In this episode, I speak with Alan Sowersby, who shares his journey of battling OCD throughout his career.

Alan discusses the challenges he faced while hiding behind a mask of confidence, the tipping point that led him to seek help, and how he rediscovered his passion for writing. Through poetry and self-expression, Alan learned to embrace his vulnerabilities and celebrate his neurodiversity, ultimately finding empowerment in sharing his story.

In this episode, I speak with Dan Bowsher about his personal journey through breakdown, the challenges of midlife and the creation of his podcast, ‘Good Enough Chats’.

Dan shares his experiences with mental health, the importance of listening to friends, and the realisation that perfectionism can hinder personal growth.

The conversation highlights the significance of open discussions about mental health, especially among men, and the journey towards finding contentment and self-acceptance.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

03:08 - Navigating Midlife: Challenges and Opportunities

05:59 - Burnout: Recognising the Signs and Recovery

08:51 - The Impact of Burnout on Self-Employment

11:49 - The Role of Perfectionism in Personal Growth

15:10 - Good Enough Chats: A Platform for Honest Conversations

17:57 - Common Themes in Mental Health Conversations

20:52 - The Importance of Listening and Support

24:13 - Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Directions

27:04 - Finding Contentment: What Does Good Enough Mean?

35:47 - Conclusion and Takeaways

--

In this episode, I speak with Shawn Hamill, who shares his transformative journey from a successful corporate career to a life of purpose and balance. 

After realising he was on a fast track to burnout, Sean reflects on his life and decides to reconnect with his dreams. He talks about the importance of finding balance among career, self and family and how he and his wife embraced a sailing adventure to rediscover their passions. 

Shawn emphasises the significance of taking small steps towards change and the power of purpose in guiding one's life decisions.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:36 - A Life of Success and Reflection

03:54 - The Awakening of Dreamer Sean

09:13 - Finding Balance in Life

13:36 - The Decision to Change

19:49 - Embracing the Journey

24:10 - Lessons Learned from the Adventure

30:55 - The Power of Purpose

33:31 - Encouragement for Change

38:15 - Final Thoughts 

-

Learn more about Shawn:

https://www.shawnhamillconsulting.com/about

Buy the book: ''WITHOUT A COMPASS: Charting Course for a Deeper, More Meaningful Life'' - https://amzn.eu/d/hU2Yjkz

--

In this episode of Life's 2nd Act, I speak with Claire and James Davis, founders of a successful luxury fitness retreat company and hosts of the Midlife Mentors podcast. 

They discuss the challenges and transformations that come with midlife, including finding purpose, navigating relationships, and understanding hormonal changes. The conversation emphasises the importance of communication, self-awareness and support in maintaining healthy relationships during this transitional phase of life.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

02:53 - Learning about Claire and James - the Midlife Mentors

08:23 - Finding Purpose and Passion in Midlife

14:01 - Understanding Hormonal Changes in Midlife

18:39 - The Midlife Crisis: A Gender Perspective

21:21 - Communication: The Key to Relationship Success

28:02 - Maintaining Relationships Amidst Life's Challenges

34:50 - Embracing Change: Lessons from the Journey

39:30 - Final Thoughts to Midlife Men and Midlife Women

--

Learn more about Claire and James

https://themidlifementors.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-midlife-mentors/id1463373998

--

In this episode of Life's 2nd Act, I speak with Dawn Barnes about her career journey, the challenges of burnout, and the transformative power of intuition.

Dawn shares her experiences of navigating midlife changes and the importance of listening to one's inner wisdom.

The conversation delves into practical strategies for personal growth, stress management and the impact of giving up alcohol on her life.

Dawn emphasises the significance of living authentically and being true to oneself as a pathway to fulfillment and happiness.

Takeaways

• Dawn's career in global marketing led to burnout.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:54 - Dawn's Career Journey and Transformation

05:45 - Understanding Burnout and Its Impact

09:08 - The Role of Intuition in Life Changes

14:12 - Developing Intuition for Personal Growth

16:37 - Dawn's Current Work and Helping Others

26:06 - The Decision to Give Up Alcohol

34:48 - Final Thoughts on Living Authentically

--

Learn more about Dawn and how she helps people and teams feel better so they can do their best work, at work, everyday.

https://dawn-barnes.com/

• Listening can be a life-saving skill

-

Can you be there for people who desperately need someone?https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/volunteer/

 If you need someone to talk to, the Samaritans listen. Whatever you're going through, call them free any time on 116 123. They won't judge or tell you what to do. https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

--

In this episode of Life's 2nd Act, I speak with Paul Sutton about the challenges and reflections that come with midlife.

