About - Walking Mentorship

Walking Mentorship | The Story

The concept took almost twenty years to prepare. Supported by research along with hundreds of walks with family, friends and their friends, the Walking Mentorship was created.

At the end of 2015, the first groups hit the road with their backpacks. Since that day, hundreds of people worldwide have joined our different outdoors and online programs.

João Perre Viana founded the Walking Mentorship, and a few years later, was joined by Nuno Santos Fernandes as a partner. Based on an innovative service model, the WM has been partnering with different co-mentors from various geographies and organizations committed to unleashing their teams' full potential. Always walking, always in nature.

Watch a brief explanation of our methodology

Our mentors

João Perre Viana

Founder and Pioneer of Walking Mentorship

Nuno Santos Fernandes

Partner of Walking Mentorship

Cristina Barradas

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Natalia Morozova

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mark Spijkers

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Tatiana Bejenari

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Clemens Froelich

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Maria Sefcikova

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Jodi Morris

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Brian O´Neill

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Melinda Alcosser

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Natalia Domanska

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Stephen Kimpel

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Ana Paula Garcia

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Dana Smith

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Garry Pratt

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Dmitriy Bibikov

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Cristina Mendes

Associate at Walking Mentorship

Our methodology has four moments

1. Slow down

Clear your Mind

Slow down with mentoring support in a trustworthy space where you can focus, clear your mind and gain perspective. You can join our programs, online, individually or with your corporation.

2. Reconnect with yourself

Simplify Life

Reconnect with yourself, the people around you and the environment. This is an opportunity to simplify life and go back to basics, naturally, step by step, just like walking. Align your thoughts with your pace.

3. Gain perspective

Understand what is Essential

Either you have an important personal or professional decision to make, or you just need a moment to reconnect with yourself and a way to recharge your batteries. This is something only you can do.

4. Take action

Create a Vision and an Action Plan

By the end of each program, you will revisit your ultimate purpose and ignite your passion to achieve the fundamental vision of your life. You will gain a deep understanding of what truly motivates you and the ability to turn it into an action plan.

See our programs

Our clients’ experience

If you happen to be in the Walking Mentorship, there is no coincidence.

If you happen to be in the Walking Mentorship, there is no coincidence. You are, probably, at the point where you need to find a Truth, which once you knew, and that now you need to reconnect to. WM is a safe voyage, both ways: inside and outside, with peers, travellers, and seekers just like you. I recommend it to anyone who is willing to make some important insights, after which you will never be the same. And after which, you will surely, want to recommence. Because, once you start walking with João, you cannot stop walking.

Poet, Writer and Life coach

A joyful journey of self-discovery towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Walking with Joao was a joyful journey of self-discovery towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life. We all have doubts about our choices, both personal and professional. The mentorship shows we also have the answers. Awareness and purpose help you focus your energy on what really makes a difference. The ideal future is at our reach and Joao helps build the compass.

Senior Reporter | Redator Principal

It looks like walking, but in the end, it's thinking and crystallising the best ideas.

It's difficult to find a program more physically and intellectually intense. It looks like walking, but in the end, it's thinking and crystallising the best ideas which you have in your head. The venues are fantastic, the route is beautiful and on top, you are supported by a fantastic Mentor, with whom spending a week is a real treasure.

President at Family Business Network Ukraine

What you have done during this week is priceless.

What you have done during this week is priceless. Amongst the different benefits I received throughout this journey, I realize that you were there the all-time for me. You made me realize that my life is whole and not divided between personal and professional. During this week, I felt things could change without having to change my entire life. I can be happy and go on. With your help, it became real and conscient in me.

Founder & CEO at EVENT CONCIERGE

Scientific Papers

All

Basso, J. C. & Suzuki, W. A. (2017)The Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood, Cognition, Neurophysiology, and Neurochemical Pathways: A Review. vol. 2 127–152.

Murphy, M. H., Nevill, A. M., Neville, C., Biddle, S. & Hardman, A. E. (2002) Accumulating brisk walking for fitness, cardiovascular risk, and psychological health.

Saint-Maurice, P. F. et al. (2020) Association of Daily Step Count and Step Intensity With Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA 323, 1151–1160.

Ludyga, S., Gerber, M., Pühse, U., Looser, V. N. & Kamijo, K. (2020) Systematic review and meta-analysis investigating moderators of long-term effects of exercise on cognition in healthy individuals. Nat. Hum. Behav. 4, 603–612.

Oppezzo, M. & Schwartz, D. L. (2014) Give your ideas some legs: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking. J. Exp. Psychol. Learn. Mem. Cogn.

