Natalie Hallas
Hi I'm Natalie, founder of Breathe Outside CIC, and passionate about all things active in the great outdoors! I would love to share some of that passion with you, by helping you explore your local green spaces and build your confidence in doing the right kind of movement to improve your health and wellbeing.
Exercise professional
I have always loved sports and being active from a young age, and this led me to completing a degree in sport and exercise science followed by a PhD in cardiovascular physiology. During this time I also provided sport science support to elite athletes and personal training, before moving to work in the medical technology industry.
Over the last 15 years as a health economist and as a Committee member at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), I have built up a broad understanding of many long-term conditions and diseases. It's exciting to see how the use of innovative healthcare technology can restore health and improve quality of life, but it is equally exciting to me how many aspects of these conditions can also be improved through increasing physical activity.
My mission is to inspire people to move more, more often, and have fun doing it!
Nature lover
Being Scottish, I grew up with the wind and rain in my face during outdoor activity - that was my normal! This has truly shaped me and I avoid being outdoors when the weather is less than inviting, I just make sure I am well prepared. It's never that bad when you are actually 'in' it and experiencing the elements, and small everyday things such as a hot shower or a cup of tea afterwards always seem so much better than had I not ventured out!
As a busy working mum to two young school-aged children, spending time in nature both alone and with my family is crucial to my own mental health and wellbeing, and helps keep me energised and physically healthy.
Adventurer
In my spare time I love trail running, mountain biking, paddle boarding, camping and wild swimming.
Qualifications
BASES Certified Exercise Practitioner
Certified by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES)
CIMSPA Exercise Referral Practitioner
CanRehab Cancer and Exercise Rehabilitation Award
Wright Foundation Level 4 in Mental Health
Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral
Active IQ Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training
Active IQ Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing
Academic Qualifications
PhD in Exercise Physiology; Brunel University
BSc Hons (1st) Sport & Exercise Science, Strathclyde University
Company board
Dr Natalie Hallas
Dr Isabelle Micklewright
Dr Isabelle Micklewright
Founder and Director of Breathe Outside.
Natalie is an Exercise Professional qualified to Level 4 for special exercise referral populations, with a PhD in Sport and Exercise science.
With a passion for outdoor activity, Natalie is passionate about showing people how exercise can be enjoyable, sustainable, and fitted in to our busy lives as a lifestyle behaviour change.
Dr Isabelle Micklewright
Dr Isabelle Micklewright
Dr Isabelle Micklewright
Non-Executive Director at Breathe Outside, providing general counsel and independent perspective to the company.
Isabelle is a private Clinical Psychologist, and provides her expert clinical insights to the mental health referral exercise programmes.
Isabelle is the owner of Thrive Psychology Bucks, where she is helping people to thrive:
Dr Philippa Velija
Dr Isabelle Micklewright
Dr Philippa Velija
Non-Executive Director at Breathe Outside, providing general counsel and independent perspective to the company.
Philippa is Head of Education and Sociology, and Associate Professor in the Sociology of Sport at Solent University. Breathe Outside benefits greatly from Philippa's academic expertise and insights in the field of sport and exercise science.