The TV presenter and dad of two has long valued the benefits of walking – for family bonding, dealing with grief and boosting mental health. Now he’s encouraging others to lace up their boots, getting hundreds of people in his local community out on group walks and judging our 2025 Britain’s Favourite Path competition.

 

What are your earliest memories of being in nature?

Childhood, for various reasons, was quite a ride. The highlight was when I stayed with my nan. She lived in a cottage near a forest in Bracknell, Berkshire. My happiest memories are walking with her and her dog. In chaotic times, I learned that walking in the forest was a safe space. Being with my nan was a safe space. Walking along the disused rail tracks with her, on what felt like long rambles but were probably just 5km (3 miles), were experiences I looked forward to. They made a lasting impression on me. Today, when I lead walks, I’m creating a safe space for other people, like my nan did for me. And of course, I’ve chosen to live near a forest (Epping Forest in Essex).

 

With your family’s experience of loss, have you used walking for dealing with grief?

We’ve always walked for anniversaries for Jade (Goody, the mother of Jeff’s two sons, Bobby and Freddy. Jade died in 2009, when they were aged 5 and 4). We used to release balloons, until we realised that the impact on the environment wasn’t great. We switched to swimming in the sea for quite a few years, as we used to live in Hove. It was a sacrifice of our comfort that was like: ‘There, that’s for you.’ Grief hurts. There’s no solution for grief. But walking is conducive to coping with loss; it signals to our brain that we have the opportunity to reflect. Forests specifically, but outdoors spaces in general, give us a cuddle and wrap an arm around us. They tell us that it’s okay to feel; that we can work through, and process, our feelings together.

 

How does walking support your mental health?

Walking helps you to break a state of mind, and head into something more solution based. When you’re shoulder to shoulder, the conversation becomes more validating. Plus, you’re putting yourself into beautiful environments.

 

 

Last year you travelled with your son Freddy for 'Celebrity Race Across the World'. What were the highlights?

We learned a lot about ourselves and each other. Being Freddy’s parent makes him my biggest teacher, as I adapt to his growing needs. On that trip, he helped me to see that I’d stopped being playful, and that life had stopped being fun. Winning can distract you from the actual goal, which is to go home with priceless memories. I learned to prioritise experience and memories, over being competitive.

 

Can you tell us a bit about your PRJCT WLKS initiative?

I started the walks in 2022 because the Covid lockdowns had made people feel lonely and disconnected, and their mental health was profoundly hurting. There is power in belonging. Just being around like-minded people, admitting that life is a challenge, but acknowledging that beauty exists, is a powerful act of self-care. There’s a sense of achievement and reward, of being vulnerable and showing up for ourselves. You don’t even have to necessarily verbalise it. Just taking part is a radical act. I care about the individual experience, and want people to feel like they have stepped into a community that’s useful and not overwhelming. At their biggest, numbers have swelled to 400-500 people on a walk, but the ideal is about 50. I’ve now started having two walks to split up the numbers. I’ve got big plans. I love the idea of more and more practitioners hosting PRJCT WLKS all over the UK.

 

How can everyone feel encouraged to access nature and get outdoors?

I don’t have the answer as to how people, and in particular women, can feel safer in outdoor spaces – but I know it’s important. I try my best to facilitate a group that’s open to everyone. I feel proud of the diversity and ethnicity of everyone together on our walks. We’re fully inclusive, with people from all walks of life, all ages. There is wisdom passed down from the upper ages to the lower ages. One regular attendee is on the autistic spectrum. He’s often late. I frequently have to do his laces up. But he absolutely belongs to our tribe. There’s always a percentage of newcomers and a percentage of regulars, and everyone is made to feel welcome.

When I was younger, I had experience of being fostered and felt quite lonely. I imagine that this helped me to grow some empathy for others. I was always aware of how people were feeling, so the community walks came out of a feeling of responsibility. I do a lot of work on myself from a therapeutic point of view, and I want others to feel like they’re stepping into self-development. Walking is one of the best ways to achieve that. The phrase ‘move it or lose it’ is often in my head. When we’re stagnant, the issue feels heavier. When we’re in motion, and moving towards something, we’re taking the issue and breaking it down. We might not know the answer, but regulating our nervous system with a walk will always help.

 

You’re head judge for the Ramblers’ Britain’s Favourite Path. What’s your own favourite path?

I love all towpaths, particularly the path along the Lea Valley from the Olympic whitewater rafting centre. I also used to love walking the towpath from Sawbridgeworth to Bishop’s Stortford, eyeing all the boat homes. I would sniff the scent of wood burners, admire the plants used as decorations, enjoy the sight of pets dipping on and off . I think it must be magical for families to live on a boat. We all enjoy a degree of freedom; being on the move, always moving your home into different areas, can offer that. Life is whatever adventure you choose it to be.

 

 

What's your favourite...

 

Country Walk?

 

City Walk?

 

View?

 

Backpack Snack?

 

Piece of Kit?