Finding freedom: making a living from your passion and values
Introducing Esther Foster: a coach, guide and instructor who is very clear about the kind of work that inspires her, and the values that she wants to foster.
Name: Esther Foster
Business: Esther Foster Climbing climbing and mountain coaching, with a focus on skills progression, small ratios and bespoke days
Location: Keswick, Lake District
Key takeaways:
Focus on the type of work you do (and don’t) want to do
Don’t let other people put you off
Build a support group
Be clear about your values
Get business advice
Introducing Esther
“I have spent the last 17 years rock climbing and mountaineering throughout the UK and internationally. Beginning climbing indoors as a young teenager, I became engrossed in the world of climbing: as a sport, an adventure, a way to explore the world, and a way to explore myself and others. I became surrounded by the most welcoming and enthusiastic tribe of people, who are oblivious to age, gender or status, and am passionate about sharing this with others. “
Based in Keswick, in the Lake District, Esther’s evident passion has led her to pursuing a career as a coach, guide and instructor, initially as a freelancer and then via her own company, Esther Foster Climbing.
Through work and play, she says she gets to see the 'whys' in climbing and mountaineering first-hand. “For some it's the physical challenge, for some it's an escape, others enjoy the outdoors mainly as a time with friends, and for some it's all about the progression, the summits and the tick lists.”
In a subsequent post we’ll explore the lessons that Esther has learnt and how she’s found a way to focus on doing the kind of work she really loves, and make a good living. And how she’s been able to put her values into practice by supporting women’s development and working with groups who haven’t traditionally been involved in the outdoors in the UK, such as Muslim women.
In short, when Esther set up her business ten years ago, she saw it as means to several ends: a way to get the kind of work she wanted to do, to work with the people she liked, freedom to work when she wanted and on projects that were important to her. And now she’s achieving those goals.
Read the second part of our interview with Esther:
Do the work YOU want to do
How Esther built a business that gives her the freedom she needs and helps bring others from a diverse range of backgrounds into the outdoors.
Related links:
https://www.estherfoster.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/estherfosterclimbing
https://www.instagram.com/esther_foster/