Folk Tales

Honest Conversations is a Folk Tales mini-series focused on all things mental wellbeing as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021.

Today's theme is "Keep Learning", and we're chatting with record-breaking sailor, Tim Long.

At just 15, Tim became the youngest person ever to sail solo around Britain in 2020. A member of our boatfolk community at Haslar Marina, Tim is an exceptional young man with incredible determination, passion and drive.

Tim talks to us about the mental resilience needed to take on a feat like his and shares his first hand experience of balancing the often-conflicting pressures of exams, social expectations and following his dream.

Happy listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk
www.timothylongsailing.co.uk 

Honest Conversations is a Folk Tales mini-series focused on all things mental wellbeing as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021.

Today's theme is "Take notice", and we're chatting with Abbie Barnes from wellbeing project Spend More Time In The WILD,

Abbie started WILD in 2016 to inspire and empower others by openly talking about her own struggles with her mental health and the benefits of spending time in nature to improve mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Since then WILD has grown into a safe community for others to share their stories and encourage others to get outside and to take notice of the world around them and to protect our precious green spaces with Abbie at the helm, encouraging us all to don our walking boots and connect with the natural world, now more so than ever as we navigate a global pandemic.

Abbie’s YouTube channel, Spend More Time In The WILD documents her long distance trail walks and the challenges she faces with her mental and physical health both on and off the trail.

Happy listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk
www.spendmoretimeinthewild.co.uk

Honest Conversations is a Folk Tales mini-series focused on all things mental wellbeing as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021.

Today's theme is "Be active" and we're speaking with extreme ocean swimmer, Ben Hooper from the Swim the Big Blue expedition. Ben shot to fame in 2016 as the first man to attempt to swim the Atlantic Ocean. After a dramatic (and premature) end to his adventure, Ben is setting his sights on the future.

Ben talks to us about battling his own mental health issues and the role that getting active, being out on the water and following a dream have played in overcoming aversity.

Happy listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk

Honest Conversations is a Folk Tales mini-series focused on all things mental wellbeing as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021.

Today's theme is "Give" and we're speaking with Alex Sergison from the Portland-based business, Adventure4All. Adventure4All uses adventure sports such as paddle boarding, rock climbing and coasteering to help people push themselves and their boundaries, to learn and grow and build confidence.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Alex and his team have helped many children and young adults who are struggling to cope with their mental health following extended periods of lockdown and re-engaging with their peers having been out of school for so long.

Alex also talks about his own experience with anxiety and depression and how he is striving to create a safe place to discuss mental health for his children despite finding it difficult to talk about himself.

Happy listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak with Merchant Navy veteran, superyacht Captain and widely-published industry commentator, Michael Howorth.

Michael's prowess as a travel and yachting writer is widely revered, and he and his wife Frances are now published across the world's leading industry titles. In this interview, Michael shares all, from his early career with the Merchant Navy to taking the helm of cruise liners and superyachts with the rich and famous. 

He has some fantastic anecdotes and great tips for those looking to start boating. 

Happy listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak with round-the-world boating adventurer, Steve Brown.

Steve talks to us about how he made the decision to take the plunge, buy his Bestevaer 60C, Novara, and set sail for the adventure of a lifetime. From breaking ice through the North West Passage to cruising the Caribbean, Steve and his wife Trish have experienced life to the fullest and have plans to keep on going. 

Steve is an amazing guy, with a wonderful story.

Happy listening! 

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak with Brian Meharg MBE from Bangor Marina in Northern Ireland. 

Brian shares his story of a life on the water, from skipper, to author and everything in between, including some great memories of his time as long-distance swimming pilot for Alison Street's record-breaking attempts to swim the North Channel.

Happy listening! 

 In this episode of Folk Tales we speak with Vicky Williams from the incredible sailing charity, Challenge Wales.

Challenge Wales has been working for over a decade to bring life-changing experiences to young people from all over the UK. Their focus is on helping vulnerable young people develop life skills and improve employment prospects, all through the power of sailing. 

Vicky tells us all about their history, their amazing work, and the positive and lasting impact they are making.

Happy listening! 

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak with adventurer and boating author, Peter Bell.

Peter tells us all about his latest book, The Adventures of Dofesaba II 2019 & 2020, which documents the good, the bad and the ugly of his trip along the Punic Coast, from stunning scenery to a few near misses with killer whales and a grumpy Dutchman!

Like his book, this episode is full of laugh out loud moments and incredible facts.

Happy listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk

www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/823348-the-adventures-of-dofesaba-ii-2019-2020-from-port-leucate-to-lagos-in-portugal

In this episode of Folk Tales, we speak with Portland customer, Chris Morton.

Chris shares his story of life on the water, from solo-racing in his Pogo 8.50, L'Aventure II, to his journey back to the water after a life changing accident in 2019. Chris is an inspirational guy with incredible determination and we loved hearing what he had to say.

Happy listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk