com
www.benedictgolde.com | www.selftula.com

Episode 19:

This week we speak to Olivia, who is a kind and soulful spirit who came into our lives at the beginning of the year after taking up the offer of online yoga classes with Laura. Since then we have become close friends and shared many yoga practices, deep conversations and even had her Dad on to speak about his Less Trodden Path in last week’s episode. Liv’s unique upbringing has allowed her to see life in a different perspective which has led her to find a passion in massage therapy. She speaks of her journey on how she arrived here and how her past experiences have taught her that the unknown is nothing to be scared of. She goes by ‘liv in a van with matt’ on instagram because her and her partner have just finished building their home on wheels, which is nothing short of a master piece.
We had a magic conversation which left us feeling nothing but excited for Liv and her journey, especially that we seem to be involved somewhere in the plan. Here is Liv’s very own Less Trodden Path…

Where to find more about Olivia: https://www.instagram.com/livinavanwithmatt/

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 18:

This week we speak with Sam. He is a multi-modal dance movement psychotherapist who is not just highly qualified in academia but also highly experienced in LIFE.
Sam shares his journey from becoming a dad at just 18 all the way through to his current 50th year where, despite having the family, the business and everything else to name on the list, still has so much desire to achieve and share. He talks us through his ‘handmade life’ and how embracing the mess that comes with being a creative soul can lead to extraordinary experiences that might even be the secret to maintaining a full head of hair! Sam is inspiring and powerful, and someone everyone can learn from. Here is Sam’s very own less trodden path…

Where to find more about Sam: https://naturalgeniusltd.co.uk

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 17:

This week’s guest is Daniel. Whilst in Bali on my yoga teacher training, I met this adventurous roaming soul. Captured by his stories of moving out of his home town in Canada to work in Australia, his time volunteering in the depths of the Costa Rican jungle and his journey into finding yoga, we reached out to Daniel to hear more about his life so far. Daniel’s go-get, find-a-way attitude combined with his spontaneous go-with-the-flow nature made for an all impactful and energising podcast that we are sure will encourage you to expand beyond your comfort zone that little more. As Daniel has found; in life, sometimes all you need to do is ask the right people and you’ll find yourself exactly where you want to be. Here is Daniel’s very own less trodden path…

Finca Bellavista, Costa Rica - https://www.fincabellavistacommunity.com

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 16:

This week we speak with Denise and dive into her journey from quitting her job into the unknown, to her Self discovery, her trip to India that shaped the path she has since created including the changes along the way, and the truth behind some of the more challenging parts of van life. Sometimes, to find yourself, the journey inwards may be more beneficial, may be what you’re actually in need of, rather than the external search. From the lows to the highs, here is Denise’s less trodden path.

BOOKS: body keeps the score & it's not always depression

@thisisdeniseelina
https://linktr.ee/deniseelina

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 15:

This week is a very special episode. She’s the main voice of The Less Trodden Path podcast and she’s the very reason for its existence, Episode 15 is Laura’s story! From an early age, Laura was in water more than she was on dry land. She was the child who kicked and screamed about leaving the swimming pool instead of being too scared to get in. Her childhood was spent training to compete in swimming; training 6 days week sometimes twice per day - Laura could not get enough. Although youthful antics got in the way of taking her pool competition days further, she soon found herself sharing her passion for the sport to kids and adults alike. Then, upon meeting Benedict, ended up confronting her fear of open water by not only taking part in open water swimming events but coming in as fastest lady! Despite her love for teaching and sharing swimming, she found herself burned out and broken down due to years of an unsustainable work schedule and mental health struggles, so in summer 2019 she took control and decided to quit the job, listen to her body and take her own path. After being a little lost, she found some healing in travel and going completely offline from social media, taking time to figure out her next steps. The universe gave her the signs through a yoga class she was attending; after becoming a regular to a not-so-local studio, she realised that same love and passion she had for swimming in yoga itself - within no time at all Laura found herself in Bali on a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training. Although the pandemic has thrown some barriers in the way, Laura is now on her journey to achieve her goal of working for herself, offering Yoga and Swimming Teaching - here is Laura’s very own ‘less trodden path’…

You can find Laura on the mat for both group classes and private classes. Simply contact her through her website or email below.
www.selftula.com
hello@selftula.com

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 14:

This week we speak with Luke, who is on a mission to spread not just his story, but also what has helped and continues to help him throughout his journey and day-to-day life. Luke is the other half to Danielle, a guest from just the other week so you may already know a little bit about his journey, however in this episode, Luke dives deeply into the story of his youth and how it shaped him to who he is and what he shares with the world today. Luke is raw, Luke is honest and Luke not just needs, but deserves to be heard. Thank you for listening to, and perhaps even sharing… Luke’s very own less trodden path.

