Q&A with Marni – Co-Founder of 360 Expeditions and Champion of Women-Led Adventure.
Meet Hermione (Marni), the dynamic and quietly determined co-founder and director of 360 Expeditions. From the snow-covered peaks of the Pyrenees—where the company was born during a whiteout with fellow adventurers Rolfe Oostra and Raj Joshi—to the far-flung corners of over 35 countries, Marni has helped shape a company that’s rewriting the rules of expedition travel.
With her expertise in logistics, love for the outdoors, and passion for meaningful adventure, Marni is now spearheading a new chapter: trekking retreats designed with women in mind. We caught up with her to talk about creating empowering journeys, the importance of giving back, and why the wilderness can be one of the most transformative places for women to find themselves.
Let’s start at the beginning—can you take us back to that moment snowed in the Pyrenees when 360 Expeditions was born?
Marni: Gosh yes, 15 years ago now! There was a snowstorm, and we were hunkered down in our Pyrenees base, spit balling ideas with a lot of storytelling and dreams being talked through. There is no doubt it would have been a weekend full of shenanigans, there would have been wine, cheese, and maps! but the focus was clear: to come together and rewrite the then rulebook of adventure companies! We knew what we wanted, and we delivered something we’re all very proud of.
You’re described as the driving force behind 360. What was your journey like, moving from behind-the-scenes support to co-leading a company at the forefront of adventure travel?
Marni: The original office setup was quite different to how we operate now. I was juggling a move to France, managing a rambling old farmhouse and two small kids, all while working in the 360 office with Raj. Time moved on and the house began to self-manage, the kids grew up, and Rolfe was off flying around the globe for up to seven months of the year. This setup embedded me into the running of 360, and it became a journey of personal growth and transformation.
We’ve weathered some pretty funky storms, a recession, brexit, and covid, but throughout, my passion for travel and the power of shared experiences never wavered. When done right, travel can be life-changing, not just for the traveller, but for the communities we visit too. This passion has driven 360 Expeditions to where we are today and I’m proud of how far we’ve taken 360. It has been driven by a tenacious personality and a meticulous approach to organisation, alongside a phenomenal team. It’s always been about teamwork, through and through.
Have you always been drawn to the outdoors, or was there a moment that sparked your passion for adventure?
Marni: My father was a Royal Marine and a sailor, so we were always on the move and spent big chunks of my childhood onboard Black Velvet! But….
It was actually in a geography lesson on rural-to-urban migration that something really lit up in me. We’d been ushered out of the classroom to a room with a TV! (all very exciting stuff when you’re 13) and found ourselves sitting on tables, chairs, the floor – all gathered around this big box television. There was the classic carnage of chatter and shenanigans – but I remember clearly being transported out of the chaos, totally transfixed by what I was seeing and learning.
It was a very profound moment in my life. It opened a door to a world I didn’t even know existed. Curiosity was seeded, watered, and fertilised in that very moment… and years later, it led me to the Baba Dogo slums, with the plan to spearhead an initiative of support — a project still to be continued…
Backpacking around India equally had a huge impact, a trip that eventually took me to Africa, where I chased every opportunity. I could to spend weeks at a time with different tribes and traditional medicine men wildly off the beaten path – I had some incredible experiences including being part of a few controversial ceremonies. It was raw, real, and totally unforgettable.
360 Expeditions is known for treading lightly—both in terms of taking lesser-known routes and giving back to local communities. Why is this so central to your mission?
Marni: We have always been intentional about the paths we take, often choosing lesser-known routes to minimise our impact and offer more authentic experiences creating genuine partnerships with local communities. That means fair wages, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that our presence brings positive, lasting benefits and we are committed in reducing our environmental footprint to supporting community-led initiatives. This is what empowers us in the office you at home and our friends around the globe who support us on the trips we run. Its hard one for our “new clients” to fully appreciate until they have been on a trip with us. When in situ you can see the clear difference of how 360 travels! Our objective is about respect, respect for the land, the cultures, and the people we encounter. It’s about creating adventures that are not only unforgettable but also responsible and regenerative offering the traveller the most rewarding experience too.
You’ve helped raise over £1 million for charitable causes through your expeditions. Can you share how you approach responsible travel in practice?
