Gumbies Ambassador Series: Amy in the wild!

We’re delighted to welcome Amy — also known as @amyinthewild_ — to the Gumbies ambassador family! Based on the Isle of Wight, Amy is a passionate adventurer, wildlife advocate, and outdoor lover who fills her free time with hiking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, bike riding, and just about every nature-fueled hobby you can imagine.

Between working at an animal sanctuary, studying for a master's degree in Wildlife Biology & Conservation, and sharing her adventures online, Amy is on a mission to inspire others to reconnect with the wild and enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. We caught up with her to hear about her story, love for nature, and how Gumbies fits perfectly into her lifestyle.

Please tell us a little about yourself and your passion for the outdoors.

It’s the typical cliché story — I spent all my time outside as a kid, learning and exploring. Unfortunately, like most people, I drifted away from it during my teenage years. But once I hit my 20s, the flame was reignited, and I threw myself into it headfirst. Since then, I’ve become increasingly obsessed with adventuring, and I don’t think I will slow down anytime soon!

From hiking to paddleboarding, snorkelling, and bike riding, I like to pursue outdoor hobbies. What I love most is that there are no rules or pressures. You can still be an adventurer even if you only want to take a 10-minute stroll every day — it’s just as valid as someone doing a 5-day thru-hike. I like to think I fall somewhere between those two extremes.

I also work in guest engagement and education at an animal sanctuary, which fits perfectly with my lifestyle. When I’m not working, I study for a master's in Wildlife Biology & Conservation. And if that wasn’t enough, I try to keep up appearances on Instagram, sharing my adventures.

What’s your most memorable outdoor adventure?

If you catch me on the right day, I can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie! In June 2023, I did the world's biggest bungee jump off a bridge in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. It’s a 709ft bridge, and for some reason, I thought jumping off it would be a brilliant idea!

I can't explain the feeling of doing something that goes against every human instinct. Standing on the edge, knowing the only way was down, I've never felt fear like it. But the peace when you’re dangling there, hundreds of feet below everyone else, after the biggest adrenaline high of your life, is something you’ve got to experience. It made me feel like I could do anything. Every bone in my body told me not to jump, but when I did, I’ve never been prouder of myself. Now, I try to take that mindset into everything — do the things that scare you because they’re often not as scary as they seem.

Do you have a favourite season for being outdoors?

This is a hard question because I love every season for different reasons. I try as many outdoor hobbies as possible — some stick, some don’t — but certain activities are better depending on the season. Swimming and paddleboarding are way more fun in summer, whereas hiking is best in spring and autumn when it’s not too hot.

Winter is probably at the bottom of the list for me. I still get out no matter the season (there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes!), but the short daylight hours are a struggle when you work a lot. Overall, I’d have to say autumn. I live in a very touristy area, so summer can be manic. Autumn is when I can finally breathe and enjoy the beautiful place I live without too many people around — plus, the ocean is the warmest this time of year!

What attracted you to the Gumbies brand?

What’s not to love about Gumbies? I found them organically when looking for barefoot sandals and came across the Tracker Sandals. The value for money seemed too good to be true — most of the other options I found were at least double the price for what looked like the same quality.

But when they arrived, Gumbies exceeded my expectations, and I’ve been hooked ever since! Sustainability is a big factor for me when buying anything. Most of my clothes are second-hand, but footwear is something I like to buy new, so it’s important that the brand cares about the planet as much as I do — and Gumbies definitely does.

How do Gumbies products align with your outdoor lifestyle?

The barefoot options are the highlight for me. I love feeling free and flexible when I’m out exploring, and Gumbies are one of the best I’ve found for this. They’re made with adventuring in mind — they provide grip, support, and style all in one. I can’t wait to try more of their products.

Any tips for people wanting to explore the wild more?

Just do it! Like I said with my bungee jump, a lot of things seem scary at first, but once you try them, you’ll probably want more. Exploring the outdoors is more daunting than it should be, especially as a solo female, which I often am. I’m lucky to have my partner join me sometimes, but when he’s busy, I don’t want to be alone, which stops me from doing what I love.

It’s taken me a while to get comfortable exploring solo, and I still get that initial anxiety, but once I’m out there, it’s always worth it. The most important thing is to be safe — let someone know where you’re going and what you’re doing. That helps reduce the worry.

Also, leave no trace, whether solo or in a group! The wild is there for everyone to enjoy, humans and animals alike. Take your rubbish home, don’t disturb wildlife, and be respectful of others. We all have a part to play in keeping the wild wild!

What’s next for you in your outdoor adventures? Any exciting plans?

This might be a bit of a boring answer, but I’m focused on studying and working right now, so my calendar is pretty packed. I’ve got another year left of my course until December 2025, so I’ll be sticking to plenty of local exploring around the Isle of Wight — and maybe a few short trips here and there.

But after graduation, I’m lucky to work a pretty seasonal job, so I’m planning lots of travel. Costa Rica is at the top of my list to see frogs, sloths, and monkeys. I’ve also completely fallen in love with lemurs while working with them at the sanctuary, so Madagascar is a must. In the long term, I’d love to move to Scotland — there aren’t many places better for adventure. I’m only 24, so I’ve got a lifetime of adventures ahead of me!

As you can tell, Amy's zest for the outdoors, her deep respect for wildlife, and her commitment to conscious living make her a perfect fit for the Gumbies ambassador family. We’re excited to continue this journey with her.

If you’re curious about how our products stand up to the challenges of her adventurous lifestyle, you can check out which sandals Amy recently put to the test in a hands-on comparison review, sharing honest insights and her personal favourites. Click here for the full edit.