The Just Checking In Podcast

In this episode of Mind On The Game, we checked back in with World Rally Championship co-driver Alex Kihurani.We first checked back in with Alex in April 2023 and a lot has happened in Alex’s life since then. Alex’s daughter was born three months premature and has had health complications throughout 2023, which has been challenging for Alex. his wife and their wider family. Then, on 19th August 2023, Alex received a phone call in from his mum in the middle of the night whilst competing in a European Rally Championship round in Czech Republic. She gave Alex the news that his dad had died suddenly in a car crash. Immediately, Alex was not just plunged into grief but had do a significant amount of ‘death admin’ regarding his dad, as his dad left no will.A few months later, on the same day of that month, on 19th November, Alex’s wife’s brother died. He was 36 at the time and died from SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy). Alex had to deal with both these life traumas, plus his ongoing care he needed to be for his daughter and become a support pillar for his wife and both their families. In January 2024, Alex decided he needed to take some time out from the WRC and focus on his mental health and his family. He accessed therapy, which he is still doing now and is back co-driving in the British Rally Championship at time of recording.In this episode, we discuss: both those griefs, fatherhood and being a dad of a child with special needs, the balance he had to strike between supporting his wife through her grief and having the support himself from others, how therapy has helped him and his latest achievements in the WRC.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can listen to Part 1 of Alex's journey here: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/mind-on-the-game-alex-kihuraniSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 243 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Melanie Bradley. Mel is the Founder of ‘Men Against Mountains’ (MAM), a platform and men’s mental health hub which aims to build connections, share men’s stories and allow them to be listened to, heard and feel understood. Every Sunday, Mel hosts a ‘Sunday Summit Session’ with a different man to share their story. In this episode we discuss: how and why Mel came to start MAM, why we need to adopt a ‘one-size-fits-one’ approach to men’s mental health and why in her opinion men in the 45+ age bracket are being left out of the men’s mental health conversation.We then explore the external life events which often cause men to fall into poor mental health such as: unemployment, divorce, parental alienation from their children, financial troubles or something else, and why bland platitudes in the mainstream conversation aren’t going to solve these issues.For Mel’s mental health we discuss panic attacks which she had in her early-20s and the stigma that existed for issues like this 30 years ago, a few years she spent travelling, motherhood and post-natal depression she went through after the traumatic birth of her first child.We then discuss her separation from the father of her children after a 20-year relationship and the heartbreak she experienced from it.After this relationship she entered another one where Mel was domestically abused and we discuss that, chronic pain she lived with which sparked a period of depression for eight years, an addiction to tramadol, suicidality and one big 'near miss' attempt which happened after she changed her medication. We finish by discussing the grief of losing her mother to cancer a few years ago, her recovery and why starting MAM was in her words, ‘my comeback’.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Men Against Mountains on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menagainstmountainsthemovement/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 242 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Christopher Waller. Chris is the Founder of ‘We Power On’, which aims to improve men's lives through the power of walking, talking and connection.Every Sunday, Chris runs a walk and talk group in Epsom in Surrey for men from all walks of life to join and get whatever they are struggling with off their chest. Chris started the group in September 2022 following his own struggles with his mental health which came when he was signed off work for four months during the Covid-19 lockdown. The isolation he and all of us was forced to do, took him to the point of suicidality. Since Chris started it, We Power On has gone from strength to strength with a community now built because of his work, monthly social events and other activities which keeps people connected. In this episode we discuss: how and why Chris started We Power On, the persistence he needed to have when no man turned up to his walks for the first two months of the walks and the responsibility he now feels for a lot of the men who come to the walks.For Chris’s mental health, we discuss the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on his mental health, suicidality and how the walks have helped transform his life.