In this adventurous episode of the Leader-Connect podcast filmed in Nepal, host Neil Jurd sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Fenn, Field Director of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, for a wide-ranging discussion that mirrors the unpredictability of Johnny’s map-less trek across Nepal.
Recorded in Johnny’s serene garden in Pokhara, Nepal, the interview kicks off with a dramatic twist: two battling Steppe Eagles land just yards away, clashing fiercely before soaring off. From there, the dialogue dives into Johnny’s military experiences, including his command of 94 Squadron Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment during operations in Iraq—where he initially mistook incoming bullets kicking up desert sand for raindrops. Neil shares his own parallel ordeal, leading the same squadron years later and sustaining shrapnel wounds from a mortar strike.
The conversation shifts to Johnny’s post-army ventures (he left, ran a successful business, and has since rejoined) where he launched Photo Journeys, guiding clients on educational photography expeditions worldwide.
He recounts capturing images of notable figures like the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (who permitted only three shots per photographer), explorer Levison Wood, double amputee mountaineer Hari Budha Magar, and actress Joanna Lumley.
At the heart of the interview, Neil’s primary motivation for the chat, is Johnny’s remarkable 16-week journey walking from west to east across Nepal, accompanied by two porters and navigating sans map. He shares tales of conquering early fears, like traversing a precarious eroded path with a deadly drop below and an overhang above, and how elder villagers provided invaluable trail guidance while younger ones steered him toward roads and vehicles. This epic endeavour raised approximately £50,000 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT), after which Johnny rejoined the military and now leads the organisation’s efforts in Nepal. The book about the walk will be released later in 2026.
Wrapping up, Neil and Johnny explore his current role at the GWT, a charity dedicated to aiding Gurkha veterans, their families, and communities through services like residential care, medical assistance, earthquake-resistant homes, and clean water initiatives. Listeners may well find themselves motivated to support the cause with a donation.
