A Bit Of A Boost

Ultra runner and co-founder of 33Fuel, Warren Pole is one of the most positive and optimistic people on the planet. So when he suggested 'embracing negativity' as a topic for our conversation today I was intrigued! Turns out that throwing yourself a private pity party and having a bit of a moan, can actually be a great way of giving you back your mojo! Although this technique comes with plenty of warnings, Warren manages to turn the subject of negativity into something incredibly positive. 33Fuel.com

Is it possible to become more positive? Is it a habit that we can cultivate? I believe that it is! Nothing can guarantee that you'll never have another negative thought or emotion (and neither would you want it to), but there are certain things we can do to boost our positivity, optimism and sense of hope. Here, in this episode, are 5 such habits.

Nutrition expert and author Jenny Tschiesche talks about building confidence in the kitchen. How do you get started with cooking healthy food? What are some of the time saving short cuts? What equipment do we really need? How can we avoid the cook book overwhelm (that has been my problem in the past!)? I could talk to Jenny all day about food and cooking, and we slide into chatting about gut health, the rise of popularity of plant-based diets, and asking Siri to convert cups to ml, but largely we focus on kitchen confidence! Her latest book 'Modern Vegetarian Instant Pot Cook Book' is out now!. Find out more from lunchboxdoctor.com

Freddie is a coach, speaker, and host of the Over The Influence podcast. In our conversation today he talks candidly about his mental health struggles, and own transformation from stressed-out city boy with an alcohol addiction on a fast track to oblivion, to an ultra running, world-record holding adventurer. We talk about these polar opposite lives, but crucially I wanted to find out how he started to make the changes in his life. Check out freddiembennett.com for more inspiration

Today's episode is a little different, as I'm the one who is being asked the questions! A friend of mine and host of the 'Focus on Why' podcast, Amy Rowlinson, offered to come on the show and interview me.

Amy's super power is her ability to hear what's not said, and then ask questions to dig deeper.

After a few stock answers I was disarmed by Amy's questions and curiosity and find myself sharing stuff that doesn't come up very often!

Check out Amy's 'Focus on Why' podcast, and her website amyrowlinson.com

If you've ever got to the end of the day feeling wrung out and tired despite spending most of your day sitting down, you'll know what I mean when I talk about emotionally or mentally drained! Energy isn't just physical, although our approach to our physical wellbeing has a significant influence on how we feel. In this short episode I discuss a few practical strategies and mindset approaches that may help give your energy levels a bit of a boost.

I was introduced to QiGong last Summer by a friend of mine, and started doing a regular class over Zoom. I've really benefitted from this very practical way to slow down, and I've my preconceptions blown away by it!

My guest on this episode is Tom Watson, a practitioner and lecturer in acupuncture and Chinese medicine in North London, who has been teaching Qigong for over a decade and has been practicing Taoist arts for almost 20 years having first come to the practice through martial arts.

I ask Tom about the difference between QiGong and Tai Chi, the benefits, what draws him to the form, and why it isn't 'just for old people!

Last summer I realised my screen time was out of control. I was constantly distracting myself with an endless loop of checking messages, social media, news and email and I was clocking up an average of 6.5 hours a week on my iPhone. I knew I had to get a grip and over the course of the next few weeks I brought it down to a much saner 3-3.5 hours, which is where it still sits now. Our devices and the apps we use are addictive, and for all the value and convenience they can bring to our lives unless we pay attention it can quickly spiral out of control. In this episode I share some of the strategies I used to restore more of a digital balance to my life, without having to 'give up' using my device.

Known as 'The Five Element Wellness Woman' Rhiannon is an acupuncturist, coach, and host of the Sacred Rest Retreats and Powerfully Gentle podcast. She has such a calmness about her and her and in our conversation we talk about why so many people struggle to give themselves permission to slow down and just be, what the benefits are and actually HOW to do it. We talk about burnout, listening to your body and living more in sync with the seasons.

James Stott spent 14 years in the armed forces including time as a medic with the SBS. I met him a few years ago as he was transitioning out of the military and embarking on a career as a full time magician and we've been good friends ever since.

In our chat today we talk about resilience, routines, virtual coffees, adventure and connection. I also ask him about meeting Simon Cowell at Britain's Got Talent last year, and how he got the other nickname 'Steel' (I was NOT prepared for the answer!)

Check out James's Instagram for some of his mind-blowing card magic: https://www.instagram.com/themagicmarine

And join his brand new Steel Mind Facebook group that we talk about in today's podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/steelmindchallenge/