“If you've got a passion and want to turn it into a business, there's resources out there...open the door for yourself. If the world around you isn't right, change your world.”

Brett Turner has worked in a bowling alley, a factory, a garage and he even did a stint as a travel rep in the Costa Brava (of which he interviewed for wearing his mum’s tights – no really, he genuinely did). 

He’s since ditched the tights and is now the owner of All Video Productions, a video production company which he created over five years ago, following his passions of art and film. Through tonnes of hard work, Brett has tuned his business into a full-time career. He’s worked with all kinds of people and organisations across the UK, he’s his own boss and has complete creative freedom in terms of the clients and direction he wants his business to move to...I don't know about you, but that sounds awesome to me!

Brett’s journey hasn’t come without it’s hardships – he talks openly about how he struggled academically at school, later discovering he’s dyslexic and also about how there were several moments in his life when he was going in a different direction to the one he wanted.

What you’ll find though, is Brett has an infectious energy about him and a huge amount of enthusiasm and passion. There’s definitely things to learn about how to turn our interests into a career, not taking life too seriously where we can and being willing to put in the work to achieve our aims. 

Brett’s an example of someone who’s also worked with others throughout his career to achieve his aims. He was helped through tutors, mentors and collaborating with people with different skillsets to take him where he wanted to be. He now returns that kindness by offering internships and placements with students – helping them get their foot on the ladder and learn the ropes in videography and business.

I also think we can all learn something about not being afraid to follow our passions regardless of the outcome – this is the perfect time of year to start writing that novel, to set up that Etsy crafting page, to finally get round to starting that blog – whatever your passion is, what’s the worst that can happen?

Warning: episode contains swearing

If you’re interested in listening to more episodes, please subscribe and leave reviews wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also find me on Instagram and Facebook @ConnectionsUntold.

“Find your resilience and grow it...you don't just get a finite amount when you're born that just stays with you.”

In this episode, I’m lucky enough to speak with I speak with Sue Fish, ex-Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police.

We chat about her time as a woman starting her career as a police officer in the mid-80’s; a very different time in the world and a very different time in policing. Some of the stories she told me about the things that her and other female police officers and staff went through, genuinely stunned me.

What really stands out about Sue is her defiance and the sheer bravery it must have taken to stand up for herself and for others, particularly other women, as she progressed in her career over the decades. Despite all of this, what also really shines through is the pure pride she had and still has in policing and the incredibly important part it plays in society. You hear how hard it was for her leaving policing after such a long and distinguished career, but also how fulfilling her life is now, which I think is a really positive message.

There is so much wisdom in this conversation, but the key thing I got from it is the importance of following your instinct on something – even if you don’t know what the outcome will be or if it goes against the grain of what others expect. That does mean making mistakes and it does mean taking risks and being brave.

But if Sue had given into the insecurities she felt at the beginning of her career about whether she thought she would even be any good at policing, what a shame that would’ve been and what a legacy she would have missed out on leaving behind.

If you’re interested in listening to more episodes, please subscribe and leave reviews wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram @ConnectionsUntold

“I'm totally okay with what I've done. I wonder if being that okay about it, my thirst had been quenched…maybe because of that, I was never to win again, because I was okay with winning once.”

In this episode, I speak with Olympic gold medalist Greg Searle MBE. 

We chat about his extraordinary journey in winning a gold medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics and then coming back to win a bronze medal in London 2012, twenty years later. His time of set-backs and self-discovery throughout this 20-year period allowed him to grow and to learn valuable lessons in being part of a team and valuing other people’s strengths. 

Greg’s dreams of being an Olympic champion came from being a young lad, determined to be the best at what he did and willing to throw everything into getting himself there. His story shows that if we want to achieve something, we have to work hard at it and that nothing will ever be given to us without putting the time in.

I could write a list as long as my arm of quotes from this conversation that really made me stop and think, but my favourite was: “If not now, when? If not you, who?” It’s a stark reminder that we can make all the excuses under the sun about why we can’t or shouldn’t do something, but in many circumstances, the only thing holding us back is ourselves.

With his unique experience, Greg now works as an inspirational speaker (I’ve seen him talk and can highly recommend him!) and works with businesses and individuals to help get the best out of each other. Take a look at his website for more info.

If you’re interested in listening to more episodes, please subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram @ConnectionsUntold

"I could blame my real father, who was an alcoholic....I could blame my stepfather, who was abusive, I could blame breast cancer. I could blame lots of things on why I should be an unhappy person, but I don't...that's life and because of that, I am who I am today."

Marion Hart is a survivor, but to say she is just that is to downplay her as a person. As a bit of background, Marion is my cousin - and I'm very proud to call her so. She's been a source of inspiration for much of my life and is genuinely one of the kindest and positive people I know. Our conversation was one that I've wanted to have for a very long time - I knew snippets about her past but not the full story, which is why it was such a pleasure being able to speak with her. 

We talk about the abuse Marion suffered as a child and how she managed to work through this as an adult, eventually becoming a mother of two brilliant children. We discuss Marion's biggest 'curveball' of her life, when she found out she had stage-three breast cancer and what battling it and undergoing chemotherapy was like.

