With over two decades of experience in wilderness skills and nature education, Nick has dedicated his career to helping people develop practical skills, confidence, and a deeper connection with the natural world.
He has been privileged to have spent time in some of the planet’s most remote and diverse environments—from the vast steppes of Outer Mongolia to the Arctic landscapes of Sweden and Finland, the dense jungles of Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand, the karst landscapes of China, the subtropical forests of New Zealand, to the arid expanses of the Nevada desert and beyond. He has led expeditions and delivered training in a wide range of settings, from wolf tracking in the frozen forests of northern Poland to bushcraft courses in the South Downs, where he is based.
This breadth of experience across ecosystems, climates, and cultures has shaped both his understanding of the natural world and his approach to teaching. At the heart of his work is a strong belief that true conservation begins with understanding—learning how to read the landscape, recognise its patterns, and reconnect with the systems that sustain it.
Nick’s extensive field experience is supported by formal teaching and outdoor leadership qualifications, alongside a professional background in wildlife management, research tree climbing, and conservation land management. He also holds specialist knowledge in arboriculture, woodland management, botany, ecology, and has developed and delivered accredited qualifications and Continued Professional Development programmes for outdoor educators, industry professionals, and organisations.
His teaching style is relaxed, engaging, and learner-focused. Through Beyond the Path, he offers bespoke training designed to suit individuals, groups, and organisations—whether beginners taking their first steps outdoors or experienced practitioners looking to deepen their knowledge.
His aim is simple: to make outdoor education accessible, meaningful, and transformative—equipping people with the skills, awareness, and understanding needed not only to thrive in the wild, but to care for it.
If you’re looking to develop your outdoor skills, embark on a unique adventure, or deepen your understanding of nature, I’m here to guide you. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to enquire about booking a course. I look forward to sharing the wonders of the natural world with you!
Barry, known to most as Chen, was born in the UK, where his lifelong journey in movement, awareness, and discipline began. As a child, he was introduced to Tai Chi by his grandfather and mother, planting the seed for a path that would shape the rest of his life. Chen went on to spend much of his early life in Canada and the United States.
At 16, Chen began training in Chinese Kenpo Karate, going on to develop a deep and enduring commitment to martial arts. As his connection to the outdoors grew, so did his desire to understand how to live and move within wild places. This led him to study with BOSS (Boulder Outdoor Survival School), founded by the late Larry Dean Olsen, where he immersed himself in traditional wilderness living skills.
His experience later took him to the Pacific Northwest, where he worked as an instructor for federal agents on Native American reservations, teaching Chinese Kenpo, self-defence, and weapon retention. He also became a member of Ed Parker’s International American Kenpo display team, further honing his craft at a high level.
Alongside this, Chen was part of a formation skydiving team. In 1995, a tragic parachuting accident left him with severe injuries, and he was told he would never walk again. After four years in a wheelchair, through determination, breathwork, and continued Tai Chi practice, he defied those expectations. Despite lasting injuries, he made a remarkable recovery.
Today, Chen continues to teach, with people travelling from far and wide to learn from his depth of knowledge and experience. His approach blends martial arts, breathwork, and wilderness skills with a deep respect for resilience, awareness, and the natural world. Those who have shared a campfire with him know that his presence, kindness, and hard-earned wisdom leave a lasting impression.
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