The Keep Smiling Podcast

Just a casual, light-hearted conversation…

- Talking about the influence of your social circles, being true to your identity and ensuring to remain selective over who you chose to involve yourself with – platonically and romantically. Fundamentally, it’s about putting your wellbeing first by selecting individuals who solely offer value, positivity, motivation and who continually proactively support you, and your ambitions in life. 

- The disheartening feeling of loneliness and isolation which lockdown has seemingly normalised… and the demoralizing experience of ‘fomo’… emotionally it can suck

- Lockdown relationships, and the unproductiveness of dating apps

 - The incapability of recognising red flags, falling into the annoying yet familiar routine of wasting far too much emotional energy 

-  How this whole bizarre process has subsequently triggered a craving of human contact, connectedness, 3D, glitch-less discussions

-  And also an embarrassing volume of humiliating tangents – ENJOY!

Lauren Moore (@lauuolivia) discusses her coming out story and  her inspiring journey of self-acceptance.

 Lauren eloquently highlights the importance prioritizing yourself. Coming out, being truthful to her identity and proactively focusing on her happiness and wellbeing was a personal revelation - which only had positive repercussions on other elements of her life, allowing her to reach her full potential and flourish.

Coming out was an exiting process. She was able to learn about herself, allowing herself to be the person she’s always wanted to be. Gain an unfamiliar sense on freedom - feeling light, comfortable and contempt.

The topic of mental health is also discussed – the importance of learning to rationally process emotions and combat habitual self-destructive dialogue through building a solid mindset.

Lauren was previously diagnosed with JDM – a rare illness, in her teenage years. The years of difficulty, and challenge she faced during her formative years enforced her to develop internal strength, thus gaining positive and constructive resilient characterises which she has successfully applied in later life experiences.

Within the specific context of students, we’ve very immediately transitioned into a disconnected, robotic and digital, 2D lifestyle - a foreign academic disconnection influencing often minimal confidence within our capabilities, consistent question marks, self-doubt and concerns regarding our future opportunities 

We have had to normalise, and behaviourally adapt within this totally new environment – facing the challenge of maintaining organic engagement without the physical academic environment and the countless distractions at home

The primary aspect of the University experience is meeting likeminded people, networking, forming life-long relationships. A process which unintentionally pushes you towards self-discovery, forming your identity, solidifying your characteristics – all of which has been taken away due to the strict regulations and restrictions.

But despite the somewhat inadequate elements of learning via Microsoft Teams, University has offered a distraction. An opportunity to immerse yourself within education, engage, develop your knowledge, and set achievable goals. It offers a comforting sense of structure to the painfully repetitive days of lockdown – providing a sense of productivity and keeps our minds active, which is thus positive for mental health.

This obscure time has also influenced students to develop their internal motivation, to become independent, to take initiative and responsibility – highlighting only a few of the transferable skills which we’ll no-doubt cultivate throughout the global pandemic.

In this episode we also discuss the rising mental health issues, and how the significantly reduced opportunity for human connection, socialisation, face to face interaction is having a detrimental affect on individuals’ confidence, self-esteem, and overall personal development. 

An episode to discuss the many corners of mental health and wellbeing. Including the growth from massive transitional processes, finding positives within challenging times and respecting your emotions to aid your recovery and progressive development.

We raise the topic of putting yourself first and the importance of continuing the discussion of mental health.

We also discuss the vulnerability we often feel during the initial steps opening up, the guilt or sense of being a burden whilst reaching out for support… however putting yourself within that proactive position, solely demonstrates your unmistakable strength and positive motivation to focus on your psychological wellbeing.

Libby also discusses the challenges she has faced due to tragically losing her mother, but how she used this experience to build her inner resilience and “be the change”.

Today I am joined by Cynthia – also known as The @Period.Nutritionist, to talk all things periods, hypothalamic amenorrhea, PCOS, and her own experience of losing and healthily regaining her period through incorporating sustainable health practices and going ‘all in’.

We discuss the harmful influences of diet culture, body image issues and the toxic influences of today’s 21st century society, pushing women into proactively transforming their bodies for social acceptance to be deemed “beautiful” or successful. Cynthia previously resorted to restricting calories, exercising excessively for hours each day, causing a loss of freedom, and thus, her menstrual cycle and ability to conceive.

And so, throughout this episode, we discuss the journey of finding food freedom and respect for your body. Overcoming the anxiety associated with weight gain, prioritising rest, discovering   a healthy relationship with exercise and overall, live a healthy lifestyle.

*TW*

Today I am joined with a fellow anorexia warrior, Brittney (@bites_by_b), to have a no-filter, raw conversation of our experiences with eating disorders.

We raise awareness of  the psychologically damaging reality of anorexia nervosa, how isolating, terrifying and identity engulfing it can become – seeking comfort and control in abusing, malnourishing and depriving our bodies.

How small habits and rituals can detrimentally develop and amplify into a sinister, life threatening situation, where your individual lifestyle, behaviours, characteristics are controlled and altered in aid of the harmful progression of the eating disorder

We also discuss our poor experience with doctors within the recovery process – where medical practitioners solely focus on reverting symptoms, rather than providing consideration towards psychological triggers and mental health issues.

Often, and specifically within our situations, the severity of the illness is totally minimised – being refused treatment due to weight not being perceived as “low enough”, which only triggered the anorexia further, craving validation – only pushing us to pursue the disordered tendencies, putting us into a life threatening position. Thus raising the discussion on the essentiality of early intervention and the application of prevention techniques.

Overall, we talk toxic environments, heavily dysmorphic mindsets and how this harmful illness influences and manipulates  you to totally dictate and dedicate your life to it – no matter the detrimental consequences upon your emotional and physical health, relationships or future.

Due to the nature of the discussion, I would like to pre-warm any listeners of a fragile mindset and apply a trigger warning. The conversations we have regarding our previous circumstances are very raw, and can possibly be translated as triggering, so please skip this episode if you think it may impact you negatively.

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Back at it again with Alex (@buleyfit) to discuss self-destructive mindsets, chronic perfectionism, driven mindsets and the pressure we put upon ourselves to be continually 'productive', striving for unattainable expectations.

We discuss the difficulty of adjusting to the University lifestyle, feeling confidence in pursuing your path rather than confiding into social stereotypes, and the value of surrounding yourself with like minded people.

We discuss the perception of 'failure', and how these moments of adversity can enforce growth, allow you to recognise your capabilities,  acquire new skills and expand your overall understanding to overcome obstacles.

Also, we raise the topic of burnout, and the importance of finding a work/life balance - prioritising rest and minimising the habitual routine of unnecessarily overworking.

Amber Maddison Davies (@ambersostomy) to specifically raise awareness of invisible illnesses and disabilities.

Amber was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an incurable bowel disease, which lead her to living with a permanent stoma.

In this episode, we discuss ambers journey in depth, and the stereotypies and stigmas associated with invisible illnesses. But also, we highlight how amber has transformed this difficult situation into something inspirational through participating in multiple fundraising events and raising awareness across social media.

Crohn's & Colitis UK:
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/

SEASON 3 - we're back

Healthy habits to allow you to optimise upon each day with a positive, healthy and motivated mindset... from improving your sleep cycle, moving your body, and developing a focused mindset to enhance productivity.

I discuss the importance of being selective of your friendship groups - prioritising quality, worthwhile relationships, being mindful of social media consumption and overall, striving toward living each day with purpose and positivity