Mental health – Brand Strategist | MarComms

The language of colour

June 1, 2025June 1, 2025by Emma PotterLeave a Comment

It’s been two weeks since Clerkenwell Design Week and what a corker of an event! So many interesting panel discussions, networking events, wellness sessions and brilliant people to meet. With my passion for colour and the influence it has on brands, businesses, our lives, homes and our wellbeing, it was a delight to be surrounded by people who share my desire to understand and talk more on this topic. But before we dive in, from the sessions I joined and participated in, here’s some key stats that landed for me, I hope they resonate and spark curiosity with you too.

Did you know…

77% of CEO’s use creativity to drive productivity
Colour increases brand recognition by 80%
Colour is an integral part of brand recognition
62% to 90% of decision making is based on colour alone
Trends in colour are influenced my multiple factors from science, intuition, inspiration, social trends and customer preferences, to societal, technological, economic, cultural and political narratives
In 2020 there was an acceleration in the trends towards green, nature and biophilia
Indoor plant sales have doubled in the last 4 years
Milan Week 2025 revealed that the colour trend is moving towards copper (particularly in directional pieces) and butter yellow
Colour for workspace aesthetics trends (2026-2030) include dynamic brights, luminous blue, acidic tones, lava red, metallised colours, all-clusivity, heritage hues, refuge wellness rooms, meadowland green, and nourishing greens, transformative teal, sensorial darks, and a priority towards mental wellness

The journey of colour

In the design world, there are many stages for the journey of colour and its timeline to reaching customers in the market. From ideation where multiple factors influence and are considered in identifying a colour trend, to the innovators and early adopters who buy into the colour before it’s reached peak popularity, to the late adopters who typically buy into the colour 1.5 years post peak popularity, then the laggards who consider purchasing this colour three years post peak popularity. It’s not until it reaches this last stage, when the colour or colours have really connected to public consciousness, that a decision is made by the company about whether the colour will be maintained, go into retirement, or potentially become an all-time classic.

It’s a colours journey through all these stages, spanning 5+ years from innovator to laggard, that enables a business to discover real world outcomes, through research, workshops, seminars, commercial development, marketing and delivery – insights from all these areas along the colour’s timeline inform its life and potential end of life treatment.

Moreover, whilst a colour or trend will suit (or not suit), a brand, product, customer demographic or region, and all sectors including fashion, automotive, interiors and more have their own look books, it was fascinating to hear that so many aspects inspire the innovators and ideation of a colour, sparking imagination of the next colour trend years before it hits the market.

What is the future of colour

This is a pretty loaded question when you think about it. With the advancements of colour and AI, the demand for sustainability in colour, and the desire for design and colour beyond aesthetics – three key topics for discussion – the panel session hosted by Mix Interiors really got me thinking.

Colour & AI

AI is an interesting tool for the design industry and it was a hot topic to kick off the discussion between Harry McKinley from Mix Interiors and his panel of guest speakers Karen Haller Laura Perryman and Justine Fox. At this current time, it was felt that AI can create colour palettes, but a human will always need to give a human touch to complete the palette; but will it remain this way – the jury was out. At present, the panel felt we are only just starting to use AI with colour; however, it can make colour theory more digestible. They also went on to suggest that AI doesn’t feel, it’s not intuitive but it’s great for automation. AI can’t create a new aesthetic in or for design; it doesn’t have lived experiences or sensory perception. It doesn’t intuit or lead.

Karen Haller commented, “AI can’t imagine, it can only react”, “Colour influences how we think, feel and behave” and “Constantly changing colour trends pushes people towards short term choices.” We need to align colour with nature, nature doesn’t follow trends. She went on to say, when we “Apply colour with psychological insight to support how people think, feel and behave” we get the results we seek.

Colour & sustainability

The second topic hotly debated by the panel of experts focused on colour and sustainability. We were reminded that the colours we choose in the built environment have a huge impact on heat retention and using energy, therefore the functional aspect of colour is really important. We need natural, non-toxic colour pigments, nature positive dyes. There’s also lots of ways we can integrate waste products, weeds and other materials into dye, building colour palettes from and for local communities.

Laura talked readily about the “Right to repair”, which reminds me of the ‘make do and mend’ mentality. But it’s more than that, there’s a growing need for sustainability, for products to have a longer life span, to be able to fix and repair things, rather than have a throw away and replace mentality. We need to be able to increase longevity of products, to improve long-term investment. Colour can be adaptive and emotive, helping us connect with the climate and our environment.

Colour beyond aesthetics

The more we can understand colour, the more we can use it too support us, our wellbeing, and our lives. In addition, as we move towards colour beyond aesthetics, the panel reminded the audience that colours are circular – they come round in cycles, materials are circular – they come round in cycles, and that trends are circular – they come round in cycles.

It seems to me that everything comes in cycles, every day, week, month and year. Like nature and the seasons, our world operates and lives in natural cycles.

As mentioned earlier, the influences on colour trends are many, spanning social, societal, political, technological, cultural, economic and ancestral. Yet with all these insights and drivers, we need to be able to create nuance and personalisation – to find peoples own needs in colour, be that warmth, comfort, excitement or feeling grounded.

There is a growing trend towards personalisation – however, there’s also a need to stop looking externally for what’s right for us. Perhaps this is an invitation to go within and ask the question ‘What’s right for me?’.

It was referenced more than once that at present, due to political and economic influences, as humans we have double fatigue, so it’s more important than ever to look into how colour can support our wellbeing.

To close the panel, Harry McKinley, managing editor, MIX Interiors, asked the panel in three to five words to say ‘What’s next in colour, what’s the trend?’

For behavioural and emotional benefit – Karen Haller
Design and quality – Laura Perryman
Beyond aesthetics – Justine Fox

Conversations at Clerkenwell

It was fascinating being at the session hosted by Alexi Cowan, head of interiors, WSGN, where they focused on colour for workspace aesthetics trends 2026-2030. They also highlighted three key trending topics, ‘Joy in colour’, ‘Power of Nostalgia’ and ‘Holistic wellbeing’.

Joy in colour

This is all about purposeful play, the importance for all ages to integrate play into their day, celebrating micro moments of play to spark joy and creativity, and to make sure that play aligns with your company values. In interiors this means making designs fun and functional, adding layers for depth, thinking about textures to enliven our senses, the agile use of furniture and design, for interiors and design to be a channel for self-expression, and to focus on personalisation. It’s a must to link colour to your collections and to also bring colour to functional pieces.

Power of nostalgia

Here the focus was on nostalgia; for example, to consider using faux products and finishes, to create cocoon like spaces, to use wood as a finish and colours that have an amber haze or cocoa powder feel. The was an invitation to think of brown as the new black, to consider metallic finishes and copper tones, to create luxe high-end finishes, and to embrace shape, silhouettes, colour and style, to combine modern with old, as a means to bring a nostalgic element to design – think cherry lacquer, dark berry tones with high gloss finishes to create a seductive, luxurious experience.

Holistic wellbeing

For me, the continued focus on wellbeing is a must – harmonious palettes, neutrals, tonality and external contrast, with a lean towards pink pigmented hues, less orange terracotta, colours that are warm, earthy, and resilient. Biophilic design will continue to be popular with interior living plants, spaces that have lots of amazing natural light and are relaxing airy spaces that have a high-end, quality finish.

On the wellbeing front, it was wonderful to participate in a ‘self-massage workshop’ hosted by Nordic Design House, plus to have lunch and catch up with Mags.

Until CDW 2026 – Thank you!

I appreciate this has been a bit of a whistle stop tour, but I hope I’ve sparked your curiosity about what’s possible with colour and what’s coming in the world of colour.

A huge thank you to everyone who made my #CDW2025 experience so colourful and expansive – Karen Haller, Justine Fox, Laura Perryman, Harry McKinley, Magdalena Tym, Michaela Reysenn, Catriona Hammett, Mary Sholl, Charlotte Raffo, Emma Freeman, Alexei Cowan, Jason Graham, Seetal Ladva, Domus Group, MIX Interiors, KAI Interiors, Nordic Design House, Hansgrohe, Colourhive, WGSN, Soundbox Store and many more.

Let’s work together

With over 20 years of experience working with innovative and disruptive-tech businesses across a variety of sectors – from HR-tech and digital to creative agencies and interior design, I bring a blend of commercial acumen and creative thinking to everything I do. I’m a strategic yet hands-on leader with a passion for collaboration and an action-oriented mindset that delivers real results.

My approach is human to human, balancing the analytical left brain (facts, figures, and data) with the intuitive creativity of the right brain (emotion, imagination, and storytelling) – because I believe the magic happens when you combine these two key ingredients.

Get in touch – I’d love to talk.

Header image: Snapped at Clerkenwell Design Week

Inspiration

What is colour to you?

April 29, 2025by Emma PotterLeave a Comment

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman who has inspired me for quite some time, the brilliant Judith Van Vliet. With a global career filled with creativity and colour, Judith is the founder of The Color Authority, and host of the podcast Let’s Talk Color, where she speaks with colour specialists from around the world about their work, passion, and the emotional and psychological power of colour.

The event I attended featured Judith in conversation with Hamish Kilburn, discussing findings from the newly released trend report Shaping Tomorrow – Future Design & Architecture 2025–2026. Since that evening, I’ve been completely immersed in the book, soaking in the five key themes: Origin, Solace, Nature, Urban, and Wonder. Each one resonated deeply, and affirmed the powerful role colour plays in design, emotion, and identity.

Colourful conversations

One question Judith often asks her podcast guests really stayed with me: “What is colour to you?” While we chatted after the panel, we didn’t get to explore that question — so I’ve taken time to reflect:

Colour is life
Colour is energy
Colour influences how I feel and behave
Colour impacts how I connect — with myself and others
Colour is community, creativity, healing
Colour is the language my soul speaks

To me, colour is everything.

A huge thank you to Judith Van Vliet, Enric Pastor, Cosentino, and all who contributed to this collaborative and insightful vision for the future of design. It was a joy to meet so many inspiring individuals, including Pilar Rubio, Susie Hobbs, Sydney Davidson and others.

Colour, connection & creativity

My passion for colour runs deep, leading me to study applied behavioural colour psychology through two distinct lenses. From a branding perspective, I use my marketing expertise to harness the psychological impact of colour in shaping identity and perception. As an artist, I encourage others to explore their creativity through colour, connecting with their emotions and intuition in deeply personal ways.

Alongside my artistic and branding work, I’m also a certified NLP Practitioner, Creative Orientation Coach, and Intuitive Coach. I weave together these disciplines, along with my colour psychology training, to design unique and transformative coaching programmes and workshops. My superpower is helping others unlock their creative potential and embrace self-expression with confidence and clarity.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to be more creative but weren’t sure where to start, I warmly invite you to join me for one of my Colour & Creativity workshops. These sessions are a gentle, joyful space to reconnect with yourself, explore colour in a meaningful way, and express your creativity.

Now I’d love to hear from you:
What is colour to you and how do you embrace it in your life or business?

Let’s work together

Get in touch – I’d love to talk.

Header image: Authors headshot.

Colour, Creative

The season of inspired play

April 11, 2025by Emma PotterLeave a Comment

As we step into a new season and quarter, April feels like the perfect time to embrace a fresh, creative mindset. Over the past few weeks and months, conversations with a couple of inspiring women have sparked the idea to develop two unique creative workshops. I’ve been intentionally seeking out collaborations with coaches, artists, practitioners, and specialists to co-create something new – blending my love for colour, creativity, and intuitive, conscious decision-making with our shared skills. The goal? To craft magical, memorable experiences that truly resonate on a human level.

Here’s a brief overview of the workshops to whet your appetite…

Conscious Creativity

Are you feeling stuck or creatively blocked?
Do you want to feel more connected to your body and your emotions?
Have you felt a craving for a playful, supportive, soulful experience?

Remembering the art of play and curiosity through creative embodiment, Conscious Creativity is a soul-nourishing workshop that invites you to explore creativity as a healing practice. Through colour, intuitive art, guided meditation, and somatic movement, you’ll reconnect to the wisdom within and find joy in self-expression – without judgment or pressure.

This isn’t your standard workshop and you can expect something a little different as you will experience a blend of grounding breathwork with gentle transformative somatic movement and intention setting, to creative expression through writing, colour and intuitive painting. A space to share, express, be seen and heard.

Hosted in Blossoms Wellness Centre, tucked away in the countryside village of Kilmington, Devon, the event will be hosted by me and Gemma Norris.

Gemma is a healing practitioner and is the founder member of The Infinity Health Hub. She has 16 years’ experience in Reiki, Myofascial Release, body work therapies and brings a grounded yet intuitive presence to her practice. Discover more about Gemma Norris here.

When does the workshop take place?

Sunday 4th May, 10:00 to 13:30, Blossoms Wellness Centre, Devon
Book now – Limited to 20 spaces

Colour & Creativity

Have you always wanted to do something creative but didn’t know where to begin?
Are you curious about playing with colour but afraid of “getting it wrong”?
Maybe you’ve looked into traditional art classes or workshops, but none of them truly struck a chord?

If you’ve nodded along to any of these, then our Colour & Creativity Workshop is made for you.

At the heart of Colour & Creativity is a shared passion for helping people reconnect with themselves. For me and Cesca, creativity is more than making something beautiful – it’s a form of mindfulness, a moment of meditation, and a way to ground yourself in the present moment. We believe colour and creativity can transform lives in small but meaningful ways.

Join us for an afternoon of colour and craft where you’ll be guided through the process of creating a beautiful crepe paper flower and gain an understanding of how to use colour.

Based in Surrey, South London, Cesca is a multidisciplinary artist with a background working as a display artist for Anthropologie, as well as working in TV and Film, her portfolio of work is extremely diverse. Discover more about Cesca Molly Flowers here.

When does the workshop take place?

• Saturday 31st May, 13:00-16:00, St. Mary’s Church, East Molesey, Surrey
• Book now – Limited spaces available

Whether you’re looking to dip your toes into creativity, meet like-minded people, or simply spend a few hours being creative and more mindful, we invite you to join us. To find out more please drop me an email – emma@emmapotter.com

Curious to collaborate?

My passion for colour runs deep and it led me to study applied behavioural colour psychology through two distinct lenses. From a branding perspective, I apply my expertise in marketing to harness the psychological impact of colour in shaping brand identity and perception. As an artist, I inspire others to explore their creative expression through colour, encouraging them to connect with their emotions and intuition in a deeply personal way.

As a certified NLP Practitioner, Creative Orientation Coach, and Intuitive Coach, I blend my diverse skill set with applied behavioural colour psychology to create truly unique coaching experiences. My superpower lies in weaving these disciplines together into transformative coaching programmes and workshops, helping individuals unlock their creative potential and embrace self-expression with confidence.

Let’s work together

With over 20 years of experience working with innovative and disruptive-tech businesses across a variety of sectors—from HR-tech and digital to creative agencies and interior design—I bring a blend of commercial acumen and creative thinking to everything I do. I’m a strategic yet hands-on leader with a passion for collaboration and an action-oriented mindset that delivers real results.

My approach is human to human, balancing the analytical left brain (facts, figures, and data) with the intuitive creativity of the right brain (emotion, imagination, and storytelling)—because I believe the magic happens when you combine these two key ingredients.

Get in touch – I’d love to talk.

Header image – Author and artists own work.

Colour, Creative

Be creative in the attention economy

March 21, 2025March 21, 2025by Emma PotterLeave a Comment

Today is a colourful day – 21st March marks International Colour Day, an annual celebration that shines a spotlight on the important role colour plays in our lives, including art and design, science, psychology, to our everyday experiences. Founded by the International Colour Association (AIC) in 2009, the purpose of the day is to highlight the role colour plays in our emotions, culture, and human experience.

Colour captures our imagination, evokes emotions, inspires action and can drive behaviour change. When understood and used well, it is also a powerful tool for connection and engaging conversations. There’s no doubt about it, colour impacts our mood, can make us feel happy or sad, and it heavily influences decision making. From branding and marketing, to interior design and psychology – colour is a key driver of influence.

We live in the attention economy where everything is fighting for our attention. Are you being grey and hiding in plain sight like a battle ship on the ocean, or are you using colour to stand out and garner the attention you and your brand deserve?

Hidden in plain sight

From a business perspective, colour psychology is a powerful branding tool; it helps to communicate a brands identity, attract the right customer, build customer trust, and colour will help make a brand memorable and emotionally engaging for all the right reasons. With the wrong colours, the brand communication, cue and signal can send mixed messages. It is essential to know your brand personality, to understand your target audience, and to have knowledge of colours that are considered to reflect an industry or specific industry standard.

“Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.” – William Plomer

Brand weaponry – the colourful kind

In celebration of International Colour Day 2025, I’d like to share some insights on the power of colour and the impact it has on our business, brand, and everyday lives. Let’s dive in…

Let’s change the rules

My love for colour—especially orange—has influenced many aspects of my life, from treasured gifts to personal purchases. From a brand perspective, FIAT’s bold decision to ban grey cars in favour of vibrant hues, as showcased in their Operation No Grey campaign, where a grey FIAT was dramatically dipped in orange paint, demonstrates and celebrates colour’s emotional power. In contrast, grey, the UK’s most popular car colour, is often associated with blending in, neutrality, and even emotional dullness. Historically linked to invisibility—whether in military uniforms or industrial aesthetics—grey has long dominated design, fashion, and interior design. However, perhaps the global shift towards embracing colour signals a collective desire for optimism and self-expression in the years ahead. As colour trends evolve, I hope this celebration of vibrant hues is here to stay.

“The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love colour the most.” – John Ruskin

Don’t want to hide in plain sight. Read on and let’s talk.

Colour is emotion

As someone who has been fascinated by colour for over 30 years, I’m always eager to deepen my understanding—both for myself and my clients. Neuroaesthetics, the study of how art and design influence the brain, is more than just creating beautiful spaces; it’s about shaping emotions, behaviours, and experiences. Her I talk about the profound role colour plays in our lives—from influencing mood and metabolism to driving brand connections. Whether in branding, business, or interior design, understanding colour’s impact helps create meaningful, measurable results.

Thank you to Modulyss for shedding light on the power of colour in design during their Modulyss Talks session on ‘The Impact of Neuroaesthetics’, in discussion with Karen Haller.

“Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotion.” – Pablo Picasso

Read on to explore some key takeaways from this insightful discussion.

Art and Neuroaesthetics: The science of creativity

A few months ago, I discovered the Art2Life podcast, where artist Nicholas Wilton interviewed Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen about their book Your Brain on Art. Their discussion on neuroaesthetics—the science of how art impacts our brains, bodies, and behaviours—was truly fascinating. As sensory beings, we experience the world through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, and art has a profound ability to influence our emotions, thoughts, and connections. Creativity isn’t just an outlet; it rewires our brains, enhances well-being, and strengthens communities. From healing and mindfulness to problem-solving and innovation, the power of art extends far beyond aesthetics. This conversation reinforced how creativity can transform lives, workplaces, and even the way we engage with the world—something I explore in my own work.

“I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” – Georgia O’Keeffe

Let’s dive into the key takeaways and explore how art and creativity shape our experiences.

Brand and marketing

Growing a business comes with challenges—defining your brand, standing out in a crowded market, building lasting trust with your audience to name a few. Whether you’re struggling with inconsistent messaging, market differentiation, or outdated branding, I provide practical, actionable solutions that align your business with your audience and goals. Through a collaborative and strategic approach, we’ll refine your brand identity and unlock new opportunities for growth.

“Your brand is the single most important investment you can make in your business.” – Steve Jobs

Read on to discover how we can transform your brand’s potential.

The power of colour summit

Today marks the start of a three-day virtual event titled – The Power of Colour Summit – which invites people to explore the profound impact of colour on human consciousness, health, and well-being for a joyful life. It also showcases using colour in evolutionary ways to transform our health, relationships and the way we do business.

Speakers, thought leaders, innovators and experts include Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at Lick; Melissie Jolly, founder of Colour Mirrors; Reverend Dr. Bhante Saranapala, the Urban Buddhist Monk; Karen Haller, Applied Colour & Design Psychology Practitioner, Teacher and Mentor, and many more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage directly with experts during interactive Q&A sessions.

