Jeff Weigh

On this episode I share my interview with Sarah Williams, host of the Tough Girl Podcast & Founder of Tough Girl Challenges and we explore how Sarah came to create something that is 'tough and feminine'.

Recognised by the Guardian in 2018 as one of the top 10 most inspiring contemporary female adventurers, Sarah epitomises everything that Tough Girl is all about.

On work-life balance Sarah says;

Work-life balance is this wonderful dream and these fabulous words which get banded about and is something that I massively struggle with as I don't really have it. Sometimes I like to think I have it but generally I go from one extreme to the other.

Background

Sarah has an on-line brand called Tough Girl Challenges which is all about motivating and inspiring women and girls. Encouraging them to dream big, to live their life to the fullest as well as to travel, to explore, to get fit and to go on adventures.

She does this through a number of ways including; having a blog, a podcast, writing books and part of her mission is to increase the number of female role models in the media.

Since setting up Tough Challenges in 2014, Sarah has regularly stepped outside of her own comfort zone. She has taken on a number of her own challenges including; running the Marathon des Sables, hiking the Appalachian Trail in addition to cycling the Pacific Coast Highway and the Baja Divide.

Purpose

The more women that go out there and complete challenges; this will have a knock on effect on other areas in society. The ripple effect will be huge and we will start to see a better balance in everything from politics to films, sport and coverage.

Above all; it's important for women to see it to believe it.

Sarah loves interviewing other women and sharing their stories for the Tough Girl Podcast. These women are completing inspirational challenges and therefore they are going to increase the number of female role models in the media.

Tough and feminine is a thread that runs through our discussion which Sarah is hugely passionate about. Challenging some of societies models, norms and expectations that we've previously been encouraged to believe.

Final take-away

Write it down. Everything that you want to achieve in your life; take 1o minutes to write down those things. be proactive and start planning your life.

Find out more

Now, if you enjoyed the interview with Sarah then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter - https://twitter.com/_tough_girl

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toughgirlchallenges/

Website - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ToughGirlChallenges/

Pinterest - https://uk.pinterest.com/Tough101/

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ToughGirlPodcast?ty=h

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/SarahWilliamsToughGirlChallenges

If you liked this episode you can leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

Get involved on social media and ask us a question or share your feedback using the hashtag #perfectimbalance.

Check out all the episodes to date here

Tune in next time to hear me talking with Mark Whittle, Founder of the Take Fl1ght podcast.

On this episode I interview with Phil White, co-author of several brilliant books including Unplugged with Andy Galpin & Brian McKenzie, Game Changer with Fergus Connolly, 17 hour fast with Dr Frank Merritt - challenging some of our assumptions.

Background

Phil was a guest on the show in Series 1 (episode 5) and we pick up where we left off last time; talking about technology and social media and the impact that it's having on our mental health.

Having taken a 30 day sabbatical from all social media as an experiment whilst working alongside Kenny Kane, Phil has found it hard to pick up social media again and re-adjust to having that back as part of his life.

During the 30 day period he found himself challenging some assumptions and questioning the value and purpose of posting stuff on social media at all.

Discovery

One of the things that Phil has been able to rediscover is the art of what he calls; long form conversation. Conversation whereby you are looking the other person in the eye, gauging response and observing body language as well.

Ask yourself; what is it taking you away from?

This is beautifully highlighted and illustrated by the 'Device free dinner' Campaign in which Will Ferrell is the star.

What Phil keeps seeing and coming back to is 'long form'. Magazines that he writes for have shifted their focus from short articles or hacks to now wanting more journal type articles.

He says;

One of the reasons that podcasts like this are so popular and some of those in the US are massively popular like Tim Ferris and Joe Rogan is that people love them. They love them because they take the place of conversation.

Final take-away

Take a daily walk. 20-30 minutes ideally in nature.

Find out more

Now, if you enjoyed the interview with Phil then please do start a conversation with him on;

Twitter

Instagram

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts. Get involved on social media and ask us a question or share your feedback using the hashtag #perfectimbalance.

Check out the previous episode with Phil here and all the episodes to date here

Tune in next time to hear me talking with Sarah Williams, host of the Tough Girl Podcast & Founder of Tough Girl Challenges; recognised by the Guardian in 2018 as one of the top 10 most inspiring contemporary female adventurers.

On this episode I interview with Simon Austin, sports journalist and Founder of the Training Ground Guru - shining a light on the work going on behind the scenes in professional football.

