Rosemary Sales – Wye Knot Community
This year I embarked on what would become the most extraordinary adventure of my life: leading the first British group to canoe the uncharted Delgermörön River in Mongolia. Over 300 kilometres of remote waterways, our team faced intense physical challenges, unpredictable river conditions, and the stark beauty of a landscape largely untouched by outsiders. It was an expedition that demanded resilience, courage, and trust — not just in each other, but in ourselves.
For me, this journey was more than a physical feat. It was the continuation of a lifelong path of healing from childhood trauma, a journey that began long before Mongolia and continues to shape who I am today. Writing my book, ‘Life Map to Mongolia,’ which recounts this expedition alongside my personal story, became an act of therapy. Every paddle stroke, every mile navigated, mirrored the internal work of facing fear, embracing vulnerability, and reclaiming strength and I found my voice.
The support I have received since sharing my story has been overwhelming. Friends, family, and even strangers have reached out to say how my journey has inspired them — not just to pursue adventure, but to face their own challenges with courage and hope. It’s a reminder that sharing one’s story can be as transformative as the journey itself.
Alongside personal growth, the expedition allowed us to immerse ourselves in Mongolia’s rich culture and vast landscapes. We connected with local communities, witnessed untouched wilderness, and experienced the profound silence and majesty of a river that few have seen. It was humbling, inspiring, and life-changing.
Through Wye Knot Community, my work continues on a local scale, fostering connection, resilience, and well-being. From intergenerational workshops and outdoor sessions in SEND schools, to movement therapy for people living with dementia, I strive to create spaces where people can challenge themselves, grow, and heal — much as I have done through my own adventures.
The Mongolia expedition taught me that healing, like adventure, requires courage, persistence, and openness. Every journey into the unknown — whether on a river in Mongolia or through the pages of one’s own story — holds the potential to transform us in ways we could never have imagined.