Adversity to Advantage

By Petra Velzeboer

Petra Velzeboer was raised in a religious cult with no education that erased her identity and future. Through depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence and suicidal thoughts she reached her rock bottom ... more

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FAQs about Adversity to Advantage:

How many episodes does Adversity to Advantage have?

The podcast currently has 193 episodes available.

Adversity to Advantage episodes:

March 22, 2020127.How to Fix Depression with Tony Loyd
“I cannot succeed at connecting and succeed at contributing if i am not taking care of thriving”
Tony Loyd is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and coach. He helps purpose-driven business leaders to thrive so that they can connect and contribute at deeper levels.
In 2018 Tony’s friend asked him 'How are you?’ ~ For the first time Tony chose to admit to his current state of depression. This realisation led him to many moments of despair and overwhelm, but after being introduced to Johann Hari’s - The Lost Connections , Tony realised that the hope for a better future was actually within his control, off the back of this he committed himself to living a year of personal bests.
We discuss topics such as:
The impact of family dynamics on later life

Coping with violence in the home

Resilience - Are we born with it or do we develop it?

Developing a growth mindset

Holding a mirror up to ourselves

Admitting to depression

Taking action over the cause of depression

Showing up & being fully you

Creating boundaries to protect our wellbeing

Thrive, Connect, Contribute

Practicing self reflection

Remembering to focus and invest in ourselves - Thrive First!
You can grab yourself a FREE copy of Tony’s Best Selling book- Crazy Good Advice by emailing Tony via his website Tonyloyd.com and mentioning ‘ADVERSITY TO ADVANTAGE’
Connect with Tony further on the following social platforms
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyLoydSocialEntrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyloyd/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyloyd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyLoyd
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/tonyloyd
...more
56min
March 18, 2020 Bonus! Manage Your Mindset During Covid-19
'These are the times that we train for'
If you're getting overwhelmed by all the news coming at us about how bad the world is and need a reminder of what's in your control then this episode is for you.
The impact of Covid-19 mentally and emotionally is unprecedented and it's easy to get caught up in fear and worry about what will become of us all. This episode reminds us of the mindset that will get us through these times and allow us to focus on gratitude, connection and what's truly important in life!
If we've been investing in ourselves over the years, training our brain in gratitude, focussing our attention on developing a growth mindset, then this time is space for that resolve to be tested. Will your rise or will you let it overwhelm you? The choice is yours.
I offer advice on how to support those around you in compassion, to reach out to friendships and remind yourself of what's truly important in life. In a world of consumerism, relentless hustle and drive, there may just be a blessing to be found in slowing down and supporting each other!
Remember that isolation can be just has hard for many of us as being physically ill. Try FaceTiming so that people can see you and feel closer connection rather than just texting, reaching out to the elderly in your area to see if they need support and try modelling a growth mindset to your children and disrupt the everything's-bad conversation by asking people what they're grateful for!
...more
23min
March 15, 2020126. How to help a Suicidal Man with Ben Akers
“I just need to save one life….if I change one man’s journey then I did my job”
In 2014 Ben Akers lost his childhood best friend to suicide. Crushed by grief and shaken by the fact that no one saw the signs, Ben created a documentary about male mental health that would be shown in pubs, gyms and anywhere guys hung out in order to reach men who wouldn’t normally be part of the mental health conversation.
Ben is on a mission to help men talk long before feeling hopeless and so alone that they consider taking their lives.
We discuss:
Male suicide

Masculine conditioning - show no weakness

Discovering purpose through grief

The powerful impact of men being vulnerable with other men

Equipping men to adequately fulfil modern roles

Talk Club- keeping mentally fit

Falling apart before TedX Royal Tunbridge Wells

Taking care of ourselves and those around us
You can find out more about Ben, watch is documentary or join a Talk Club through the links below:
Wetalkclub.com
www.facebook.com/STEVEDOCUMENTARY
Insta: @STEVEDOCUMENTARY @Madewithltd @TalkClubUK
Twitter: @SteveDoco @benakers @Madewith_ @TalkClubUK
Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/…/open-up-not-man-up/id1499145604
...more
52min
March 08, 2020 125. Broken Family to Mindshift Movement with Allen Johnson
“My mum and dad should never have been together, they shouldn’t have been a couple”
Instead of fond childhood memories, Allen Johnson recalls the volatile relationship of his parents which led to his mother leaving the family home, childhood anxiety, feelings of despair and a father who abused alcohol. With no clear career or life direction, Allen turned to petty crime, avoided school and eventually was forced to move in with his grandparents. At his lowest, with no role models to help him figure a way out, Allen thought of ending it all.
Slowly Allen was exposed to new ways of thinking and investing in his personal development, giving him the courage to make the impulsive decision to start a business when he and his fiancé had a baby on the way.
This episode explores how trauma can show up in our lives and what we can do to consciously make a change.
We go deep on topics such as:
The longterm affects of a dysfunctional childhood
Living with anxiety
The impact of his mother leaving
Growing up with an alcoholic parent
Quest for Personal development
Cultivating change
How trauma shows up
Finding good in situations
Being a healthier version of yourself - with no blueprint for health as a child
Anxiety coping mechanisms
Move to entrepreneurship
You can connect with Allen in the following ways:
Podcast - The MindShift Movement
Facebook Page - AJ Fitness & Mindset Coaching
Website - ajfitmindcoaching.co.uk
Instagram - @ajfitmindcoaching
...more
54min
March 04, 2020124.Cycles of Abuse with Author & Speaker Jonathan Macdonald
“If I’m able to think, i’m able to survive”
I’m excited about this episode with my good friend, author, speaker and thought leader Jonathan MacDonald. We’ve spent hours talking about good ideas vs great ones, consciousness, relationships, being our best selves, vulnerability and finding meaning in the hits.
I’ve been wanting Jonathan on the podcast for AGES and we’ve finally got a great conversation covering so many topics including:
Our own responsibility in cycles of abuse - why we just keep going back to learn the same thing

Jonathan’s love of data to track change

The benefits of therapy - having a mirror held up to our insides

The long term impact of early experiences including being fostered, adopted, bullying and racism

Finding a strange comfort in mental abuse after physical abuse

Cycles of abuse and recognising our own patterns

How can we prevent repeat cycles of abuse?

The benefits of practicing vulnerability

Showing up, insecurities and all

Despair and the choices we have in how we respond

How the dark times teach us what truly matters

Manifestation - how it works and how we use it
This is a deep and insightful conversation that I’m thrilled to share so you can kick off your week and get real with yourself!
Connect with Jonathan on Instagram at @jmacdonald
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/thejonathanmacdonald
Website: jonathanmacdonald.com
...more
1h 13min
March 01, 2020 124. Cycles of Abuse with Author & Speaker Jonathan Macdonald
I’m excited about this episode with my good friend, author, speaker and thought leader Jonathan MacDonald. We’ve spent hours talking about good ideas vs great ones, consciousness, relationships, being our best selves, vulnerability and finding meaning in the hits.
I’ve been wanting Jonathan on the podcast for AGES and we’ve finally got a great conversation covering so many topics including:
Our own responsibility in cycles of abuse - why we just keep going back to learn the same thing
Jonathan’s love of data to track change
The benefits of therapy - having a mirror held up to our insides
The long term impact of early experiences including being fostered, adopted, bullying and racism
Finding a strange comfort in mental abuse after physical abuse
Cycles of abuse and recognising our own patterns
How can we prevent repeat cycles of abuse?
The benefits of practicing vulnerability
Showing up, insecurities and all
Despair and the choices we have in how we respond
How the dark times teach us what truly matters
Manifestation - how it works and how we use it
This is a deep and insightful conversation that I’m thrilled to share so you can kick off your week and get real with yourself!
Connect with Jonathan on Instagram at @jmacdonald
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/thejonathanmacdonald
Website: jonathanmacdonald.com
...more
1h 14min
February 24, 2020 123. Cocaine Addiction with Tim Love
I don’t have a problem with alcohol or drugs, I have a problem with me and life and alcohol and drugs are my solution to it”

Tim Love is a musician who started experimenting with drugs and alcohol in his late teens. Frequent use made him feel more interesting and brave at parties and like a rock star on stage leading eventually to many rock-bottom points that would almost cost him his wife and children.

An honest and open conversation about the joys and costs of addiction discussed from one addict to another.

