Wild Coaching & The Sentinels: Supporting Those Who Never Ask for Help.

Over the Weekend, I had the privilege of speaking to The Sentinels—a peer-led group supporting former Special Forces members.

For a resilient group trained to endure, overcome, and operate in the toughest conditions, seeking help is often the hardest thing to do.

That’s why the right kind of support matters.

The Sentinels are often the first point of contact when a former ‘Pilgrim’ reaches a point where they need to talk.

But it’s not just about signposting—it’s about creating the right space where conversations can happen.

This is where Wild Coaching makes a real difference.

💡 Walking and talking in nature does something powerful:

Lowers psychological defences – Side-by-side movement makes deep conversations feel natural, not confrontational.

Unlocks thinking through movement – Bilateral movement (left-right rhythm of walking) has been shown to aid emotional processing.

Nature as a co-coach – Wild environments regulate the nervous system, lowering stress and improving mental clarity.

Metaphors & meaning – Struggling through a tough landscape mirrors the inner journey, creating insights that are felt, not just spoken.

Reconnecting identity – Many struggle post-service because they lose their sense of self. Wild Coaching offers an active, physical way to process change.

Shifts the nervous system – Helps move from fight-or-flight into a state of recovery and reflection.

For those who have spent their lives navigating some of the most extreme environments on earth, learning to navigate their internal world may be the most important challenge yet.

This work is critical. It’s not about forcing change, but creating the conditions where change can naturally unfold. And for many, that first step is taken outdoors.

#WildCoaching #MentalHealth #SpecialForces #VeteranSupport #AlwaysAlittleFurther #NatureTherapy #Coaching #Leadership #MentalResilience #TheSentinels #AdventureMind #StoicPilgrim

If you would like to help us support the serving and ex-serving members of the SAS you can make a donation to them in the following ways.

Either by sending us a cheque made payable to the SAS Association and sending it to The SAS Association PO Box 35051 London NW1 4WF or go to https://www.marsandminerva.co.uk/ for more details.