The Keep Smiling Podcast

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.

Today I am joined by Oly Newton. A motivational speaker, Mental Health First Aid Instructor and founder of @Run4YourMind. In this episode, Oly discusses his experiences of battling severe OCD, anxiety, depression, and how his life was dictated and consumed by intrusive thoughts and rituals, feeling trapped and isolated.

Through sharing his story, he breaks down predetermined social stigmas associated with OCD, providing an in-depth, realistic insight into life with this debilitating illness.

However, discovering running played a huge role towards his recovery, providing a refreshing rest bite from his intrusive thoughts, a sense of freedom and achievement… which subsequently inspired the launch of Run4YourMind – a community-based foundation connecting likeminded individuals with similar experiences, motivating one another to live an active lifestyle, to aid their mental health and wellbeing.

Habits to Improve Wellbeing, Happiness and Mindset – Jay Unwin

Today I am joined by Jay Unwin – an international public speaker, consultant on mental and physical wellbeing, focusing upon preventative support and education.

During this conversation, Jay discusses his experiences of burnout and how after trial-and-error, he has formed a more balanced and healthier lifestyle, through redefining physical and mental fitness.

Therefore, this conversation focuses heavily upon the topic of how to build long-term healthy lifestyle habits, how to incorporate small behavioural changes to aid wellbeing, the priority of rest… championing longevity, quality of life, and living holistically for overall happiness. 

I also discuss my journey of incorporating healthier habits to feel far more present and balanced… breaking free from my monotonous anxiety ridden routines and never-ending daily to-do lists, and how implementing small self-care tasks and routines have made a huge impact for my mindset, wellbeing and general outlook on life.

Find Jay:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayunwin/
Instagram: @therealjayunwin

Today I am joined by @Eddie.Ilic, a Bath based hairdresser with a profound story of recovery and an uplifting message of hope.

Throughout this conversation, Eddie provides a very honest, and raw depiction of the reality of struggling with alcohol and drug addiction from a young age.

He discusses its isolation, its progressive identity consuming nature, his darkest moments, the multiple complexities and hardships faced… as well as how he finally learned that recovery can only truly and authentically be initiated with intrinsic motivation and honesty. 

Two years into his recovery, @eddiestreetcuts was born – a community-based project, providing haircuts for the homeless.

He discusses the value of building trustworthy relationships with the homeless community, the sense of connection, and how he is able to communicate, empathise, listen, provide hope for those struggling, whilst also building their confidence and self-esteem – truly demonstrating how these acts of kindness can be so impactful and transformative. 

Eddie explains how being of service to others and building this sense of togetherness through homeless haircutting has facilitated his own recovery journey… and shares a plethora of uplifting stories.

So hopefully this episode can provide honest insight into the reality of addiction and complex process of recovery, whilst destigmatising possible predetermined societal stigmas… but I also hope that it truly highlights the overwhelmingly positive  power of human connection, authentic kindness, and communication.

Today I am joined by Dr Lee David - a GP and accredited CBT therapist who trains health professionals and teachers in how to support wellbeing in others.  She has recently developed a new approach known as ’10 Minute GROW’ using CBT and mindfulness to support positive mental health. 

In this episode, we focus on student mental health and wellbeing, discussing the many challenges faced, but also provide insight on practical strategies to implement, to cope with stressors.

Her latest book:  10 Minutes to better mental health (https://amzn.to/3y0vmhs)

Website: www.10MinuteCBT.co.uk

Self-compassion videos:

·        Susan David: https://ideas.ted.com/how-to-be-kinder-to-yourself-self-compassion/

·        Kristin Neff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvtZBUSplr4&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

·        Brene Brown https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en

Resources for overcoming low mood by increasing activity: https://www.talkplus.org.uk/downloads_folder/Behavioural_Activation.pdf

Overcoming perfectionism:  https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Perfectionism

Joined by Dr Omara Naseem, a psychologist specialising in eating disorders, for an in-depth discussion regarding the somewhat controversial topic of the introduction of calories on menus.

As of April 2022, it is now a legal requirement for restaurants, cafes and takeaways with more than 250 staff to include caloric information on their menus, websites, and on delivery platforms.

The new rule is part of government plans to tackle obesity.

In today’s episode, we discussed this (what we perceived to be) flawed strategy, and its inevitable contribution towards harmful thoughts and behaviours for individuals struggling with disordered eating and eating disorders.

In regards to it tackling the obesity epidemic, we discuss how a holistic approach is required to create impactful chance… whereas, realistically, a few texts upon a menu may not be the most effective tool to facilitate long-term behavioural changes. A full lifestyle transformation, the cultivation of sustainable and healthy habits, greater education, and community-based interventions are required to approach the issues. So, does this strategy seem like a quick fix?

To follow, in terms of the disordered eating perceptive, we raise how this process will only enforce unhealthy tracking tendencies and disordered behaviours. It can be harmful, perceived as confronting and anxiety inducing for those struggling and cause set backs in recovery journeys. 

So today Dr Omara Naseem provides advice to those struggling, recommending strategies to help someone navigate these stressful situations, whilst also revealing mechanisms to interrupt disordered urges as well as methods to neutralise relationships upon digits, numbers and statistics.

Hopefully alongside myself openly discussing my personal experience, alongside Omara providing her professional perceptive, this episode can provide some guidance and support to you or simply educate you on how this new governmental strategy may cause more harm than good.

https://omaranaseem.com/

@dr.omara.naseem

What strategies can you employ to support a friend, loved one, or significant other experiencing mental health difficulties? How can you inspire an individual to progress along their recovery journey, seek suitable support, speak openly of their emotions, and guide them along a positive pathway?

From acquiring greater understanding through education, practicing patience, setting aside time to genuinely listen, and maintaining a non-judgmental dialogue... here is my advice.