The Beginner’s Guide to a Midlife Crisis Outdoor Career Change
- Feb 7, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 18
Is it a crisis, or are you ready for adventure? Answer the call if you are ready to live authentically and build a fulfilling and rewarding career outdoors.
‘I was…searching for a way to change my lifestyle and was talking to a surfing mate who had given up a job in IT to become [an] instructor. He was having so much fun—I did some homework, and well, the rest is nearly history.’ - Tim Lewis, Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training Graduate
Summary
Midlife can prompt a career change to more fulfilling, purpose-driven work
Plan carefully to define your goals, research roles and pursue suitable training
Outdoor Instructor careers combine adventure, community impact and growth, with options like the 18-week Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training course to fast-track your transition
Table of Contents
Navigate a Midlife Crisis Outdoor Career Change With Purpose and Confidence
While there is ongoing debate about whether midlife crises truly exist, middle age is often seen as a time of new growth opportunities. Many people use this stage of life to reassess their lifestyle and career path.
Research from The Phoenix Group shows that one-third of people aged 45 to 54 expect to change careers before retiring. There are many reasons for this shift; however, most people are completely new to making a midlife career change, and that’s perfectly normal.
In this blog post, we will cover:
Why some people might choose to change their careers in midlife
The key factors to consider before taking the next step
Real experiences from Kia Pettifer and Tim Lewis, graduates of Mendip’s Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training course (AOIT)
Insights into the growing outdoor industry
Why becoming an Outdoor Instructor could be the rewarding change you’re looking for
What’s a Midlife Career Change?
It’s pretty much what it says on the tin: a midlife career change happens when someone decides to pursue a new profession, whether within an industry they are familiar with or in a completely different direction. Life experience is invaluable, and you would be surprised by what you can bring from one career to the next!
Why Would Someone Change Careers in Their 40s, 50s or 60s?
‘After the pandemic I just needed to do something to shake things up a bit.’ - Kia Pettifer, AOIT Graduate
Everyone has their own reasons, but often it comes down to things that influence the quality of life. Some triggers for change include:
Desire for meaning and purpose
Reassessing priorities
Seeking growth and challenge
Want to make a positive impact
Want to pursue a dream job
Have achieved the stability that allows for personal change
Outside factors such as industry changes or business downsizing
Your reasons for changing careers are personal, but if the idea keeps coming back to you, it’s worth exploring.
The same study by Phoenix Group found that nearly half of people aged 45-54 had not taken any steps to explore new career options in the previous six months. This is understandable, as there are currently limited resources and support specifically aimed at this age group.
‘I was working hard to throw money at having fun doing outdoor activities and being a weekend warrior to relax and unwind. It creates a slightly silly vicious circle. You break it by deciding to reframe your aspirations and focus on doing something you love, rather than worrying about whether you have enough in your pension to become a golf club bore!’ - Tim Lewis, AOIT Graduate
3 Things to Consider When Making a Midlife Career Change
You will know what to factor in from your personal circumstances, but 3 things worth considering in depth include:
Happiness
Career goals
Practicality
Happiness
Happiness is often the first thing people think about when considering a career change.
When we feel happier in our work, we’re usually more fulfilled and more productive. If you’re in a professional slump and things seem to be moving in the wrong direction, it may be a sign to consider a path that better aligns with the lifestyle you value.
A fulfilling career, such as teaching young people outdoor skills, can bring many well-being benefits, including a stronger sense of purpose and happiness. Because happiness plays such an important role in this decision, it’s important to be honest with yourself about what you truly want from your career.
Career Goals
What do you want from a new career?
Start by thinking about your current lifestyle and what you’d like to change. For example:
- More flexibility to balance work with hobbies or family commitments
- A stronger sense of contribution to your community
- A more active, hands-on role
- Opportunities to use practical skills in real-world settings
Whatever your goals, keep them at the front of your mind as you research and compare new career paths.
Practicality
Before making a midlife career move, consider:
- Will you need to retrain or return to university?
- What qualifications or experience do employers expect?
- How much time and money will training require?
Some careers require a degree, while others focus on industry-specific qualifications. Outdoor Activity Instructors are generally expected to hold National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications for the activities they teach. NGBs can be gained as part of a broader university program or by completing activity-specific training courses and assessments. You can find out why National Governing Body qualifications are valuable here.
If you want to make the change as quickly as possible, industry-specific programs like Mendip’s Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training course are useful ways to fast-track yourself into a new-to-you industry.
‘When you have…accumulated responsibilities, it feels like a risk. It took time and some serious soul-searching to…accept that [and] I was lucky that my wife and kids were tired of me being knackered or too busy to do as much as we wanted as a family. I talked about it with them, and they gave me the final push I needed.’ - Tim Lewis, AOIT Graduate
How to Change Careers in Midlife
You know your situation better than anyone, so bring your considerations to the table and think about the following steps to a midlife career change:
Find your balance between purpose and commitments
Think about what matters most to you and prioritise your commitments so they support your long-term goals.
You may need to balance:
- Finances and personal responsibilities
- Time for training
- Your progression from qualification to employment
Consider what adjustments you can make and how they align with the lifestyle you want.
It can also help to talk things through with:
- Friends and family
- Online communities and social media groups
These can be valuable sources of support and perspective during a career transition.
What direction are you interested in?