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can find out more about We Power On and how to follow them on social media here: https://linktr.ee/we_power_onSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In this episode of Behind The Decks, we checked back in with Australian producer and DJ, Harry Hayes.In Part 1 we discussed comparison culture, imposter syndrome and how he felt he was in a state of 'music purgatory' in the industry.In the 10 months since we checked in, Harry has gone from strength to strength, musically and personally. He has put out four singles, including one with friend of the pod Lily Ward, released his debut EP Zephyr in February 2024, signed with a record label and performed at boat parties in Australia.In this episode we reflect on his Part 1 and how far he’s come since we last checked in, his debut EP, broadening his musical skillset and the anxiety he still feels before playing live, how he manages it and hopefully can overcome it in the future.For Harry’s continued mental health journey, we discuss: the growth he’s made in his personal life, visiting long-time friend of the pod Indigo Eyes in London and how he feels he has to ‘start again’ and find a new direction after taking this next step in the music industry. As always, #itsokaytoventListen to Harry Hayes on streaming platforms below:Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/7BBSATOdE…1aTQSNLKfL1O1sCAYou can follow Harry on social media below:Instagram: www.instagram.com/harrisonhayess/Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@harryhayes_You can listen to Part 1 of Harry's journey here: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/behind-the-decks-harry-hayesSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkOutro: Harry Hayes - Sunflower: https://open.spotify.com/track/73hu23f3N0BQkwQ4Kp5aiq

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In episode 241 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Russell Payne. Russ is a qualified painter and decorator and the Founder of 'The Talking Tradesman' (TTT) podcast. TTT aims to entertain, connect and raise mental health awareness for tradespeople throughout the UK.Russ set up the podcast in November 2023 where he interviews tradesman from across the sector about their mental health journeys, as well as non-tradesman from all walks of life who can provide valuable insight for his audience. Russ started the podcast after studying for a BSC degree in Psychology and volunteering on the phonelines for The Samaritans charity. His conception of his own mental health began after his divorce from his first wife, which culminated in his children being moved to the other end of the country and a family court case which dragged on for several years.From that moment, he began investing in himself and that was, in his words, his own form of ‘self-therapy’. In this episode we discuss: the genesis of The Talking Tradesman, the stigmas in the trades sector and how we as a society need to be better at listening to these men's needs, social class and how that plays into the way tradesmen's mental health is perceived and supported in society.For Russ’s mental health, we discuss that divorce he went through and his experience of the family court system, which triggered him to have anxiety and panic attacks.We also discuss his parents' own divorce when he was 8 years old. As a result of the divorce, Russ's father experienced mental health difficulties and it forced Russ to raise himself in many areas of his life.We then discuss the positive impact his mother’s grandparents had on him, whom he viewed as surrogate parents for him and the impact the death of his grandfather had on him when he was 24/25 years old. We finish by discussing his own experience of fatherhood, self-development and his goal of one day becoming a therapist in the future.As always, #itsokaytoventListen to The Talking Tradesman on streaming platforms below:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-talking-tradesman/id1723229824Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7kgT8QKfW4xzBG8U6XC57m?si=CIhHMUewTU2EFxg0Tkayaw&nd=1&dlsi=7da0237d8a5b4459YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTalkingTradesmanYou can follow The Talking Tradesman on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_talking_tradesman/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 240 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Amelia Wrighton. Amelia is the co-founder of mental health charity, Suicide & Co, a charity which supports those bereaved by suicide.Amelia started Suicide & Co with her friend Emma Morrisoe, who she met whilst working in her media and marketing career and she discovered they had both lost parents to suicide. Amelia lost her mother when she was just 19 years old and it hugely impacted her mental health and even caused her to have grief and stress-induced alopecia. Amelia’s mother had lived and struggled with Bipolar Disorder (BD) for the time Amelia was alive. In this episode we discuss: the journey of Suicide & Co and how she saw a gap in the mental health conversation five years ago around suicide loss, the counselling service and other services the charity provide to people. We also discuss the importance of language around suicide in the mainstream conversation, as well as how we support others who have been affected by it. For Amelia’s mental health, we discuss the grief of losing her mum and what it was like to live with someone with Bipolar and the differences between how it affects men and women. We finish by discussing burnout, medication and how she manages her self-care when her full-time job is dealing with suicide and intense mental health conversations on a daily basis.