Work in Progress

Sarah Huntley
  • 5.0 (11)
  • BUSINESS

Hosted by Performance Psychologist Sarah Huntley, this show explores what it really takes to make bold changes, build something meaningful, and keep moving forward — even when the path isn’t clear. Through honest conversations, practical psychology tools, and stories from real people navigating their own paths in business and career-change, you’ll hear what growth actually looks like behind the scenes: messy, powerful, and totally worth it. Whether you're switching careers, launching a new business, or simply rethinking success, this is your space to pause, reflect, and keep going.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    23 | How I Built a Retreat Business + Winter Retreat Scotland 2026

    Have you ever looked at someone’s success and wondered what it really took to get there - not the polished version, but the messy, learn-as-you-go reality behind the scenes? In episode 23 of the Work in Progress podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my six-figure retreat business, Big Sky Adventures. I share how I went from running half-day workshops to hosting four sold-out retreats across England and Scotland over the last two years, what I learned along the way and how adventure has become a powerful catalyst for clarity, confidence, and personal performance. This episode is for you if you’re curious about building a retreat business, creating meaningful experiences, or using adventure and time in nature to accelerate personal and professional growth. How the idea for Big Sky Adventures began What it really takes to run a retreat business (logistics, planning and people behind the scenes)Key lessons learned from hosting multiple sold-out UK retreatsWhy environment, adventure and shared challenge amplify transformationHow stepping outside your comfort zone builds resilience, self-belief and performanceA powerful story from the 2023 Isle of Skye Winter Retreat that captures the true impact of adventure on wellbeingWhat’s coming next, including a brand-new Winter Adventure Retreat in Scotland in 2026In this episode, I also share details about a brand-new winter retreat taking place near the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Expect: Guided hiking in stunning Highland landscapes Optional wild swimming and cold-water dipping Daily breath work and reflective mindset sessions Fully catered, nourishing home-cooked food Local music, fireside conversations, and deep rest This retreat is designed for active, outdoorsy and ambitious professionals who want to step away from noise, reconnect with themselves, and return with renewed clarity and energy. Check out the ⁠retreat brochure⁠ 👉 Priority booking opens on the 28th January - Join the ⁠early-bird booking list⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps more people find the show and supports the podcast more than you might realise.

    24 min

  2. 6 JAN

    22 | Why Adventure Accelerates Personal Performance

    Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right—journaling, planning, goal-setting - yet still feel stuck? In this episode of Work in Progress, performance psychologist and mountain leader Sarah Huntley explores why real growth often doesn’t come from another productivity tool, but from changing your environment and stepping into adventure. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and personal experience, Sarah explains how adventure accelerates clarity, confidence, focus, and performance - especially for busy, ambitious professionals who feel flat, disconnected or stagnant. If you’re craving momentum, energy, and a genuine reset, this episode will show you why the breakthrough you’re looking for may be just outside your comfort zone. Key Takeaways: Why journaling and planning alone often fail to create real change How adventure and time in nature reduce stress and improve mental clarity The neuroscience behind novelty, challenge and peak performance Why stepping outside your comfort zone builds resilience and confidence How shared adventure deepens connection and trust Practical ways to use micro-adventures to reset your nervous system Why reflection works best after experience - not instead of it Adventure calms the nervous system and boosts emotional regulation Novel experiences stimulate creativity, motivation, and learning Discomfort—when chosen intentionally—drives growth You don’t need extreme travel; powerful adventures exist close to home Shared challenge builds deeper, more authentic relationships If 2026 feels like the year you want to go deeper, Sarah is hosting a brand-new adventure and wellbeing retreat in the Cairngorm National Park, Scotland from 28th November -4th December. Expect: Guided hiking in stunning Scottish landscapes Cold water immersion in remote lochs and waterfalls Breath work and mindset sessions Time for reflection, connection, and clarity Nourishing, home-cooked food This retreat is designed for active, curious professionals who want more than a spa break - it’s about wellbeing, adventure and perspective. Spaces are limited and previous retreats have sold out. Check out the retreat brochure Join the early-bird booking list (Booking opens 10am on Wednesday 28th January!) Subscribe to the Work in Progress podcast for weekly conversations on growth, adventure, wellbeing and high performance - and join Sarah next week for a behind-the-scenes look at how to design experiences that create real transformation. Stay curious. Stay adventurous.

