My name is Sarah Maliphant, founder of More to Mountain Retreats. I have a love for mountains, good farmhouse food, for Calm and Caring.
I grew up in South East England, with a penchant for brewing up cups of chalk tea and mud cake in my garden kitchen, building dens on woodland walks, and scrambling over tors, hills and coastlines on our summer holidays.
For me, the outdoors has always been a place where things make sense. It’s grounding, relaxing and uplifting all at once. But, perhaps like many, early dreams of working in the outdoors evaporated in the face of Proper Careers, not fully resurfacing until I was in my 30s.
My Corporate roles provided a rich and satisfying blend of Operational Research, Programme Management, leading market strategy, facilitation and coaching. A good stroll around the Annapurna Mountains in 2000 provided some time to reflect. As my vocation became clearer, I gradually focused my career, joining Beacons to focus on Leadership development, team communication, and reducing stress in the workplace; and starting More to Mountain Retreat in 2009.
My early mud tea service morphed into a calm pleasure in caring for others, no matter what role I was in. Caring for my Mother with Alzheimer’s served to deepen that.
Now I have the privilege of living and working in the most beautiful valley in the Brecon Beacons, and drawing on every aspect of who I am and what I love.
I still love cooking and mountains! And I love walking, enjoying several expeditions in the greater ranges of the Himalayas and the Andes, as well passionate ramblings around the mountains of Wales. When not walking, you’ll often find me pootling about in the garden, or sitting out with friends and a nice bottle of wine…
I’m a certified Coach, NLP Master Practitioner, Mountain Leader and first aider. That combination can come out in a whole variety of ways, and my way is a built on nurture and compassionate pacing. You won’t find me suggesting you can change your life in 7 days. I’m more of a 7 years sort of lass. And getting to this beautiful place was actually a 17 year journey. Was it worth it?
You can see the smile from there!
Sarah