He shares his personal journey feeling disconnected, questioning his purpose and struggling to figure out what’s missing. Paul’s story is one so many of us men can relate to. 

We explore personal experiences of feeling trapped, the journey of self-discovery and the importance of seeking understanding and resources during this transitional period.

The conversation delves into balancing work and passion, finding purpose in the 2nd act of life and the significance of community and conversation in navigating these changes.

Takeaways

- The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and complex

- Seeking resources like podcasts can aid in understanding midlife crises

- Journaling helped Paul process his thoughts and feelings

- Creating a daily tick list provided structure and accountability

- Midlife transitions are natural and should be openly discussed

- Community support is crucial during challenging times

- Finding purpose beyond family is essential for personal well-being

- Men's mental health issues need more societal attention

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Midlife Challenges

03:32 - Personal Reflections on Midlife Crisis

12:02 - Seeking Understanding and Resources

15:24 - The Journey of Self-Discovery

22:20 - Balancing Work and Passion

27:30 - Finding Purpose in the Second Act

31:23 - The Importance of Community and Conversation

34:27 - Journaling and ’Tick List’ Tools to Help

42:25 - Closing Thoughts

Find out more about Paul's podcast:

http://www.middlemanpodcast.com/

-

Find out more about this show: www.lifes2ndact.com

Find out more about Simon Burgess

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifes2ndact

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556551936745

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/lifes2ndact?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e6404aa8-44c8-4530-a097-891dbf3faeea

Life's 2nd Act is produced by www.sugarsnap.tv

In this episode, I speak to John Hird.

John, a seasoned accountant, shares his journey of looking for work in his 50s and the challenges he faced, including being told he was ‘overqualified’ for roles. 

He also discusses his brief experience as a prison officer and his decision to start a YouTube channel. John offers advice to others in their 50s, encouraging them to be patient and open to new opportunities. 

Takeaways

• Being told you are overqualified can be a common challenge for 'older' job seekers.

Chapters

00:00 - Challenges of Finding Work in Your 50s

34:11 - Conclusion

- 

John's channels:

https://www.youtube.com/@WeFade2Grey

https://www.youtube.com/@ManchesterWise

-

Find out more about the show: www.lifes2ndact.com

Find out more about Simon Burgess

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifes2ndact

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556551936745

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/lifes2ndact?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e6404aa8-44c8-4530-a097-891dbf3faeea

Life's 2nd Act is produced by www.sugarsnap.tv

In this episode, I speak to Tim Farmer, an expert in mental capacity and brain function.

We discuss the importance of understanding mental capacity as we age and how it affects decision-making. Tim shares his journey and passion for helping vulnerable adults and improving assessments of mental capacity.

We explore the difference between mental capacity and brain function, the signs of cognitive decline, and ways to build resilience.

Tim also explains how to support aging parents and make decisions on their behalf. He emphasises the need to embrace the inevitable decline and take proactive steps to minimise its impact.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

02:28 - Exploring Mental Capacity and Decision-Making

06:43 - Differences Between Mental Capacity and Brain Function

08:36 - Changes in Brain Function and Decision-Making as We Age

15:20 - Signs of Cognitive Decline in Aging Parents

18:45 - Supporting Aging Parents and Taking Proactive Measures

24:01 - Prevalence of Dementia and Building Resilience in Life's Second Act

27:24  - Strategies for Embracing Change and Making Personal Transformations

31:44 - Tim's Journey and Looking Forward to the Future

38:54 - Conclusion

-

https://www.timfarmer.co.uk/

'Grandpa on a Skateboard' on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grandpa-Skateboard-practicalities-assessing-decisions-ebook/dp/B08JZ55WJB

'Tim Farmer - The Assessor's Notebook' on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theassessorsnotebook

-

Find out more about the show: www.lifes2ndact.com

Find out more about Simon Burgess

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifes2ndact

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556551936745

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/lifes2ndact?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e6404aa8-44c8-4530-a097-891dbf3faeea

Life's 2nd Act is produced by www.sugarsnap.tv

• Managing fear and self-doubt is crucial during times of transition.

Find out more about Anna: www.annacoscia.com

-

Find out more about the show: www.lifes2ndact.com

Find out more about Simon Burgess