Simon Lee Maryan

In the first episode of my updated podcast with a new theme of Connections, I talk with Vic Baxter who has led a fascinating life in business in Oil & Gas.
We discuss the importance of connections, the influence they have, how to develop and maintain them and what happens when we get it wrong.

Vic grew up in Kenya and came to UK in 1970 to study Engineering at Loughborough.

Careers with Hawker Siddeley, Vickers Oceanics, 2W Diving and Shell followed in UK, USA, Holland and Norway, embracing Subsea Engineering, Operations, Employee Engagement and Organisational Development.

Becoming a Freelance followed, in The Caspian, The Americas, The Middle East and the four corners of Africa, initially enabling UK plc overseas, latterly supporting localisation in those regions.

A strong network has always been important to Vic – something we shall discuss with him today.

 Vic has two youngsters, Ali and Laura, by his late wife Linda, and is presently based here in Aberdeen.

If you are looking for a seasoned executive coach or an organisation in need of Vic's expertise then you can reach him by email [email protected] or as he has suggested, Google him to find out more and to get in touch.

Drew McAdam is a Mentalist /’men-ta-list/ noun. Someone skilled in non-verbal communication, who uses mental acuity, observation and suggestion. A master manipulator of thoughts and behaviour.

Drew McAdam, “Scotland’s foremost mind reader” according to the BBC, has entertained and baffled representatives from almost every major commercial company you can think of. He has also demonstrated his mind-boggling demonstrations everywhere from the US to Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Sicily, and across Europe to Africa.

Buzz Aldrin, Barry Crier OBE, Rory Bremner, Chris Tarrant, Alice Cooper, Uri Geller, Kenneth Kaunda, Tina Turner, top athletes, sports personalities, Radio and TV stars, top politicians and members of royalty – to name just a few – have been left open-mouthed in astonishment at his remarkable demonstrations.

His flexibility enables Drew to entertain in a variety of forms and manners, from intimate groups to hospitality functions and after dinner events, and from trade show stands to full theatre shows – and everything in between.

Scotland’s foremost mindreader Drew McAdam has numerous TV and radio credits to his name, including a hilarious special guest appearance on “Ready Steady Cook” where he not only read Ainslie Harriotts mind but bent all the spoons. Drew was also the subject of the recent BBC series “School For Genius”. He was presenter and performer in the BBC “Brain Smart” project, and had a regular spot as The Interrogator on the UK’s most popular daytime talk show ”The Trisha Goddard Show.”. A regular guest on STV’s “The Hour” he was also a contributor on BBC Scotland Radio talk shows.  He regularly appears in newspaper and magazine articles and most recently his skills have been called upon by the National Geographic Channel and BBC Radio 4.

When I spoke to Drew about coming on the podcast he said that he had recently started a project, and explained it as such:

“Having reached the age of 66 years, I realised that I know little to nothing about the lives of my father, my grandfather, or my great grandfather – in fact I don’t even know what his name was. That’s rather sad, don’t you think? So, I thought I would rectify that; not because I’ve had a particularly exciting or interesting life, but so that my descendants would have some idea of where they came from. To that end, I wrote down all my jobs, then started filling in the blanks – at the moment it’s at almost 56,000 words. Time to stop, I think.”

Anyway, here is the list in chronological order, starting from when I was about 14.

1. Roll delivery boy. 
2. Newspaper delivery boy 
3. Window cleaner
4. Gardening work. 
5. Dish washer in a hotel. 
6. Shop worker
7. Paste-up artist in an Advertising Agency. 
8. Civil Servant
9. Insurance salesman
10. Insurance Office Manager
11. Photographer
12. Intelligence Officer
13. Loft Insulation Sales Manager
14. Mortgage Advisor
15. Short story writer
16. Journalist / Columnist
17. Music reviewer
18. Retained Firefighter
19. Copywriter
20. Performer – Mind Reader

You can probably work out from that list that I get bored easily.

This means there have been many changes in my life. Some where I jumped, and some where I was pushed. 

Also, I have a particular philosophy that means I have achieved every single one of my boyhood dreams – except becoming an astronaut: 

·    Fly from The Law (the hill that was at the back of my house where I grew up) 

·    Parachute jump

·    Ride in a Helicopter (I ended up skimming about in private helicopters a LOT)

·    Perform mentalism

·    Be an American: (Yup, I was made an honorary citizen of Louisville, Kentucky.)

·    Be an artist and sell paintings

·    Photographer

·    Be a published writer

·    Go underwater in a submarine

·        Be an intelligence officer (I had a ridiculous view of action spies)

·         Meet my musical heroes, those whose posters were on my bedroom wall.

