Rachel Colenso

I love💗 my work!  This is a shout out to all the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make memorable events, and enjoyable opportunities for teams to connect.  As a conference and keynote speaker you are in a high pressure role - reading the room, and getting the right message across to people you have never met before. The aim; to leave a lasting positive impression that will motivate, inspire and encourage even better teamwork, leadership or confidence to face and overcome challenges.  A great deal of work goes on behind the scenes. From negotiations, bookings and client management, and travel arrangements to the super, hightec audio-visual support I definately couldn't do it all by myself.  So here is a big thank you to all who have helped to create great moments and leave lasting impressions with the audiences I have had the privaledge of speaking to in 2024... and all the preceding years too! A big thank @  One Tribe , NMP , A-Speakers , Inspir...

Whilst conceptually bizarre, a cliff face is a great place to study efficient teamwork. Your team are literally tied together and cannot escape until the job is done! Every step, every action, affects the entire team whether they like it or not. Mountaineering efficiency has more to it than not treading on toes, or bumping someone annoying off your ledge. Other than an element of patience, great mountain teams unite the core requirements of knowledge; skill; and experience, at speed, to reach their goal. The longer they are tied together, the greater that need becomes! The longer they are out there, the greater the exposure to the elements (and to each other), and the more they need to work in harmony. If you take too long, the initial goal or summit is replaced by the need to survive. Take it from someone who has spent a lifetime meeting deadlines in inhospitable and dangerous environments – from being strapped together on sweltering desert rockfaces; to abseiling through electr...

According to Hemmingway, "There are only three sports, motor racing, bullfighting and mountaineering. All the rest are merely games”.  Perhaps Wing Suiting could be added? - Fun? Maybe for some. I have to think quite hard why you would dedicate your life to the pursuit of something that could also simultaneously end it. I have to think even harder why I, a mountaineering guide, made that choice... And so it is in business. One person's passion is another's poison. Risk, adversity and uncertainty can either be your undoing, or something that brings out pure genius, hidden talent, innovation and extraordinary teamwork. Mountaineers and Rock climbers live with uncertainty, and develop techniques  to function at a high level in demanding situations - skills  gained from years of testing limits and erasing boundaries, and this is what I want to focus on today.   Climbers, like cave divers, train themselves to suppress fear and the resulting feelings of uncertainty. They...

 I was recently wrote this article for NOICE to promote Plastic Free July. Whilst it was fun putting it together in an entertaining way, the content matter made me question how I can further reduce the amount of plastic I use through informed purchasing choices.   Enjoy reading Mr Plasticus Tubus' Journey and check out the NOICE clip that goes with it! The Life of a Tooth Paste Tube

Covid-19 now means distance radio interviews from home are not just a 'thing' but here to stay. I have wondered how the BBC manage to obtain great recording quality, when people are actually sat in their own homes recording off some pretty basic technology? I was lucky enough to find out some of the dark art behind good quality home recording from a recent BBC World Service interview for their Outlook series.  Previously, all the radio interviews I did were in professional recording studios, bar one outdoor recording ascending Snowdon in Wales, where the sound of the wind and trudging footsteps seemed to be of more interest to the interviewer than what anyone was saying! In your own home, there's no-one overseeing your recording directly, and it can all feel a bit intimidating, despite the lovely producers and presenters easing you into it. So I hope they don't mind if I pass on a few of their tip-top-tips on recording from home so that you too could sound great for a p...

Am so excited -  BBC World Service are  interviewing me for their  Outlook series, on Extraordinary Personal Stories from Around the World. Needless to say also a bit nervous as the programme apparently attracts 127 million listeners worldwide! My wish is that our story may reassure and inspire hope to many people who  have endured a similarly harsh time during the very difficult and unnerving events we face, in the heart of the Global Covid-19 Pandemic 2020. If you want to listen to some of their amazing broadcasts click here! BBC World Service

The worlds most expert cave divers are racing against the onset of heavy monsoon rains to rescue the boys football team trapped nearly a kilometer underground in a Cave in Thailand.When the boys were first discovered alive trapped for 10 days on a muddy island nearly 4 kilometers into the cave system I was asked to write a piece for the Daily Telegraph in which I explained just a little bit about caving and the expertise that has been involved in this mission. Since the article was published on how the  British Cavers found the trapped  Thai Boys it has been a nailbiting week. As a climber I know from both sides of technical rescue scenarios how difficult and dangerous even seemingly simple rescues can be. They are fraught with complications, changes in the weather, unmovable obstructions and the physical difficulty of removing people with little technical, let alone no technical experience in that field. What is utterly remarkable in this instance is that wha...

