Diving into Darkness: How Caving Transformed My Business Mindset and Resilience
As an entrepreneur, a mother of three, and a military spouse, I've been wrangling the intricacies of school holidays and managing a business, much like countless other multitasking parents out there. Amongst the juggling, I've been feeling stagnant in business. The next steps on crucial projects seemed elusive, and uncertainty clouded my path forward.
My history with business and life coaches had been fruitful, but I sensed that another coaching session wouldn't provide the breakthrough I sought. It wasn't a refined strategy I needed – it was a shift in my mindset. Then, I had a call from someone I have networked with over the last year. "What you need to try is caving," John suggested. Now, initially, my mind conjured images of horror movies like 'The Descent,' and I was ready to dismiss the idea. But as John elaborated on the concept of caving for building resilience, my perspective began to shift.
Unearthing Resilience Through Caving
Caving, also known as spelunking, involves exploring natural underground caves and passages. It's not just an adventure; it's a transformational journey that moulds an unyielding mindset. Navigating tight spaces, darkness, and unpredictable conditions helps develop problem-solving skills, adaptability, and the ability to face discomfort with resilience.
I met John Beamson through virtual networking as we are both from the military community. Now a Veteran, John is known as the CEO Adventurer organising world-class outdoor adventures to help you master your mindset and continually improve in life and business. He explained accomplishing complex tasks in caving, such as conquering fears of darkness or tight spaces, can translate to increased confidence in facing challenges in other areas of life.
Navigating through dark, unknown passages can teach you to adapt quickly to unexpected changes, fostering an ability to remain calm and composed in the face of uncertainty. Overcoming these challenges can help build resilience by teaching you to push through difficulties and find solutions in unfamiliar and demanding situations.
Though my instincts were screaming against it, I realised the allure of embracing discomfort. Discomfort, though challenging, can be a catalyst for significant positive personal development. When willingly embraced and navigated, discomfort pushes you beyond your comfort zone, fostering growth. Discomfort is exactly what I needed to experience, so we booked a date in the Peak District to go caving.
The Giants Hole
In the southern part of the Peak District National Park, near the village of Castleton, you'll find the Giants Hole. It's a well-known cave system characterised by an extensive network of passages, chambers, and underground rivers. It offers a range of caving experiences, from relatively easy sections suitable for beginners to more challenging passages that require technical skills and equipment.
Access to Giants Hole is typically managed through organised caving clubs or with experienced guides, as caving in complex systems like this requires proper training and equipment to ensure safety. Safety is paramount to John for any of the expeditions he organises. Therefore, he arranged for a highly experienced caving instructor to guide us through the three-hour experience.
Giants Hole has been a site of exploration and study for many years. Caving clubs and enthusiasts have been mapping its passages, discovering new routes, and contributing to the understanding of the cave's geology and hydrology. Our instructor's deep understanding of the cave's labyrinthine passages ensured an enriching yet challenging experience.
Facing discomfort requires courage and a willingness to step into the unknown. And stepping into the unknown is where it began - John asked me to take the lead into the cave and guide us down. In theory, being bold to face discomfort translates into a greater ability to take calculated risks and embrace new opportunities.
My Underground Odyssey
The moment I ventured into the enigmatic cave, a barrage of emotions flooded my senses: anxiety, fear, excitement, and a newfound sense of reliance. While meticulously manoeuvring over the slick rocks underfoot, I couldn't help but wonder how this subterranean escapade connected to my business pursuits.
But this journey was far from straightforward caving. John incorporates challenges along the way, such as turning off the head torches and asking me to lead the team through complete darkness to the exit. Successfully navigating the three of us out using only touch and speech boosted my self-confidence. Overcoming challenges fosters a sense of achievement, proving that you can overcome obstacles and thrive in situations that once seemed insurmountable.
The truly astonishing part was how swiftly I adapted to the cave environment. Fear gave way to intrigue as I absorbed the fascinating mechanics of cave formation – geological strata, fossils, cave pearls, and the murmuring of hidden underground waterways. Every cave holds a unique tale dictated by factors like geology, mineral composition, and eons of water sculpting its walls. It's a concealed realm steeped in millions of years of history.
It's no secret to those around me that I'm afraid of the dark. I always have been, for as long as I can remember. Relying solely on a head torch didn't bolster my confidence. After a particularly challenging climb (one of the many surprises was that the caving instructor packed the safety equipment needed for climbing and abseiling), we all sat in an open area of the cave with our head torches off. We were listening to what we could hear around us.
There is no ambient light, and you can't even see your hand in front of your face. Normally, this would fill me with panic, but it didn't. I felt entirely peaceful taking in this new environment. It expanded my self-awareness, promoting a heightened awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This type of mindfulness cultivates a deeper understanding of oneself, enabling you to make intentional choices aligned with your values.
And then there was abseiling – a challenge I briefly mentioned. While I had previous experience with controlled abseiling walls, the idea of rappelling within a cave was entirely uncharted territory. In some places, Giants Hole is over 120 metres (390 ft) deep, and it’s one of the deepest cave systems in the Peak District. I had no idea I was going to do this, but by this point, I was feeling comfortable and excited. What was once uncomfortable becomes more manageable, encouraging a willingness to explore new opportunities and experiences.
After what felt like only an hour in but was actually three hours, I navigated us out of the cave to daylight. The emotions I felt were completely the opposite of my initial apprehensions.
The Trifecta of Courage, Boldness, and Resilience
Although I technically knew what to expect when caving, it wasn't anything like I had imagined. In my mind, I thought I would manage it but not thrive. But the experience cultivates mindfulness, patience, and the capacity to embrace uncertainty, ultimately promoting personal growth and a more resilient approach to life's obstacles. Upon reflection, this adventure successfully shattered the shackles of stagnation in both my business and my mindset.
Delving into the concealed realms of caves confers an unparalleled perspective on life and our position within it. This change in perspective can encourage personal growth and a greater appreciation for life's challenges and opportunities. Who would have thought that the very act of caving could realign my outlook and propel me forward in the realm of business?
