Jan was introduced to outdoor activities from an early age on family outings and has been a keen sailor since the age of eight.
After sailing competitively throughout her teens, she took up kayaking at university while continuing to sail and gain instructor awards during the summer holidays.
Following a degree at Bristol University, Jan moved to Exeter to complete a teaching certificate before joining the local youth service to run an outdoor activity centre—a role she held for eighteen years. During this time, she trained and qualified across a wide range of outdoor activities, progressing to assessor level in both paddlesports and sailing.
She served as Regional Coaching Organiser for the British Canoe Union, sitting on its national coaching committee, and contributed to the development of accreditation and centre approval schemes for several national governing bodies, as well as for the British Activity Holiday Association and the Welsh Tourist Board.
When the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority was established in 1996, Jan became a Senior Inspector, working across the South of England for 6 years before taking a well‑earned gap year to travel—spurred on by her 18‑year‑old children doing the same.
Since 2003, Jan has worked freelance in a variety of roles, including as an inspector for AALA, consultant adviser in outdoor education and teaching, and coach and inspector for the Royal Yachting Association.