Harris, M. B. & Wolf, M. R. (2013) Cardiovascular Disease Risk Following a 758 km Pilgrimage. Int. J. Sports Med. 34, 727–731.

Dounias, E. & Froment, A. (2006) When forest-based hunter-gatherers become sedentary: consequences for diet and health. vol. 57 26–33.

Tudor-Locke, C., Craig, C. L., Thyfault, J. P. & Spence, J. C. (2013) A step-defined sedentary lifestyle index:<5000 steps/day. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 38, 100–114.

Raichlen, D. A. & Alexander, G. E. (2017) Adaptive capacity: an evolutionary neuroscience model linking exercise, cognition, and brain health. Trends Neurosci. 40, 408–421.

Booth, F. W., Roberts, C. K. & Laye, M. J. (2011) Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases. Compr. Physiol. 2, 1143–1211.

Crust, Lee; Keegan, Richard J.; Piggott, David; and Swann, Christian F., (2011) "Walking the walk: A phenomenological study of long distance walking". Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers. 2419.

O'Mara, S. (2020). Solvitur Ambulando: Why Humans Walk Extraordinary Distances Together Serving Abstract Ends.

Wright, Suzanne (2008). Walk and Talk Therapy. Exercise is good for the body and the mind. It may improve psychotherapy sessions, too. WebMD archives.

Nieman DC, Henson DA, Austin MD, et al. (2011) Upper respiratory tract infection is reduced in physically fit and active adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2011;45:987-992.

Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for mental health. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, 8(2), 106.

Peluso, M. A. M., & Andrade, L. H. S. G. D. (2005). Physical activity and mental health: the association between exercise and mood. Clinics, 60(1), 61-70.

Hansen CJ, Stevens LC, Coast JR. (2001) Exercise duration and mood state: how much is enough to feel better? Health Psychol ;20(4):267-75.

Song, C., Ikei, H., Park, B. J., Lee, J., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2018). Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(12), 2804.

Foch, B.C. (2009) Brief Walks in Outdoor and Laboratory Environments Effects on Affective Responses, Enjoyment, and Intentions to Walk for Exercise. Res Q exerc Sport Sep; 80(3):611-20.

Frühauf, A. et al. (2016) Acute effects of outdoor physical activity on affect and psychological well-being in depressed patients – A preliminary study. Ment. Health Phys. Activity 10, 4–9.

Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. (2008)The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature. Psychological Science;19(12):1207-1212.

Kent, S.T., McClure, L.A., Crosson, W.L. et al. (2009) Effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants: a REGARDS cross-sectional study. Environ Health 8, 34.

Kurt S, Osueke KK. (2014) The Effects of Color on the Moods of College Students. SAGE Open.

Thoma, M. V., Mewes, R., & Nater, U. M. (2018). Preliminary evidence: the stress-reducing effect of listening to water sounds depends on somatic complaints: A randomized trial. Medicine, 97(8), e9851.

Prof. Jules Pretty, Jo Peacock, Martin Sellens & Murray Griffin (2005) The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise, International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15:5, 319-337.

Pretty, J. (2004), How nature contributes to mental and physical health. Spirituality Health, 5: 68-78.

Atchley RA, Strayer DL, Atchley P (2012) Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning through Immersion in Natural Settings. PLoS ONE 7(12): e51474.

Kaplan, S (1995) The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3): 169-182.

Tennessen CM, Cimprich B (1995) Views to nature: Effects on attention. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(1): 77-85.

Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. (2008) The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature. Psychological Science ;19(12):1207-1212.

Harper, N. J., Fernee, C. R., & Gabrielsen, L. E. (2021). Nature's Role in Outdoor Therapies: An Umbrella Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(10), 5117.

Cooley, S. J., Jones, C. R., Kurtz, A., & Robertson, N. (2020). 'Into the Wild': A meta-synthesis of talking therapy in natural outdoor spaces. Clinical psychology review, 77, 101841.

Koselka, E., Weidner, L. C., Minasov, A., Berman, M. G., Leonard, W. R., Santoso, M. V., de Brito, J. N., Pope, Z. C., Pereira, M. A., & Horton, T. H. (2019). Walking Green: Developing an Evidence Base for Nature Prescriptions. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(22), 4338.

Roe, J., & Aspinall, P. (2011). The restorative benefits of walking in urban and rural settings in adults with good and poor mental health. Health & place, 17(1), 103-113.

Soga, M., & Gaston, K. J. (2016). Extinction of experience: the loss of human–nature interactions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14(2), 94-101.

