After spending over a decade in London’s fast-paced event industry, Tansy Jane Dowman reached a breaking point — burnout, anxiety, and the deep realization that something had to change. What began as a simple walk with her dog slowly evolved into a transformative journey of healing, reflection, and rediscovery. Today, through her business Tansy in the Wild, she helps people reconnect with themselves through nature-led coaching, forest bathing, and mindful outdoor experiences. Her story is a reminder that peace, resilience, and clarity can often be found just beyond our front door — under open skies and among the trees.
Q: What inspired you to start Tansy in the Wild?
There’s a story behind it. I worked in London for 12 years as an event manager — a very stressful role that eventually led to burnout and mental health struggles. When I was ready to have children, I knew I couldn’t continue like that. I’d had some training in coaching and loved how it helped me and my team grow. So, I decided to train as a personal growth coach and start my own practice.
Around that time, life threw many challenges our way — my husband faced a serious illness, a family member was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I was struggling with anxiety and depression. During that phase, walking my dog became my lifeline. I started noticing how being in nature soothed me — easing my anxiety, clearing my thoughts, and helping me feel more resilient. That experience planted the seed for what became Tansy in the Wild.
Eventually, I began offering walking coaching — combining nature, mindfulness, and coaching conversations. I later trained in forest bathing and natural mindfulness, and now I also teach Qigong outdoors. Everything I do revolves around helping people experience the power of nature for wellness and personal growth.
Q: Tell us about your audience and the kind of people you work with.
Initially, I worked primarily with women — especially those feeling lost or disconnected. The message was that if you’re feeling lost, you can come home to yourself in nature. Over time, my audience has become more diverse, and I now also see men attending my workshops and retreats, which is wonderful because men need emotional well-being support too.
Recently, I’ve expanded into corporate wellness, offering workplace well-being programs under “The Nature Advantage.” Having been in that world myself, I understand its pressures — and now, I help professionals integrate nature-based mindfulness into their lives and work.
Q: What were some of your biggest challenges as a founder?
My business was only in its second year when the pandemic hit. Suddenly, everything stopped, and I had to rethink how to connect with people. Going online was outside my comfort zone — I’m used to being outdoors with people — but I adapted. I offered guided audio walks, online retreats, and mindfulness videos.
Interestingly, what seemed like a challenge turned out to be an opportunity. The lockdowns helped people rediscover the outdoors. In the UK, when walks were the only allowed activity, people began realizing how powerful and healing nature is. That awareness has continued since then.
Currently, my challenge is wearing multiple hats — from marketing to admin to delivering sessions. As founders, we often do everything ourselves, and it can be overwhelming. I’ve learned that no matter how good you are at your craft, you also have to learn to put yourself out there and share your message — even when it feels uncomfortable.
“Nature reminds us that we are part of something bigger — when we reconnect with it, we come home to ourselves.”
Connect with Tansy Jane Dowman
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tansy-dowman-81606035
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