@luke_greenheart
www.lukegreenheart.com

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 13:

This week we speak with two of the brightest most energising souls we’ve ever had the pleasure of connecting with - Rita & Anthony. Not only did their bright yellow converted school bus grab our attention, but their positivity and sunshine vibes left us wanting to know more. Rita and Anthony share their less trodden path journey of leaving uni without much of an idea of what they wanted to do… other than not the jobs they had just qualified in, and avoiding the 9-5 life as much as possible. 6 years on, they’ve found themselves travelling the globe, finding jobs as and when needed to keep themselves afloat, and taking life ‘as it comes’, literally. To the max. They are yet to work that 9-5 life

It was a pleasure and such fun speaking with Rita & Anthony and hearing their very own less trodden path.

https://www.reikiacademia.com/energy-sensitivity-training
INSTAGRAM: @pathofra

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 12:

This weeks conversation brought us to life, and left us smiling from ear to ear with tingles throughout our body whilst listening to what Hana had to say about her journey and life beliefs. Since meeting Hana for the first time in November 2019, I have always had an itch to hear her journey, so to have this opportunity to share this connection with you as listeners is truly something special. Hana dives into her journey of becoming aware of her Self, capital S and growing through this awareness over the years, as well as her business venture where going forwards rather than continuously backwards was the only way onwards. It was a truly touching conversation and we know theres something in it for everyone.

Here is Hana’s very own less trodden path.

https://linktr.ee/enchanted_strands
INSTAGRAM: @enchanted_strands

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 10:

After coming across a small snippet of Danielle’s journey from cardiac arrest to van life with 5 cats and 1 dog, we decided to reach out to hear more and to help spread the awareness she is so passionate about sharing. Danielle dives into her journey from the past few years and shares how she went from her hard hitting over working lifestyle, to selling everything she owned to move into nature and focus entirely on what matters most - health. She has one of the most compelling and powerful stories we’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing and has lived and continues to live a very unique life with many inspiring moments to share, this is Danielle's very own less trodden path.

INSTAGRAM: @bodhi.diaries

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 10:

This week is a special episode. For our 10th Episode, Benedict dives into his very own 'less trodden path' story about his career as a musician. At age 11, Benedict took up electric guitar. After performing at his primary school's talent contest just 3 weeks after getting the guitar, having learned a very basic version of 'A Little Respect', he knew from that moment onwards that he wanted to perform and play for the rest of his life. Benedict made it his mission to tour the world through music and after growing up playing the local area, he moved to London to make the dream happen. From stories of playing the small London venues with crooked promoters to flying half way around the world to play festivals in different continents, this is a story of how putting yourself out there combined with a do-it-yourself attitude can make the wildest of dreams come true, and also how even if the dreams happen in a way that you perhaps didn't expect, that in the end what matters most are the stories that are made... here is Benedict's very own less trodden path. 

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 9:

This week we speak with a VanLife couple who we came across whilst originally looking for our own move out of the norm. You may know them as Driving DeeDee, or Courts & Meeks - the guys with the bright orange van and most fun energy. We decided to reach out to Courts & Meeks to find out more about their journey to finical freedom from full time 9-5 work life in the Leeds and Newcastle cities, to living alternatively and travelling around in their self converted van. They share their roadmap advice from taking whatever steps necessary to live the life they wanted over the life that’s supposedly known as the norm, alongside their lockdown experience in Spain, extra voluntary work on top of their own work, rescuing their dog Sally and the return to the UK lockdown for Van build 2.0. It was a pleasure hearing yet again such an inspiring story into taking the leap to living life to the max, rather than work to the max and a little bit of life… here is Courts and Meeks very own less trodden path.

