movement, motivation, mindset

A passionate & dedicated coaching & community development team

MEET THE team

Founder: CARL ADAMS

Carl spent 30 years on the low road of drugs and alcohol.

Running free of addiction to drugs and alcohol since August 2018, Carl started chasing good times through running and soon became a British Athletics coach to help others do the same.  

Starting as only an addict could - with ultra marathons - Carl stepped down in distance to take up marathons in 2020, going under 3hrs in his first five attempts under the guidance of coach Terry Skelton, with a personal best of 2h45m09s set in Verona, Italy in November of 2022, at the age of 47. 

Carl plans to run under 2h40m as he approaches his fifties and beyond with the new life running has given him, while helping as many people as he can reconnect to the "primal and personal voice within that running awakens.”

Chris Tinsley

strength conditioning & Sports Coaching

‘Wolfman’ Chris - a genuine force of nature - has been a professional coach since achieving his first coaching award at the age of 15.

Through Archery, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Rugby, Team building, Orienteering, Kayaking, Horsemanship and many more qualifications, Chris settled into the role of full time Coach and Personal Trainer in 2018.

Chris holds multiple degrees in Sport, Education and Coaching seeing him work for a plethora of organisations, including professional football clubs, educational institutions, and the private sector, as well as individuals throughout the past 25 years.

Chris’s role as Head Coach with us sees him design and deliver multiple activities and disciplines to our beneficiaries, offering a variety of experiences from basic introductions to the pursuit mastery.

With a genuine love of the outdoors and the natural world, Chris’s infectious enthusiasm carries groups and individuals along, especially when people doubt their ability to continue.

gavin oakley

director & natural movement & lifestyle coach

Gavin helps people reconnect—with nature, with their communities, and with themselves. Whether it’s through mindful movement, breathwork, or simply slowing down and being outdoors, he supports individuals and groups in finding more balance, resilience, and clarity in their lives.

He has worked for over 30 years in the hospitality, wellness, and fitness industries, and brings that depth of experience to Primal Runners.

Much of his work focuses on creating space for those who are often left out—people from refugee backgrounds, those experiencing addiction or homelessness, or young people navigating tough life transitions. He’s seen firsthand how powerful it can be to reconnect with natural rhythms, especially when life feels overwhelming or disconnected.

He’s also a father of three and in his fifties now—so knows what it’s like to juggle life’s demands and still want to live with purpose, presence, and vitality. He offers both in-person and online coaching, as well as nature-based group work and corporate wellbeing support for businesses that want to create stronger, more human-centred teams.

gavin@primalroots.org.uk

Hannah arthur

primal life support

Hannah provides compassionate administration, guidance and signposting support for people from vulnerable and marginalised communities, helping them navigate services and access the support they need to thrive. With experience working in children’s care settings, pupil referral units and asylum support, Hannah brings a deep understanding of trauma-aware practice, safeguarding and emotional resilience. Her calm and grounded approach makes her a key part of our team — ensuring participants feel seen, supported and empowered as they build confidence, connection and belonging through Primal Runners.

hannah@primalroots.org.uk

primal ambassadors

Our Primal Ambassadors are inspiring individuals who have each completed either our three-month Refuge in Movement programme or have come through our young persons program and now play a vital role supporting others on their journey. Drawing from their own lived experience of displacement, resettlement and rebuilding confidence, they act as mentors on our sessions, helping to break down language barriers, offering coaching tips, and bringing encouragement, empathy and kindness wherever they go. Their presence strengthens our community, showing new participants what is possible when people are welcomed, supported and given space to grow. They are living examples of resilience, leadership and the power of nature-based movement to transform lives — and they represent the heart of Primal Runners.