Meet the Directors
Mark Taylor
Director and Kenilworth Walk Leader
I have always been an outdoor person and as friends and family will definitely confirm, I love to talk. So being involved in a group that has those two things in the title, well it was was meant to be.
Jokes aside, one of the proudest moments of my life was when I was asked to become a Director of Men Walking and Talking. I have been presented with a role that allows me to follow the passion I have for improving men’s mental health.
I have had my own mental health battles in recent years and facing up to and dealing with them has given me unique insight into being able to offer support where needed.
I have evolved so much as a person since being involved with this group, both as a Walk Leader and Director. I am more aware of other people’s needs, a better listener and have gained more knowledge of mental health, which is vital in my roles.
My love of the outdoors and in particular, mountain walks, keeps me active in my down time, helps me to unwind and keeps me fit and healthy.
I keep my brain active with reading, geometric drawing and podcasts.(listening to and taking part, shameless plug for my episode on Ash Winter and Friends 😊) Love a good rock gig/festival and the odd TV series binge. Also enjoy cooking 😊
Dan
Founder and Director
Hi , my name is Dan Reid, and I’m the Founder and Director of Men Walking and Talking (MWAT). I started this organisation in mid-2021, and the reason is deeply personal. For years, I struggled with anxiety and depression and, like a lot of men, found it incredibly difficult to open up about how I was feeling.
I eventually reached a low point where I knew I had to make a change. After some strong encouragement from my wife, I finally started seeing a therapist. That was the best thing I could have done—it was the catalyst I needed. I still have the daily struggles that many men face, especially the persistent feeling of constantly not being good enough, but I began the work to regain my self-esteem and self-worth, even working with a life coach.
As I started to improve, I gained the confidence to open up about my mental health struggles to other men. It was in those moments that the idea for Men Walking and Talking was born.
Why Walking Works for Men
I started MWAT because I felt I could speak from a place of truth and experience. I knew firsthand how easily your brain can lie to you, telling you that you’re worthless.
I realised that men often need a specific kind of environment to connect. That’s why walking is so powerful. It’s a “shoulder-to-shoulder” activity. Unlike the confrontation of a face-to-face meeting, walking side-by-side makes it less intimidating to share. Our walks are not a replacement for professional therapy, but they offer a crucial, non-judgmental space where you can share if and when you feel comfortable. We’ve created a real brotherhood, a community where men support the next man simply by showing up and walking together.
The National Impact of MWAT
What started in Telford in 2021, with just one other person joining that very first walk, has grown into something I never imagined. We have quickly expanded to almost 50 walks across the UK.
Our mission is to change the conversation around men’s mental health. We provide a safe space where men of all ages and backgrounds—from veterans and students to retirees—can connect and talk openly. The growth of Men Walking and Talking, supported by a fantastic network of walk leaders, shows just how badly this was needed. By making it okay to talk, we are breaking down barriers, transforming lives, and helping to shift society’s attitude toward men’s mental health. We are proving that just turning up and walking with other men can be the powerful “reset” a man needs to cope with the daily challenges of life.
Ash Winter
Director and Hereford Walk Leader
Ash has an extensive experience within both the wellbeing and adventure sectors, coming from a military background serving in hostile environments and later within the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and the Defence Medical Welfare Service supporting those in need with both mental and physical injuries, Ash has fought his own demons and uses this as lived experience to support others in similar situations.
Since being discharged from the military Ash has used adventure and sport to help with his recovery pathway, expeditions in the Arctic, UK, and Mountainous locations. Alpine Ski racing, Invictus Games foundation sports and becoming a Guinness World Record Holder as the fastest man on the planet to run a mile, blindfolded!
He continues to test his physical and mental strength and inspires others with similar conditions. Ash is a motivational speaker, published author and charity ambassador.
What it means to be part of MWAT; “Being asked to host a walk in my city was an honour but being asked to become a director and help grow Men Walking and Talking gives me a huge sense of pride and excitement”.
Ash hosts the “Ash Winter and Friends Podcast” and is made in association with Men Walking and Talking, he has been instrumental in the creation of a MWAT family and friends walk.
Andy Middle
Director and Shrewsbury Walk Leader
Hi there, I am Andy, and having spent most of my adult life in the British Army, I found myself in the outdoors, walking but mainly running a lot, but now I have slowed it down into a gentle and enjoyable walk.
I developed PTSD whilst serving with the United Nations during the Bosnian war at a young age, and throughout the numerous operations, I was deployed on during my career. It all came to a head when I was injured during operations and spent 2 years in hospital, which resulted in me being Medically Discharged from the Army and having to start a new life as a civilian. After being discharged, I needed ongoing help with my mental health, and having exhausted my options for therapy, I stopped attending and dealt with things myself by getting into a routine that was not helping my mental health one bit.
My wife Faye came to the rescue as per normal and told me there was a new group forming in Shrewsbury for men to go for a walk and talk about mental health issues, and after lots of excuses of why I couldn’t go, she drove me to the starting point, kicked me out of her car and my journey began with Men Walking and talking.
I have been attending the walk on my own free will ever since, and now I am happy to say I am the Shrewsbury Walk Leader and a Director of the organization that, in my time, has helped hundreds of Men with their mental health problems. My own mental health has improved significantly since being a member of the organization because it has given me back the feeling of comradeship and a focus outside of family and work life.
The thought of helping someone who is in crisis or in their hour of need has had a positive effect on my own mental health and has now become one of my main coping strategies. If you have reservations about attending a walk then take it from someone who has been in those shoes, kick them off and put your walking boots on, and meet the guys.