In today's episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Beatrix Schmidt, a sleep coach for adults, professional speaker and author of Sleep Skills for Life.

Together, we unravel the myths and realities behind what it means to truly sleep well and explore why so many of us struggle with getting the rest we need.

Beatrix shares her own journey with insomnia, addressing why generic tips often fall short, and bringing a refreshing perspective: sleep isn’t a matter of luck, but a set of practical, learnable skills.

We discuss how personality traits, neurodiversity, and lifestyle impact sleep, and why the art of relaxation, physically, emotionally, and mentally, is at the heart of successful sleep transitions.

Throughout the conversation, Beatrix offers advice on recognising when your sleep is actually a problem (versus just an occasional tough night), reframing sleep difficulties as puzzles to be solved rather than signs of being broken, and the importance of self-awareness and curiosity in building sustainable sleep habits.

We also touch on the pitfalls of quick fixes, why tracking your sleep doesn’t always lead to meaningful change, and how to future-proof your sleep skills for every stage of life.

Here are three key takeaways from today’s episode:

1. Sleep is a skill, not an accident – and it can be shaped to suit your needs, personality and stage of life by working with who you are, not against yourself.

2. Generic solutions often miss the mark; what works for one person (think: baths, meditation, journaling) may not work for another, and recognising your own patterns is the first important step.

3. You are not broken if you struggle with sleep. The real progress starts by identifying your individual sleep puzzle and seeking support before years of trial and error entrench the problem.

A question to reflect on as you listen:

How well do you really understand your own sleep patterns? And are you actively working with, rather than against, your personality and daily behaviours to improve them?

Beatrix can be connected with via her website, www.BeatrixASchmit.com where you will also find all her free resources - including her free consultation for those who are really struggling!

you can also buy her book Sleep Skills for Life here:

https://www.beatrixaschmidt.com/bookpurchase

If today’s episode resonated with you, help support the show by buying me a virtual coffee at www.BuyMeACoffee.com. Just head to coff.ee/speakingofinclusion and help keep the podcast funded.

Speaking of Inclusion is hosted by Katie Allen. Katie is a specialist inclusion consultant and confidence coach, offering a no BS approach to DEI and helping people become more confident in important human conversations.

www.KatieAllenConsulting.com

Theme music is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds - "No Drama" by Alder