On 8 March, a 200 strong audience gathered at the Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds for ‘Exposed’, an inspirational talk by British climber and mountaineer Leo Houlding.
Known for climbing and jumping from some of the world’s most dramatic peaks, Houlding spent the evening sharing the story of a very different kind of expedition: a year-long adventure around the world with his young family.
Leo started the talk by highlighting that many young people today are rarely exposed to calculated risk, and not pushed to challenge themselves. Without those experiences, Houlding argued, it becomes harder to develop the resilience, strength and confidence needed to deal with anxiety and uncertainty – so important in today’s ever-changing world.
His response might be considered radical by some, but it worked for his family – he and his partner decided to take their children, Freya and Jackson (aged 11 and 8 respectively), out of school, and into the world for a year of adventure.
The family booked round the world flights and planned all of the complicated logistics, for an incredible year of challenging expeditions and experiences across all four corners of the globe. Through a mix of film, photography and storytelling, the audience followed the family from big wall climbs in Yosemite (becoming the first family to climb El Capitan together) to remote islands in Papua New Guinea
(kayaking and padel boarding along the Calvados island archipelago), as well as hiking adventures through Nepal and skiing escapades in Japan.
What made the stories so engaging was not just the scale of the landscapes but also seeing how naturally the children were part of it all. Freya and Jackson have been outdoors and travelling like this since they were babies – but this year long trip was by far their biggest adventure yet.
Not every moment looked comfortable – at least not from my perspective. Watching footage of the family climbing El Capitan had my palms sweating – particularly for anyone who is less than fond of heights. But the talk wasn’t really about extreme climbing; (although the climbing did look epic, and I’m sure did inspire others in the room) it was about possibility, and about the different ways families can choose to live their lives. The message that I took away from this talk was clear: you don’t have to follow the version of life the world expects of you.
Some of the adventures that the Houlding family embarked on over the course of their year long trip were very appealing to me. Sea kayaking and paddleboarding through the islands of Papua New Guinea looked unforgettable – making friends with local people, trading fishing tools for freshly caught fish and learning how to build shelters would all be memories to last a lifetime. The trekking scenes in Nepal were equally inspiring – the kind of landscapes that make you start planning trips before you’ve even left the theatre.
Alongside the adventure, there were also quieter reflections. One of the most striking elements of the year was the people the family met along the way. In country after country, strangers welcomed them, shared food and stories, and opened their homes. It was a reminder that despite cultural differences, connection and generosity are still very much alive.
Some of the stories and adventures shared were already familiar to me, and probably also to others in the room. I had followed the family’s journey online (Leo shared their adventures via social media across the year – even sharing live updates from the side of El Cap as the family ascended the 1000m cliff over the course of a week) – which meant it was fascinating to see everything brought together, with the behind-the-scenes context that social media rarely shows. For others – including my companion for the evening – it was a completely new introduction to Houlding’s world, making the scale of the adventures even more remarkable.
Away from the incredible adventure stories, the format of the show worked particularly well. The combination of video footage, still images and live storytelling made the evening feel immersive and personal – almost like a beautifully curated long-form YouTube film, but with the added energy of being in the room. Adding to this, Houlding stayed after the show to chat with audience members and sign books, adding another personable touch to the evening.
More than anything, ‘Exposed’ left me with the inspiration and motivation to keep living a life that includes adventure, challenge and the push beyond my comfort zone. My adventures will not look exactly like those of the Houlding family, but I am so keen to live a life that is memorable, filled with incredible views and with my favourite people.
