This text was finalized while listening to this music.
Dear beautiful people, (take a deep breath…and come on a flight with me)
For quite some time now, we’ve been dreaming of creating a program at Walking Mentorship called Airplane Mode. Why? Because disconnecting has become so hard that we often end up compromising the most vital connection of all: the one with ourselves.
The truth is, work has changed. And because the way we work has changed, so has the way we live. It’s all tangled together now — emails in bed, meetings in the car, performance reviews on a beach holiday.
But there is more. We live in an age where algorithms curate our curiosity, headlines replace reasoning, and conformity is rewarded.
This is what work has become: Asking permission for basic human functions because the machine requires constant attention and feeding.
Hybrid work was supposed to fix this. Instead, it amplified the noise. Now, work is everywhere. And so is the pressure.
You’re never fully working, never fully resting.
You’re always potentially working — and potentially failing to work hard enough.
Phones have become portable anxiety generators. Interruption is the norm. And research shows it takes about 23 minutes to refocus after each one. The flexibility to work anywhere became the obligation to be available everywhere. Meanwhile, the half-life of your skills keeps shrinking. You’re constantly learning something new, while quietly forgetting what you mastered last year.
There’s no time to reflect. No space to breathe.
And yet, you keep going. Smiling on Zoom. Clicking “I believe in what my organization is doing” on the engagement survey. Not because you still believe. But because you believe in keeping your job.
In truth, many people are quietly feeding their whole lives into ChatGPT. Reports. Updates. Quizzes. Emails. No one talks about it. But everyone’s doing it. We’ve gained the ability to spot AI-written articles in seconds, while losing the ability to write — or think — something original. It should make us think.
We are witnessing something profound: The collapse of thinking, disguised as productivity.
So… what can you do?
At Walking Mentorship, we believe the answer starts in the most human of acts:
Open the door and step outside.
Barefoot or with boots, get ready to walk in nature. The most important thing is to leave the phone in airplane mode — not just as a setting, but as a way of life.
For the last 10 years, we’ve walked with people, companies, and teams across the world. Off-site. Off-grid. Off-script. And the result is always the same:
“I feel human again.”
“I remembered what really matters.”
“We made decisions we’ve been postponing for years.”
When you walk outdoors with intention, there are no dashboards, no performance theatre — just people. Real conversations. Real space. Real clarity, Real silence. And you know what? Silence speaks! So here’s our invitation:
Book time to stop. Yes…simple! Book a slot time to stop. Do it now!
Put it in your agenda — this week, month, year, next year, it doesn’t matter. Make space for yourself (or your team) to pause, reflect, and reconnect. Make space to think, while it’s still legal (no pun intended).
By the way, we probably don´t need to create a new program named Airplane Mode. We just need to make the decision to be present in the moment, and that will be enough.
If this message resonates, write to us. We’d love to help you plan your next off-site or welcome you at one of our immersive programs (check belowfor the available dates).
In the meantime, keep walking with us, changing the world one person at a time and one step at a time.
Until our next newsletter,
Keep walking with us!
Joao Perre Viana
Founder, Walking Mentorship
Ps* The picture at the top was taken in March, flying from Madrid to Los Angeles. Somewhere beautiful and enjoying 12+ hours of airplane mode.
Are you ready to embark on our journeys?
If you think it is about time to take yourself for a walk, we invite you to join one of our carefully designed upcoming programs 👇
🔹 Destination You – via Francigena | Swiss Alps: 2 Places available [23-30 August 2025] Start here
🔹 Camino de Berobreo – Coastal Route | Spain: 4 Places available [6-13 September] Start here
🔹 Slow Down – Sardinia | Italy: 8 Places available [5-7 October] Start here
🔹 Year-End (WM Alumni only) – Algarve | Portugal: 8 Places available [11-14 December] Start here
What have we been doing?
What a month, June!
June was an incredible chapter in our journey.
We had the honour of joining the Coaching Outdoors Live event for the first time at Henley Business School in the UK. What an extraordinary experience—it truly felt like finding our tribe. We’re already counting down the days until we return in 2026.
Back in Portugal, we walked with the amazing team from GALP’s Convenience Department. A day filled with connection, reflection, and a shared sense of purpose.
We also returned to the Camino de Santiago for another immersive program along the Via de la Plata. Revisiting sacred places like the Monastery of Oseira is always a deeply grounding experience.
And to close the month, we delivered the Balanced by Nature program in partnership with Associação Encontrar+se at Azenhas do Mar, along the Portuguese coast. A magical day of slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and simply being.
July is just around the corner—and we’re ready to walk into it with open hearts and curious minds. Always walking and always in nature. You can watch the videos on our YouTube channel here.
How can we walk together?
Walking Mentorship is a labor of love that helps you gain deeper insight and equips you to create a meaningful impact on your life and those around you.
How can we work together? We keep things simple by offering, Individual, Group and Corporate programs. You can also offer vouchers as a gift to the people you love. Find the best fit for you and book a call with one of our mentors.
In the meantime, keep walking with us 🚶♂️ changing the world one person at a time, one step at a time.