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can find out more about Suicide & Co here: https://www.suicideandco.org/Follow Suicide & Co on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suicideandco/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 239 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Gary Hayes. Gary is the Co-Founder and CEO of PTSD999, which is a charity that was set up in 2015 to support those in the emergency services, and their families, living with Post Traumatic Stress. Gary lives with Complex PTSD himself and was undiagnosed for many years when he worked in the British Transport Police (BTP) as a Police Officer. Gary’s journey began when he joined the Army in the mid-1980s and spent many years in non-active service. He then met his wife, who was joining the police force and he was growing tired of military life. He was encouraged to join himself and he did in 2003, passing through the recruitment process and joining the BTP. He started by policing football matches in London, largely for West Ham United before then joining a specialist counter-terrorist policing team. The year is 2005 and sadly, Gary’s policing work coincided with 7/7, which is the biggest and most deadly terrorist attack that has hit London in recent memory. 52 people were killed in bombings on London tubes and buses, with a second failed attack coming on 21/7.Gary was seconded to the temporary mortuary that had been set up at Charing Cross to identify the victims and spent two harrowing months going through hundreds of body parts, identifying people and notifying their families. This work had a huge impact on Gary’s mental health and he began to go off the rails, drinking heavily to cope with the horrors of what he saw. Fast forward to the 2012 Olympics and at this point, Gary felt ‘broken’. He got into an altercation with a member of the public whilst off-duty and he was suspended from work and given the ultimatum of either resigning or going to a tribunal and risk losing his pension. Sadly, after 11 years of policing, he made the decision to resign and his mental health spiralled further. He made a plan to take his own life and came extremely close to doing it. Thankfully, something stopped him from doing it. He told his wife and that moment of rock bottom was the start of his journey to recovery to where he is now and the work he does with PTSD999. In this episode we discuss his career in the military, police to the work he does with PTSD999 now, PTSD and the mental health state of men like him in the emergency services. For Gary’s mental health, he was sexually abused by two men in his childhood, firstly a babysitter when he was just six years old and the second was a football coach when he was eight years old. This abuse had a monumental impact on Gary and were suppressed memories for many years. We discuss this, the suicide attempt he made after resigning from the British Transport Police, the dark and ugly side of mental illness and the recovery journey to where he is now. As always, #itsokaytoventYou can find out more about PTSD999 here: https://www.ptsd-999.com/You can follow PTSD999 on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd999official/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion about suicide, sexual abuse and the terrorist attack of 7/7, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In episode 238 of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked back in with previous guests Claudia Van-Nimwegen and Tobiah Frei for a special episode.Claudia is a a teacher, photographer and creative. Tobiah Frei is an artist and sound engineer. They both met each other through the London church, Liberty London.In this episode we discuss their friendship, faith, creative commonalities and how our Founder Freddie and Tobi supported Claudia through a very serious mental health crisis she had in December 2022. Claudia was hospitalised from a Stroke and was struggling with her finances at the time due to the low paying role she was in at the time and not being able to work. Tobi set up a crowdfunder through the church to give Claudia the support she needed to get back on her feet and begin her recovery properly when she was discharged from hospital.In this episode we have an honest and open conversation about how a crisis like Claudia's doesn't just affect the person but everyone around them, how you can support someone in your life who might be going through their own crisis and encourage that person to take ownership of their mental health, at the right time. We also discuss the uncomfortable conversations around detachment if a person's mental health crisis becomes too difficult for you to sustain.Claudia and Tobi are two of our favourite guests and have been on the podcast a combined seven times! We're very proud of how far they have both come and are a shining example of the power of the community that we have tried to build here at Vent.