Most people have a role in mind that they are interested in, so that’s a good place to start researching. Look at job listings and compare what employers are asking for with your current skills and experience.
Useful resources include:
- The National Careers Service website, which outlines hundreds of roles and their training requirements
- Outdoor industry-specific job boards such as the Institute for Outdoor Learning or Best Adventure Jobs
It’s also helpful to speak directly with people already doing the job. You could:
- Join Facebook groups like Instructor Jobs (UK) and Freelance Outdoor Instructors
- Ask questions and connect with industry professionals
- Arrange to meet someone working in the field
- Visit a local outdoor business (just make sure to call ahead and choose a quiet time for a visit)
First-hand insight can give you a clearer picture of the role and your path into it.
Pursue appropriate training
Once you’ve chosen your direction, the next step is training. Select a route that fits your circumstances:
- Some people prefer to qualify as quickly as possible
- Others need flexible training that works around jobs or family commitments
At Mendip, there are two routes to becoming an Outdoor Instructor:
- A year-long apprenticeship
- An 18-week fast-track course
Both options are popular, and past graduates value the high-quality training delivered in formats that suit different lifestyles and commitments. You can read our guide to find out more about the different Outdoor Instructor training routes here.
‘Once you have made the decision, why waste time? The faster you can make the change the better. For me, doing things with a piecemeal approach would take too long and delay my aspiration.’ - Tim Lewis, AOIT Graduate
Embrace the Call of the Outdoors - Have You Considered Instructor Training?
Turn your passion into a career that supports the lifestyle you want!
A career in the outdoors offers:
Physical activity and adventure
Strong community connections
A sense of fulfilment and purpose
Opportunities to make a real difference in people’s lives
Participation in exercise and sports continues to grow, particularly walking and adventure activities. As more people get involved, demand is increasing for qualified Outdoor Instructors who can safely guide participants of all ages and abilities.
‘[It’s] an opportunity to learn how to teach and talk to the next generation…’ - Kia Pettifer, AOIT Graduate
Why Become an Instructor?
There are 7 main reasons people choose an Outdoor Instructor career:
Existing passion for nature and adventure
A desire for an active job
Hands-on, real-world work
A sense of purpose and fulfilment
Interested in education and mentorship
Excellent job satisfaction
Adventure and travel opportunities
Outdoor Instructors are trained to lead activities such as:
Caving
Kayaking
Archery
Bushcraft
And other adventure-based pursuits
They work across a variety of outdoor environments, helping people build new skills, overcome challenges and discover new interests. It’s a dynamic role where you can make a meaningful impact.
Whatever your motivation, becoming an Outdoor Instructor offers the chance to build a career that is:
Active and adventurous
Environmentally conscious
Community-focused
And as a bonus, you’ll often spend time in beautiful locations that not many others have seen!
‘A definite highlight was visiting the back caves of Wookey Hole, where not many people have been before…it felt like walking/crawling on newly discovered land!’ - Kia Pettifer, AOIT Graduate
How to Qualify as an Outdoor Activity Instructor
There are three main routes to becoming an instructor: university, apprenticeships, and fast-track training courses. At Mendip, we offer year-long apprenticeships for those who want to work, earn and learn at the same time, and an intensive 18-week Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training (AOIT) course for those who want to leap into their training full-time.
‘The course…add[s] more strings to my bow.’ - Kia Pettifer, AOIT Graduate
The Impact of Midlife Career Changes and the Outdoor Industry
Since introducing the AOIT a few years ago, Mendip has welcomed trainees of all ages. In our experience, people in their middle age are often excellent candidates for a career change into the outdoor industry, bringing valuable knowledge and life experience from other fields.
Kia Pettifer, a Circus Skills Workshop Instructor and AOIT graduate, described the course as a way to navigate “a healthy midlife crisis”. She expanded her skills and built confidence delivering outdoor activities. Kia noted, “I definitely think the course helped me with my interactions with the public after a few years of social change [post-lockdown].”
Midlife is a time of transition, and getting an outside perspective can help refresh your view of yourself, your lifestyle, and your career. Tim Lewis, another AOIT graduate, found the course impactful beyond the qualifications: “I expected to be challenged, get fitter and learn stuff. What I didn’t expect was having time and space to reflect, learn more about myself, and finally understand what actually matters in my life.”
You can see more first-hand insights from AOIT graduates here.
Learn More About Mendip’s Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training
Explore a life of adventure with the 18-Week Outdoor Instructor Training course, our most popular course for people looking to upskill and find a career they love.
The course includes:
20+ professional qualifications
Catering, transport and accommodation
Trips and hands-on experience
It’s one of the best ways to start building your new career in the outdoors.
‘The AOIT and the Mendip Team give you insights into life as an instructor; you get to see it firsthand. That made a real difference. I felt connected to the outdoor sector and made friendships that have grown and given me the opportunity to have adventures and spend time with people who think like me.’ - Tim Lewis, AOIT Graduate
Next Steps
Join us for our AOIT Open Days, where you can meet the team and discover everything you need to know about becoming an Outdoor Instructor.
The next AOIT course runs from 1st November 2026 to 13th March 2027, and spaces are limited, so make sure to reserve your space soon.
Alongside the comprehensive Outdoor Instructor Training course, we also offer individual Instructor courses for specific activities and personal skill development sessions, including coaching and leadership awards.