We go deep on topics such as:
- The musical hustle
- Are we born addicts or are we made?
- Getting sober is only the first step – we then have to LIVE with all the feelings that life offers
- Breakdown and recovery
- The shame of being an addicted parent
- The connection between trauma and addiction
- How to live one day at a time
- Our personal approach to self care
- Nurturing a gratitude practice
- Practicing honesty no matter what

Connect with Tim Love on Instagram at @timloveguitar
...more
50min
February 17, 2020 122. Hypnosis and IEMT trauma therapy with Matt Kendall
Matt Kendall is an IEMT Trainer and Practitioner. Having studied NLP and Hypnotherapy for over 10 years, Matt has a wealth of experience dealing with clients with a range of issues including trauma and anxiety.
Matt's main focus is working with clients with social anxiety and low self esteem. Using IEMT (Integral Eye Movement Therapy) he helps his clients to reduce anxiety and treat negative memories and trauma.
Matt is also the founder of the largest NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), Psychology and Hypnosis Meetup group in the World. Interesting Talks London attracts speakers to talk on therapy and self development.
An interesting conversation about alternative trauma therapy!
We discuss:
Hypnotherapy beginnings
Mindset Vs Skillset
Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT)
Emotion extremes and the importance of finding that ‘normal’ range
Re-processing Trauma
Change work Vs Care & Support
Experimenting and finding what works for you.
You can find out more about Matt and IEMT on his Website https://www.iemtacademy.com/ and see his work on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/iemtacademy
And also connect with him on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/iemtacademy/ , Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iemtacademy/ and LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/themattkendall/
...more
1h 5min
February 10, 2020 121. Self Care Vs Laziness
So sometimes I get overwhelmed with new information and just need to figure out stuff for myself. After an evening switching off watching a boxset cause my body was overwhelmed with work, I felt lazy and maybe even worse off than when I started!
This rant is me wondering if there is another way to look at self-care and get myself feeling great again. Why is it I push myself to the absolute limit and then have nothing left in me but the CRASH button!
For anyone who’s ever wondered what balance could look like for them, I go deep on:
How I boost my mental state
Flipping the excuses into action
Recognising exhaustion and what our body needs
Fight or flight mode vs peace
Our inner critic telling us we’re lazy
Importance of routines & habits for investing in ourselves
Experimenting with Self Care & Self Compassion
Practising being present
Being conscious instead of numbing our feelings
Putting steps in place to avoid overwhelm
Entrepreneurship hustle and a way to stay sane
Connect with me on Instagram @PetraVelzeboer
...more
37min
February 03, 2020 120. Introducing My Boyfriend David Taylor!!
AAAaaahhh so today I’m introducing David Taylor, my boyfriend!
We’ve been in a relationship for the past 6 months and decided, what better way to explore what a healthy relationship could be than by using our real live situation as review material!
It’s a scary conversation to post because we’re not experts but we’ve both been in toxic relationships and really want to come at this one from a place of total honesty, personal responsibility and openness to the possibility of a healthy relationship no matter what is in our past.
What better way to think about adversity than the adversity that shows up in relationships! It’s a place where a mirror is held up to us so closely that we can either learn at a faster rate than ever before or get triggered into a spiral of self-worth or trauma issues! We’ve been dancing between both but are talking the whole way trying to review and learn. I hope you love the show!
We cover:
Radical honesty
What we’ve learned from past relationships
Recognising our own patterns and taking responsibility
Our first date!
Talking about our mental health early on
Nurturing a growth mindset in relationships
Commitment phobias - Petra’s boomeranging behaviours
Testing the boundaries of our relationship
Vulnerability in saying the ‘L’ word
The hardest parts of our relationship - from each perspective
Our first argument
Practicing accountability within relationships
Daily reviewing for learning
Facing fears and letting go within our relationship
Dealing with trauma triggered by safety
Our hopes for the future
Creating a collaborative environment
What are your biggest relationship challenges? Can you see yourselves in our discussion? What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned within relationships? Find me on Instagram or LinkedIn and let me know your thoughts :)
@PetraVelzeboer https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/
...more
1h 18min

FAQs about Adversity to Advantage:

How many episodes does Adversity to Advantage have?

The podcast currently has 193 episodes available.