At the summit you can expect to explore how understanding colour can transform your life and your business, it really does have a profound impact on every area of our lives.

To register for the event and find out more visit their website.

Let’s work together

My approach is human to human, balancing the analytical left brain (facts, figures, and data) with the intuitive creativity of the right brain (emotion, imagination, and storytelling)—because I believe the magic happens when you combine these two key ingredients.

Let’s continue to use the power of colour to build environments that encourage positive change and build brands and businesses that are a force for good.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer

Get in touch – I’d love to talk. Email me at emma@emmapotter.com.

Header image – Me snapped in the sunshine.

Colour, Creative

Art & Neuroaesthetics: The Science of Creativity

February 10, 2025by Emma PotterLeave a Comment

A few months ago, I stumbled upon a fascinating podcast—Art2Life—where host Nicholas Wilton interviewed Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen about their book Your Brain on Art. As someone passionate about creativity, intuition, and neuroscience, I was captivated by their discussion on neuro aesthetics—the scientific study of how art impacts our brains, bodies, and behaviours.

“Neuro aesthetics emerged in the late 1990s, and nobody is clear on who coined the term, but a simple definition is that neuro aesthetics is the study of how art measurably changes the body, brain, and behaviour and how this knowledge is translated into practice” – Susan Magsamen

The power of sensory experiences

As humans we are deeply sensory beings – through a relay of signals sent via our nerves to our brain, we have a nose to smell, eyes to see, ears to hear, skin to touch, and a mouth (tongue) to taste – all of which are essential for creating memorable, emotional experiences that influence and shape our lives. Our senses uniquely activate different parts of our brains. Art uniquely activates different brain regions, influencing how we think, feel, and connect.

Why creativity matters

Now, I’m absolutely not a neuroscientist, but I am extremely interested in how our brains work; what makes us tick; why creativity and art has the power to transport us to a completely different place, heal us, and find solutions to challenges in our lives; where we can go to join a global community of budding artists to share our love of all things creative; who we can connect with to fuel our passion, and ask when is the right time to start practicing the joy of art and being creative – which is of course, now.

Creativity is more than just an outlet—it’s a tool for problem-solving, self-expression, and emotional well-being.

“We are feeling creatures that think, not thinking creatures that feel.” – Ivy Ross

In ‘Your Brain on Art’, Ivy Ross (Chief Design Officer, Google Consumer Devices) and Susan Magsamen (Executive Director, International Arts + Mind Lab, Johns Hopkins University) explore how neuroaesthetics can revolutionise healing, strengthen communities, and restore our planet. Their discussion on Art2Life brought many of these ideas to life.

Key takeaways from the conversation:

Creativity rewires the brain – Our brains are constantly evolving, forming new neural pathways that influence all areas of life.
Daydreaming is productive – It’s where solutions emerge. Pay attention to your sensory experiences and how they shape your thoughts.
Art is healing – Just 20 minutes of daily creative activity can reduce stress, enhance well-being, and improve cognitive function.
Art connects us – Whether as creators or observers, art has the power to speak directly to our emotions, often beyond words.
Colour is energy – Each colour emits a different wavelength and frequency, impacting our emotions and perceptions in profound ways.
Art as meditation – Creativity requires presence, making it one of the highest forms of mindfulness.
Art extends life – Studies suggest people who engage in creative activities regularly live, on average, 10 years longer.

“The arts are some of the most salient experiences we have in our lives”. Ivy Ross

Building creativity & connection

Just as colour has the power to influence our emotions, art and being creative certainly has the power to enrich our lives, to build community and connection, bring us joy, encourages us to be more interested in the world around us, and I believe ultimately makes us more interesting and culturally aware people. Art makes us more aware, connected, and engaged with the world.

Creativity in the workplace

In the corporate world, there’s a growing demand for blending data-driven and intuitive thinking. More organisations are using creativity to unlock new ideas and fresh solutions. In my workshops, I coach leadership teams through experiential creative processes, helping them expand their perspectives and connect in new ways.

How has art influenced your life or business? How do you use creativity to inspire, connect, or problem-solve? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop me a comment or send me an email emma@emmapotter.com

Let’s work together

With over 20 years of experience working with innovative and disruptive-tech businesses across a variety of sectors—from HRtech and digital to customer experience and interior design—I bring a blend of commercial acumen and creative thinking to everything I do. I’m a strategic yet hands-on leader with a passion for collaboration and an action-oriented mindset that delivers real results.

My approach is human to human, balancing the analytical left brain (facts, figures, and data) with the intuitive creativity of the right brain (emotion, imagination, and storytelling)—because I believe the magic happens when you combine these two key ingredients.

I’m especially passionate about growth, coaching, and the power of applied behavioural colour psychology. Get in touch to create something exceptional together!

Listen to the podcast here: Art2Life – Your Brain on Art (Ep 164)
Your Brain on Art is officially on my 2025 reading list!

Header image – a piece of bespoke abstract art I created for a private client, based on their colour personality following a 121-colour consultation.

Marketing

Cyber Exchange 360 – Insights and takeaways

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024by Emma PotterLeave a Comment

Last week I had the opportunity to join an afternoon packed with interesting conversations at the Cyber CMO 360 Meet-Up and Cyber Exchange 360 – ‘Talk to the board’ session, hosted at the Science Museum, London. The event provided a new invaluable chance to connect with peers, share strategies for maximising event success, and engage in meaningful discussions.

CyberCMO 360

Gathering heads of marketing, the CMO roundtable, hosted over a delicious lunch, presented the perfect opportunity to talk with other seasoned marketers and engage in a lively debate about the challenges facing sales and marketing teams, and aligning KPIs – specifically around events. The hotly contested topic of attribution continues, as does the desire for marketing not to be consider as a cost centre, but for sales and marketing to potentially report into a CRO. This approach would ensure teams are aligned, and trusted communications and good relations are at play – after all, marketing is a revenue generating part of a business.

Talk to the board

Following the roundtable, I was able to attend and hear Board Directors from Enterprise and Technology companies at ‘Talk to the Board’ session, part two, in which many questions were asked by moderator, Steve Hill, former global CISO, Credit Suisse, to the panel of experts. Forming a formidable line-up, the panel included Lorraine Heggessey, former controller of BBC1, Roger Flynn, Chairman, Cooke Optics, former CEO and Leader in Transformation Change, Virgin, British Airways, Prudential, Haydn Brooks, CEO and co-founder, Risk Ledger and Rupert Lee-Browne, Chairman and group Chief Executive Officer, Caxton.

There were so many insights to capture but here’s some sound bites from the ‘Talk to the board’ session, where they touched on the subject of mental fitness and the rise in the importance to talk more openly.

Key takeaways

Learn how to deal with stress in your own way, and in a positive way – there’s no such thing as a stress-free job
Be there for your team, they also need to be there for you – foster a culture that’s transparent, compassionate, empathetic and supportive
If you enjoy what you’re doing, stress can be viewed in a different way, we can thrive on it
Make sure you enjoy your job – we all have a choice where and how we work, empower yourself – take license over your own destiny
Leaders have a responsibility to empower their people and teams – install a culture that’s supportive. As a leader, you have to be able to lean on your team for insights, guidance and advice
The importance of executive coaching – from being a leader in your field to executive level, it’s imperative to work on your weaknesses. Learn how to lead and be a great leader, understand the bigger picture. If your organisation offers it, say yes to executive coaching
Transparency – where do we draw the line, to keep staff motivated and on board. How far do you go with it?
Company culture – If I was forced to choose one key takeaway, it is this. When growing or running a successful business, focus on your company culture, everything flows from here – it’s a foundational and core piece to your brand strategy – a subject I’m passionate about

Build your network

Thank you to Pulse Events for organising, and to Amanda Coles and Sarah Moss, founders of the Sphere network – a platform designed to bring together a community of great people to build meaningful connections in cybersecurity and data security marketing, for the invite to join and for hosting an insightful CMO round table discussion. Also, it was great to spend the afternoon with one of my clients, MD and founder, Paula Elliott from disruptive-tech PR agency C8 Consulting.

For those who don’t know me, I help forward-thinking, innovative MDs and founders build brand value by unlocking potential and creating change. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and say “Hello”.

Photo by Anna Tarazevich, Pexels.

Conscious Creator, Imagination

Connection in community

November 5, 2024November 5, 2024by Emma PotterLeave a Comment

There’s much to be said for working in community, living in community, and connecting in community. It’s being and operating in this way that drives human connection, enables people to talk more openly, and in many cases sparks our imagination, unearthing ideas that would never have materialised and seen the light of day, if that creative practice that we’d been invited to participate in, never came about.

Tap into your imagination

You’d be forgiven for wondering what I’m going on about, so let me explain… ‘Connection in community’ was the theme for day 5 of the retreat I went on in Ireland in the first week of October, hosted along the Wild Atlantic Way, in the depths of county Donegal, Ireland. The overarching theme for the retreat was ‘From Word to World’, and each day had a specific focus, with many practices to experience and experiment with having started the day in silent meditation and set our intention.

Experiencing ceremonies influenced by traditional healing tribal practices, playing with movement inspired by QOYA known as a compass for navigating an embodied life that is wise, wild and free, sounding to experience how sound resonates in our bodies and sounds when expressed, to writing practices led by meditation and responding intuitively to a series of questions, designed to encourage us to step into our creativity and feel inspired to unleash our imagination.

Here’s some of the questions that were asked during our warm-up writes, where we have 60 seconds to write down and capture what we creatively, intuitively get, before our logical, analytical brain kicks in and says “that’s rubbish, what does that even mean?”.

Right now, what do I want to say to my body?
What does my body want to say to me?
What do I want to say to my voice?
What does my voice want to say to me?
What do I want to say to my heart?
What does my heart want to say to me?

Courageous conversations

Every day on the retreat, between 5-6pm, we had a ‘Courageous Conversations’ circle. The purpose being to share what is landing for us and to share this with the group, the intention to be of service to everyone. During these vulnerable, challenging and most often extremely insightful sessions, we were invited to observe and follow some rules that enabled everyone to speak freely, with no judgement or interruption. In the Courageous Conversations session on day 5, we were invited to speak and present to the group what we had written in response to our writing practice earlier that day.

It was surprising the intrigue I felt about putting my voice to my words and sharing them openly with the group. There was also a lot of resistance as I felt vulnerable and exposed, some questions and mind games coming into play… “Would it resonate? Would it make sense? Will they think I’m odd? Perhaps it’s best not to share?”. So, in the interests authenticity, sharing and bringing the premise of the retreat ‘From Word to World” to life, here’s what I wrote…

Burn, let your spirit soar

Your voice is beautiful, it’s rich and mellow,
Deep and strong, from pitch to shallow,
Your voice will say what needs to be spoke,
Let it burn like a fire, until it needs to be poked,

Poked with a pole, rod or piece of wood,
Encouraged to talk until it’s understood,
No need to hide, no need to stay quiet,
In this place my voice… my voice,

My voice can be booming, mild and weak,
But here I’m seeking a 10-pin bowling streak,
To leave nothing unsaid, leaving nothing misunderstood,
Releasing what’s worrying me from under my hood,

Like a car has an engine, our brains and bodies need juice,
Petrol, diesel and mindfulness, to feel fully present where we stood,
We stood at the beach, at the rocks, and the shore,
With a question bubbling “Will there always be more?”

More to learn,
More to seek,
More to enjoy,
More to peak?

To peak my interests when the day gets dark,
And I begin to feel like I’m losing my spark,

Sparks come in November for fireworks galore,
Guy Fawkes, now that was a man who wanted more!
He set fire to London city, in a blaze, in a flame,
Many people and things never to be seen again,

We’re all on a big journey, and over mountains I’ll soar,
Spotting pigs, geese and chickens, and probably wild boar,
I like it smoked, dried or sliced, to celebrate the flavour is stores,
Completely unlike a digestive and marsh mellow smores,

I don’t like them, they’re too sweet, no flavour to savour,
Where will this journey take me, what will be my next endeavour,
I’ll endeavour to be strong, wise, kind and smart,
Much like a baby born at the start,

All innocence and joy, a tight bundle of fun,
For them life on earth has just begun.

The Heroine’s Journey

Whilst in Ireland, at the location of our Heroine’s Journey retreat, I was amongst the most amazing group of women. All from different cultures, having a range of backgrounds, a spectrum of ages, and a huge depth of life experiences – our week together has been challenging, joyful, reflective and transformational, so to my sisters who were called to join this journey together, I have the upmost respect, warmth and heartfelt thanks. Together, in our community, we created something very special.

If you would like to listen to me speak my poem, ‘Burn, let your spirit soar’, check out Colourful Conversations on TikTok – here.

@emmapottercolourful
Connection in Community This was the theme for day 5 on the Heroine’s Journey retreat in county Donegal, Ireland last month. It’s the first retreat I’ve ever been on, so lots of new experiences to explore – writing intuitively being one of them. Here’s the poem that flowed following a few questions to get our creative joices flowing! In the spirit of sharing, here’s what I wrote… a poem I’ve called ‘Burn, let your spirit soar’ 🔥 #intuition #creative #writing #poem #flow
♬ original sound – Colourful Conversations

Photo by Eric Sanman, Pexels.