·         Appear on television and be on the radio (I was The Interrogator on the UK’s most popular daytime chat show, dozens of other appearances, and had my own 4-part series on the BBC) 

·         Be a fire-fighter

·         Drive the gimmick-laden Aston Martin DB5 from the James Bond movies

·         Swim with sharks – not in a cage

·         Be in a film – one with battle scenes

·         Perform in front of my schoolmates, and take their applause (yes, that was an ego-driven one).

·         Be a crossword clue in a national newspaper.

I achieved each and every one of those boyhood dreams (still not been an astronaut and gone into space yet though) and they all came about by inadvertently applying my philosophy.

If you have any questions for Drew, or if you want to book him for an event then get in touch via his email and please do check out his website and follow him on Social Media.

www.drewmcadam.co.uk

Facebook: @mindbizdrewmcadam

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe and keep up to date with new episodes and more in the Simon Lee Maryan Podcast – Mind Matters.

For more from Simon Lee Maryan check out the links below:

To see other videos check out this link – https://simonmaryan.com/videos/

If you like to listen to audio podcasts click here – https://simonmaryan.com/podcast/

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In this episode of the Simon Lee Maryan Podcast, Mind Matters, I talk with Peter Lant who is a personal trainer based in Bath and runs outdoor training focusing mainly on men over 40. In this podcast we discuss his early life and the issues this caused and that he ultimately had to deal with in more recent times when his life came to a boiling point. He talks about his career choice  prior to becoming a personal trainer and the catalyst for this change. How he dealt with the impact of this and the effect it has had on his life since will resonate with many of you. He also talks about marriage, divorce and finding love again, even when he didn't think he would.

It is a fascinating story, an emotional rollercoaster and one many will be able to relate to and there are many laughs throughout this conversation as well as some deeper moments. Peter is also one of three hosts of the podcast Health Oddity which you can find on Apple Podcasts. 

You can find out more about Peter's work via his links below but you will find out even more about Peter by listening to his story. 

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Links to Peter Lant:

https://www.facebook.com/PLTrainingPhilosophy

Instagram: @pl_training_philosophy

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For more from Simon Lee Maryan:

Subscribe to this channel if you haven't already

To see other videos check out this link – https://simonmaryan.com/videos/

If you like to listen to audio podcasts click here – https://simonmaryan.com/podcast/

For Courses click here – https://simon-maryan.thinkific.com/collections

In this episode I chat with Ric Coulson, former Royal Marine, who talks extremely bluntly, honestly and openly about his struggles with his mental health. Ric’s struggles are from the end of his military career, during transition into civvy street up to the present. We dive into Emotional & Psychological Resilience. suicide, PTSD, loss of identity and redefining yourself. This leads on to the struggles this creates both internally and externally as well as the additional challenges that transitioning from military to civilian life presents.

An important and sensitive topic discussed is the need to update and improve mental health services in the UK. There is too long a wait to get treatment, typically years in many cases. There is not enough support for crisis intervention or after care which leaves people floundering before and after treatment. An unacceptable situation no matter which way you look at a it.

Ric explains how much harder it has been to keep on top of his mental health since leaving the Royal Marines. Ric opens up about the moment he was rescued and revived from hanging himself. What is astonishing is his resilience and how he now uses his creative talent in his business The Conflict Poppy Collection as his release. Interestingly he can only be creative when he is feeling emotional and this is his way of dealing with that and producing what he does, which is stunning.

This is an eye opening conversation in many ways and may be upsetting for some as Ric does speak plainly and from the heart. 

Ric donates a percentage of his income to his customers preferred charity as he is extremely passionate about giving back.
If you haven’t seen Ric’s work then please check out his website and Facebook page.

https://www.theconflictpoppycollection.com

https://www.facebook.com/The-Confliction-Poppy-Collection


LINKS
For more from Simon Lee Maryan check out the links below:

To see other videos check out this link – https://simonmaryan.com/videos/

If you like to listen to audio podcasts click here – https://simonmaryan.com/podcast/

For Courses click here – https://simonmaryan.com/the-immediate-care-process/

I was introduced to Tamsin about 6 years ago and she was the second person I interviewed on my podcast, which was a fantastic conversation, so if you haven't listened to that one then please check it out on the podcast page on my website: https://www.simonmaryan.com/podcast

A lot has happened over the last 5 years and Tamsin talks about overcoming  work related issues, family health problems both physical and mental and dealing with three kids as a single mum.


