Restore with Eoin Walker

In this episode I interview a senior police colleague who talks about his experiences of using communication to de-escalate and non-judgementally achieve end points effectively. My guest talks about his history as a police officer and rising through the ranks tackling local, national and international organised crime for countries and global institutions such as at the United Nations. He explores techniques used to steward colleagues, criminals and teams to get effective outcomes despite adversity. He also candidly talks about his own physical health and a pinnacle moment in 2016 that changed his perspectives on self care and wellbeing. 

I hope you enjoy this insightful and honest narrative with a friend. 

This friendship along with many others is courtesy of Mark Hannaford, friend and CEO of World Extreme Medicine. 

Abi Carter is a Forensic Archaeologist and has previously investigated international human rights violations before setting up her business providing forensic and expert witness services to legal defence and civil litigation teams. She has worked on evidence from the primary & secondary mass graves associated with the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and has been a very active board member of the Welsh regional board of the charity Remembering Srebrenica since 2017 and was made Co-Chair in 2018.

In this episode, Jennie Sherman, Medic and Wellbeing Coach considers the impact of 'notification culture' and how we can take back control from our technology. The pair consider a number of useful coping mechanisms for rest and recovery - from meditation to yoga and breathing exercises.

Jen also considers how the pandemic will affect new and existing mental health issues such as OCD, addiction and depression, as strict social distancing, hygiene guidelines are enforced and individuals face the possibility of increasing disconnection.

Also under consideration is the concept of compassion fatigue, especially amongst clinicians, and the significance of taking time to restore yourself. Jen highlights the importance of ensuring that your cup is never empty; acknowledging that some things do drain on your energy levels but balancing these with your essential 'filler-uppers' - the thing that bring you happiness - including exercise, nutrition and sleep.

This is World Extreme Medicine (WEM) Restore collaboration. WEM are leaders in global medical education and can be found here: 

https://worldextrememedicine.com

Mental Health Resources:

MIND > https://www.mind.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation > https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mental Health First Aid for England > https://mhfaengland.org

‘Just because you were brave, doesn’t mean you weren’t afraid’. Former SAR Paramedic turned Mental Health First Aider Andy Elwood joins me to discuss the importance of recognising your own fragility in preserving and protecting your mental wellbeing.

Andy takes us through some of his experiences from his 20 year career on the frontline. He compares the war-like language used against the common enemy that in this battle is COVID, how it's crucial to put yourself first in dangerous situations and the importance of self-care in preserving your health long term.

Andy explores some of the self-care techniques everyone can use to look after their mental health in the face of COVID19, from practising a routine similar to our pets to deploying good sleep hygiene and a post-shift checklist, to ensuring you get your mental '5 a day' - including connecting with others, being active and taking a moment to notice and appreciate things around you. Andy deconstructs 'the power of listening'. Andy stresses the importance of providing a non-judgemental outlet for others, which can fundamentally change, and sometimes save, people's lives. Crucially, Andy encourages us to remember that whatever your emotions are, it is a normal reaction to an extraordinary event. 

This podcast has kindly been agreed to be shared by World Extreme Medicine (WEM) leaders in global education and can be found here:

https://worldextrememedicine.com

Andy's Resources:

Andy Elwood > www.AndyElwood.com

Andy Elwood, 'How do we survive COVID-19' > https://bit.ly/3bbWyLh

Andy's survival kit for lockdown > https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/survival-kit-lockdown-andy-elwood/

Other websites:

NHS, 'Every Mind Matters' > https://bit.ly/35G1erz

MIND, 'Coronavirus and your wellbeing' > https://bit.ly/3c9eZl4

Mental Health Foundation, 'Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak' > https://bit.ly/2SHyd9B

Helplines:

Samaritans: 116123

CALM: 0800585858 or text 07537404717

Text ‘Bluelight’ to 85258 - Give us a shout text service

SANEline: 03003047000 (16:30-23:30)

Books:

'This book could help, the men’s head space manual' – Rotimi Akinsete

'Trauma is really strange' – Steve Haines

'Why is dad so mad? A book about PTSD and military families' – Seth Kastle

'Save-my-life school, a first responder’s mental health journey' – Natalie Harris

'The Chimp Paradox' – Dr Steve Peters

Videos (Youtube):

'I had a black dog, his name was depression' (WHO)

'Living with a black dog' (WHO)

'Brené Brown on empathy' (RSA shorts)

'Ask, tell, save a life – Every life matters' (NHS Health Scotland)

College of Paramedics resources:

College of Paramedics, 'THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT COVID-19 SITUATION' > https://bit.ly/3cfbIAT

College of Paramedics, 'GUIDANCE FOR MANAGERS ON PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AND MENTAL WELLBEING OF AMBULANCE PERSONNEL IN A PANDEMIC CRISIS' > https://bit.ly/2YGwO7e

Mental Health First Aid England Line Managers' Resource - please email WEM for a copy!

Clinical Human Factors Group checklist:

North West Ambulance Service, 'NHS launches mental health hotline for staff' > https://bit.ly/2xJr0ij

For mental health awareness week the Restore Podcast has collaborated with World Extreme Medicine to bring you some inspiring unique individuals that have overcome some of life's mental health challenges. 

