The Fuck It Moments Podcast

When Naz told his family he was gay, he didn’t receive the reaction he was hoping for. Days later, when they rejected his honesty, Naz took his own life. 

It’s a decision that will forever be marked on his partner, Matt Mahmood-Ogston’s heart forever. Now Matt runs the Naz and Matt Foundation, dedicated to show others to never let religion come in the way of the unconditional love between parents and their children. Instead of anger - he sees the opportunity in homophobia, and focuses on educating those who are misinformed or fearful of what being LGBTQ+ means.

Matt’s Fuck It Moments Podcast episode is a story of love, of heartbreak and a lesson in how we can all choose to make a difference in our communities. And ponders the question of whether it’s really possible to love again when your soul mate isn’t by your side anymore.

During this interview with host Clare Freeman, Matt barely scratches the surface on the amazing things he’s doing. Find out more and support their foundation here: https://www.nazandmattfoundation.org

If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts or anything related to mental health - know that you’re not alone. Pick up the phone and reach out to The Samaritans right now - no matter how big or small your worries - call them on 116 123 for free: www.samaritans.org/

“There is this deep fear that if this doesn’t work our lives are over...”  Sheridan and his wife tried for children for 10 years but it wasn’t to be. 

In this episode of The Fuck It Moments Podcast, he tells those going through the fertility process that life without children isn’t the end. That there is “still identity and purpose if you don’t get the family you’re dreaming of”.

It’s a story of resilience, of acceptance and of hope. Especially when all options are seemingly exhausted and you start anew, over on the other side of the world.

For more about Sheridan’s books, talks on the stigma of male infertility and a multitude of topics, visit http://SheridanVoysey.com

Presented by Clare Freeman. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Mid-30s, Amy found herself divorced without the family and life she'd always dreamt of. Her world suddenly looked bleak; a fuck it moment imposed on her with little notice.

Her solution? Escape. Travel. Think. And reset.

It's a journey and process which saw her climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, volunteering in African AIDS centres and even - for someone who was afraid of dogs - having to take a lion for a walk every Saturday.

Actress Amy Enticknap lives in Oxford, you can find out more about her work with Human Story Theatre at humanstorytheatre.com (https://humanstorytheatre.com/)

The Fuck It Moments Podcast is presented by Clare Freeman. This episode was co-produced by Charles Commins and ASFB Productions.

Nine days before she was due to marry, 29 year-old Katie discovered her breast cancer had come back. And this time, the diagnosis was terminal.

Understandably, the years that followed and the never ending treatments left her feeling every emotion under the sun. 

But in 2018 she decided to look at life from a different perspective. 

For 100 days Katie posted a daily video on YouTube citing #ActsOfGratitude.

Day 100 marked the 7th anniversary of her diagnosis. A day which had always haunted her. But not in March 2018.

As part of her social media posts, in #LifeOfAFourthStager Katie spoke honestly, openly about what was on her mind - we danced with her, cried with her and even witnessed profound moments including her blessing her husband Keith’s future partner.

Whilst Katie’s interview is overshadowed with her seemingly close death, it’s also a story of hope, of love, of inspiration, of gratitude and plenty of laughter.

Follow Katie’s journey on twitter: https://twitter.com/lovlykatielumps

Watch the final days of her project '100 random #ActsOfKindness' on YouTube here: https://bit.ly/2Ff5LVT

Email us [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

“We’re all human, not robots. I thought mental health problems were something that happened to other people, not me.”

Former search and rescue paramedic Andy Elwood talks host Clare Freeman through some of the biggest moments in his life - changing careers, facing divorce upon returning from a gruelling tour in Afghanistan to learning to manage signs of PTSD.

In the first of five episodes of The Fuck It Moments’ second series, Andy explains why he quit the day job to take his Land Rover on tour, because he believes as a mental health campaigner he can save more lives talking than ‘dangling from a helicopter’.

For more about Andie’s Landie:

https://www.andyelwood.com/

We refer to the NHS’s 5 steps of wellbeing:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/

And for any support - no matter how big or small - call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free:

https://www.samaritans.org/

Email us [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Life as an emergency department nurse in the NHS is probably manic enough for most people to handle. But it's not the only thing which drives 37 year-old Karen O'Neill - so does travelling the world.

