Finding your Flow State

When you are so immersed in an activity or experience that the outside world and your sense of time seem to evaporate? You felt pure bliss, joy, or exhilaration that lasted well beyond the activity. 

That’s what it’s like to be in a flow state, and Tara and Steve Howell, co-founders of Blue Derby Pods Ride in North-East Tasmania, have created their all-inclusive luxury multi-day mountain bike experience with that specific goal in mind (and without most guests evening knowing!). They dreamt that if they, and others, were able to regularly find their flow state, it would cause a ripple effect, with improved wellbeing, mental health, confidence and clarity, and just maybe, the world would be a better place. It’s such an important concept that research has now been published about it. 

Both Tara and Steve were born and bred in Tasmania and they wouldn’t be anywhere else. Steve has always been a mountain biker, and initially Tara loved walking through the forest instead of riding the trails on two wheels – until Steve convinced her that being on a bike is just ‘fast bushwalking’! Now a bike is her favourite mode of transport, and she finds that her best ideas come to her when she is moving from A to B on those wheels.

On her quest to share the love, and encourage more ‘flow seekers’, Tara approached Anne Hardy from the University of Tasmania about using Blue Derby Pods Ride as a case study to understand how business design elements can influence the attainment of flow.

The research findings validate all of Tara and Steve’s thoughtful decisions about Blue Derby Pods Ride – that their careful curation, and personalisation, of the experience from start to finish helps move guests in the right direction towards the state of flow. There are many touchpoints within the business known as “Flow Enablers”. These include the natural location, the architectural design of the sleeping pods and their connection to the common building, the training of the Experience Leaders in helping guests achieve their flow state (without ever talking about it!), the sustainability strategies and the flexible riding itineraries based on guests needs and skills. 

Tara says the secret is finding that sweet spot for each guest, that balance between boredom and being ‘too busy’ – the selection of activities that match the skill level and interests of guests. A high level of attention to guests’ individual needs, across the entire experience, helps people feel seen, heard and cared for, and that supports them to find their flow.

Guests say that one of the highlights of the experience is not only riding through the ancient rainforest, breathing in the clean Tasmanian air, and dining on delicious local produce – it’s also how they are cared for and how their wellbeing really matters to their hosts. That’s a testament to Tara and Steve, and it’s the result of pure intentions, value-based decision making and a strong team culture. They’ve built their business and their lives, underpinned by a flow state and their own values of Fun, Inquisitiveness, Adventure, Trust, Balance and Sustainability.

Often guests arrive feeling tired or stressed, in need of a break from the challenges of life. As they move through the experience (even if it’s just for a few days), Leaders can see the change. They become so much more relaxed but energised, more confident and recharged, finding joy, and their flow, more easily.

Would you like to find your flow on a Blue Derby Pods Ride? Check out the experience here and read our story for other ways you can unplug in Tasmania.

Image credits: Blue Derby Pods Ride