    13 min

  3. 16/12/2025

    21 | 2025: Highs, Lows & Lessons I’m Taking Forward

    Welcome back to the Work in Progress podcast with me, your host, Sarah Huntley. Today’s episode is a little different - no guests, no interviews - just an honest reflection on the highs, lows, and lessons that shaped my 2025. This year brought big growth, big change, and plenty of “what on earth am I doing?” moments. It also delivered the kind of highlights that remind me why I love this work: supporting women in business, creating wellbeing and adventure retreats and helping people transform through performance psychology and mindset coaching. I wanted to record this episode because I feel so many of us (myself included!) live through years filled with pivots, inner work and energy shifts - but we rarely take the time to pause to acknowledge them. To honour the journey. To extract the meaning. In this episode, I walk you through my year with honesty and transparency - sharing insights from running retreats, navigating burnout, rebuilding with balance, rediscovering adventure and evolving my business in a way that feels deeply aligned. If you’re a woman in business seeking more wellbeing, clarity, adventure, or purpose in your work, I hope something in this reflection lands with you too. Sign up for the Big Sky Adventures Retreats Early-Bird list HERE Connect With Sarah: Email: sarah@sarahhuntley.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_huntley_/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-huntley/Website: www.sarahhuntley.com

    34 min
  4. 20| Leaving Corporate Life for Purpose: Nature-Led Wellbeing with Chantelle Manz

    02/12/2025

    20| Leaving Corporate Life for Purpose: Nature-Led Wellbeing with Chantelle Manz

    This week on Work in Progress, Sarah Huntley sits down with friend, client and nature-led wellbeing coach Chantelle Manz to explore what it really takes to leave a long-standing corporate career and build a life rooted in purpose, balance and true wellbeing. After nearly 20 years in a demanding executive environment, Chantelle made the brave decision to step away from the high-pressure corporate world in search of a healthier, more fulfilling path. Now the founder of The Naturally Curious, Chantelle blends wellbeing and nature-based practices to support individuals and teams across the UK. As an accredited Forest Bathing Guide, certified Thermalist Method® Instructor, and Contrast Therapy Coach, Chantelle leads wellbeing workshops and immersive nature experiences designed to restore energy, reduce stress and build emotional and mental resilience. In this episode, Chantelle shares her journey of transitioning out of corporate life, the challenges and fears she faced along the way, and how wellbeing practices, nature connection, and mindset coaching helped her rebuild her identity and confidence. We also explore what it means to create a career aligned with your values, and the power of high-performance coaching and intentional wellbeing habits in shaping a meaningful life. Whether you’re an executive seeking better mental wellbeing alongside high performance or someone curious about performance coaching, wellness-focussed lifestyle changes, or nature-led retreats, this conversation offers grounded insight and inspiration. Thank you for tuning into the Work in Progress podcast. If this episode resonated, please leave a rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts - your support helps more people discover conversations on wellbeing, performance, business strategy, and purposeful living. Connect With Sarah: Email: sarah@sarahhuntley.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_huntley_/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-huntley/Website: www.sarahhuntley.com

    34 min

  5. 18/11/2025

    19| Map 2026 Year Like a Hike: My 3-Step Planning Method

    Welcome back to the Work in Progress Podcast - the space where we talk honestly about what it takes to make bold changes, build something meaningful, and keep moving forward when the path isn’t clear. In this episode, I’m sharing the simple one-page planning method I use in my business and with my clients. If planning feels overwhelming or you struggle to turn ideas into action, this three-step “Summit Planning Method” will help you create clarity, focus, and momentum for 2026. Plan your 2026 alongside me using the Summit Planning Method - Monday 24th November at 7pm. Sign up HERE The Big Sky Business Collective opens in January. Applications for the first 10 spots are now open! Full details HERE My Instagram My Website

