Everyday Outdoor Heroes: Jemma Martin

This month, in honour of International Women's Day and Mothering Sunday, we have decided to put the spotlight on everyday women who have, in some way, become outdoor heroes.

Each one of the four ladies we got to chat to, found through the Love Her Wild community, has managed to think outside the box to overcome their circumstances. They have become an inspiring example for thousands of others who have similar circumstances without even realising it; just by being their everyday amazing selves.

The third lady in our series is Jemma, who started her outdoor journey in the summer of 2020 when she tried wild swimming for the first time. Jemma describes that experience as life-changing and here’s the story behind it.

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For Jemma, the outdoors had been a source of stress for as long as she could remember. As a result of her sensory issues, being outside was never something she particularly wanted to do because it all felt too much. Being a mother of two, she couldn't avoid spending time outside entirely but treated it as a necessity, a way to get from A to B or a means of stimulation for her children. “I was not the type to take a stroll or just sit outside. I never saw the benefit in that. I couldn’t dampen my thoughts and inner monologue to be at peace,“ Jemma explains.

Jemma’s seven-year-old daughter started immunosuppressant IV medication for Crohn’s disease in February 2020. So, a month later when the pandemic hit, the family had to shield. Initially, this meant that they couldn't leave their home at all, and therefore, the only outdoor space they were allowed to spend time in was the garden.

Although the house is a safe haven for Jemma, she had to work hard to stop cabin fever from setting in throughout that first half of the year. She came up with little projects, such as redecorating the garden and even hatching their very own ducklings, to help the family keep busy. Eventually, when the summer finally arrived and daily cases were low, the doctors gave Jemma's family the green light to venture outside the house. From being prisoners in their own home to now having more freedom, Jemma and the kids had gained a new appreciation for the outdoors.

What further sparked Jemma’s interest in outdoor activities was hearing about her friend’s river swim. It was clear to Jemma how much joy the friend had found in the experience; they said it was comparable to the excitement that a young child feels on Christmas Eve. “I needed to know what that was about as I had never managed to source anything that gave me a buzz like that,“ Jemma says.

So when August 2020 rolled around, Jemma was ready to give wild swimming a go: “I remember turning up to this pond next to a paper mill and dual carriageway, wondering what on earth I was doing. I had a makeshift towel robe, and stripped off at the side of an industrial estate and waded in. The cold took my breath away, but almost instantly my mind was quiet. My body was working so hard to deal with the cold that my mind had to be silenced. I felt at peace and overwhelmingly happy. For as long as I can remember my mind has been busy. It’s sometimes beneficial but other times it’s unhealthy as it never rests. As I immersed myself and began to swim, I knew in that moment my life had changed for the better.“

That experience inspired Jemma to not only continue wild swimming but also to explore other outdoor sports. She felt a sense of adventure and bravery like never before which shifted her mindset from ‘I’ll wait till I lose weight to do that' to just doing it.

“I was out of shape, to the point where I couldn’t walk up the stairs in the house. I was in a cycle of unhealthy habits with a fear of the outside and zero confidence in my ability to socialise," Jemma explains. "Since that first swim, I’ve swum under waterfalls, climbed hills and attempted my first Munro. I also went on a bike for the first time in over 25 years. I now crave to be outdoors".

Jemma’s new hobbies have had a huge impact on her self-esteem, as well as her physical and mental health. Before the introduction to swimming, she was always desperate for someone to tell her the ingredients to a magic cure that would sort out every issue. Since shifting her mindset, Jemma noticed that her practical fears were in the way of her own happiness. She used to think that the outdoors are reserved for the super fit and that plus-size wetsuits would be impossible to find. Jemma has since discovered that neither one of those things is true, and every new revelation has helped her step further out of her comfort zone.

As an autistic woman and mother, Jemma has found socialising quite hard in the past. However, since joining the outdoor community, she has formed genuine connections and lasting friendships. After years of feeling like she doesn’t fit in, the outdoors have introduced Jemma to like-minded people allowing her to finally feel like she has found her place in the world.

Although Jemma’s outdoor journey has only just begun, she has already managed to squeeze in many adventures between lockdowns. From cycling long distances to wild camping solo in Scotland, she's conquered many of her fears and insecurities by simply doing what she loves in the present rather than saying she will do it later. That's why Jemma wants to pass on an important message for everyone that wants to try new things but feels too scared to do so: “It may seem like a small change, but the bigger picture changes as you make small changes for yourself.”

The adventures don't stop here. Jemma's next outdoor goals include walking the West Highland Way and completing her first Munro. She plans to continue exploring new places and activities with her kids and new friends, as well as by herself because the outdoors are no longer a source of stress for Jemma but rather a source of inner peace.

Photos: Jemma Martin

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