Conscious Creator, Imagination, Wellbeing

From word to world

October 20, 2024by Emma PotterLeave a Comment

FROM WORD TO WORLD – This is the overarching theme of a fabulous, inspiring and magical retreat I’ve just been on in Ireland, our location deep in the depth of County Donegal, a stone’s through from Horn Head along the Wild Atlantic Way. Our Heroine’s Journey was led by retreat facilitator, author, psychotherapist, Qoya and mindfulness teacher Victoria Smisek, and vocal alchemist Martha Rice.

To provide some context, each day on the retreat follows a similar structure allowing time for silence, mindfulness, movement, writing, vocal expression and free time, which is essential as some of the exercises are intense and took me to and beyond my boundaries, into discomfort and the unknown – the place of awareness, insight and growth.

After silent mindfulness practice, offerings to nature, and a delicious vegan breakfast prepared lovingly by our chef for the week Ellen-Meave, Victoria and Martha opened our morning session by having candles lit in the middle of the room. There were three circles of cards, each circle getting smaller, and the invitation was to pick a card from the outer circle, to read that card then dance QOYA into that card, then the invitation for the second, then to dance QOYA again, then the third and to dance QOYA again. The process being that we had 5 minutes to write after each card was chosen and the dance was danced – each stage and each card evoking different movement and words.

The first card I picked was the ‘The Spiral Dancer – circuitous route, perception
The second card I picked was 32. Iseutt – Goddess of Perseverance
The third card I picked was the ‘Owl’

After my dance and writing with all three cards was complete, followed the invitation to write freely with what flowed when I put pen to paper. In the spirit of sharing, here’s what I wrote…

Sunrise at Horn Head, County Donegal, Ireland

The Spiritual Dancer, Perseverance and The Owl

Once upon a time I felt your heart it’s beating fast,
Faster than it ever knew,
I raced, I crawled, I’m sure I drooled,
But was I ever really ruled?

The rules are, there are no rules,
Break free with delight, let your wings take flight,
The current of the wind will carry you high,
Higher than a star in a glittering sky.

Gour gong, gour gong, gour gong, gour gong,
This is the rhythm of my song,
My voice is ready, my heart is too,
To speak and express the words that are true.

No right, no wrong, the song is mine,
To sing silently, sing softly, to sing loud and proud.
Perseverance is key, my goddess knows the way,
Feel into my movement, feel into my sway.

There’s magic in the winds, feel the whispers, feel the song,
It’s time for me to ring my gong,
My spirit is high, the dance is strong,
Swirling, circling, perception is my song.

Perceiving a new future,
Perceiving a new me,
Perceiving a new way of being,
Creating a new me.

A me that’s magical, a me that’s fully expressed,
A me that’s most likely wearing a dress,
A dress that’s flowing and moving – no static, frozen or still here,
This babe has really shifted gear.

A sports car I’m not sure, but with wheels I’ll spin,
Spin directly into a new ‘everything’,
I don’t know what it is yet but I think it will include paint,
Painting with my fingers, brushing and saint.

Saint equals spirit, a spirit a new,
It’s time to put on my new golden shoe,
A golden shoe, I spot a shrew,
My wise eagle owl eyes, spot me like glue.

I’m now in my vision, I can no longer remain unseen,
It’s time to shine, don’t be afraid to be seen,
My wings are huge, there’s scope for so much more,
Soaring over mountains higher than ever before.

My head rotates left, my head rotates right,
Is it possible for this bird to take flight?
My wings are huge, my sight is too,
Will I have time to find the accompanying golden shoe?

The Heroine’s Journey

This piece, The Spiritual Dancer, Perseverance and the Owl, is the first of a series of writings that emerged on my Heroine’s Journey retreat. I’ll share a few more in the coming weeks.

You can find out more about The Heroine’s Journey retreats here.

Photos taken at Horn Head, near Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, Ireland

Inspiration, Wellbeing

All of you is welcome – Retreat, discover, refuel, party!

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021by Emma Potter1 Comment

There’s nothing like spending time with amazing people – especially whilst in Provence!

This August I did something I’ve not done in a very long time… I went on holiday with a group of friends and left my bike at home and it was bloody lovely! After the antics of cycling to Wales and back for the Glaudax on the Snowdonia Tour in early June and doing the Pennine Rally in mid-June my mind and body were longing for a proper break, to switch off, and to relax. And what better way to do it than in Provence in France – fabulous rose, champagne, food, beaches not too far away and a huge amount of laughter and fun.

Thoughts become things…

It was in late June I was thinking I’d like to go on a retreat, to do some yoga, eat healthy food, chill under the rays of the sun, and generally take a proper break, ideally taking in and exploring a new part of the world.

It must have been a week later that my friend Adeline chose to celebrate her 40th birthday in France and invite some of her closest friends – from all corners of the world – along from the adventure. Little did I know at the time that I’d be effectively going on a retreat and discovering some truly beautiful places in and around Provence.

Retreat…

It’s a fabulous feeling to be able to go abroad, to mix with old and new friends, and take a break from my daily routine. Let’s face it, the last year or so has been plain weird, so after much juggling with paper work, booking of tests, checking of travel guidelines, and sourcing flights, I managed to pack my trolly dolly and get to Gatwick. I’m not going to lie, I did find the last few days leading up to going way a bit stressful – “Did I have the right paperwork?”, “Had I understood everything correctly?”, and “Was I going to actually get on the plane and land in Nice?” Thankfully the reality was a big resounding ‘yes’.

Adeline had spent weeks preparing for her big celebration. What I hadn’t appreciated until I arrived is that she was hosting the week to create a template to build future retreats in her native home country – France. There’s a beauty in being part of someone’s creation, to see them shine, being immersed in the moment, and to truly share the experience as our time together unfolded.

Discover…

Over the last 20 years I’ve been to France many times. Paris initially as a proper tourist, and in more recent years heading to the mountains – both the Alps and the Pyrenees. The latter tips have included me arriving with a bike and doing a variety of multi day rides such as The Raid Alpine which goes across the Alps from Nice to Geneva, the Raid Pyrenean that goes from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and cycling in Provence up Mont Ventoux and through the Verdon Gorge (or Gorge du Verdon as the locals say). Whilst I do love being in the mountains and the sense of adventure, it was brilliant to discover some new places in France and see a completely different perspective.

Our first evening brought together Adeline’s friends from around the world – England, France, Sardinia, Mexico, South Africa, Italy, America… all to celebrate a beautiful souls milestone birthday. We ate (fabulous BBQ), we drank (rose – lots of it), played games (Uno – if you’ve not got it, get it, it’s hilarious but be warned it does bring out people’s competitive side), we laughed (about anything and everything), and talked until the early hours (no subject was off the table). I always find it fascinating how wherever I am geographically in the world, within a matter of hours it becomes ‘home’.

Throughout the week I discovered and experienced many new things…

Plage de Pampelonne – We visited Pampelonne beach near Ramatuelle and ended up on the nudist section – if you’ve not done it before I’d highly recommend a nude swim in the sea, it’s fun and really liberating.

