Meet the Team

The Swoop Coaching Team

Our small, highly experienced and qualified team have a unique range of skills to help facilitate lasting and transformative experiences. Our team are highly effective and well known for their warm and compassionate approach.

We work in the outdoors and in a holistic way with business professionals, vulnerable people, frontline workers, and more. We are highly acclaimed and our results can be found on our testimonials page

  • Tom Powell

    Tom started teaching outdoor activities in 2011, and quickly became interested in how coaching and communication could have a positive effect for helping people to build their confidence.

    Tom has spent much of his career working with young people from challenging and disadvantaged backgrounds, he has also worked as a coach with charities, corporations and frontline workers.

    Tom has studied and trained in many forms of coaching and effective ways to communicate. He places a strong emphasis on the importance of self care, especially through the practice of Mindfulness and meditation. He is known for his ability to put people at ease quickly and his calm, playful and authentic approach. He uses outdoor space, nature and movement to create an environment that allows the focus of attention to move towards feelings of wellbeing. 

    In 2022 Tom completed his training and supervision and is now a certified Mindfulness Teacher.

    In his personal life, Tom is a keen and dedicated climber who enjoys exploring what he is capable of out on the rock. He loves being out in nature, especially in woodlands and spotting wildlife. Tom also embraces more modern elements in the world and is an advocate for recognising the role that computer games and tabletop games can play as an additional means for playfulness, collaboration and connection.

    Experienced working with:

    Anxiety
    Trauma
    Finding flow
    Finding passion or purpose
    Fears and phobias
    Sadness and depression

    Training and Qualifications:

    Qualified Mindfulness Teacher
    Master Practitioner in NLP and hypnotherapy
    Mental Health First Aid
    NLP Coach
    BA (hons) English and Creative writing
    Rock Climbing Instructor
    Rock Climbing development Instructor
    Outdoor First Aid

  • Laura Powell

    Laura has been working in the outdoors for 15 years, she has worked with a range of different groups of people including students, military personnel, veterans, corporate groups, people struggling with addictions, and people overcoming injuries or health problems. Laura has coached clients in high risk environments and so she is familiar with putting people at ease quickly and recognising their strengths and capabilities. Laura has a great passion for the outdoors and also working with people and she relishes the opportunity to combine both to create an optimal learning experience. She firmly believes that the natural environment is one of the best places to allow people to explore what is most important in their lives and gain clarity about the direction they would like to take. 

    Laura enjoys working 1:1 with clients or with groups of people, her priority is to ensure the people she is working with feel safe and calm to provide a solid foundation to build confidence and resilience to help realise their capabilities. 

    In 2022 Laura completed her 200 hour training with Sampoorna Yoga to become a certified Yoga Teacher.

    In her personal life, Laura Loves big adventures especially in mountainous environments. She is a keen climber and cyclist and yogi. Laura’s adventures have taken her all over the world, and when she isn’t engaged in an activity, she loves good quality down-time with delicious nourishing food, and good company.

    Experienced working with:

    Trauma
    Anxiety
    Addiction recovery
    Life changing injury or illness
    Sadness and depression

    Training and Qualifications:

    Yoga Teacher
    BSc Hon Sport and Exercise Sciences
    Coaching Award ILM5
    NLP Practitioner
    Resilience Practitioner
    Mental Health First Aid
    Outdoor First Aid
    Mountain Leader
    Rock Climbing Instructor
    Mountain Bike Instructor L2

  • Will Batho

    Since leaving the Royal Navy as a Commando Sea King Helicopter Pilot, Will took on the role as Head of Tutorial at South Devon College, started his own Paddle Board Business, worked as Organisational Development Manager for Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue and was the Leadership and Development Lead for a major Coaching company.

    Will now runs Adventure Coach where he delivers bespoke holistic outdoor adventure courses in Dartmoor.

    During his time in the Royal Navy Will suffered a stress related collapse and subsequent loss of his flying career. Through his recovery, Will has had to grapple with the realities of personal resilience and mental fitness. Returning to his love of outdoor adventure, learning, and coaching.

    Will has a gentle approach, informed by his understanding of nature, flow and human spirit. He recognises the fine balance between the need to be driven and spirited and the need to be soothed and connected, and he is highly skilled at building and developing teams, and working closely with the healing journey of an individual. This makes Will the perfect guy to work both in the world of corporate development and holistic well being.

    Experienced working with:

    Corporate leadership and development
    High performing teams
    Finding flow
    Finding connection and passion

    Training and Qualifications:

    Master Practitioner in NLP and Hypnotherapy
    Rock Climbing Instructor
    Mountain Leader
    Paddle Sports Instructor
    Outdoor First Aid

Our Partners

Below are the good people we Love and Trust and work with cooperatively. They share similar values to us, and they all have a unique way of working that makes them special. Maybe you will meet them during one of our retreats or courses, or perhaps you will find that they have something to offer that fits your needs.

Jake Andrew

Chef

Jake makes fresh healthy food that comes with a real punch. Whether he is baking, juicing or catering for big events.

Jake has catered for many of our retreats and we LOVE his wholesome delicious food as do our clients.

From Dan’s Website

“Dan has been working as a freelancer in outdoor activities since 2013 and has climbed and caved extensively around the UK and Europe.

He holds a First Class Honours Degree in Outdoor Activity Leadership and is a Rock Climbing Development Instructor, Mountain Leader, Development Climbing Coaching and Local Cave and Mine Leader.

His repetoire of experience in climbing, instructing and coaching ranges from young children and first time beginners to international podium level athletes for GB and training and assessing the next generation of climbing instructors.

What we have to say

Dan knows the Peak District like the back of his hand and is a highly experienced and capable coach and Instructor who is friendly and professional. If you are looking to improve your technical climbing skills then Dan comes highly recommended.

Dan Hoyle

Climbing Coach & Instructor
Founder DDJ Mountaineering