Marni: Over the years, we’ve supported countless charities—whether through direct donations or by setting up expeditions that give people the chance to do something incredible while raising money for causes close to their hearts. It’s been a real privilege to be part of that.
I’m especially proud of the Support4Sherpa fund I created (after the devastating Nepal earthquake on April 25, 2015) — and as a company we went on and raised over £20,000 in just a few weeks. The response from our community was just incredible.
Moving forwards, we have a few exciting plans bubbling away that we hope to launch in the coming months, all of which will help us push our commitment to responsible travel even further. It’s an ongoing journey, but one we’re fully invested in.
Tell us about some of your most memorable moments from the field—those ‘this is why I do it’ experiences.
Marni: Gosh—so many! But the one that absolutely floored me was the 2023 Sinai Desert trek. Amazing friends of mine set up a fantastic initiative called Adventure 999—a safe, supportive space for members of the emergency services. We’ve had the privilege of running their expeditions for several years now, and in 2023 I helped lead a trip across the Sinai with our camel train in tow.
We had 16 trekkers. Many hadn’t travelled much, and most were coming from incredibly chaotic backgrounds—mentally, emotionally, professionally. The stories they shared gave me goosebumps. During the expedition I honestly can’t describe the transformation we saw. These phenomenal people were stripped right back, pushed to their limits, and emerged with this renewed clarity and light…
This comment epitomised the trip:
“Marni, this has given me more than six years of therapy and sick leave. I’ve got my life back.” That hit hard..
And it was this moment, there and then that gave me fierce clarity—this is what nature offers. This is what these trips are gifting. We need to do more of this. And elevate it.
We’re so excited to hear you’re developing trekking retreats especially for women. What inspired this new direction?
Marni: In conjunction to the above, over the years I’ve embraced more wellness practices into my life. I’m a Yin Yoga teacher – although I don’t teach, I did the training purely for personal growth and learn to free dive, (which is an introspective discipline). I’ve found huge benefits in breathwork, ice baths (or river dipping!), open conversations that are often easy to shy away from, sound baths, sharing circles, and meditation.
Tapping into these areas has been deeply grounding – the benefits are tenfold. And when you bring nature into the mix, along with a community of women in one space where we can all be open, honest, and speak with real authenticity… it becomes something incredibly empowering and enlightening.
A quiet magic light falls upon us.
What can women expect from these retreats that’s different from a traditional expedition?
Marni: During our adventure retreats, you’ll still receive the incredible quality that 360 is known for — but these retreat-style expeditions will offer something even more.
They’ll be led by the highly sought-after life and holistic coach, as well as Wim Hof instructor, Andy Mackenzie. Having such a powerful and inspiring leader on board from the outset will give you an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
Before the expedition begins, you’ll also receive Andy’s book, Dare2Become, which will serve as our guide and framework, helping to kick-start the inner journey.
During the trekking phase, you’ll experience everything you’d expect from a classic 360 expedition but with added opportunities to connect with Andy through meaningful conversations and personal exploration. Never underestimate conversations especially when being supported and encouraged by a professional coach who knows how to ask the right questions and steer things in a way that will reveal the very essence of you –
As a group, we’ll dive into the importance of breath and take part in beautiful, guided breathwork sessions. There will also be time for meditation, reflection, and the opportunity to learn QiGong – a practice that combines movement, breath, and intention to cultivate energy, balance, and overall well-being.
Then we have the setting. The natural environment will play a huge role in your experience, offering the space for your authentic self to rise. With your focus on the powerful surroundings and the challenge ahead, deep transformation becomes not just possible – but inevitable. We have carefully crafted the expedition and chosen the destination with purpose.
For women who are new to trekking or might feel nervous about signing up—what would you say to them?
Marni: This one’s simple – without change, there is no change, and I encourage you to be curious – curiosity is the key to life.
I encourage you to lean into that curiosity — just give us a call and let’s chat about the expedition, the life coaching, and the adventure as a whole. Only then can you get a better sense of whether it feels right for you and the biggest of comforts is that Andy and I are on the trip with you – and we are there to support guide and have giggles and tears with you. If you came as a stranger, you would certainly leave with two new friends! It’s why we love what we do!