As a motivational speaker I am often asked to build bridges between the diversity that exists in just one organisation. The experience of travelling to various countries and mingling with different cultures is invaluable in connecting with audiences, and ensuring successful outcomes. It is always refreshing to immerse yourself into environments that are very different from your own. Not that long ago I spoke in Geneva, a global financial city, and a worldwide centre for diplomacy. This is due to its presence of international organizations such as the Red Cross and many of the United Nations agency headquarters. It beautiful and orderly, forms the confluence of the Rhone and Arve Rivers, and is surrounded by majestic snow capped Alpine mountains. As someone heralding from a far more chaotic and noisy environment, such perfect and quiet efficiency is more than a little unnerving. In my mind it is comparable only to time spent speaking in Frankfurt, Germany. (I began my speaking career ...

Just catching up with updates from this year!   Please follow the link below to read this article. Also do watch the lovely video about the Queens service in Armed Forces in the middle. I was a Female Soldier The Telegraph Like Page January 6  ·  "Normally when my gender has been mistaken or suitability questioned, I laugh," Rachel Colenso says. 'I was a female soldier, and I don't mind being called 'Sir'' Subscriber-only content. TELEGRAPH.CO.UK

Key Section of Famed Half Dome Route Falls Off - Climbing | Climbing I remember us sleeping on a ledge just before this! Then eating our breakfast bagel before climbing the cracks. -It was an experience I will NEVER forget, as Jeremy led the cracks in French free climbing style, and I followed carrying our two days of water, sleeping bags, etc, and food in a rucksac on my back. The sun was scorching, and the route physically testing to the limits as the climb consisted of just a never ending, overhanging crack, with a vertical edge to cling to for as far as the eye could see upwards,  I took great relief jamming my body into the cracks higher up which meant I was out of the sun, and could take the weight off my aching arms even if I was sandwiched uncomfortably between two slabs of granite rock, with a 1000m drop when I looked at my feet! I do remember thinking why on earth I was there, and that perhaps another sport may be less painful and scary. Little did I know that what ...

New beetle species discovered in Noordhoek - Weekend Argus This is an amazing discovery in a location that is now partially surrounded by suburban development. - I remember leading our expedition across the beaches of Noordhoek, and up Noordhoek Peak to support the Door of Hope, a charity to help abandoned babies in South Africa. A full team of firefighters from Volunteer Wildfire, (who have recently braved intense bush fires around this area in the Cape) joined our hike up Noordhoek Peak. On the beach section we came across a seal that had just given birth to a cub, and on the mountain we looked across the marshland and beach and marveled at natures beauty. I am sure that not one of the thirty or so of us who joined those hikes really thought then that we might be brushing passed, or flicking an undiscovered species from our clothing!

Last week Cape Town was ravaged by fires. Thousands of homes and properties were saved, thanks to the efforts of the joint firefighting teams. Now the surrounding mountains in neighbouring areas are alight. Once a fire starts it can be difficult to control. Here is a personal action plan for people living/ near dry wilderness areas at risk of fire to protect them and their property when they come under threat of fire. Please read this advice and send it on to those who may benefit. This was from the Volunteer Wildfire Facebook page. Jason Whiting  Advice I've received in the past: 1. Move anything flammable away from windows,  2. take down curtains and put blinds up; Close all windows;  3. Gather essential documents, family photos and laptops/PC (leave monitors and keyboards, need to rescue the hard drives);  4. Switch sprinklers on;  5. hose down fire side of the property (and especially roof if thatch); 6. prepare for evacuation, load car ...

Rachel Colenso Speaking at the IFB next generation event in London Rachel Colenso with James Amos of Boodles, London I was recently given the great honor of speaking at the IFB tri-annual international conference in London. The audience comprised of some of Britain's most successful next generation Family Business entrepreneurs, directors and executives, as well as successful family business owners from other countries. Placed as the last speaker of the day, following an impressive line -up, including a former adviser to the White House, was rather a hard act to follow! Rachel Colenso Inspirational Speaker However, this proved to be a fantastic and responsive audience and I thoroughly enjoyed the event. I hope my talk will help to inspire the next generation members as they lead their companies into the future. I think what helped to make this event such a success was the great consideration given to the selection and placement of the speakers as well as the gre...

  Rachel Colenso with Red Cross Landrover in Buckingham Palace Courtyard Today I attended the Royal Garden party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate 100 years since WW1, and 150 years since the start of the Red Cross movement. It was avery exciting afternoon! At 3pm we were ushered through the main gates into Buckingham Palace. I made sure I was in the middle line so I could walk right through the middle of the palace, which was a remarkable experience. The ceiling, and wall décor is in gold leaf, and I was a little surprised at the number of life size marble statues adorning the entrance hall. We were ushered through the large Palace courtyard to the second entrance hall which was again ornate, with larger than life oil paintings of previous kings and queens. Maroon carpets trimmed with pink bows within the weave fitted precisely to measure. Outside, the terrace forecourt leads down a wide flight of stairs to the gardens and lake beyond.      I quic...