    26 min
  6. 18 | Goodbye Corporate World, Hello Entrepreneurship with Dan Hughes

    04/11/2025

    18 | Goodbye Corporate World, Hello Entrepreneurship with Dan Hughes

    Welcome back to the Work in Progress Podcast - the space where we talk honestly about what it takes to make bold changes, build something meaningful, and keep moving forward when the path isn’t clear. In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Dan Hughes. Dan and I first met three years ago at a Wim Hof workshop I was running and since then he’s completely transformed his career and his life. He’s now a breath work and cold exposure coach based in West Sussex, running weekly breath work sessions, wellbeing workshops for companies like Estée Lauder and British Equestrian and cold-water safety training for commercial marinas through his business, Vitae Vi. Dan is one of life’s true 'Tiggers' - full of energy, enthusiasm, and joy. This conversation left me feeling genuinely inspired, and I think you’ll take a lot from his story about courage, resilience, and choosing to lean into discomfort as a way to grow. If you run a business, listen up! On Monday 24th November, I’ll be hosting a 90-minute online workshop​designed to help you map out your big-picture business  / work goals and get clear on your next steps for the year ahead. In the session, we will:  ✨ Define your 2026 business goals and key priorities✨ Build a strategic plan aligned with your vision and values✨ Cultivate a mindset that supports success and balance✨ Connect with like-minded business owners who value adventure, freedom, and wellbeing Sign up for the workshop here: https://forms.gle/udB599Qw6GJiqVJb6 Dan's Instagram: @vitaeviofficial Dan's Website: www.vitaevi.co.uk My Instagram: @sarah_huntley_ My Website: www.sarahhuntley.com

    50 min

  7. 21/10/2025

    17| 13 Years in Business: The Five Lessons I've Learned Along the Way

    In this special episode of the Work in Progress podcast, I reflect on 13 years in business and the biggest lessons I’ve learned through the highs, lows, and everything in between. From understanding that it’s all about the people, to realising that adaptability is key, these insights come straight from experience. I’ll also share how passion doesn’t protect you from burnout, why mindset truly shapes outcomes, and the importance of defining your own version of success. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in your entrepreneurial journey, this episode is packed with honest reflections and practical wisdom to help you grow both in business and in life. Sign up for my newsletter (with behind-the-scenes info and receive a special November offer!) HERE Hosted by Performance Psychologist Sarah Huntley, the Work in Progress podcast explores what it really takes to make bold changes, build something meaningful, and keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear. Through honest conversations, practical psychology tools, and stories from real people navigating their own paths in business and career-change, you’ll hear what growth actually looks like behind the scenes: messy, powerful, and totally worth it. Whether you're switching careers, launching a new business, or simply rethinking success, this is your space to pause, reflect, and keep going.

    29 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    16| Long Time, No Podcast... My 2 1/2 year Update!

    It’s been a while! In this episode, I share what’s been happening over the past 2 1/2 years—personally and professionally—and why the podcast took a long break. I also also gives a sneak peek of what’s coming next in the Work in Progress series, including updates on my business, new projects and the fresh rebrand. *Hosted by Performance Psychologist Sarah Huntley, this show explores what it really takes to make bold changes, build something meaningful, and keep moving forward — even when the path isn’t clear. Through honest conversations, practical psychology tools, and stories from real people navigating their own paths in business and career-change, you’ll hear what growth actually looks like behind the scenes: messy, powerful, and totally worth it. Whether you're switching careers, launching a new business, or simply rethinking success, this is your space to pause, reflect, and keep going.* Connect with me: Instagram, Facebook , LinkedIn www.sarahhuntley.com

    34 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Hosted by Performance Psychologist Sarah Huntley, this show explores what it really takes to make bold changes, build something meaningful, and keep moving forward — even when the path isn’t clear. Through honest conversations, practical psychology tools, and stories from real people navigating their own paths in business and career-change, you’ll hear what growth actually looks like behind the scenes: messy, powerful, and totally worth it. Whether you're switching careers, launching a new business, or simply rethinking success, this is your space to pause, reflect, and keep going.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Huntley
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sarah Huntley
  • Show Website
    Work in Progress