Tamsin Astor, PhD is the founder and Chief Habit Scientist of Yoga Brained Coaching. She is known for giving her clients the tools to shift their mindset, organize their vision, and improve their habits to create an efficient, productive business. We make 35,000 decisions every day, which leads to decision fatigue. Dr. Astor helps her clients reduce the amount of overwhelming decision-making they do by harnessing their goal-achieving machine – AKA – their brains. This also increases their time and energy for fun!

Prior to coaching, Dr. Astor was an academic and then a consultant, using yoga and meditation to support children and therapists, and teachers and students, on the ADHD and autism spectrum and in struggling inner-city schools. Dr. Astor is non-judgmental and compassionate, connecting multiple certifications to provide insight and support to her clients and to motivate and inspire others in her workshops, keynotes, and presentations.

In addition to her coaching and consulting practice, Dr. Astor is an avid traveler and foodie taking her three kids to Brazil, France, England, Amsterdam, Japan, Costa Rica and beyond because she believes travel helps breed tolerance and cultivates gratitude and reflection as you observe how other cultures operate and make choices.

Tamsin Astor holds a PhD in neuroscience and psychology and a post-doctorate in education. She also has certifications in yoga (RYT500, Yoga Ed.), mindset & Ayurveda (Living Ayurveda, Yoga Health Coach). She is an executive coach and author of the book Force of Habit: Unleash Your Power by Developing Great Habits.

Tamsin is also a published author and her book:
The Force of Habit: Unleash Your Power by Developing Great Habits:
Is available on AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE
and INDIEBOUND

You can get in touch with Tamsin via her website, which is very cool and has all the details about what she does and how to get in touch with her.

https://tamsinastor.com

In this episode I talk to Vicky Newsome-Hogan, a  60 yr old Transsexual woman who was born in the east end of London and grew up in the care system. Vicky is the epitome of courage, bravery, determination and commitment.

  After leaving school she joined the London fire brigade, serving in south London. After four years service she joined the Army enlisting into the infantry and served in NI, Germany and UK and then transferred to Royal Military police. Following training she was posted to Berlin and was serving when the Berlin Wall fell. Vicky completed several other postings before joining the UK civilian Police serving in the midlands.

 In 1997 she resigned and retrained and worked with young offenders and in a residential drug & alcohol rehab. 

  In 1998 Vicky emigrated to Canada with her then wife and children.

  Her first two years in Canada she was the senior investigator at a large Private Investigation agency before moving back into social care working with both adult and youth homelessness, addictions and then outreach to children involved in prostitution.

  Illness and disability forced her to medically retire and at the same time decided it was time to come out as transgender, a complete secret from literally everyone up until then.

  After enduring relentless harassment she decided in 2016 to return to UK and undergo my transition from male to female. Vicky eventually moved to a coastal area, a retirement dream, where she met and married her unbelievably supportive wife who operates a wildlife charity and supported her all the way through PTSD therapy and her transition.

  In 2019 Vicky completed her social, legal and medical transition, after which she became heavily involved in charitable work with organisations such as the Samaritans, and various community projects. 
   Vicky was eventually diagnosed with chronic CPTSD and after going to several unsuccessful therapists and found ICARUS where she began treatment with Simon Maryan. During this period she discontinued her voluntary work in order to undergo treatment and to complete her medical transition. After about 2 years of intense and sometimes extremely difficult therapy her treatment was successful and she again felt she was ready to begin  voluntary work as Hampshire & Isle of Wight Crimestoppers committee member and on several consultation panels including a veterans charity and the Hampshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

  Vicky's goal is now to become a criminal court magistrate and she has recently undergone the selection process. Vicky is now in a place that she thought she would never be achievable, feeling happy and content  in her life and certain in the knowledge that transitioning and living open and honestly as the person she always was and facing, what was at times difficult therapy, has brought her to a place of peace and happiness she never thought possible.

One of her favourite quotes is by Maya Angelou:

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, some humour and style.

If there is anything in this conversation that resonates with you and you would like to get in touch with Vicky, she has asked for you to get in touch via me. SO, please email me and I will then forward it onto her for you in the first instance.

My email is [email protected]

Marcel is originally from the The Netherlands. Growing up there eventually he decided to try his luck elsewhere and ended up emigrating to Canada. It was there that a terrible experience turned his life up side down and into a new direction. A work related accident that alsmost cost him his life, and the lack of steps to prevent it from happening again at the workplace made him decide to give up his job and begin to study Safety at various institutions.
After graduating he was quickly picked up by a mining contractor in Canada and his career started to take off. In the process he became a firefighter in Alberta to broaden his skills and to give back to the community.  He was recruited by the Millet Fire Department in Alberta, deciding to be the best Firefighter he could possibly be, he was the first in this department to complete the whole firefighting program as set up by the Fire School in Vermillion, Alberta, even going as far as obtaining the first and second level of Fire Instructor. He has also participated in several Fire Fighter games, winning gold on several occassions. He served 12 years as a FireFighter. 