Rachel looking at a grass snake swimming in the Thames  whilst Jasmine and Rosemary paddle We recently completed another two sections of our ultra-marathon scoot, "Maidenhead to Cookham" and "Cookham to Cookham Dean". This magical part of the Thames is remarkable in its heritage of wonderful riverside homes, stately mansions, and splendid in its natural beauty. The path is in many places broad enough to travel alongside each other. Fairly free of bumps, tree roots and pebbles, it is ideal for scooters or wheelchairs; family fun, or serious athletes who fancy a rootless, rockless run!  Jeremy, Rachel, Steve, Rosemary and Jasmine scooting for the British Red Cross  Both sections are a mixture of open fields, (presently awash with yellow buttercups and white daisies); and almost tropical forests. Thick vegetation, and vines hang in a dense canopy, with long branches trailing their foliage in the dark, wide river. The sights, sme...

Ok, this is probably not the way to start a blog, but as I am very, very excited, so please forgive.... I have been invited by the Queen to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace! Wooohooo!!!  Rachel Colenso, Jeremy, Rosemary and Jasmine on Windsor Bridge The event is to take place in June and is to celebrate 150 years of humanitarian action. The anniversaries in 2013 and 2014 mark the creation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863 and the adoption of the first Geneva Convention in 1864. As 2014 marks 100 years since the beginning of the First World War it will also be an opportunity to honour the work the British Red Cross carried out during this time. The Queens garden parties are a way of recognising and rewarding public service. I do feel it is now even more important for me to further, truly earn this honour, and so am looking to further my partnership with suitable organisations who would be interested in s...

As this section of the Thames pathway was recently submerged a meter or so beneath flood waters we have waited until the ground dried out sufficiently before attempting to scoot it. The pathway is narrow in places so our daughters had soon managed to take our two wheel scooters from under our noses, and whizzed along whilst we carried their three wheelers. It is a beautiful place, and especially so in Spring, with only a couple of reminders of the floods, (like a large boat marooned in someone's garden!). This short section of the Thames river creates an idyllic way to spend an afternoon. The entire journey is filled with interest for all ages and the distance is short enough to be enjoyed by active toddlers and older family members with enough time over to experience a number of outdoor attractions in picturesque settings. We passed many families and stopped to smell the flowers often! Runnymede Park is a lovely picnic setting with ample parking close by, a super children's ...

Jeremy and Rachel Colenso with family, Shepperton  Thames River Scoot supporting the British Red Cross This week we took the chance to trial our new micro-scooters from Shepperton to Laleham. - Two places that have received recent global attention as flood waters rose to record heights, wrecking homes and causing thousands to be evacuated. The prime Minister, David Cameron waded through the flooded roads in his wellies captured on news-clips with a look of disbelief and exhaustion. (This had been a rather arduous and wet tour of southern Britain!) I can only imagine that someone in his position must have a very firm and rational mind, because I would definitely have spent the next two weeks having nightmares of floods and storms. Rosemary and Jasmine scooting through Shepperton, Thames River Scoot This section of the Thames was recently under so much water that we were stopped nearly a mile from the Thames by what we thought was a river that had burst its banks. It wasn...

Yesterday I visited the headquarters the of the British Red Cross in London to discuss some exciting new ideas. We also handed over all those kind donations people have given supporting our World Record breaking Thames River Scoot(!) in support of the Red Cross's Disaster Fund. Jasmine at the Red Cross with Shelley wearing a Red Cross 'Refusing to ignore People in Crisis' t shirt We had an interesting inside glimpse behind the scenes of this universal humanitarian organisation. Jasmine, our three year old accompanied me on her micro scooter. No-one there had ever seen someone 'scoot' in for a meeting, so Jasmine became quite a novelty. When things all became less exciting for a three year old, Jasmine found a sheep... yes a sheep stood in the corner of the offices. Shelley the Sheep is on her way to the Tower of London today, thankfully as a mascot, and not a dinner offering. Shelley is  very mobile, stood on a green, four wheeled landscape.We created quit...

Last week I was given the opportunity to make a small presentation in Christ Church, in Sheen to explain our big scoot for The British Red Cross. Our eldest daughter (Rosemary, 6) made a display on a noticeboard. We included newspaper clippings of our 'World Record Scooting attempt' and large photos of our journey along the Thames, scooting through the flood waters. We also set up a table with inviting goodies and information about the British Red Cross. Many people studied the pictures, and donations flooded right in too! It was a super experience and made all our scooting efforts seem all the more worthwhile. In total over £350 from the generous congregation at Christ Church was donated. Thank you Christ Church! It was however rather awkward answering questions about when our next leg of the scoot was taking place, because as some of you know, our daughters scooters had been stolen. I told Rosemary we must just focus on what our plan is - to scoot the length of the Thames...