about

Team Member

Mark Stephens - Mountain Leader

After studying architecture at university and working in the conservation sector my love for the outdoors led me to the Instructor Development Programme at Tollymore National Outdoor Centre. Here I gained both qualifications and experiences leading groups in our iconic outdoor destinations, from walking the hills and climbing the rock, to kayaking in local rivers and paddling along our seacoast. Currently I am the Orienteering Co-ordinator for Orienteering Ireland, but I also work as a freelance outdoor instructor and coach. Both roles provide the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of people with differing experience levels and interests which I find incredibly rewarding.

I am a qualified Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor and Canoe and Sea Kayak Coach. I love putting these qualifications to use increasing participation in outdoor activities by empowering people to step out of their comfort zones and achieve a personal goal. It’s truly satisfying to see people get as much joy from engaging with the outdoors as I have been lucky to experience. This is particularly true for the way in which the outdoors promotes positive mental health, and it is for this reason that I feel privileged to be part of the Positive Steps Outdoors team working alongside a great bunch of people who all share the same values. When not at work you will still find me outdoors. I’m a competitive and experienced mountain runner and orienteer while more recreationally I love to go on sea kayak expeditions around our amazing coastline.