You'd probably be imagining she loves escaping to far away islands watching sunsets and backpacking across Australia with a pal or two…and yes, that's definitely been some of her experiences.

But what really makes her come alive in telling her travel stories is the work she's done - sometimes for free - on some of the biggest humanitarian aid projects in the world.

Recently, Karen's eyes were opened after working on a search and rescue ship off the Libyan coast. Collecting dead bodies from the sea, saving those moments from drowning, and meeting mothers who had been separated from their children were just all part of the daily schedule for her and team.

So what makes someone like Karen want to 'do' not just 'watch' when it comes to helping others? In her first meeting with host Clare Freeman, she reveals the truth about what makes her tick, some of the biggest 'fuck it moments' of her life and how a career dedicated to caring for others across the globe has changed her perspective - forever.

How many people can say they spent nine years as the former president of South Africa's body guard? Nope, not us either.

But Chris Lubbe is so much more than his 'headline' suggests. 

The youngest of 10, whom experienced apartheid first hand and spent years of his life vehemently campaigning for his and his countrymen's freedom. From witnessing police brutality at the age of 8, becoming a wanted man at 18, to being tortured and waterboarded within seconds of death - he has seen the very worst and the very best in all that life has to offer. 

Chris came to work with Nelson Mandela by complete coincidence - beginning a new career as a bodyguard - mainly because the revolutionary was fascinated with the fact he was 6ft3 and wears size 14 shoes! 

Now an inspirational speaker and coach living in the UK, he continues to inspire others to take action and bring about change within their personal lives and communities.

During his conversation with #FIMpod host Clare Freeman, Chris talks of hope, justice and forgiveness.  All themes he believes are important even today, when the world continues to remain divided over Donald Trump, racism, religion and war.

Presented and produced by ASFB Productions. Music by Thomas Ragsdale.

Bethan Galliers had given up on finding 'the one', but she still wanted to be a mum. In her 40s, Bethan went through the adoption process - single. 

But it wasn't as easy as 'boy meets mum, mum meets boy'. 

Along the way she was scrutinised - financially, physically and emotionally. And when a photo of two brothers she was unable to help continuously seemed to haunt her, it was inevitable that she would breakdown - a moment which even now leaves her still tearful wondering what ever became of them? 

Now mother to two siblings, celebrating five years together, Bethan reflects over the moment she decided to start her own family - and the ups and downs she faced along the journey. 

Presented and produced by The Fuck It Moments Podcast host Clare Freeman. Brought to you by ASFB Productions. Music by Thomas Ragsdale.

Artist Jeffrey Knopf didn't think he'd end up a widow in his 40s. But six months ago, his wife Tara lost her fight with terminal cancer - leaving Jeff and their daughter Ruby heartbroken. 

So as the midnight bell tolled signalling that start of a new year, Jeff has decided to embrace his inner 'fuck it' mentality and make a new start. 

2018 for him is about finding a new way of living, no longer hiding behind his grief, and empowering himself - and his daughter - to find a way to finally thrive on life, not survive. 

The Fuck It Moments Podcast host Clare met Jeff in a coffee shop in Altrincham before Christmas. They talk about how their conversation - just two strangers connecting by chance - inspired them both to make some big changes, whatever challenges life may throw along the way.

Presented and produced by Clare Freeman. Brought to you by ASFB Productions. Music by Thomas Ragsdale.

The former ecstasy drug dealer and stockbroker millionaire Shaun Attwood spent 6 years in one of America's deadliest jails.

He was lucky - his sentence should have been 200 years.

But after his family back in the UK begged for forgiveness, remortgaged their house and sold some of their pension funds to pay for legal costs, the judge softened on his 'hard' time.

Life behind bars wasn't all plain sailing.

Playing chess with members of the mafia in super max, surviving cockroaches come nightfall and facing the agony of knowing his loved ones were being penalised for every mistake he'd ever made are just a handful of the experiences he recalls during his conversation with FIMpod's Clare Freeman.

Now a clean living yoga'ing public speaker and author, Shaun talks to students about the consequences he faced living a life of drugs and crime.

His biggest f**k it moment? The day the FBI came and knocked his door down to arrest him and 200 of his counterparts. Shaun says that moment saved his life…

Presented and produced by Clare Freeman. Brought to you by ASFB Productions. Music by Thomas Ragsdale.