Lighting the Spark - Rubina Blackwell on Finding Purpose, Passion, and the Power of Outward Bound.
In this episode of Outward Bound and Me, we sit down with Rubina Blackwell — programme and events manager, mental health advocate, and proud Outward Bound alumna. Rubina reflects on her 2008 Outward Bound course and how it became the turning point in her life. Growing up in Nottinghamshire with a challenging home environment, Rubina once felt success was out of reach. But her time on the course ignited a mindset shift that carried her through a global career in events, mental health leadership, and entrepreneurship — all before the age of 32.
From climbing Snowdonia to running national projects that supported businesses during the pandemic, Rubina’s story is filled with honesty, resilience, and a deep passion for helping others realise their potential.
Tune in for an inspiring, uplifting conversation about identity, inner work, and how a single spark can light the way.
From climbing Snowdonia to running national projects that supported businesses during the pandemic, Rubina’s story is filled with honesty, resilience, and a deep passion for helping others realise their potential.
Tune in for an inspiring, uplifting conversation about identity, inner work, and how a single spark can light the way.
Creators and Guests
Host
Dylan Carroll
Dylan Carroll is the Head of Partnerships at The Outward Bound Trust, leading the Corporate, Trusts & Foundations, Alumni and Legacy teams. Following a career in sales and marketing working across Europe, he now has 20 years fundraising leadership experience, working previously at Barnardo’s, as a consultant, and chairing the Institute of Fundraising. Dylan believes in the power of storytelling to showcase the impact an Outward Bound experience can have on individuals at a pivotal time in their lives, and how Outward Bound pedagogy has influenced countless futures, career, and life choices. He hopes that through this podcast, individual stories of resilience, failure and success, adventure and fun, will be shared with a wider audience, so that people will think on their own connection to the charity, the outdoors and nature, and possibly their own lives and autobiography, and the impact they have on others. The stories in this podcast are individual, but contribute to a collective 85 year tapestry of a charity that has had a lasting impact on many lives.
Guest
Rubina Blackwell
I completed my Outward Bound residential in 2008. As a young person who grew up in a disadvantaged background with parents with mental health issues. The residential opened up my world and made me realise I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I often felt that opportunities for success were not available to me and I was angry at the world but not only did the course give me a passion and love for the outdoors it set the standard for the rest of my life and my career. After being asked by the Event Manager for Outward Bound to speak about my experience at the One Night Only charity fundraising dinner at Battersea Evolution Centre in London the rest was history. I began working towards a career in events and have had the opportunity through this career to travel the world, visiting places like Jamaica, Barcelona and Amstererdam. The mindset that was instilled in me had meant I've kept progressing and growing. I've managed national projects for business support programmes keeping businesses afloat during covid and boosting the economy, I have ran marketing campaigns for global businesses and more recently was offered a Directorship at a mental health charity all by the age of 31 without a degree. A testament to the values instilled in me. I've always had a spark inside of me but Outward Bound lit the flame and I am forever grateful.