If you’re looking for a reset, a gentle adventure, and a chance to meet like-minded people while spending a week in a stunning setting exploring your inner self — then this is for you. You can tap in an out of all elements as much as you wish! But wats for sure is by joining you in whatever capacity you will be touched by the experience.
Are there any dream destinations or experiences you’re particularly excited about offering through these retreats?
Marni: Oh, there are many — but we’re very specific about the destinations we want to offer these retreats in. Warm locations allow us to travel light — minimal kit, so we can strip things right back to the basics. Sleeping and eating under the stars. You can’t get closer to nature than this!
We’ve chosen the stunning Sinai for our first venture — it ends with a beautiful 4-day stay on the Red Sea coast, giving it a real R&R vibe.
After that, we’re looking at Vietnam and South Africa, where we’ll walk and wild camp with the Big 5 – allowing all our senses to be heightened.
The adventure world can be quite male dominated. Have you faced any challenges as a woman in this field?
Marni: Whether male or female, I’ve generally found the community to be welcoming. If something or someone doesn’t align with my values or the way I wish to operate, I’ll quietly walk away. And while I would agree the adventure world is often seen as male-dominated, I’ve never really felt that challenge. In fact, I’ve always felt incredibly empowered and supported by my male friends, colleagues, and guides.
At the end of the day, I see us all as humans, and I personally choose to surround myself with people who present with kindness, honesty, and respect — those with strong values and a grounded sense of integrity.
I often remind myself that we are only average within the people we surround ourselves with — in both work and life. And therefore, shared values, regardless of gender is where it sits.
Your logistical skills are legendary! How do you balance the adventurous spirit with the detailed planning that’s needed to make it all work?
Marni: That’s a very generous statement! thank you – I’m very meticulous with details and have a strong ability to see the bigger picture in multiple directions all at once. This allows me to think logically and plan thoroughly. However, I can’t juggle all the balls alone — and 360 has a phenomenal office and guide team. There’s no hierarchy; we all play an essential and valued role and as a team we deliver.
What makes a great expedition leader—and how do you support others stepping into that role?
Marni: Experience is key. It’s through experience that practical skills, emotional intelligence, and a deep respect for both the environment and the people we guide are developed.
A great expedition leader must equally be adaptable, calm under pressure, and able to make solid decisions in tough situations allowing their ability to inspire trust. Add this to a personally that exudes fun and camaraderie then you have the perfect leader.
At 360, our doors are wide open to aspiring leaders. We have solid plans in place to help them gain the experience they need. We encourage anyone with this dream to get in touch!
Looking ahead, what’s next for 360 Expeditions and for you personally?
Marni: The dream is to continue growing the adventure retreats side of the company and build on that by developing impactful expeditions visiting remote and challenging places where we can learn, connect, and offer hands-on opportunities to support local communities!
We’ll also continue expanding our high-mountain plans opening up more and more 6,000 and 7,000m peaks and remote treks for those looking to push their limits and explore the wildest corners of the world.
As for me, after four years of working winters remotely, I’m really happy to be settling into a better rhythm between France and the UK. It feels good to finally ground myself and pour my energy into what I’m passionate about.
Finally, what advice would you give to women dreaming of adventure but not sure where to begin?
Marni: Give us a call — talk to us! We’ve got a brilliant team of women in the office who all love adventure and also love a good old chat.
There are so many local adventure and walking groups around the UK now — join as many as you can, get out and about, and build your confidence from there. And if you’ve got the time and budget, hop onto a few bigger adventures — experience really is your backbone.
One of our most successful female guides did just that. She invested in joining many of our expeditions before taking the reins herself — and now she’s a thriving, household name in the world of female guiding
So, if you want the dream go for it! and we would love to support you get there.
At Women Talking, we love celebrating women who empower others—and Marni is doing exactly that, one mountain at a time. If you’ve ever thought adventure wasn’t for you, Marni and 360 Expeditions might just prove you wrong.
Dates for the first Awakening Sinai Retreat: 2 – 12th November and for more information on this please hop over to here Sinai / Trekking self discovery retreat and if curious do get in touch as we would love to have you come along. Without change there is no change.
Poppy Watt