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can listen to all of Claudia's previous episodes here: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/sets/claudiaYou can listen to all of Tobi's previous episodes below:Behind The Mic - Tobiah Frei: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/behind-the-mic-tobiah-freiBehind The Mic - Tobiah Frei - Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/behind-the-mic-tobiah-frei-part-2You can find out more about Claudia's photography through 'The LDN Perspective' on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.ldn.perspective/ Listen to Tobiah Frei on streaming platforms below:Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1hqQ69Hma…e019cc4d139c4ac8Apple Music: music.apple.com/gb/artist/tobiah-frei/1099190702YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCfJd3FlQOgWfoyKvR_WVPtwYou can follow Tobiah Frei on social media below:Instagram: www.instagram.com/tobiahfreimusic/?hl=enSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 237 of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Jordan Nimmo. Jordan is the Founder of men's mental health platform, 'Men Behind The Masc' (MBTM), which he started in 2018.MBTM aims to promote positive mental health in men and change the conversation around men’s mental health more generally.Jordan became a father aged 19 years old with his childhood sweetheart Ashley and went onto have three children together. Two years ago, Jordan lost his grandfather, who was a father figure to Jordan as his own father was absent during his childhood.Losing his grandfather and Jordan’s father’s refusal to have a relationship with him was, in Jordan’s words ‘like losing two dads’ and it had a big impact on his mental health. Tragically, the grief was not to end here as in April 2023, Jordan’s wife Ashleigh was taken to hospital suddenly and without warning. Within a day, Ashleigh was in a coma and then died, rocking Jordan’s world in the blink of an eye. Ashleigh’s official cause of death is encephalitis, which is colloquially known as 'meningitis of the brain'. Since that moment, Jordan has been forced into a grief he could never prepare for, become a single dad to his three boys and give them the stability and love they need to stop the death of their mother derailing their entire life. In this episode we discuss the story of Men Behind The Masc, the impact of growing up without his father and how it created a desire in him to start a family and be a good and present father for his own children. We also discuss the important roles that his grandfather and his step-father have played in his life. We then dive deep into the grief of his grandfather’s death and for his wife Ashleigh respectively. We discuss the health anxiety he now has in himself and his children after Ashleigh’s death, the decision he made to move house to the countryside to give him and his kids a fresh start and how he manages his children’s grief on a daily basis.We also explore the conversation around paternal grief and the taboos that exist for single dads like Jordan.We finish by talking about the strength his children give him, resilience vs antifragility, the concept of ‘The Wounded Healer’, why men evolutionarily take on a support role for others during times of grief and trauma and how he keeps moving forward day-by-day.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Men Behind The Masc on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menbehindthemasc/You can read the 2018 Vent article we discussed in full here: https://vent.org.uk/men-behind-masc-breaking-boundaries-smashing-stigmas-unlocking-potentialSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 236 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Oliver Tennant. Ollie is an actor and the Founder of Run4Hope, a campaign he has created where he is running 12 marathons in 12 months to raise money for men's mental health charity, James’ Place UK. In this episode we discuss how and why he started Run4Hope and his fitness journey into getting ready for the marathons. We then explore how his skills as an actor have helped him promote the campaign and why he allowed other runners to join him on the marathons if they want to.For Ollie’s mental health, we discuss bullying he experienced whilst at boarding school from his peers, suicidality, how acting gave him a tool to develop his self-confidence and self-esteem and the fresh start which acting school provided for him.We also discuss how he came to terms with his bisexuality, accepting it and embracing it as he entered adulthood.We finish by discussing perfectionism which the bullying gave Ollie as a scar, how he manages it and harnesses it as well.As always, #itsokaytoventFind out how you can donate to Run4Hope or take part in one of their marathons here: https://linkin.bio/runforhope2024/ You can follow Run4Hope on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_run4hope/You can listen to our previous episode with Andy Noon from James' Place UK here: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/jcip-224-andy-noonSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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