On work-life balance Simon says;

I think it differs for each person and I'm not sure I've got in right. I love what I do and spend a lot of time engrossed in it.

Background

Simon set up the Training Ground Guru in 2017 having previously worked for the BBC for over 10 years and as a freelancer for several national newspapers.

He didn't think there was enough information being shared and in order to understand what's going on, on match day you need to understand what's happening on the training ground during the week.

And so the Training Ground Guru was created; shining a light on what's going on behind the scenes in football. Very much breaking away from the traditional pattern of how things have also been done in the industry.

It's taken a while for Simon to build up that trust and respect with the clubs but the response has been great so far. As a knock on this has led to the media at different clubs showing an interest and getting involved as well.

Purpose

To give insight into areas that are very important. I've been in journalism for over 20 years and always had a passion in this area. It's a growing area that hasn't really been covered.

If a reader says; 'that was interesting', then that's enough for Simon to take as acknowledgement for what he's set out to do in providing insight.

He's always wanted his own site and something that he's in control of; putting forward his own philosophy. There's definitely more freedom, however, Simon places a huge emphasis on 'thinking about your readers' and what they want.

In fact he thinks of them as his boss now.

Final take-away

Be yourself. There's a lot of pressure to conform and follow the lead of others. A lot of the time this is the road to ruin. Everyone has their own journey and their own story.

Find out more

Now, if you enjoyed the interview with Simon then please do start a conversation with him on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook

YouTube

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts. Get involved on social media and ask us a question or share your feedback using the hashtag #perfectimbalance.

Check out all the episodes to date here

You can still get your tickets for MOJO the event being hosted by Angela Cox (guest on episode 28)

Tune in next time to hear me talking once more with Phil White who featured in Series 1 on episode 5.

On this episode I interview Amanda Bate, Copywriter, Social Media Marketer and champion for putting your health first. As you listen more you'll understand why this is the case.

On work-life balance Amanda says;

It's doing what you want in your work life and doing what you want in your time away from your work. For some people their life is their work. It's so personal.

Background

Putting your health first has taken Amanda a lot of time and a lot of planning and ultimately culminated in her taking the leap of faith and leaving behind the comfort of the corporate world.

In her words; it was to achieve the best health, the best me; the best way I could present myself to the rest of the world.

Amanda was first diagnosed with Crohn's when she was pregnant. It knocked her sideways and she was referred to see a counsellor, which at the time Amanda thought was a little over the top!

However, it was incredible to talk to somebody. What resonated most was hearing the counsellor saying; without your health, you will not be able to look after your baby.

Living with a chronic disease can often wipe Amanda out. One of the best tonics Amanda has found for her own well-being, is simply getting outside.

Purpose

My purpose is writing content and raising awareness through using words; helping other companies to promote and market themselves.

Speaking candidly, it took Amanda 3 years to make the leap and leave an organisation that she'd worked in for 15 years.

Although she was working in communication and loving the world of communication, a lot of the writing she did was structured and regulated. Amanda had what she describes as an 'itch' that she needed to scratch.

This was where her blog started and through writing about her own illness, others started to find and connect with her.

Final take-away

Believe in yourself. Try and knock some of those fears away. Just do it.

Find out more

So, if you enjoyed the interview with Amanda then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts. Get involved on social media and ask us a question or share your feedback using the hashtag #perfectimbalance.

Check out all the episodes to date here

You can still get your tickets for MOJO the event being hosted by Angela Cox (guest on episode 28)

Tune in next time to hear me talking with Simon Austin, sports journalist (with over 20 years experience working for New York Times, Daily Telegraph, Sun and Daily Mail) and Founder of the Training Ground Guru - shining a light on the work going on behind the scenes in professional football.

On this episode I interview Andrea Goodridge, entrepreneur and owner of a business called Ad Florem and she's on a mission to help people understand more about 'energy in versus energy out'.

On work-life balance Andrea says;

If you can find out what gives you energy and where you can add energy; that's where I get work-life balance. I make my own definition of work-life balance; I don't compare mine with anyone else's.

Background

Andrea has a background of working within learning and development and has spent the last 20 years in this space.

In other words; she challenges leaders to challenge themselves. This includes thought processes, mind-set, how they're feeling, behaviour and the impact that they're having on other people.

Whilst others will be talking and focusing on resilience and burn out, Andrea is seeing something else with her work.

Leaders need to look inwards so that they can start to challenge themselves. There's a general feeling of leaders being overwhelmed. Andrea is seeing them literally 'falling off the table'. They don't have any energy left and they are losing sight of who they are.

