With a background as a qualified dance teacher, senior mental health lead and life coach among others, and with over 25 years teaching trauma-informed approaches, I invited a few colleagues to join me for a music-assisted walk.
I chose songs that helped me heal, put on the headset mic and coached them through the session.
The effect was instant. The energy was electric. Silent Steppers was born!
A community that keeps growing
Fast forward under a year and Silent Steppers now has hundreds of participants every week that include children, right through to our oldest Stepper aged 83.
We train in all weather – rain, wind, sun and/or coastal gales – and the tougher the conditions, the more bonded the group becomes.
Alongside our main sessions, we now run Steady Steppers, a slower-paced, mobility-friendly version designed for those with disabilities, injuries, chronic conditions or lower fitness levels.
These sessions offer the same music, the same mindset coaching and the same sense of achievement, just at a pace that feels safe and accessible for everyone involved.
The physical and mental impact across both groups has been extraordinary and participants have reported improvements of different kinds like weight loss, better fitness levels, plus better balance, coordination and confidence.
Others have mentioned being able to return to exercise after cancer treatment or joint replacements, a reduced reliance on mental health medication (always under GP guidance), stronger mobility and the ability to jog for the first time in years, and, overall, significant improvements in mood, stress levels and wellbeing.
And if all of that wasn’t enough, overwhelmingly, people describe Silent Steppers as their escape – an hour where they can lose themselves, breathe differently and feel part of something special.
The outdoors connection
Taking Silent Steppers into outdoor public spaces has created something truly magical.
We dance-walk along promenades, move through parks, train beside the sea and often stop people in their tracks who just smile when they see us.
Week after week, members of the public pause to watch us, cheer us on, take photos or even start dancing as we pass. People tell us we’ve made their day, how amazing we look or how we lift their mood.
Many now recognise us and come back each week just to see us in action because our group's energy is infectious.
These interactions have become part of the heartbeat of Silent Steppers, and proof that movement and joy ripple far beyond the people wearing the headsets.
Challenges and what we’ve learned
I must admit, however, that with popularity comes challenges.
We only have 60 headsets, which means waiting lists of 25+ people are becoming common.
I’m also frequently asked to run sessions across the UK – and even internationally – but with existing commitments, it simply isn’t possible.
However, I’ve now excitedly trademarked licensing training that'll launch in the new year, which will create opportunities for Silent Steppers leaders in towns and cities nationwide.
There are other key lessons we’ve also learned:
- When exercise is fun, people stick to it – many of our steppers are a year in and saying it’s the only thing they’ve ever stuck too.
- Authenticity matters, as people connect with honesty and real stories.
- Listening to the community and adapting accordingly is essential.
- Music profoundly changes the movement experience.
- Mindset coaching and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques amplify the emotional impact.
The future of Silent Steppers
The combination of music, scenery, encouragement and community creates an empowering, accessible and inclusive atmosphere that translates into a wellbeing experience unlike any other.
It fills me with pride that what started as a personal coping mechanism has now grown into a nationwide wellbeing model, supporting hundreds every week.
I also love that Silent Steppers is reshaping how people view exercise, mental health and community connection.
Silent Steppers is proving that exercise can be enjoyable at any age and ability. One dance step at a time.
