Katie Paterson, founder of The Outsiders, caught up with Kelly Houston, founder of Club Synergy – and you’ll sense the alignment right away.
We have both built communities rooted in the same belief: that getting outdoors and moving can transform not only our wellbeing, but the way we live, work and connect.
The Outsiders brings freelancers and solo business owners together to find genuine connections in nature, and Kelly’s Club Synergy helps business owners combine movement, accountability, and self-care with their professional ambitions.
We are both advocating for a quiet but powerful shift in how we define productivity and success – away from desk-bound hustle, towards a more holistic, human rhythm that values health, creativity, and balance.
In this conversation, Kelly shares the story of the origin of Club Synergy, the evolution of her ideas, and brings to life some of the surprising science that proves movement isn’t just good for the body – it’s proven to enable better work, deeper connection, and longer, healthier lives.
Where did the idea for Club Synergy come from?
The initial seeds were sown way back in my previous career where I worked in learning and development, and later supported startup business owners through development programmes.
I was talking to small business owners who were putting their own health last while growing their businesses. Many had been fit before but had lost that balance. I noticed something subtle but powerful:
People at the heart of small businesses were neglecting themselves.
Around that time (about 20 years ago) I’d also started running, which made a huge difference to my life. Then in 2012, I got involved in a 5km running challenge called the Marcothon – where I ran 5km every day in December.
I enjoyed it so much that a friend, Raymond, and I started the 5 x 50 Challenge – a challenge to run, walk, jog or cycle 5km every day for 50 days, which unexpectedly grew into a charity that we ran together for 10 years.
Through the 5 x 50 we came across incredible stories of people who had overcome illness, repaired relationships and changed their lives dramatically all through becoming more active.
We heard of one boy who came off 90% of his medication just from being outdoors and active, and families reconnecting through shared challenge.
After 10 years, we closed the charity in 2019 because it became unsustainable. I was heartbroken at the time as it had provided such an immense way to show people the extraordinary benefits of being more active.
But I knew movement was powerful. I wanted to help small business owners who were time-poor and stressed to bring movement into their working lives. That’s where Club Synergy began…
Initially I explored combining what I’d learned through my professional work with indoor, PT-led sessions where business owners would work out together, then use that energy to solve business challenges.
I ran a successful pilot in late 2019, but then the pandemic hit, and the indoor model couldn’t continue. So I pivoted to something called “NetWalks” – online networking that paired people for one-to-one outdoor walking conversations.
That’s when I really saw the magic of combining work, connection, and being outdoors.
How have you seen Club Synergy evolve over time?
The biggest evolution has been moving from indoors to outdoors — seeing the difference that made and weaving it into almost everything we do. There’s still one element that’s online, but everything now encourages people to get outside.
If you’re a member, what does Club Synergy look like to you?
It’s about accountability, community, and business development.
Most people want to exercise but don’t make the time. Club Synergy bridges that gap. Members get accountability and a strong community – our WhatsApp groups are full of encouragement and support. And beyond the exercise, it’s also about developing your business in a way that suits your lifestyle. Exercise is the catalyst, but the real product is helping business owners work in ways that align with how they want to live.
You’re challenging traditional ideas of productivity – our cultural beliefs that work and leisure are separate. Do you see a shift in the mindset of the people you support, around how they approach work and life?
Yes, absolutely. One member comes to mind – a mum who works autonomously but isn’t self-employed. She used to structure her day around her job and family and had lost herself in the middle. Since joining, she’s learned to carve out time for herself – she’s now fitter, more productive, and even completed the Women’s 10k.
She’s changed her belief system – realising she can be active during the working day, not just before or after. That’s the kind of transformation we see: people permitting themselves to move, to breathe, and to work differently.
What else do you see that stops people from doing this kind of stuff?
Mostly self-conditioning. Many of the people I work with are self-employed – completely in control of their time – yet they still feel guilty if they’re not at their desk between 9 and 5.
There’s this need for permission – that feeling of needing someone to sign off your time away from work. It’s cultural conditioning that’s hard to break.
There’s also body image – especially among women. “I don’t look like a runner” comes up a lot. But if you can put one foot in front of the other slightly faster than a walk, you can run!
Do you ever see people surprised about the benefits they get from the work – or play – they do with you?
All the time! People come along expecting one thing and leave with so much more – new ideas, collaborations, friendships, energy.
They’re also surprised by the depth of the conversations they have while walking. Something happens when you walk side by side. You naturally fall into step, and that synchrony opens people up. The conversations become deeper and more honest. I think being outdoors and moving together creates connection in a way that’s hard to replicate indoors.
You’ve mentioned before that 30 minutes of movement can give you two hours of productivity. Are there other little nuggets that you are finding interesting at the moment?
One fascinating piece of research I came across was from a woman working at Alzheimer’s Research UK. She explained that two of the biggest factors in reducing risk of Alzheimer’s are getting your hearing checked (because hearing loss causes social disconnection), and being physically active.
Movement feeds the brain’s production of something called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which helps prevent plaque build-up linked to Alzheimer’s. So movement doesn’t just give short-term productivity boosts – it literally helps protect your brain and long-term mental capacity.
Have you got any favourite books or podcasts you’d recommend related to all this?
Yes! I love Professor Shane O’Mara’s book In Praise of Walking. It’s full of science showing how walking improves longevity, productivity, and mental health.
Katie is currently taking part in Kelly’s Club Synergy Active Accountability sessions – daily check-ins to combine an active commitment and a work commitment – it’s great fun and really productive!
You will find Kelly on LinkedIn and Instagram, and head over to the Club Synergy website to find out more and get involved!
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