Where no support is being offered (internally within organisations), leaders are looking outside and self funding development and opportunity to have time away from the chaos.

Purpose

I see my purpose as getting leaders to take time away from the chaos and focus on themselves.

This is what gets Andrea up in the morning because she knows that she's able to get leaders to take time away and focus on themselves.

In Andrea's line of work she sees that many leaders' focus is in on targets, systems or processes. They might be dedicating time to culture, teams, services or customers but what's missing is the 'them' bit.

Final take-away

You can't be a great leader if you can't be a great YOU.

Find out more

So, if you enjoyed the interview with Andrea then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts. Get involved on social media and ask us a question or share your feedback using the hashtag #perfectimbalance.

Check out all the episodes to date here

Get your tickets for MOJO the event being hosted by Angela Cox (guest on episode 28)

Tune in next time to hear me talking with Amanda Bate, Copywriter, Social Media Marketer and champion for Crohn's and Colitis.

On this episode I interview Tim Roberts; speaker, thought provoker and business owner on a mission to ignite your enthusiasm.

On work-life balance Tim says;

It's a fascinating topic as I think it's very individual. I prefer the term 'life-work balance' because that's the way around it should be. Our priorities change with age.

Background

Tim has a background of working within learning and development for a number of organisations. 2018 has been a defining year for him as he struggled and came to terms with his own mental health. Emotional intelligence and being able to draw on this has enabled him to find the strength and the courage to be able to start to talk about this.

As 2018 came to a close, Tim set up Enthuse Coaching. He's now ready to embark on a different journey in 2019 and help others find ignite (or re-ignite) their enthusiasm for life and for work.

I'd really encourage organisations to look at people as human beings and individuals and not be afraid of saying; 'this person needs something different right now'.

A previous boss was very good at recognising this when Tim was going through challenges in relation to his own mental health. On the other hand his employer did nothing. Tim doesn't think they knew what to do and as result did't want to put any additional pressure on him.

The message here is: ask your employees what they want (and not through a survey where they have to choose from 5 options).

 

Purpose

I see my purpose as making people think.

My work involves working with organisations to enable them to recognise what they are in control of and ignite or re-ignite their enthusiasm for their work.

Leaders play a key part in this and Tim asks the people he works with; what do you stand for?

Tim provokes many thoughts during our interview and talks passionately about not waiting.

He says; put the music on that you love, where the clothes you want to and spend the time with the people who mean the most to you.

Final take-away

Emotional Intelligence will get you further in life than anything else.

Find out more

If you enjoyed the interview with Tim then please do start a conversation with him on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts. Get involved on social media and ask us a question or share your feedback using the hashtag #perfectimbalance.

Check out all the episodes to date here

Tune in next time to hear me talking with Andrea Goodridge, entrepreneur and owner of a business called Ad Florem which focuses on: growing leaders through ‘focus, confidence and resilience’.

On this episode I interview Di Murray, entrepreneur and the energy behind Coming up 4 air and creating space to breathe.

On work-life balance Di says;

It's quite an over-used term. I've become sensitised to the term work-life balance; the holy grail of what we're trying to achieve. I wonder if it's less about having a perfect balance and more about what happens when we don't have choice in either of those arenas.

Background

Di works with individuals and organisations to (in her words) hold the space for people to explore, ponder and be more curious. Noticing and doing some deep listening was ultimately the essence of how Coming Up 4 Air came about.

Allowing others the space to breathe, in a place free of agenda Di sees herself more as a guide and a facilitator. As opposed to being the expert who has all the answers.

People attending Di's retreats and workshops can expect an element of dis-comfort and intrigue which in turn builds trust through autonomy. Di sees her approach as a bit of an anti-dote to the craziness of the world.

 

Purpose

One of the things about purpose is it shifts. People would describe me as a passionate disrupter.

I set out to disrupt people's thinking based on what they know when they arrive on a workshop or retreat. I invite people to take risks in the space that I create.

Final take-away

Lighten up, laugh at yourself.

Straighten up, stand tall when you come into a room.

Speak up,use your voice for good.

Find out more

If you enjoyed the interview with Di then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts. Get involved on social media and ask us a question or share your feedback using the hashtag #perfectimbalance.

Check out all the episodes to date here

Tune in next time to hear me talking with Tim Roberts; speaker, thought provoker and business owner of Enthuse Coaching

On this episode I interview Dave Algeo who talks amongst other things about being stressed out and the damage of the 'shut the f*ck up type of attitude' when it comes to mental health.

