Martyn has a conversation with second-time guest Ali Goldie. They talk about the pressures people can feel at Christmas time, how they manage these pressures themselves, and offer some ways to find self love and true peace over this festive period.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and thank you for supporting Healing Together, lots more to come in 2023!

Links from the episode:

MIND Christmas Support - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/why-christmas-is-hard/

Poem - https://tinybuddha.com/fun-and-inspiring/if-the-mountain-seems-too-big-today-then-climb-a-hill-instead/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martyn uses the concept of 'Dark Night of the Soul' to discuss with you the unravelling he encountered following the 'failed' adoption experience he shared in Episode 16. He uses his social media history to recount the experiences of the time. He filled the gap created after deciding to not adopt with a deep dive into yoga, starting to train for the Lakesman (an Ironman distance event), continuing to overwork, seek perfection and consequently becoming extremely vulnerable.

This is part 1 of Episode 17, in part 2 he will explore the dissolution he had to go through, perfectly catalysed by a deeply unfulfilling and emotionally abusive relationship, and shedding so many unhelpful layers of who he knew himself to be. From this empty and dark place the Lakesman training was a constant and brought him out the other side stronger, more resilient, lighter and ready for the next chapter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today you have a solo episode with host Martyn talking about the story of his failed attempt at becoming a parent through adoption.

The enthusiasm he felt following his change of career and leaving an unfulfilling 10 year relationship meant he definitely overdid things, entering into several toxic relationships, personally and professionally, which ultimately led to a painful unravelling after deciding to give up on the adoption process. This unravelling will be detailed in Episode 17.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***Content Warning: Self Harm, Emotional Abuse***

Martyn is joined by Jonny Simpson, enlightened coach and Cystic Fibrosis survivor, to talk about his many years of suffering physically and emotionally which eventually led to his first 'awakening'. They explore the often inaccessible concepts of awakening and meditation, using their own experience and reflecting on their work with clients.

Martyn also sets up the next solo episode, where he will share his difficult experience of a failed adoption, then reaching new depths through completing an Ironman distance event at the same time as coming through an emotionally abusive relationship. The themes of awakening and meditation will be further explored through these difficult life experiences he will share with you.

Links from this episode:

4 Soul Questions -

Get comfortable, sitting or laying down as you would for meditation. For each of the questions below relax and be receptive to whatever comes to you. For the first question try to be in the presence of your Being/Spirit which is different from your ego. For the other questions, be open and allow any sensation, image or thought flow to you. Breathe and repeat each question until you feel satisfied and are ready move on. You might want to record your answers or write down what came to you afterwards.

Who am I?  

What do I want or what is my deepest desire?  

What is my purpose? 

What am I grateful for?  

I hope you find this as helpful as I did. As a yoga teacher once told me, “We’re perfect just the way we are, we just need a little work.” ♥

Book Jonny mentioned - The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment https://g.co/kgs/zo1Em8

Jonny's Instagram - @jonnypopsimpson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***Content Warning: HIV and suicide***

Matt was floored when he discovered his HIV+ status aged 25, only a few months after coming out as gay. His mental health was significantly impacted as he tried to come to terms with his diagnosis and the difficult process of integrating it into his life and relationships. He also talks about the unexpected highs of recently 'coming out' about his positive status and his gratitude for it. A shining example of finding strength, being open, kind and grateful.

Links from the episode:

Terrence Higgins Trust: https://www.tht.org.uk/

National AIDS Trust: https://www.nat.org.uk/

NAM AIDSMAP: https://www.aidsmap.com/

George House Trust: https://ght.org.uk/

Lunch Positive: https://lunchpositive.org/ (this is the charity Matt volunteers with - they are only based in the South East)

Tackle HIV: https://tacklehiv.org/

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/

MIND Suicide Toolkit (for sufferers and loved ones): https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/suicidal-feelings/about-suicidal-feelings/

Matt's Instagram: @meandhiv

Matt's YouTube: youtube.com/c/MattWebster1986

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***Content warning: Graphic descriptions of domestic abuse and suicide***

Martyn and Ruth talk about her horrific experiences of domestic abuse when she was younger. She describes how easily she became the subject of the darkness of generational abuse due to her naivety, and how difficult it was to escape. She talks about the additional struggle with Endometriosis and how she was later diagnosed with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), a consequence of bio-psycho trauma she holds in her body for years after the abuse ended. She is the personification of how bathing darkness with light can soothe such horrific abuse, and has found healing through community and her love of fitness and yoga.

Links from the episode:



https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

Women Out West - https://www.facebook.com/womenoutwestcumbria

It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle https://g.co/kgs/xCAVw8

Endometriosis - https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/ending-endometriosis-starts-saying-it

PMDD - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd/getting-a-pmdd-diagnosis/

http://www.westcoastyogastudio.co.uk/

Ruth's Yoga group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/450586498659278/?ref=share

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martyn guides you through a cord cutting and forgiveness meditation. The first 10 minutes or so describes energy cords and the purpose of forgiveness. If you want to go straight to the meditation then forward to 10 minutes 48 seconds.

Credit to debbieguidinglight.blogspot.com for the meditation script.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Martyn's sister Clare is joining him for a family show! Clare shares her responses to Martyn's solo Post-Holiday Reflections episode (9) and then goes on to talk about her last couple of years supporting her daughter through Anorexia, as well as trying to find balance in her own life.

Links from the episode:

CEDS - https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/community-eating-disorder-services-ceds-carlisle-north-cumbria-cntw269/

BEAT - https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Hope Virgo - https://www.bewellcollective.co.uk/hope-virgo

Clare's Instagram - @clarys36

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.