Extract Loves the Do Lectures

The idea of the DO Lectures [link to DO Lecture website] is a simple one: to gather together the world's do-ers, disruptors and change-makers, experts and pioneers, to share their stories, and encourage others to go and DO. Every year the festival has taken place since 2014, Extract Coffee has provided coffee to these do-ers at this series of creative seminars, giving welcome caffeine lifts as they think, listen and learn.

The DO Lectures are situated as far west as one can go on a tiny farm in the middle of nowhere on Cardigan's Welsh coast. The nearer you get to the DO Lectures, the narrower the roads become as you weave your way through beautiful valley roads. Finally, you arrive at a small, yet perfectly formed farm just off the Welsh coastline.

At Extract Coffee Roasters, we consider ourselves exceptionally lucky to have friends at The DO Lectures. Established in 2008, The DO Lectures bring people together to talk, share and inspire. Today, DO events are held across three continents; the UK, USA and Australia, and all endeavour to follow the same DO formula: ideas + energy = change.

Extract once had the honour of speaking at DO back in 2014, and it's an event that we look forward to each year. We've even hosted a workshop, showing home brewing techniques and coffee insights with a small group of coffee lovers.

The week is always a whirlwind of activity for Extract. Early starts to serve those going for a run on the beach at 7 am, frantic mid-morning coffee breaks and through to the evening buzz as everyone shares their learnings from the day. It's great to see all the conversation breakout as people discuss and digest messages from the fantastic talks, given by some truly inspirational speakers.

Hidden in West Wales, DO is where we brush our teeth to an open-air view of the sea. Where the sky is filled with swallows and no matter how late you hide out in the whiskey barn or secret gin bars you'll still jump out of bed to stick the coffee on, grab an early morning yoga session or a run on the beach. DO is the place where one person's story can render you speechless, and you discover parts of your brain that you'd forgotten existed. Where the people – wow, the people - and the sense of community takes your breath away.

Do Lecture Highlights

1. BE HERE. NOW
Morning yoga with Michael Townsend, a lesson in @DoingDeath from Amanda Blainey. Humbling tales from so, so many speakers. Pottery workshops, a run on the beach or merely lying in the grass and taking a moment to reflect. DO was the place which reminded us to stop doing for a moment, and BE.

2. FAMILY IS WHERE YOU FIND IT
In a family-run business like Extract, our team is everything. An unbreakable culture where relationships run deep. A community. A family. We made some fabulous friendships at the DO Lectures. Inspiring creators. Awesome people, who we hope to meet again and again.

3. SINGING IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL
We went to DO, and we sang. Together. So, so much more than I was expecting to. It felt incredible. We should sing more.

4. INTERESTED IS INTERESTING. SPEAK YOUR TRUTH
We all have a story. Most of us want to hear each other's stories. So speak your truth. Share your story and listen to others. This weekend was filled with the most wonderful storytellers.

Bobette Buster let us in on the secrets of telling your story. Her book, DO Story is worth a read. Kris Hallenga told us about being diagnosed with Breast Cancer aged 23 and her movement, CoppaFeel. We'll be serving the coffee at this year's #Festifeel on 6th October.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house after listening to Giles Duley share his stories as a war photographer.

5. THE POWER OF SMALL
At DO we found ourselves surrounded by some of THE most inspirational people we've met. Disruptors. Change-makers. But the talks that made us stop in our tracks were from people reminding us to live and love each day. That the small, can be extraordinary - and inspiring.

6. DARE TO THINK MORE ADVENTUROUSLY
Discover the micro-adventures on your doorstep. Or dare to draw your wildest dreams. The energy, passion and adventurous spirit of Al Humphreys (MicroAdventures) and Dave Evans (Design Your Life) were captivating.

7. CURIOUS PEOPLE DRINK A LOT OF COFFEE
More than you could possibly imagine.

For more information about the DO Lectures events, their talks articles and podcasts visit their  website. For a round up of the Extract Coffee Roasters team's favourite DO Books, written with the same spirited nature as the DO Lectures, visit here