@courtsandmeeks

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 8:

This week we speak to a good family friend of mine, Pascale. And to say we were left inspired and full of excitement after this conversation is an understatement.
Pascale shares her dream and journey of the 4months she spent hiking from her front door in Belgium, to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Santiago de Compostela.
You may have heard about this hike before, however here is an upfront raw and honest story from Pascale herself, who took on this life dream challenge of hers in full swing, alone, with no stopping until the finish line, no matter what was thrown in her way.
As well as her story in these 4months, Pascale shares the effects of her journey once home and the main outcome she gained from the whole experience: you are loved, always. & everything you need, you already have.
We had plenty of questions to ask her and though there’s plenty more we’d love to know, for now… here is Pascale’s very own less trodden path.

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 7:

After following Lisa & Erik on social media for a while and feeling ever more inspired by their story alongside their daily shares and positivity, we decided to reach out to them to connect and learn more. This week, we listen to their story and share it with you, in hope that it inspires you as much as it has inspired us.
From a burn out, to following their dreams, to suddenly being several steps back due to the well known global pandemic, Lisa & Erik continued to chase what they knew felt most right. Now living in a van in Greece, they have since released their very own course on steps to follow your dream whilst continuing to live the life they truly desire and allowing nothing to get in the way. Go for it - follow your dream. & enjoy Lisa and Erik's very own less trodden path.

@reisstel.nl
https://www.reisstel.nl/social/

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 6:

This week we speak to a good friend of Benedict’s - Leon, who after pursuing an acting career and finding himself on the set of Eastenders and Casualty, realised his family and mental health was more important. Leon preaches the value in taking the time to understand who you really are by stripping yourself of the identities that don’t belong to you and being true to yourself. From embracing your strengths, to living in the moment and the adventure that is being a parent.

@leonalbakry

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 5:

This week we dive into our [Laura & Benedict] very own Less Trodden Path where we share our story from the moment we met to our first trip away which was not just magical but the foundation to what would be the following few years, and the journey from then until now.

Join us as we share our very own less trodden path, alongside the inspiration we used and continue to use every single day.

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 4:

This week we speak to an old school friend and ex band mate of Benedict’s, Jonny. We reached out to Jonny after briefly hearing about his new life in Taiwan when we caught up on a whim 6months ago mid visa update and world pandemic lockdown. We were keen to know more and were delighted when he agreed to sharing his less trodden path story with both us and you. From step by step plan he took to leaving the Victoria Line job and arriving in Taiwan, to the different culture he’s enjoyably immersed himself into and his maximise the day mantra, we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did and find the very much needed encouragement from Jonnys story.

Here is Jonny’s very own less trodden path.

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 3:

This week we speak to Laurie who we met just before she left for the path she is now fully immersed in. Laurie inspiringly decided to move to Cambodia just 6 months after visiting for the first time for a short and sweet yoga and sunshine getaway. Despite having solid foundations and a safety net around her back home such as work, a pet and a newly bought house, upon returning from Cambodia she simply could not shift the holiday blues and knew there was more there for her than a simple trip.
So she took the plunge, and a lot quicker than originally planned too.
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did. Just do it, whatever it may be. Here is Laurie’s very own less trodden path.

@laurievmcallister
https://girlandtonic.co.uk

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 2:

This week we speak to our first Vanlife friends and current park up neighbours, Beth and Jake; two huge adventurers with a passion for travel, photography and living the less trodden path. They share their stories from buying and living in a camper van at the ripe young age of 16, to meeting in New Zealand after quitting the university and job path that was simply not meant to be and travelling new countries together just weeks into knowing each other, alongside the moment when 10 New Zealand dollars and an apple is all they owned.
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did, and are as inspired by both as we have been with their live in the moment moto. Here is Beth and Jakes very own less trodden path.

@sheisthelostgirl | @jakeadv
https://linktr.ee/sheisthelostgirl

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com

Episode 1: 

This week we speak to our good friend and fellow yogi Miguel; a Californian native who took a less trodden path that lead him to starting a new life in England. He shares some incredibly inspiring words and stories, including one of his most memorable moments when lost up Englands tallest mountain - fight or flight.
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did talking with him, and are as inspired by him as we are every single day. Here is Miguel's very own less trodden path.

www.thelesstroddenpath.com
@lauraandbenedict

MUSIC BY: @augustradioproject | imakesounds.com