Space for Renascence

Welcome to Space for Renascence. This podcast is a series of quiet, honest conversations about the reality of personal transformation and the courage it takes to return to yourself when you realise you are no longer living authentically.

In this episode, host Felicity Williams discusses the transition from a life of high-pressure "doing" to a life of intentional "being." We look at the physical and mental cost of constant over-extension and how hitting a wall of total overwhelm can be the catalyst for a fundamental change in how we view ourselves and our time.

Through lived experience , we explore the shift from a high-stakes career in synthetic chemistry to a grounded life in Italy. This conversation is for anyone who feels they have become a shell of themselves through work and societal pressure, and is looking for a way to triage their priorities and start again.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Non-Linear Career: Moving away from the idea that we must stay in one professional channel and instead building a diverse toolbox of skills.
• Physical Warning Signs: Recognising when the body is in overdrive and the importance of seeking professional support before reaching burnout.
• Generation Lessons: Drawing on the simple, practical wisdom of our elders to find a sense of calm and happiness in the present day.
• The Power of Stillness: Why taking the time to stop, breathe, and journal is essential for understanding what you actually need, rather than what you think you should want.
• Authentic Boundaries: Practising the courage to say "no more" to the rat race to protect your own wellbeing and family life.

Space for Renascence is about the journey of becoming who we are meant to be. We hope this conversation gives you the room to reflect on your own path and the quiet changes happening in your life.

Connect with Rebecca Steele:

• Business: MayLuminate Coaching

Connect with the Podcast:

• Host: Felicity Williams
• Podcast: Space for Renascence

 In this episode of Space for Renascence, host Felicity Williams is joined by Jeanette Wardell, a positive psychology and menopause coach. Jeanette shares her personal experience of navigating the menopause, discussing the significant impact it had on her mental health, career, and marriage.

Jeanette describes the challenges she faced before menopause awareness was widespread, including severe brain fog, sleep deprivation, and making irrational life decisions. She explains how researching the work of specialists like Dr Louise Newson led her to seek hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which helped her feel like herself again. Now 60, Jeanette uses her expertise to support other women through coaching and community surveys.

The conversation also covers the importance of open communication between partners, the role of nutrition and exercise in managing symptoms, and how workplaces are beginning to implement better support for women in this season of life.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Personal Impact: How hormonal changes can affect memory, sleep, and personal relationships.
• Seeking Medical Support: The process of speaking to a GP and the benefits of being informed about HRT and bioidentical hormones.
• Health and Longevity: Why monitoring heart health, cholesterol, and stress levels is vital during and after menopause.
• The Power of Conversation: Moving past the historical "taboo" of menopause to support friends, family, and colleagues.
• Workplace Support: The introduction of menopause policies and "passports" to assist women in professional environments.

 In this episode of Space for Renascence, host Felicity Williams speaks with Lynda Slack, MBE. Lynda is a positive psychology coach and project management professional who was awarded an MBE for her inspirational leadership.

The conversation focuses on how a period of serious illness and near-burnout served as a practical turning point in Lynda’s life. She explains how she shifted from a cycle of constant professional and voluntary busyness to prioritising her own wellbeing and personal interests.

Lynda shares the specific story of how a magazine advertisement in a car park led her to sign up for an international cycling challenge, despite not having ridden a bicycle for decades. We discuss her experiences cycling across the globe, from the Nile in Egypt to the rural villages of India, Cambodia, and Vietnam and the lessons she learned about asking for help and enjoying the process rather than just the destination.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Recognising Burnout: Lynda describes the physical and mental signs that led her to realise her lifestyle was no longer sustainable.
• The Power of 'Yes': How responding to a single advertisement led to a decade of international exploration and charity fundraising.
• Overcoming Fear: Practical strategies Lynda used to manage her fear of cycling on roads and tackling steep terrain.
• The 'Sassy Snails' Philosophy: Why setting off early and taking a slower pace can lead to a more fulfilling experience.
• Giving Permission to Pause: The importance of accepting help and using resources (like the support bus) when faced with physical challenges.
• Life in Saudi Arabia: How Lynda’s renewed sense of curiosity led her to relocate and work abroad.

About Lynda Slack, MBE:

Lynda is a project manager and positive psychology coach who specialises in leadership and community impact. She has dedicated much of her life to voluntary service, including work with Childline, the Vaccine Centre, and various school organisations, for which she received her MBE.

Connect with the Podcast:

• Host: Felicity Williams
• Podcast: Space for Renascence

In this episode of Space for Renascence, host Felicity Williams speaks with Laura Haining about how surviving the 2017 Las Vegas shooting changed her approach to life and work. Laura discusses the immediate events of that night and how the experience led her to make practical changes in her career, daily habits, and personal boundaries.

Laura shares how she stopped drinking alcohol, condensed her working hours, and eventually trained as a positive psychology coach. She also explains how she now runs her own coaching business, which includes local "walk and talk" groups.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Surviving a Mass Shooting: Laura recounts her experience during the 2017 Las Vegas shooting while on a family trip.
• Gun Laws and Perspectives: A discussion on the differences between gun legislation in the UK and the US.
• Career and Mindset Changes: How the event prompted Laura to apply for new jobs, negotiate her salary, and change her working hours.
• Lifestyle Shifts: Why Laura decided to stop drinking alcohol in 2019 and prioritize physical exercise.
• Coaching and Community: Laura’s transition into positive psychology coaching and setting up free community walking groups.

Connect with Laura:

• Instagram: @thecoachinglog 

 In this episode of Space for Renascence, Felicity sits down with her friend and fellow coach, Roo Hambley. They explore the deeply personal "before and after" moments of Roo's journey toward personal development, specifically his decision to step away from alcohol. Roo shares the story of how he realised that he wanted to be a "cycle breaker" for his own children. 

In this episode of Space for Renascence, we explore the profound courage required to leave a long-term career and start anew. 

Felicity is joined by Donna Bentley Carr, who shares her deeply personal journey of exiting a 30-year career in nursing after facing a severe and life-altering period of burnout. 

In this conversation, we discuss:The "Steady Creep" of Burnout: Donna reflects on how being under-challenged and under-utilized led to a state of exhaustion so complete she was unable to get out of bed.

 Missing the Red Flags: Why it is so difficult for high-achieving professionals—and their peers—to recognize the signs of burnout while they are still in the thick of it.

 The Identity Shift: The challenge of "unbecoming" a professional identity that has defined your life for three decades and learning to build a new one from scratch.

 Reinvention in Midlife: Donna’s transition into coaching and positive psychology, helping ambitious women navigate the "restlessness" of midlife and step into their true power. 

Practical Advice for Recovery: The importance of finding joy outside of work, utilizing close connections, and the slow, necessary process of physical and emotional healing. 

Connect with Donna: Website: donnabentley-carr.com LinkedIn: Donna Bentley-Carr Email: [email protected] A Note for Our Listeners:

The stories and insights shared here are deeply personal and meant for inspiration and reflection. Every journey is unique; please lean into what feels right for your own path and wellbeing.

Today, I’m joined by high-performance coach Steven Ivers. Steven shares his beautiful journey of navigating a life transformation after a rugby injury led him to a "sober curious" path. We discuss the shift in identity that comes with choosing an alcohol-free life, the "tide that raises all boats," and how to show up with newfound confidence.

Connect with Steven: Find Steven on Instagram: @steven_ivers

The stories and insights shared here are deeply personal and meant for inspiration and reflection. Every journey is unique; please lean into what feels right for your own path and wellbeing.