Meet Jeff Allen a World-class sea kayak guide as he joins me in this episode to discuss his career and the therapy it's provided for him during some extremely difficult mental health challenges and times. Jeff takes us through his circumnavigation of Japan and how this expedition, in which he engaged with nature and stripped back to just a few core survival needs; forced him to focus his mind during the trip, and importantly, process his long-term psychological well-being.

Expedition Paddler: https://www.expeditionpaddler.com/

International Sea Kayak Guide Association: http://www.iskga.com/

For those wanting to find out a bit more about Jeff:

Paddler Magazine feature > https://bit.ly/349hzo3

Committed to the Blade Video > https://bit.ly/2UF4VKj

World Extreme Medicine is a provider of world class education and can be found here: https://worldextrememedicine.com

Piers has an eclectic background. Since 1997 he has been working with businesses; coaching, facilitating and helping them have better conversations – as individuals, teams and leaders.

Prior to this, he was paid by the government to throw petrol bombs at the Police – as a riot control, Public Order & self defence instructor. Piers then began expedition-leading, giving him some incredible experiences all over the world working with adults and young people in developing countries and challenging environments. I have always found Piers to be an inspirational character with insight into some of the foundational pearls of wisdom that has changed my world on a day-to-day basis. 

In this conversation we talk about the power of choice, paying attention to somatic signals, how we gain better insight into personal triggers, the concept of centring, broadening our exposure to failure and many other things. I hope you enjoy this episode with a true legend and friend. 

You can find out more about Piers here: 

http://pierscarter.co.uk/

In this episode I chat to Jason Fox - a former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces Sergeant. Joining at 16 and serving for 20 years; Jason passed the grueling selection process for the Special Forces, serving with the Special Boat Service. Jason has planned and led operations including hostage rescue, counter terrorism, counter insurgency, maritime counter terrorism, surveillance, body guarding and counter narcotic missions. He currently features in the channel 4 program - SAS: Who Dares Wins.

We look at the similarities between the Special Forces (SF) and critical care (paramedic) practice. We examine the principles of high performing teams, relationship with failure, and communication amongst other aspects. We also look at self care and what it means on a practical level and the power of not taking yourself too seriously. I have always found Jason to be honest and open person which is why having conversations with him is so refreshingly real. 

This episode will feature on the Restore Podcast (Self-Care non-clinical) and the Pre-hospital Care Podcast (Clinical Conversations) as it relates to both.

I hope you enjoy this episode. 

I first met Natalie 11 years ago when she came out with me on a paramedic shift. She is a British television presenter and Formula One pit lane reporter for Sky Sports F1, having held the same post for BBC Radio 5 Live in 2011. She is also known for hosting Police Interceptors Special Edition on 5*. She appeared on Live from Studio Five as a guest presenter and is a regular panellist on The Wright Stuff. 

In this episode we talk about navigating mental health in the light of personal tribulations (both Natalie's and mine), getting the best out of people and changing perspectives through experiences. We also talk about emotional resilience & how to acknowledge both vulnerability and honesty in grieving. We also examine the spectrum of mental health that the pandemic can bring out in people & bring back a sense of baseline. 

We also look at how to use time to your advantage at this point where there might be a deficit of distractions in our free time. We look at formula 1 and Natalie's inside perspectives around this high performance eco-system. We also look at how Natalie has changed over the 11 years since I first met her.

I hope you enjoy the episode.

Meet Richard Ernest, as an entrepreneur he opens up with me about his amazing ups and downs in business over the last 11 years. Richard managed to win a £100,000 deal on the TV show Dragons' Den 11 years ago with the concept of 'RemPods' which are pop up reminiscence rooms, which work by turning any clinical care space into a therapeutic and calming environment, stimulating memories in people with dementia. The pods range from a 1950s room to a vintage store, a dance hall and a cinema.

Reminiscence rooms are becoming increasingly popular in care homes as they have found that dementia patients often feel more safe and secure when they are remembering their past and it can trigger memories of happier times improving behaviour and wellbeing and reducing the need for anti-psychotic drugs within the healthcare domain. 

Richard secured the deal on the TV and gave away 45 per cent of his company to the two Dragons, Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones. He admits that going on Dragons' Den was “one of the scariest things I have ever done” yet brought to life his concept and business plans. 

I hope you enjoy this episode with one of the most honest entrepreneurs I have had the pleasure to meet. 

Richard's products can be found here: 

https://www.rempods.co.uk

In this episode I interview my brother. He works a prison pastor in South Yorkshire and sees a vast cross section of life within the prison system. We discuss his unique experiences and revelations around his calling, the net result of incarceration, currency of fear and how he navigates this. We also do a deep dive into faith in God and the power of decision making even when behind bars.

We also look at comparisons between my role as a critical care paramedic and his role around intervention into peoples lives and the potential that they embody. We also look at the key decisions that an individual makes in life and how these influence their immediate and longterm future. We also look at some of the people that Ronan has met in jail and how their lives have illustrated the fundamental principle of personal reconciliation, forgiveness and renewal. I hope some of the passion and insight that is inferred in this episode encourages you as you listen. 

I hope you enjoy the episode.