On work-life balance Dave says;

I like the perfect imbalance idea. I remember when work-life balance became a thing. I get it but the world of life is far more complex.

Background

Dave spent a number of years working in the police force before setting up his own business in 2006 in the world of learning and development. His focus tends to be in the space of resilience and mental health and helping those feeling stressed out.

Calling himself the Stress(ed) Guru; a tongue in cheek play on the perception of the many Guru's out there! He's open about the rough and tumble of life and says that's what is exciting about life.

Host of Man Sprouts the podcast, Dave can often be seen and heard talking about vegetables! For those that remember Crackerjack, the losing contestants would often be saddled with cabbages!

Purpose

Having gone through his own stress and fallen into arrears with his mortgage at Northern Rock; he's some how been able to use his own experience to positive effect.

He loves to learn and loves to turn this into learning and teaching for others; making a difference in the long term not just in the moment.

Find out more

If you enjoyed the interview with Dave then please do start a conversation with him on;

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

YouTube

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts. Get involved on social media and ask us a question or share your feedback using the hashtag #perfectimbalance.

Check out all the episodes to date here

Tune in next time to hear me talking with Di Murray; entrepreneur and business owner of Coming up 4 air.

On this episode Dr Emma Foden and myself wish you the listeners and all our guests a happy new year. 

The majority of podcasts don't get past 7 episodes and today we have finished the year with 31 episodes. The purpose of the podcast was to provoke new thoughts around balance and challenge the myth of work-life balance in particular.

A Perfect Imbalance

This has been presented as an alternative to work-life balance; one which is more empowering rather than limiting. 

We've captured this with a simple formula;

Purpose + Awareness +/- Balance = Success

Lessons from 2018

The lessons learned from series 1 and series 2 include;

The power of connecting and reaching out to others in your network and social network. Prior to launching the show, I'd only met 8 of my guests and interacted with 9 via social media.

Intermittent fasting has had a significant impact on both of our lives and this was first shared with us by Phil White on episode 5. Better choices around food and portion size have changed our lifestyle.

The importance of talking and sharing has become more apparent through the year and guests like Emma Lannigan and Sarah McKiernan being so open are positively leading the way with this.

Being comfortable with who we are is highlighted perfectly by a number of guests including Fergus Connolly. Making mistakes is part of our growth and development, yet society (in the main) has a negative view of failure.

Happy new Year - a look ahead to 2019

Looking ahead to 2019, each series will feature 12 brilliant guests and a review show at the end of each series.

Dr Emma Foden has agreed to host a regular feature, sharing the latest news and thoughts around well-being and mental health.

Listeners can get involved with the show by asking questions on social media using the hashtag #perfectimbalance. These can be posed to either myself, the guests or Dr Emma Foden.

If you would like to be a guest on the show then you will be able to apply through the website. The line up for series 3 is almost complete but we're seeking more guests for series 4, 5 & 6.

Partnerships

For the very first time, Brands will have the opportunity to get involved with the show. If you have a product or service that you think fits with the ethos of the show then please get in touch for more details.

Packages will be available for 4, 6 or 12 episodes or an entire series.

Start a conversation with Dr Emma Foden on;

Twitter

LinkedIn 

If you enjoyed this episode then check out the others from series 1 & 2 here.

Tune in next time to hear me interviewing Dave Algeo the Stress(ed) Guru on the first show of Series 3.

Until then I'd like to thank all the listeners for tuning in this year and to all my guests for taking time out to share their stories.

Happy New Year and all the best for 2019.

Jeff & Emma x

On this 'advent special' episode I look back over series 2 with Dr Emma Foden. 

Series by numbers;

16 guests

18 episodes 

2 x 2 part episodes

9 authors, 2 doctors and guests from 5 countries; England, Ireland, Scotland, USA and Australia.

Advent Calendar

In advent calendar style, Emma & I take it in turns to select a number. Behind each number is a guest from the series.

We then share our own thoughts on the episode, the guest and the messages that they left us with.

Thank you for joining us on the advent special episode. We will be back on New Year's Eve with a special show; looking back over 2018 and giving you a flavour of what to expect in 2019!

As always you can catch up on any episodes you've missed on;

iTunes

Spotify

or through the Ignite Website.

Have a very Merry Christmas and thank you for taking the time to listen to the show this year.

Best wishes

Jeff & Emma x x x