Dot to Dot

In our conversation, we delve into the essence of Michelle’s beliefs, emphasizing the importance of seeking support when needed and shattering the stereotype that Olympians must always be infallible. At the heart of our discussion is the recognition of the 'whole person' behind every champion. Michelle's perspective is firmly rooted in the value of hard work, as she aptly puts it, "You might be a natural at languages, math, or even athletics, but beneath it all, there's still a need to put in the effort."

And she also acknowledges that her own story and the stories of countless other successes go far beyond mere talent and effort. Embracing vulnerability and reaching out for help when necessary is, as she believes, a hallmark of strength. She articulates this beautifully by saying, "Being strong, in my very humble opinion, is accepting the need to raise your hand and say to those closest to you, 'I need support today.'" In her own words, she humbly states, "I'm not just an Olympic medalist; I am a girl who dared to dream." Daring to dream and unwavering tenacity are the driving forces that carry champions through the toughest times, "when it's hard, when you're injured, when you stumble, when you feel you can't go on."

Michelle also encourages each of us to discover our unique sources of joy and pursue them with unwavering determination. She shares her own daily life as an example of what this entails.

This episode is a genuine wellspring of inspiration, featuring a truly remarkable woman.

To find Michelle go to: 

https://michellegriffithrobinsonoly.co.uk

To join the Oka waitlist and find a mentor or coach to support you on your journey go to

https://oka.life/waitlist

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

In our discussion, we delve into how social media affects adolescent well-being across diverse societies and demographics. With his background in social work, Sebastian sheds light on the intricate interplay between individual differences and societal context, offering a holistic perspective on this complex issue.

We explore the nuanced impact of social media on adolescent mental health. While research indicates a small negative impact on average, we delve into the vulnerabilities that adolescents face during the transition from childhood to adulthood, when social media's influence can be most pronounced. The discussion extends to how social media affects children's development, and we emphasize the need for empirical data to hold social media platforms accountable for hosting abusive content.

Social media regulation is a hot topic, and we explore the challenges it presents. Sebastian highlights the importance of thoughtful policy changes and societal action, especially in the global South, to address issues beyond individual control.

Workplace pressure is another pressing issue. We examine how excessive pressure can erode trust and lead to mental health strain among healthcare workers, especially in child protection services which has a broader knock on impact.

To sign up to the Oka mentoring app follow this link: https://oka.life/waitlistpage 

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

Discover practical strategies to savour every step of your personal and professional growth, no matter how big or small so that you end your working life with no regrets. Whether you're leading a global corporation or tending to your garden.  

"A series of studies have shown this….when you ask people at the end of their working lives to look back, 'What are the main regrets or lessons or advice that you would have for others?' And three things emerge, typically, and are really quite significantly ahead of all the other kinds of regrets."

1. Embracing Risk: "I wish I'd taken more risk in my life, more risk in doing what I really wanted to do, more risk in relationships.”
2. Enjoying the Journey: "I wish, instead of just going down tramlines on autopilot, I'd ask myself, am I enjoying this journey? Am I really being satisfied here?"
3. Legacy and Fulfilment: "I wish I'd thought about the legacy I was going to leave behind."

Mentorship as a Catalyst: But here's the most exciting part for me. When it comes to embracing risk and crafting your legacy, mentorship is a powerful and positive way to achieve both. Mentors guide you in taking those leaps of faith, and they inspire you to envision the lasting impact you can create. And being a mentor also allows you to enjoy your own journey more and ensure that you’re passing on your learning and legacy to the next generation. Join the Oka waitlist to be part of our psychologically backed mentoring. 

Biography

Gurnek Bains was born in Bhangal, a relatively poor village in the north of India. Although his parents and three sisters slept in one room with no electric lighting, Gurnek’s father grew up believing that they shouldn’t be as poor as they were. He dedicated himself to bettering his family’s life chances and became school principle at the age of 32. When he and the rest of Gurnek’s family eventually moved to the UK, he worked multiple jobs and always encouraged his children to learn.

Watching his parents make huge sacrifices, Gurnek developed what he described as a huge “compensatory drive”. He managed to make it into grammar school and after many years of hard work went on to earn a PhD in social psychology at Oxford University.

While he first practised as a clinical psychologist, it wasn’t long until Gurnek moved into business psychology and set up Britain’s first consultancy dedicated to harnessing the power of psychology, YSC. Two decades later he and his colleagues had built YSC from a company of two to employing over 250 people in over 25 offices around the world, and were working with over half the FTSE 100. His company became known as one of the best for driving performance, improving cultures and unleashing the power of potential at work. To be “YSC’ed” became a familiar verb in business circles around the world.

Gurnek has always been interested in how psychology can serve society as well as business. While he continues his consulting work at his smaller boutique firm, Global Future, he also leads its sister think tank NOUS  and works privately with a number of senior political figures. He has written two books; ‘Meaning Inc.’, which explores how to build meaning and purpose into work, and ‘Cultural DNA’, a book dedicated to helping people empathise with different cultures. He also regularly contributes as a writer and commentator to Psychology Today.

Gurnek is hugely grateful to the UK for the opportunities it has given him, and feels a strong need to give something back. Over recent years he has become dedicated to helping people understand how we can navigate the turbulence of modern society with purpose and investment, with our mental wellbeing intact and ultimately, with optimism.

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

In this episode, we embark on Andrew's incredible journey into the world of social media and sports. From the fast-paced business of sports streaming to the art of storytelling in the realm of Major League Baseball, we uncover the secrets of connecting with diverse audiences.

But that's not all. We delve into the transition from professional athlete to entrepreneur and explore personal development gems. Andrew shares insights on finding the right job, the ever-evolving journey of self-awareness, and the power of learning from mistakes.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that promises valuable takeaways for your own journey.

To find out more about progressing your personal growth with the help of a mentor or to be a mentor find us at Oka Life. 

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

Schneider’s journey will resonate particularly with those navigating the entrepreneurial realm, where challenges and triumphs often intertwine. Refreshingly Schneider challenges the conventional mindset that success breeds happiness, advocating for a shift from "Have, Do, Be" to "Be, Do, Have." finding contentment within, propelling purposeful actions, and allowing rewards to naturally follow.

Schneider describes how with age, the entrepreneurial journey becomes a dance with escalating stakes. He highlights the crucial interplay between challenges and mental well-being and underscores the power of faith, whether in oneself or the universe, as a resilient foundation against life's uncertainties.

In the pursuit of success, Schneider spotlights the significance of valuing relationships. He counters the corrosive nature of comparison, advocating for a focus on authentic impact and in finding solace in outward focus. By extending kindness and support to others, he has experienced personal growth. While he acknowledges personal milestones he also underscores the profound fulfilment derived from aiding others on their journeys.

Mentorship also emerges as a guiding light in Schneider's narrative. Learning from those who've trodden similar paths mitigates avoidable missteps. He emphasizes the transformational power of translating mentorship into actionable steps.

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

Esme Verity supports founders, those who are 'Zebras'. The insights she shares throw light on to a world which favours a cookie cutter approach to success, even within the area of start-ups where our expectation may be different. Fiona explores Esme’s journey and the interesting experience she’s gained on “building a business that doesn't fit into this mainstream mould that we now have, a sort of Silicon Valley mould.” Why by investors looking only for businesses that offer a 10x return on investment leads to so many startups that are critical to the world being disregarded and left struggling to survive. 

Esme ran an antique jewellery business from the age of 18 and throughout university. When she left, she sought funding to help grow that business, and that’s when she was thrown into the world of Venture Capital. The VC world is very much focussed on finding the next unicorn business, something that’s going to grow incredibly big, very quickly. But Esme explains how she thinks that this reflects ‘a very limited definition of ambition’ and just ‘because you don't want to build a huge giant business doesn't make you not ambitious, it just means that you want something different.’ Wanting to do things differently and support the diversity of people within the start-up world, not just the unicorns, Esme has been on a mission ever since to advance her understanding of alternative approaches to growing a business that’s sustainable and to share that knowledge with others. 

Esme teaches about alternative funding and has worked with hundreds of purpose-driven start-ups, non-profits and governments to help democratise access to alternative funding sources.  Prior to founding Considered Capital, she was Director of Chapters at Zebras Unite, an international and intersectional hybrid cooperative dedicated to creating new financial instruments for the next economy. Esme is an active angel investor and was named one of the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise by Pioneers Post. Esme is the founder of Considered Capital, a platform for start-ups and organisations seeking alternative funding. Considered Capital simplifies and speeds up the journey to finding and accessing the right funding fit through courses, community and content.  

To find Esme go to Linkedin or her website Considered Capital

For Zebras Unite click here 

For more from Fiona and her startup Oka click here.

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

Bhavin Visavadia is a senior and experienced Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Clinical Leader. He is a surgical educator teaching around the world and was a member of Council of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS). He was also Chairman of the Consultants and Specialists Group here. Bhavin has the position of Regional Director for London (NW) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is also President of the Oral Surgery Club of Great Britain

Bhavin qualified in medicine and dentistry at King’s College London and undertook his specialist surgical training at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford and Guy’s and King’s College Hospitals, London. Bhavin is highly committed to surgical training supporting mentoring and pro-actively engaging with the development of surgeons, doctors, nurses and dentists.

For more on opportunities to get involved in mentoring or to be mentored go to:

https://oka.life

For more from Fiona go to:

https://fionamurden.com

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

For more on the Comfort Zone go to my book Defining You - Build Your Unique Personal Profile and Unlock Your True Potential

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

Hannah has observed the pop-culture messaging of "love yourself”, “reduce stress”, “avoid burnout”, “safe spaces”, “take it easy”, and “hack culture". All of which are promoted with good intentions. However, Hannah is passionate that these messages lead to adverse outcomes.

Because of her diverse experience and when looking through the prism of a female soldier (or those taking on demanding physical challenges) Hannah promotes tremendous success by doing the opposite.

Hannah is on a mission (pun intended) to convince people to seek out discomfort, to take a leap of faith when feeling overwhelmed by emotions and continually action their goals. Hannah’s simple strategies and lived experience can cut through some noise, helping all walks of life!

Hannah's Bio: 

At the tender age of 18, Hannah joined the army and has served for 12 years, including two operational tours in Afghanistan. During this time,Hannahhas lived in Germany, worked for NATO, and was also privileged to serve the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on ceremonial duties, including Garden Parties, Diplomatic Receptions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding and the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh funeral.Hannah's versatility extends beyond military service. She is also a skilled ski instructor and has participated in various adventure training activities, including parachuting and a military competition where she carried 40 pounds of weight over 40 miles. Also, Hannah placed 2nd in her age and gender group in the military section of an Ironman competition.

Her passion for personal growth and resilience has led her to establish Simple as Hannah, where she hopes to help individuals enhance their health and well-being, build their stress tolerance, and reach their full through regular exposure to discomfort with simple and actionable protocols to help along the way. With her unique combination of military discipline and physical challenges,Hannah is well-equipped to guide others on their journey of self-discovery and growth.

For more about Hannah please go to: 

https://linktr.ee/simple_as_hannah

For more from Fiona go to:

https://fionamurden.com

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com 

The books I refer to are:

Mirror Thinking  https://bit.ly/mirrorthink

Defining You https://bit.ly/DefiningYou2ndEd

Other references made can be found in Defining You. 

For more on Fiona visit www.fionamurden.com