While at BHP Billiton, he was recruited by them to lead the emergency response department as incident commander and completed UG Mine Rescue and Surface Mine Rescue as a rescuer and instructor. He was also influential in creating MR Teams that have successfully competed in National Mine Rescue Competitions.

Marcel is very open about his experiences and why he is so passionate about wanting to help people. He has created and delivered a comprehensive package of training courses in Behavioural Safety, Safety Management and Coaching which have been delivered to clients in mining, construction among many.

You can get in touch with Marcel via the following:

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-va...

Twiter:
MarcelVderWal

Email: 
[email protected]

In this episode I have the great pleasure of  speaking with a great friend and trailblazer,  Dr Lisa de Rijk. Lisa is a Research Fellow at Kings College, London, Clinical Training Director at the Research and Recognition project. Owner of Awaken Consulting, a change management consultancy, and Awaken School, a psychotherapy service and UKCP therapy training school and lives the good life on Snowdon. 

Lisa shares how she has overcome significant life challenges, what she has learned about herself through her work and studies in psychotherapy and how that has positively influenced her work. 
We talk about identity loss, awareness and discovery and the impact this has on personal development and how this leaks into every aspect of life. We talk about divorce and the effect this has and how we have to block out the emotional pain in order to get through it and the fall out that can happen on the other end of it.

To get in touch with Lisa, she has kindly agreed to share her Linkedin profile, her website and the website for the Research and Recognition Project for information on RTM training and to search for registered RTM therapists.

Linkedin Profile:  linkedin.com/in/lisaderijk1

Website: awakenconsulting.co.uk 

Research and Recognition Project: https://randrproject.org


This was an amazing conversation and one I will need to watch many more times because it is jam packed with valuable insights and experience from a lady that I have the utmost respect for personally and professionally.

Thank you Lisa x

In this episode I chat with 53-year-old Tip Cullen, a former Royal Marine turned Actor. He had a long and extensive career as a Royal Marine for the most part employed as a Mountain Leader, on operations in forward reconnaissance and in training as a Mountain and Cold Weather Warfare instructor. He served nearly 30 years when he transferred to the Royal Marines Reserve which allowed him to train as an actor with The Actors Wheel Company at Plymouth Marjon University, achieving a BA Hons degree in acting. The Royal British Legion provided Tip with his first acting ‘break’ when he took part in the charity’s recovery through the arts production ‘Boots at the Door’ in December 2015 at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth. Whilst at University he was able undertake extras work in various Hollywood films including Spielberg’s “Ready Player One” and “Kingsman 2”, gaining experience and furthering his education. Since graduating he has been kept busy touring with Bravo 22 Company and “Unspoken”,  as well as performing with The Soldiers Arts Academy and Shakespeare’s Globe production “Shakespeare and Remembrance”. This led to performing with SAA in ‘Soldier On’ during a small national Tour followed by performing at Toronto, Canada as an understudy. He remains fully committed to supporting access to the arts for our veteran community.

Represented by: Julie Fox Associates
Theatre credits:
Les Grotesques – Brighton Festival/Camden Festival TBC – Pilgrim Park Productions 2021
Soldier On – National/International Tour – Soldiers Arts Academy - 2019
Shakespeare and Remembrance – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe – 11/11/2018
Unspoken – Edinburgh Fringe/National Tour – Bravo 22 Company - 2017/18
Berkoff’s The Trial – Marjon Uni/National Tour – The Actors Wheel - 2018
Blindsighted: A response to Oedipus – Marjon Uni/International Tour – The Actors Wheel – 2017
A Winters Tale – Marjon Uni/Regional Tour – The Actors Wheel - 2016
Boots at the Door - Plymouth Theatre Royal – Bravo 22 Company – 2015

All other credits including Film Credits can be found at Spotlight or Mandy.
https://www.mandy.com/uk/actor/tip-cu...

https://www.spotlight.com/9296-0165-5601

My chat with Chris Michaels who runs the DarkSide Podcast. He talks about being medically discharged from the Navy, his difficulties with transition into civvy life and his years of suffering domestic abuse in the forms of physical, emotional and psychological violence.

He has gone on to achieve so much and all his details can be found in this link to see and follow what he is doing.

https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2...

I love seeing people come out the other side of life's hardships and this man has truly excelled. Please like, follow and share his work.