Catching some rays… Plage de Pampelonne, France

Group Heart Meditation – Embracing the theme of water… at the gorgeous villa we jumped in the pool, formed a circle and did a ‘group heart meditation’ – this is something some of us experienced for the first time on Soul Safari in Africa a few years ago, but it was the first time we’d done this in water lead by the lovely Enrico.

Hugs and laughter after our Group Heart Meditation

Abbaye du Thoronet – We visited the Abbaye du Thoronet, a former Cistercian abbey built in the late twelth and early thirteenth century, now restored as a museum. Some-how we managed to get invited into a group sounding in the main chapel and the architectural acoustics were incredible. After you’ve finished making the sound it continues and echos around the chambers for quite a few seconds – it was really quite grounding and magical as you can feel the sound vibrating through your body.

Sillans de Cascade – Invited by the forest, we took the opportunity to walk to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in France, the Sillans de Cascade. Nestled in a magnificent vibrant green setting, the village of Sillans de Cascade is located on the edge of the Verdon National Park, 20 minutes south of Lake Sainte-Croix. On arrival we were greeted by another wonder of Mother nature… for anyone who’s into yoga, Chakras and making the appropriate sound for each chakra as they relate to an area in your body – the waterfall was an idylicc location to make the ’heart’ sound, amplified literally by the energy and vibe of our group, and the chamber created by nature.

Cascade de Sillans after our Heart and Root Chakra Sounding

There were so many other beautiful experiences I’ve not mentioned… watching Adeline as she landed from her paraglide, taking pedalos down the Gorge do Verdon, exploring St. Tropez and enjoying delicious food, singing Kareoke like we were centre stage at The O2 Arena (that was hilarious and will make me smile for years to come), and many meals together… I could go on.

Refuel…

I’m sure the word ‘refuel’ means many different things to different people. This summer, for me it was the opportunity to spend time with amazing friends and to make some new ones. It really, really was lovely to be in a group, to share conversations, food, laughter, games, and some downtime chilling poolside and on the sand.

Over the last 18 months I’ve had a strong, growing desire to spend more time in nature. It has the swift ability to light up all of my sense… smelling the fresh sea air, feeling the bouyant salty sea as it enables me to float and feeling the warmth of the sun, the taste of cold crisp dry Provence rose, seeing the tale end of the vast south alps mountain range in the distance as I drove into Nice, and touching the sand as it slips through my fingers on the beach. It felt like I’d been away for weeks – not days – and it felt great to return home ‘full’ in every sense of the word.

Birthday dinner after a day at the beach and walking around St. Tropez

It’s time to party!

Now a 40th birthday party is not complete without the obligatory fancy-dress request. However, in the lead up to our adventure I managed to miss the memo of ‘80s Miami Vice’ for the big party night! How? I don’t know… What matters is I managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat and make a pretty funky outfit from what we had available to me. Helped by Jayne for bringing a sensational eye shadow set – the order of the evening was ‘go big, or go home’. Needless to say, another memorable evening of giggles and fun followed.

And what happens on tour, stays on tour.

Until next time…

I don’t think it will be the last time this group of rather fabulous people get together – in fact we caught up virtually this weekend to have a chat and share what we’ve been up to since returning to our respective homes. In the months and years to come I’m sure Adeline will be hosting some more retreats… I’m keeping my fingers crossed I get to join a few more.

If you fancy connecting with Adeline and reading more about our trip do feel free to follow her on Instagram, I’m sure she’ll be posting more info about potential up and coming retreats in France during 2022 and beyond.

I can’t wait until we’re having breakfast once again at this table!

Header image – Source: Pexels, photo by David Bartus

Adventure, Cycling Chic

The Pennine Rally – ‘Riding the rough with the smooth’

June 24, 2021June 30, 2021by Emma Potter3 Comments

‘Rough with the smooth’ means you have to accept the bad or unpleasant things in a situation as well as the good things.

Who knew that June would be such an epic adventure into the unknown: With a love for nature, mountains and the great outdoors… when I was asked by Alison Dex to take a last-minute place in the inaugural Pennine Rally organised by Rapha – a self-supported adventurous pedal that goes mostly off-road from Edinburgh to Manchester, 15th to 19th June 2021 – I naturally said “yes” then promptly thought about the logistics of making it happen! But happen it did…

Our adventure begins

Generally speaking, I’m more creative than a numbers or stats person, but when it comes to long distance cycling the numbers stack up. For all the stats lovers out there, this will give you an idea of what The Pennine Rally equates to when it comes to digits, from the start in the Gamma Transport Division café in Edinburgh, to the finish at the Rapha store in Manchester.

For me personally The Pennine Rally translates to:

• 523.84 kms ridden
• 9,566 metres climbed
• 39 hours, 17 minutes time in the saddle
• 41 hours, 41 minutes including commuting and registration rides
• View the full route from Edinburgh to Manchester on Ride with GPS here

I was intrigued by the coincidence and repetition of the number 4141 so googled their meaning:
• Number 1 – Helps you discover yourself. It represents personal growth., personal strength, success, goals and ambitions. It also represents new opportunities, a fresh start, a new phase, and a positive attitude.

• Number 4 – Carries the vibrations that symbolise spirituality and balance in life. It helps you understand and appreciate the importance of inner peace. It emphasises that these two concepts, spirituality, and balance, are very significant in your life. Helps you turn goals into reality – through hard work and determination you have an opportunity to make your life better.

• Number 41 – Live a genuine and authentic life.

I was a bit blown away at how these numbers and their meanings resonated with my feelings and thoughts towards the challenge completed. I do strongly believe in balance in life and for me, spending time in nature creates that. Moreover, participating in these rides really does take me outside my comfort zone, they do require a positive attitude and a high degree of resilience – without these attributes I’d not make the finish line.

A sneaky peak inside each day

Me and my pedal partner in crime agreed that photo stops were an essential part of capturing our journey so throughout the ride we took lots of photos – I’ll do my best to share a couple from each day in the hope that they convey some of the experience we shared together.

Day 1: Edinburgh to Selkirk

• 86.33 km and 1,706 metres climbed

Today in five words… excited, smiles, rocks, headwind, laughter.

I’m now beginning to understand the description given on the Rapha website when they said “Only the hardy need apply”…

The rough with the smooth… bike hike into a headwind

In five words the day has been incredible, adventurous, hilly, windy, brutal. The hills are relentless… everyone walking (I’m not the only one) and the headwind is something else.

The scenery is utterly breath-taking… endless rolling green hills that keep on giving, steadily rolling into the distance. The people are super friendly. The vibe set this morning in Edinburgh was one of friendly, informative, helpful and fun. All encouraging each other as we reach the top of the climbs and chatting along the way.

This evening we enjoyed a fish and chip supper – local Eyemouth catch – followed by homemade apple pie and custard. My tummy needed a feed!

@alisondex you are an excellent co pilot.

Day 2: Selkirk to Bardon Mill

• 136.32 km and 2,449 metres climbed

Today in five words… forest, moss, remote, breath-taking, fun.

In just under 12 hours we’ve ridden from Selkirk to Hadrian’s Wall… it’s been a rather mental day on two wheels! A complete mix of terrain from logging trails, mud paths, cuttings through the trees, forests with millions of pine needles and beds of spongy moss, and lots and lots of hills.

One tumble for me coming through a 4-inch gully and thankfully a soft landing in the grassy peat where I met a few black squidgy slugs. No damage done.

This evening we stayed at YHA The Sill. A very welcome lasagne with garlic bread followed by sponge pudding and custard… delicious. Clothes washed and having a spin in the tumble dryer.

We’ve burned through so many calories it’s impossible to consume. A few cokes, one coffee, two Snickers, one bar, one gel, two sandwiches… porridge and a full English for breakie… so I’ve had a good go!

Painkillers and a big sleep, in preparation for tomorrow.

Day 3: Bardon Mill to Keld

• 107.72 km with 1,552 metres climbed

Today in five words… beautiful, scenic, pine needles, cuckoo, wild garlic.

It’s been another rather epic day in the saddle… more variety of terrain, country lanes, disused railways tracks, gravel, rocks, headwind, tailwind, hills and a few more hills.

Being able to see so many remote parts of our wonderful country is something quite special. The expanse of the views, epic viaducts, the sense of space, the smell of wild garlic, everything is so green, the birdsong is so varied too – cuckoo, warblers, I’m turning into a twitcher! Yesterday we enjoyed the smell of pine needles, the forest floor and fresh cut wood – every day is different.

This evening we dined and stay in a lovely place called the Bunkbarn – a very welcome sight it was too! We’ve been warmly welcomed and served a delicious dinner with a glass of red.

Big shout out to my co-pilot @alisondex – we’re still smiling and we’re rocking this!!

Two days to go until we celebrate in Manchester.

Kevin & Pixie rest while we are having our second breakfast

Day 4: Keld to Gisburn

• 109.98 km with 2,302 metres climbed

Today in five words… brutal, epic, fatigue, hills, wept.

Another monster day, lots of 25% climbs, lots of walking, epic views, feeling privileged to see so many beautiful remote spots and hidden gems.

This morning brings some bridge climbing too

Brilliant seeing the @rapha_uk van out on the road… great for coffee, coke, Tunnock cakes, pretzels and chat with other riders – helps to keep the spirits up and to exchange lots of lost and found flip flops en route.

Always fun seeing the Rapha guys in the van

Big thanks to my partner in crime @alisondex and to the wonderful group of @bella.velo.cc ladies riding @helebridg, @carolyngreensmith, @clare.liley, @helen.sharpie who helped get me functioning again after my crumble and face plant on the table on arrival at the pub this evening.

Quote from the waiter at dinner…

“Is she OK? We don’t want any dead people in here.”
Waiter

Arriving and having a warm welcome at the Foxhill Barn B&B was fabulous, just what we needed, now for sleep.

There was a sneaky flat route under the viaduct… we obviously opted for climbing the steps and whizzing down through a field!

Day 5: Gisburn to Manchester

• 83.49 km with 1,557 metres climbed

Today in five words… cobbles, smiles, hills, memories, happy.

I was slightly hesitant starting our fifth and final day, and also somewhat relieved as my body was feeling a little beaten up. However, once riding it didn’t too long to warm up as the 25% plus hills came thick and fast. To keep myself going I often focus on four pedal revolutions then have a little celebration to myself – then hit repeat. Four is an achievable number that’s totally replicable. Alison adopted my crazy method for keeping our legs going – it really does work!

As we climbed and pushed our bikes up the hills, clambered over rocks and navigated a gazillion gate ways, we slowly reached an old cobbled roman road along the ridge as we approached Manchester. It was magnificent seeing the city get closer and closer. Having completed all of the climbing for the day in the first 50 km, the final 30km rewarded us with the gentle, flat canal path as we meandered into town. A rather fitting end to complete the rally along the canal as it mirrored the start in Edinburgh.

The end has arrived… our epic off-road adventure from Edinburgh to Manchester is complete. The sun has shone, the sky is blue, the cheers on arrival at the Rapha store were just brilliant and to see so many smiling welcoming faces. The beer and arancini were delicious too – followed by rose and pizza to celebrate our pretty special achievement.

A quick bite and a beer were very welcome

@outdoorprovisions – you mapped out a truly fantastic route… twists and turns, full range of every terrain going – cobbles, canal paths, rocky ascents and descents, grass verges, and everything in between.

Thank you!

A few more rocks and gravel to navigate!

A team effort – “Thank you”

A massive thank you to Alice Fowles for letting me have your place. I know you’d much rather have ridden with Alison as planned, but your help in transferring your place to me and your continued support throughout the event was incredible and much needed to keep our morale high – you were with us in spirit for the entire journey and adventure.

Getting to the start line was took some serious plate spinning and help, particularly by my friend and super star mechanic Rohan Dubash – without you pulling out all the stops to service and practically rebuild my bike (a Pearson gravel bike called Rough with the Smooth) there’s no way I’d have made it from start to finish. The hills were punishing, the off-road was utterly mental, and throughout the entire ride I had no punctures or mechanicals!

To my pedal partner in crime Alison Dex, you are a total legend! And together we have achieved something quite extraordinary! Before we started you shared with me some priorities, passed to you by our friend and fellow rider Helen Sharp, they were…

Have fun and remain friends
Get to the finish
Finish within the timeframe set

We scored 100% and with beaming smiles too!

We’re on the Roman cobbled road… exhausted, happy and smiling.

At the moment I’m struggling to find the words that convey what we’ve just achieved – perhaps it’ll sink in over the coming days. One thing I am sure of is how proud I am of you, of me, the Bella Velo riding crew, and everyone else we shared the experience and the adventure with along the way.

Right from the outset, the vibe set by organiser and UK activation manager Louis Van Kleeff, Rapha, for The Pennine Rally was chilled, friendly, collaborative and fun. It’s a tough balance to strike yet he struck it perfectly. Of the 80 rider places available it was fantastic to have parity with 40 places being allocated to women and 40 for men – it’s not often you see this in cycling events so a great example for rides to come, I hope.

There’s a whisper in the air

Usually, when I finish a multiday ride, I say to myself “never again”, yet thoughts and ideas for the new adventures are already beginning to form, particularly something of the off-road self-supported variety. I did have plans to ride the King Alfred Way this summer so perhaps that’ll be next to share with friends who share my love of nature, cycling and the great outdoors.

Let’s see where the next chapter takes me. Who fancies coming along for the ride?