Throughout this episode, Sean talks openly about his journey with depression and the multiple challenges he faced - the loss of identity, battling societal stigmas associated to masculinity, the numbness, suicidal feelings… but then also provides light on how, with appropriate support, was able to transition into a far healthier headspace.

We also discuss the often negative connotations associated with attending therapy… whereas, in reality, it should be celebrated and rewarded! This process of seeking support only allows us to process our emotions more efficiently, to reevaluate our perspectives, rewire our way of thinking… which can in turn enhance our relationships, help build habits to facilitate positive wellbeing, and improve our quality of life!

Today I am joined by the wonderful Dovile, a personal development coach, to discuss confidence development, overcoming imposter syndrome, and ways to release perfectionistic tendencies.

We’re often crippled and frozen by self-doubt and fear, feeling an overwhelming need to meet internal and externally enforced expectations, stuck in an overly perfectionistic mindset.

And yes, although being high achieving, goal oriented, and achievement striving are all great qualities… these traits can actually become quite problematic from a wellbeing perspective - leading to burnout, relentless overthinking, anxiety, self-sabotage, and procrastination….. and thus negatively impacting your mental health.

And so, Dovile discusses the value of balance, providing insight as to how we can challenge pre-determined beliefs, overcome feelings of incompetence, challenge these imposter like-tendencies, and reframe our mindsets.

She highlights the value of bringing awareness to your thought patterns, strategies to help change your perception, and how to alter your previously established viewpoints and perspectives.

She also provides advice on how to generate more self-confidence, and self-belief, and how to be more appreciative and empathic with your own self.

Today I am joined by Dr Perry Crofts, who provides a very honest and raw depiction of life with depression, and the story of how he went from doctor to patient and back again.

He details his darkest moment, the destructive internal monologue, and low perceptions of self.

However, he then explains the journey he undertook to overcome it…. detailing the necessary changes he made - such as adapting his work routine, prioritizing self-care, seeking professional support, and speaking up. 

He also talks about the strategies and mechanisms which he has now implemented to facilitate positive mental health - going into detail about mindfulness, meditation, adapting his relationship with exercise and prioritizing sleep.

And just as pre-warning, there are conversations of suicide in this episode.

The Cost Of Caring Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cost-Caring-Dr-Perry-Crofts/dp/1528992504/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+cost+of+caring&qid=1675066490&s=books&sprefix=the+cost+of+ca%2Cstripbooks%2C86&sr=1-1

Today I am joined by Cleo Oldham - a body and food freedom coach, to provide insight as to how we can improve our relationship with food and body image.

We discuss the value of being aware of unconscious rules related to food - putting light upon the restrictive, dieting mindset, and behaviours which have been ingrained. Cleo also talks about how to overcome exhausting binge/restrict cycles, how to challenge habitual restrictive tendencies, in turn finding freedom and balance.

Cleo also provides insight as to how to shift our mindset and attitude towards our bodies - striving towards self-acceptance, body neutrality, and practicing self-kindness.

Instagram : @cleofaithcoaching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleo-oldham-54024a144/

Today I am joined by James Ball, a successful Paralympic cyclist to discuss his sporting journey, the impact of injury, sacrifices he has made, and the power of a strong social network.

He details his experience of competing at Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and the emotions associated with attending these high-pressure events.

Today I am joined by Emma Jay, a wellbeing coach, TEDx Speaker and author, to discuss chronic stress, burnout and the priority of establishing habits to support your physical and psychological health.  

In 2002, Emma was involved in a serious car accident, causing her to lose all of her confidence. She transformed from her previous outgoing, bubbly and enthusiastic self, to isolating herself away, manifesting a negative mindset… only triggering the development of depression. A few years on, Emma then experiences postnatal depression, in addition to chronic stress and burnout.

With these issues only accumulating, Emma was forced to adapt her lifestyle, recognise the underlying reasons triggering these exhausting bouts of stress, and make some changes.

It was about applying basic self care and stress management strategies, establishing a sense of purpose, maintaining a routine, building positive habits, prioritizing sleep, and finding a balance.

Thus throughout this conversation we both share advice on how to manage stress, lifestyle changes to facilitate positive wellbeing, and how to create long term, sustainable adaptations to aid your overall health, happiness, and longevity. 

Jessica discusses her competitive sporting journey, the process of transitioning between gymnastics, judo and weightlifting, as well as the challenges of being a student athlete - having balancing academic goals alongside her sporting endeavours.

Jess shares her experience at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the pressure of competing at such a huge, globally documented event… as well as the mental skills required to focus, and regulate her emotions whilst performing under exceptional circumstances.

She then details the pure euphoric moment of achieving her 111kg clean and jerk, which gained her a place on the podium, and the pride she had competing for her country.

Jess finally discusses the mindset, drive and determination required… and the process of having to push past discomfort to reveal true sporting potential, as well as constructing a solid support network to achieve so many impressive accomplishments.

Find Jess:

@JGB.COACHING
www.jgbcoaching.co.uk

Today I am joined by Jamie Forsyth. An award-winning wellbeing coach, Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Inspirational Speaker.

Throughout this episode, Jamie discusses his story with bipolar disorder - providing an in-depth insight into the reality of living with the disorder… sharing his experiences of depressive lows, erratic mood swings, and periods of mania where he’d often disregard his own safety.

Despite the ongoing battle, the periods of isolation, challenge, turbulence and trauma, he explains how he has built resilience and a plethora of transferable skills.

And so today, he uses his previous experience to empower, inspire, bring awareness and educate.

Today I am joined by Natalia Rachel

A keynote speaker, writer, therapist, specialising in trauma & abuse recovery to discuss topics of healing, transformation, and the value of self-compassion.

Natalia opens up about her own personal experience of emotional and physical abuse, and how growing up within a traumatic environment triggered the development of multiple mental health complexities and physical health conditions, pushing her towards some very dark places.

However, she then discusses the tremendously complicated, yet growth provoking journey of recovery and nonlinear process of healing.

Shares some truly impactful and constructive advice as how through to consciously work through unresolved trauma, and working towards finding freedom, internal peace and relational harmony.

She highlights how recovery can inspire the transformation from a fragmented, dissociated version of ourselves, to being able to embody optimism, hope, build capacity for joy, and finally rediscover and reconnect with our authentic selves.

TW – conversations of abuse 

https://www.nataliarachel.com/why-am-i-like-this-book
@natalia_rachel_change

I’ve recently contracted the travel bug - HARD. 

So today, I am here to share my experience of how challenging my perceived comfort zones, pushing myself into unfamiliar environments, and embracing the beauty of spontaneity, has truly transformed my perspectives and mindset.

Alongside my good friend Joss, a fellow adventure-adrenaline-junkie, we discuss the wonderful nature of travel and adventure, how it connects you with your true values, how it allows you to form unpredictable yet incredible relationships with likeminded others, forces you to be present, and how it inspires a healthier work life balance

I still can’t quite fathom that within a 3 month window, i went from anxiety attacks in my office, consumed my academic stress and panic, to feeling comfortable and confident wandering aimlessly around multiple foreign cities (totally alone), absorbing culture, history, saying ‘yes’ to last minute plans, and truly living my ‘Lizzie Mcguire’ reality.

From dirt biking in the Moroccan desert, to witnessing sunset in Florence on my 22nd birthday and watching the magical skyline illuminate and transform in a silhouette, to climbing up mountains in Scotland, collecting a plethora of lifelong memories, creating friendships and growth provoking experiences…. I hope a few of my recent adventures inspires you to be a little spontaneous, to lean into discomfort, and challenge yourself. Because my goodness - it is absolutely worth it.