This Episode is about Acupuncture and I am talking to Vanessa Menendez-Covelo  

She was born and grew up in Spain. When she was a child, her mother quit a 20 cigarette a day habit with the help of acupuncture, but she didn't think much of it and became a computer scientist. After doing postgraduate studies at Cambridge  University, Vanessa worked in research and then moved to London where she worked in the City for ten years. It was during this time that she turned to acupuncture for health and wellness and became more fascinated by it until she decided to quit her job and qualify as an acupuncturist. She graduated in 2019 from the City College of Acupuncture and opened her own clinic, Covelo Acupuncture, which she combines with her work as a teaching assistant at the CCA.

Her website is: https://vanessacovelo.com/Instagram: @coveloacupuncture  If you want to find out more about acupuncture: https://www.acupuncture.org.uk

Towards the end of the Video Vanessa, demonstrates how to put an acupuncture needle into her own hand, if you want to see how that looks here is a link to the Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/q-B_N8SphC4

In this episode, I am talking to Nesem Al-Ali, a medical professional who is specialised in Haematology.   We talk about a variety of things, about her journey in the medical profession, the way she works, what she thinks is important in the Dr. - patient relationship and communication and more.   This episode is purely a podcast.   Here are further links to mentioned topics, further literature and Links to Nesem's profiles:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nesem-al-ali-32681585/?originalSubdomain=uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaseemMcSheeky

Mentioned Blog: https://listentoyourbody.uk/follow-my-blog/

An interesting article to understand the difficulties medical professionals have to deal with emotional: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/sep/26/forensic-pathologist-richard-shepherd-ptsd-cutting-up-23000-bodies-not-normal

Two books Nesem recommends:

'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3272165-bad-science

'Bad Pharma' by Ben Goldacre: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15795155-bad-pharma?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=6RE6MEBn4s&rank=1

I am talking about the heavy question:  DO I SUBCONSCIOUSLY WANT TO BE ILL?  And I offer input on how to face this question with kindness. It is a tough topic but from my experience a very important one.  

REMINDER: This Episode might not apply to everyone, especially if we talk about heavier illnesses this might not all be useful, but even then maybe elements from it might be. So take from this episode whatever works for you and leave behind what doesn't.

TRIGGER WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS MENTIONED

In this episode I am talking very honestly about the rage and anger I felt at times, the hopelessness and the wish to end my life because I actually thought this was the only solution and more importantly I will talk about the first baby steps that got me OUT of all that.   If you are still ill this might not be the easiest episode to watch because you might be reminded of all the unpleasant moments with medical professionals, or individuals who don't believe that you are actually ill etc. But you are not alone, and you will hear what inspired me to record this episode and even if it might be tough to listen I really hope you get something out of it because that's my aim.  

Podcast mentioned in this episode:  

Invisible not broken https://invisiblenotbroken.com/ 

Check them out they are incredible.

This Episode is both a conversation about personal experience as well as professional knowledge.   

I am talking to Anna Détári a professional flutist, PhD. candidate at the University of York, 'Musician's Foval Dystonia' researcher & coach.  Even though we are talking about a very specific condition, many of the psychological elements discussed could apply to other conditions and therefore might be worth listening to. 

For further information about Anna and her work:  

Her website: https://www.musicians-focal-dystonia.com/

Her University Profile: https://www.york.ac.uk/music/research/music-science-technology/research-groups/ympg/people/annadetari/

A link to the mentioned concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t58wWIKZ6xQ&ab_channel=BMCMagyarZeneiInform%C3%A1ci%C3%B3sK%C3%B6zpont%C3%A9sK%C3%B6nyvt%C3%A1r_

And don't forget to subscribe to her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfM4MgvmEM5gFRZZSLua2MQ

This episode introduces the Alexander Technique with Anthony Kingsley, you find his youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/AlexanderTechnique33

Anthony Kingsley BSc MA MSTAT  Anthony Kingsley completed his Alexander Teacher Training in 1986, and has studied extensively with several of the first generation of teachers to be qualified by Alexander. He has been privileged to have learned from Patrick Macdonald, Doctor Barlow and Majory Barlow, Miss Goldie and Walter Carrington.  Anthony has been the director of The Alexander Studio, London, since 1993 where he maintains his private practice. Anthony has been training teachers in London since 1990 and assisted in the training of over 100 Alexander Technique Teachers who are now working in the UK and throughout the world. Anthony is head of training at the Alexander Teacher Training School (ATTS), which offers a three-year professional teacher training in the Alexander Technique.  In 2000, Anthony qualified as a psychotherapist. This specialisation has deepened his understanding of the mind-body link in the Alexander Technique. He has worked with, and is inspired by the Formative Psychology approach of Stanley Keleman, and he offers individual sessions in integrative psychotherapy based on a somatic-emotional model.  Because of Anthony’s training, he has a powerful mind body approach to the Alexander Technique.  He is a specialist in what Doctors refer to as “somatisation”.  Many people who present to an Alexander Teacher suffer from a range of muscular and postural disturbances. “Somatisation” refers to the the evidence that much of this distress is a direct result of psychological stress. Anthony is uniquely trained to support a person through the physical release and towards emotional healing.  Anthony provides ongoing coaching for Alexander Teachers who wish to enhance their professional skills. He gives workshops and seminars on the technique to the general public in the United Kingdom and abroad. Anthony also consults to industry and the medical profession on stress-management, ergonomics, and personal effectiveness.  

Further links to Anthony:

[email protected] 

https://www.alexander-technique-london.co.uk/

https://www.alexanderteacher.co.uk/

TRIGGER WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS MENTIONED

In this first episode, I am talking about my own journey from illness to health.  

If you prefer to see it with a video here is the Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38fp7miZL84&t=422s&ab_channel=ThePuzzleOfHealing

The only insert that's important to be aware of is the translation of 'Scharlach' which means scarlet fever.   

I hope this Episode opens up conversations and gives a bit of hope.  

Thank you for listening :)