Clutterbuck, D. (2005)Establishing And Maintaining Mentoring Relationships: An Overview Of Mentor And Mentee Competencies. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 3(3)

Pascarelli, J. (1998)A four-stage mentoring model that works. In S. Goodlad (ed.) Students as mentors and tutors. London: Kogan Page.

Darwin, A. (2000). Critical reflections on mentoring in work settings. Adult 79 education quarterly, 50(3), 197-211.

Mullen, C. A. (2000). Constructing co-mentoring partnerships: Walkways, we must travel. Theory into Practice, 39(1), 4-11.

Lane, G.M. (1997). The developed model of mentor competence.Paper to the 4th European Mentoring Conference, London

Klasen, N. & Clutterbuck, D. (2002). Implementing mentoring schemes: A practical guide to successful programs. London:Butterworth-Heinemann.

Kram, K.E. (1983). Phases of the mentoring relationship. Academy of Management Journal, 26, 608-625

Kaye, Beverly, and Betsy Jacobson. (1996) "Reframing mentoring." Training & Development, vol. 50, no. 8, Aug, pp. 44+.

Brondyk, S. and Searby, L. (2013), "Best practices in mentoring: complexities and possibilities", International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 189-203.

Crawford-Starks, L. (2019), "E-Mentoring 2.0: Changing the Workplace Through Technology", Gordon, P.A. and Overbey, J.A. (Ed.) Advances in the Technology of Managing People: Contemporary Issues in Business (The Changing Context of Managing People), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 93-98.

Poulsen, K.M. (2006), "Implementing successful mentoring programs: career definition vs mentoring approach", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 38 No. 5, pp. 251-258.

Kochan, F. K., & Trimble, S. B. (2000). From mentoring to co-mentoring: Establishing collaborative relationships. Theory into Practice, 39(1), 20-28.

Woolworth, Rick (2019). Great Mentors Focus on the Whole Person, Not Just Their Career. Harvard Business Review.

Abbajay, Mary (2019). Mentoring Matters: Three Essential Elements Of Success. Forbes.

McLaughlin C. (2010). Mentoring: what is it? How do we do it and how do we get more of it?. Health services research, 45(3), 871–884.

Huang, C. A., Huang, A. C. L., & Lynch, J. (1995). Mentoring: The Tao of giving and receiving wisdom. Harper Collins.

Johnson, W. B. (2002). The intentional mentor: Strategies and guidelines for the practice of mentoring. Professional Psychology: Research and practice, 33(1), 88. Chicago.

van Eck Peluchette, J., & Jeanquart, S. (2000). Professionals' use of different mentor sources at various career stages: Implications for career success. The Journal of Social Psychology, 140(5), 549-564.

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We combine nature, walking and mentoring into a tool of self-development

Walking Mentorship | The Story

Our mentors

Founder and Pioneer of Walking Mentorship

Partner of Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Mentor at Walking Mentorship

Associate at Walking Mentorship

Our methodology has four moments

1. Slow down

2. Reconnect with yourself

3. Gain perspective

4. Take action

Our clients’ experience

If you happen to be in the Walking Mentorship, there is no coincidence.

Mladenka Perroton

Poet, Writer and Life coach

A joyful journey of self-discovery towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

André Veríssimo

Senior Reporter | Redator Principal

It looks like walking, but in the end, it's thinking and crystallising the best ideas.

Vladislav Burda

President at Family Business Network Ukraine

What you have done during this week is priceless.

Diana Charmadova

Founder & CEO at EVENT CONCIERGE

Scientific Papers

Basso, J. C. & Suzuki, W. A. (2017)The Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood, Cognition, Neurophysiology, and Neurochemical Pathways: A Review. vol. 2 127–152.

Murphy, M. H., Nevill, A. M., Neville, C., Biddle, S. & Hardman, A. E. (2002) Accumulating brisk walking for fitness, cardiovascular risk, and psychological health.

Saint-Maurice, P. F. et al. (2020) Association of Daily Step Count and Step Intensity With Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA 323, 1151–1160.

Ludyga, S., Gerber, M., Pühse, U., Looser, V. N. & Kamijo, K. (2020) Systematic review and meta-analysis investigating moderators of long-term effects of exercise on cognition in healthy individuals. Nat. Hum. Behav. 4, 603–612.

Oppezzo, M. & Schwartz, D. L. (2014) Give your ideas some legs: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking. J. Exp. Psychol. Learn. Mem. Cogn.

Harris, M. B. & Wolf, M. R. (2013) Cardiovascular Disease Risk Following a 758 km Pilgrimage. Int. J. Sports Med. 34, 727–731.

Dounias, E. & Froment, A. (2006) When forest-based hunter-gatherers become sedentary: consequences for diet and health. vol. 57 26–33.

Tudor-Locke, C., Craig, C. L., Thyfault, J. P. & Spence, J. C. (2013) A step-defined sedentary lifestyle index:<5000 steps/day. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 38, 100–114.

Raichlen, D. A. & Alexander, G. E. (2017) Adaptive capacity: an evolutionary neuroscience model linking exercise, cognition, and brain health. Trends Neurosci. 40, 408–421.

Booth, F. W., Roberts, C. K. & Laye, M. J. (2011) Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases. Compr. Physiol. 2, 1143–1211.

Crust, Lee; Keegan, Richard J.; Piggott, David; and Swann, Christian F., (2011) "Walking the walk: A phenomenological study of long distance walking". Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers. 2419.

O'Mara, S. (2020). Solvitur Ambulando: Why Humans Walk Extraordinary Distances Together Serving Abstract Ends.

Wright, Suzanne (2008). Walk and Talk Therapy. Exercise is good for the body and the mind. It may improve psychotherapy sessions, too. WebMD archives.

Nieman DC, Henson DA, Austin MD, et al. (2011) Upper respiratory tract infection is reduced in physically fit and active adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2011;45:987-992.

Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for mental health. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, 8(2), 106.

Peluso, M. A. M., & Andrade, L. H. S. G. D. (2005). Physical activity and mental health: the association between exercise and mood. Clinics, 60(1), 61-70.

Hansen CJ, Stevens LC, Coast JR. (2001) Exercise duration and mood state: how much is enough to feel better? Health Psychol ;20(4):267-75.

Song, C., Ikei, H., Park, B. J., Lee, J., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2018). Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(12), 2804.

Foch, B.C. (2009) Brief Walks in Outdoor and Laboratory Environments Effects on Affective Responses, Enjoyment, and Intentions to Walk for Exercise. Res Q exerc Sport Sep; 80(3):611-20.

Frühauf, A. et al. (2016) Acute effects of outdoor physical activity on affect and psychological well-being in depressed patients – A preliminary study. Ment. Health Phys. Activity 10, 4–9.

Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. (2008)The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature. Psychological Science;19(12):1207-1212.

Kent, S.T., McClure, L.A., Crosson, W.L. et al. (2009) Effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants: a REGARDS cross-sectional study. Environ Health 8, 34.

Kurt S, Osueke KK. (2014) The Effects of Color on the Moods of College Students. SAGE Open.

Thoma, M. V., Mewes, R., & Nater, U. M. (2018). Preliminary evidence: the stress-reducing effect of listening to water sounds depends on somatic complaints: A randomized trial. Medicine, 97(8), e9851.

Prof. Jules Pretty, Jo Peacock, Martin Sellens & Murray Griffin (2005) The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise, International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15:5, 319-337.

Pretty, J. (2004), How nature contributes to mental and physical health. Spirituality Health, 5: 68-78.

Atchley RA, Strayer DL, Atchley P (2012) Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning through Immersion in Natural Settings. PLoS ONE 7(12): e51474.

Kaplan, S (1995) The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3): 169-182.

Tennessen CM, Cimprich B (1995) Views to nature: Effects on attention. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(1): 77-85.

Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. (2008) The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature. Psychological Science ;19(12):1207-1212.

Harper, N. J., Fernee, C. R., & Gabrielsen, L. E. (2021). Nature's Role in Outdoor Therapies: An Umbrella Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(10), 5117.

Cooley, S. J., Jones, C. R., Kurtz, A., & Robertson, N. (2020). 'Into the Wild': A meta-synthesis of talking therapy in natural outdoor spaces. Clinical psychology review, 77, 101841.

Roe, J., & Aspinall, P. (2011). The restorative benefits of walking in urban and rural settings in adults with good and poor mental health. Health & place, 17(1), 103-113.

Soga, M., & Gaston, K. J. (2016). Extinction of experience: the loss of human–nature interactions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14(2), 94-101.

Clutterbuck, D. (2005)Establishing And Maintaining Mentoring Relationships: An Overview Of Mentor And Mentee Competencies. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 3(3)

Pascarelli, J. (1998)A four-stage mentoring model that works. In S. Goodlad (ed.) Students as mentors and tutors. London: Kogan Page.

Darwin, A. (2000). Critical reflections on mentoring in work settings. Adult 79 education quarterly, 50(3), 197-211.

Mullen, C. A. (2000). Constructing co-mentoring partnerships: Walkways, we must travel. Theory into Practice, 39(1), 4-11.

Lane, G.M. (1997). The developed model of mentor competence.Paper to the 4th European Mentoring Conference, London