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The healing power of nature and human connection takes centre stage as Kelvyn James returns to White Fox Talking, sharing his transformative journey from profound darkness to founding a thriving mental health charity.

Kelvyn lays bare the brutal realities that shaped him - growing up in a violent household where his earliest memory is "an exceptional act of violence" and later facing the unimaginable trauma of his mother's murder. What followed was a five-year court battle where he repeatedly faced his mother's killer, a struggle he initially kept hidden from those closest to him.

The mountains became both sanctuary and danger zone as Kelvyn sought escape through increasingly risky climbs. "I was never suicidal," he explains, "but completely believing I deserved to get hurt." These high-risk behaviours provided momentary relief but failed to address his underlying trauma. The breakthrough came when he discovered that true healing happens through connection - with nature and with others.

This realization became the foundation for Wellness Walks, a charity offering free nature walks specifically designed for people struggling with mental health. Since becoming an official charity in September 2023, they've expanded rapidly, with nearly 100 volunteers running walks across the UK. What makes these walks uniquely effective is what Kelvyn calls "therapy in 3D" - the side-by-side walking creates natural opportunities for connection without the pressure of face-to-face therapy.

His newly released book "Walking Out of the Dark" chronicles this journey, with all proceeds supporting the charity's work. Though it begins in darkness, Kelvyn promises readers there's a happy ending - not because the pain disappears, but because he found a path through it. "If somebody carries a great weight for too long, one of two things is going to happen - either you're going to get stronger or you're going to break," he reflects. "For a long time I didn't know which it would be, and by the end of the book I understand it's both."

Ready to experience the healing power of nature? Join a Wellness Walk near you, or support their work by purchasing Kelvyn's book directly from wellnesswalks.org.uk.

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