Alongside this, we also talk about her time living in South Africa, being held at gun-point and going through a divorce. Friendship has also played a key role in Marion’s life and we chat about why community is so important in helping us get through our problems and moving on from them.

Marion has used her past to make her stronger, and because of her positive outlook, she's focused her energy on embracing new experiences, treating life as an adventure, caring for others and being the best mother she can be. Every negative experience has been an opportunity for her to grow and become a more fulfilled person - which I think is a wonderful way of looking at things. 

I can't thank Marion enough for sharing her story. It's an important one and it show us that no matter what life throws at you - with the right outlook and the right support around you, you're strong and you can overcome anything.

If you’re interested in listening to more episodes, please subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram @ConnectionsUntold 

“Our friendship with Hodson hasn’t ended. It’s just changed and he can still be with us.”

David Hodson, (aka ‘Hodson’), was 34-years-old when he took his own life. As well as being a son, a brother, a friend, he was also the fun guy, the one who’d do pranks on others, the one who was always late, the clumsy one, the one who everyone liked. We all know someone like Hodson.

But hidden behind this, he was suffering – more than anyone could’ve known. The tragic thing is, Hodson’s story is one that’s becoming more common. Depression is the leading global disability, suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK and the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds worldwide. 

In this episode, I talk to two old university friends, Tom Smith and David Bowden (aka  ‘Bowden’) - who’ve known Hodson since they were toddlers. We speak openly and frankly about Hodson and how they’ve both come to terms with his death. We talk about mental health, about the importance of friendship and about opening up to others and being okay with asking for help. 

It was a difficult conversation to have – but one that is so necessary, now, more than ever.

A massive thanks to Hodson’s family who consented to this conversation and for Tom and Bowden for being so open in talking to me. But my biggest thanks goes to Hodson himself. Wherever you are now, your memory lives on and your important story will continue to be told. This episode is dedicated to you, Hodson.

If you or anyone you know are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast episode, alongside talking to your local GP, there are a range of resources available to you, listed below are a few of them: 

• www.thecalmzone.net
• www.mind.org.uk
• www.samaritans.org 

Episode contains swearing.

If you’re interested in listening to more episodes, please subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram @ConnectionsUntold 

"No matter our background or our issues, if you can get to that place where you're content with who you are, with all your imperfections, it's a very powerful place to be"

It's safe to say that Sarah Stephenson-Hunter, Stonewall's East Midlands Role Model of the Year 2018, has had an eventful life. 

Struggling from health issues to her own gender identity earlier in life, it was only after a loss in the family did she finally have the courage to become the person who she always knew she was.

Her story showed me that the only way to true happiness is to accept who we are and to embrace our individuality. It also showed me that not taking the easy road is sometimes the only option. Yep, going on that tried and tested path may be safe and easy, but it’s only through challenging ourselves, by making mistakes and by learning from these mistakes, that we grow and are able to find out and become who we really are. 

A massive thanks to Sarah for her time, for welcoming me into her home and sharing her story for the benefit of others.

Interested in listening to future episodes where I interview amazing people about their lives? Subscribe to wherever you listen to your podcasts by searching for Connections Untold.

You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram @ConnectionsUntold

“The other side of fear is success”

Sid has an incredible story to tell. Growing up in in Long Island and Brooklyn, he fell in love with hairdressing and eventually began a 14-year career with Vidal Sassoon. He fell into drug and alcohol addiction, which took him to some very dark places, but has since become clean and transformed his life. He's a successful business owner, running a renowned hair academy where he helps others achieve their dreams, and also owns a beautiful salon in Nottingham. He tops it off by globetrotting to teach the world his art.

Sid's story shows us that it’s never too late to change – regardless of how low you are, or whatever dark place you find yourself in, regardless of whether you have an addiction or don’t have an addiction; things can get better if you want it to get better. 

It shows us that the road to recovery isn’t just a straightforward one – it takes time, energy and huge amounts of willpower, that can only be achieved through opening up and allowing others to support us. 

A huge thanks to Sid for his time and for sharing his story.

Check out his website, www.sottungacademy.com and find him on Facebook and Instagram @SidSottungAcademy.

Episode contains swearing.

Interested in listening to future episodes where I interview amazing people about their lives? Subscribe to wherever you listen to your podcasts by searching for Connections Untold.

You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram @ConnectionsUntold

Welcome to the Connections Untold podcast.

This episode is different to the others…it’s me introducing myself a little and my reasons for starting this podcast. I open up about the abuse I suffered as a toddler and my emotionally painful relationship with my dad. I talk about stumbling and growing with each step.

None of us should feel ashamed of past trauma that we may have suffered. It makes us stronger. It makes us resilient. It gives us a brilliant level of empathy towards others. Be proud of who you are. Spread kindness and surround yourself with people who love you for being you.

Interested in listening to future episodes where I interview amazing people about their lives? Subscribe to wherever you listen to your podcasts by searching for Connections Untold.

You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram @ConnectionsUntold