egg talks to

It was a delight to finally catch up with Zakia Moulaoui, founder of Invisible Cities, a social enterprise that trains people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides in their own cities. The company operates in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and York and is transforming lives.

Zakia also set up the incredible Sparkle Sisters initiative, providing homeless women with access to haircuts, manicures and new clothes, helping restore dignity and instil confidence.

Both Zakia and her business are multi award winning and I particularly loved hearing Zakia talk about her success stories, and those people whose lives she is really transforming, there are many. Including Paul who I immediately like the sound of "You don't have to be women to be a feminist!"

Please consider going on a tour with Invisible Cities or encouraging your business to support them; https://invisible-cities.org/

@invisiblecitiestours

Sparkle Sisters' next event is taking place on February 27th 2020. You can;
Donate items (toiletries, clothes) - [email protected]
Donate money - Www.invisible-cities.org/donate
Support their crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-invisible-cities-get-to-more-uk-cities

Huge thanks to Cameron Optometry for sponsoring this podcast! Cameron Optometry are an award winning practice based in Edinburgh's New Town and home to a team of experienced and passionate optometrists. This lovely bunch of opticians have qualifications not just in eye care but anxiety and confidence too, so are sensitive to the varying needs of patients.

Cameron Optometry is also home to The Frame Room, an independent eyewear boutique specialising in artisan, ethically made frames - EGG card holders can bag an exclusive 20% off, an eye watering discount! https://www.cameronoptom.com/

Does this episode even need an introduction!?!? Never really believing it was going to happen, I was THRILLED to catch up with Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes at the Edinburgh Wellbeing Festival. I knew she'd been rehearsing since 2am that morning, had then done her Military in Motion class, as well as our panel discussion, so I was kind of thinking she might pap the EGG Podcast. But that isn't Kelly's style. Dame Kelly was open, honest, witty, warm, down to earth and inspiring. We talked about growing old, the menopause, losing our Mums and eating condensed milk out of a tin; she was interested in me as well as hugely encouraging. After a few hours in her company I was buzzing, as well as a little teary, she really is something special.

Look out for her Military In Motion classes coming soon and I can highly recommend her book Running Life.

Huge thanks to Nairns for kindly sponsoring this episode - a great fit for this episode as Kelly us a huge fan of their oaty goodness, as am I! Try them with peanut butter and banana, or scoop out a tup of humous with them, that's my serving suggestion anyway!

If you enjoyed this episode I'd love if you leave a rating or review, if you'd like to get in touch with me please drop me a line [email protected] or Insta @egcommunity.

Ever wondered what a Life coach is, wondered how they might be able to help your business and your, well life?! I'm seven sessions in with my Life Coach Hannah Buchan and have to say it's been life-changing. Giving yourself some time and space to think about your values, your direction and your legacy is imperative, and employing the services of a coach will force you to take time out and evaluate. In this episode we talk about the importance of values and how you can begin to identify yours. Books we mention are Into the Magic Shop by Dr James Doty and The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.

If you enjoyed this episode I'd love if you leave a rating or review, if you'd like to get in touch with me please drop me a line [email protected] or Insta @egcommunity.

Hannah Buchan can be found https://www.hannahbuchancoaching.com/ and on Insta @hannahbuchancoaching

On this episode we talk about the Big C and talk with two fierce warriors who are fighting an awesome fight against it, Gay-Louise Aitken and Jo Lee. Fighting Breast Cancer and Lymphoma respectively, these two brave and wonderful women tell us of their journey's, their experience of chemotherapy, of Maggies, coping techniques, and coming out the other side. If you're looking for inspiration on reasons not to sweat the small stuff, embrace life and the importance of sisterhood, then you'll want to tune in to this very powerful episode. Huge thanks to Jo & Gay for sharing so openly.

https://www.maggiescentres.org/

If you have any questions or feedback please email us at [email protected], and we’d love you to follow us on Instagram: @eggcommunity

Website: https://eggedinburgh.com/
https://eggglasgow.com/

Ever since I read her book “Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute” I’ve been trying desperately to get Elke Thompson on the podcast, it was so worth the wait!! Elke talks about the death of her husband Martin, the inspiration behind the book and explains the importance of being honest with children in the light of adversity. Breast cancer warrior, gifted Mum and author, I could have spoken to Elke all day. An emotional, amazing conversation.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HYLPFD4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

If you have any questions or feedback please email us at [email protected], and we’d love you to follow us on Instagram: @eggcommunity

Website: https://eggedinburgh.com/
https://eggglasgow.com/

I was delighted to catch up with these girls, whose book "Taking the Plunge" has just been released! A book dedicated to the healing power of Wild Swimming for Mind, Body and Soul, it's a glorious collection of stunning photos and beautiful copy telling the stories of a whole collection of local wild swimmers and the benefits of immersing yourself in cold water. As a new fan of Wild Swimming the topic, and this book, particular interest. Cold water, connection and community - I loved our conversation, hope you do too!

Insta; @wildswimmingstories

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taking-Plunge-Healing-Power-Swimming/dp/178530268X

If you have any questions or feedback please email us at [email protected], and we’d love you to follow us on Instagram: @eggcommunity

Website: https://eggedinburgh.com/
https://eggglasgow.com/

I was thrilled to welcome Mandy Watkins, founder of hush clothing, for a Live Episode at John Lewis & Partners in Edinburgh. Mandy was inspirational, engaging and massively down to earth, telling the story of how she built a £40m business from her kitchen table.

Mandy was funny and honest and last but by no means least, makes amazing jumpsuits! Cue one huge girl crush #bemoremandy

www.hush.co.uk
www.johnlewis.com

If you have any questions or feedback please email us at [email protected], and we’d love you to follow us on Instagram: @eggcommunity

Website: https://eggedinburgh.com/
https://eggglasgow.com/

Talking all things body confidence, body positivity, the difference between the two, body confidence in kids and egg freezing. An insightful & honest conversation with this hugely inspiring Glasgow girl.

If you have any questions or feedback please email us at [email protected], and we’d love you to follow us on Instagram: @eggcommunity

Website: https://eggedinburgh.com/
https://eggglasgow.com/

I loved my conversation with Celia, an absolute Queen, fighting period poverty one pad, cup & tampon at a time. More awards than you can shake an applicator stick at, and no wonder. Raising 3 children single-handedly, Celia was no stranger to the benefit system, an experience that has driven this powerhouse to do good, all her life. We discussed running a Social Enterprise, her work with the Scottish Government, supply chain, selling to supermarkets (hot off the press, Hey Girls now available in Sainsbury's, Waitrose AND the Co-Op), and building a team, I bloody love her.

@heygirls
https://www.heygirls.co.uk

If you have any questions or feedback please email us at [email protected], and we’d love you to follow us on Instagram: @eggcommunity

Website: https://eggedinburgh.com/
https://eggglasgow.com/

A Glasgow girl, Emma has travelled the world in her career as a Sports Broadcaster, working at Sky Sports and BT Sport, she was the first women appointed as Head of Sport for the Arabian Radio Network. I’ve partied lots with Emma over the years, but didn’t quite understand, until our conversation, her complete and utter dedication to sport. Broadcasting across Rugby, Football & Golf, she is a true Pro. We talked gender pay gap, women in sport and the upcoming Ladies Scottish Open, being held at The Renaissance Club 8-11th August.

https://ladiesscottishopen.com/

Emma also presents her own podcast, On the Dance Floor, celebrating and supporting Women in Golf, have a listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/on-the-dance-floor/id1457449118

Thanks to Aberdeen Standard Investments for sponsoring this podcast.

If you have any questions or feedback please email us at [email protected], and we’d love you to follow us on Instagram: @eggcommunity

Website: https://eggedinburgh.com/
https://eggglasgow.com/