Who Needs Instructions

Vikki is a superstar. She has a Doctorate in Clinical and Community Psychology which she uses to make people happier, which is awesome.

A self-confessed brain geek, Vikki makes understanding the stuff that goes on inside our heads, easier.

In this episode, Vikki gives us a whole bunch of tips about how to make ourselves happier. She also tells us about the time she lived with Richard Branson on Necker Island and how that was the best yet one of the hardest times in her life. She tells us a joke about psychologists (instead of a Dad Joke; don't worry, it's a corker!) and we also hear about her new book, "Free Happiness: The art and science of positivity"... available from Amazon - Buy it here.

Vikki's website - https://www.drvikkibarnes.com/

If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating on whichever podcasting tool you've used to listen to this on, THANK YOU 🙏🏼

*NOTE - We recorded this episode in a room that was a bit echoey, I hope it doesn't spoil your listening pleasure... Matt x

After completing a degree in Psychology, Natasha went on to become an employment solicitor and found that she was using her degree more and more when dealing with men, in senior positions, who are going through a redundancy, for example. They would open up to her like never before, and to cut a long story short, this led her to write and publish a book last year, called MANDEMIC!

Natasha is unique in so many ways, but the common ground that she shares with me (your host) is uncanny. We appear to have a very similar mission in life; to help men talk, open up more and to communicate better.

Tasha's book contains numerous habits, which are all aimed at helping men deal with the world that we live in - you can pick up a copy from Amazon, here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mandemic-Tale-Didnt-Like-Told/dp/1913206564

Tune in to this podcast to hear Natasha's take on why men seem to struggle so much in today's world. She's seen it first hand, she's dealt with these guys in her job and now she really wants to help them too. Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashajones/

Fran is the first lady to appear on the Podcast... and what a guest she is!

All the way from Brisbane in Australia 🇦🇺, Fran joined us to talk about having the confidence to talk to your mates and how to start that conversation.

With a background in performing, Frances experienced a loss of self-confidence after a relationship breakdown, but soon developed her own set of programmes to help her build that confidence back again.

A self-confessed 'Boomer', Frances has written a book entitled "Your Kitchen Olympics... and other remarkable athletic feats". It's a hilarious read and you can pick it up from Amazon here.

Find Fran's website here - https://www.francescahill.com.au/

Go and find out more about this amazing woman and her WHY in life!

Ashley is a trained chef, but made the decision quite early on in his career to quit that and go in to sales, so he could start a family. He spent a long time in the corporate world but has recently made the decision to go it alone and follow his passion.

With over 30 years working in the sales arena, he has spent the last 14 years working with accountants. Because of his experience of working with people and being on the buying journey with key decision-makers, he's now able to help people to become more comfortable when selling.

Ashley is also an accomplished musician. It has lead him down some mad roads and completely changed his life. Wanna find out how? Cool, listen to this podcast.

He's always warn his heart on his sleeve and it's definitely not done him any harm.

I also recorded this podcast as a video too, so pop over to the Facebook page if you'd like to watch this too... Ash has a lovely shed which is worth seeing.

Enjoy the podcast...

Full Cup Coaching - https://www.fullcupcoaching.co.uk/

Andy Taylor started out his football career at Manchester United, which is exactly where he saw himself from a very young age. However, a serious injury prevented him from making it to the first team and playing for the beloved Red Devils.

This might have been a huge setback for some, but not Andy. He took it in his stride and decided to learn more about injuries by taking a degree at Salford University. Andy played part-time football whilst at Uni and got himself back in to shape.

He then returned home to Devon where he played for Exeter City for five more seasons before retiring and moving on to set up Taylor Made Performance with his wife, Claire - https://www.taylormaderehab.com/#/

You can tell by the way Andy speaks, he's always been a very level-headed individual and that has been prevalent throughout his career. His routine is fascinating (listen in to find out how he starts his day) and the fact that he is always learning, inspirational.

I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I did recording it. Andy clearly knows what he's talking about and has shown how to overcome a huge setback in his career, and prove there's more to life than we may have originally thought.

In this week's episode, I look at the other things which I think are important for men to be doing on a regular basis, not just talking. What do I mean by that? I mean looking after yourself too.

Some of you might have got the impression that I have completely changed my life and think that I'm now a smock-wearing hippy. Well, I'm here to tell you that very little has changed in my life, what I have done, is added things to it.

I'm still the same football-loving, sweary, golf-obsessed idiot I was before. What's changed is my attitude.

I've not stopped doing much to be honest with you. I still love pretty much all the things I loved before. What I have done though, is added things to my life. Things that I feel are going to improve it and me.

So, in this episode I go over those very briefly and explain how little has actually changed in my life, but at the same time, the huge difference those little additions have made to my life.

Please, if you get a chance, can you rate and review this podcast please, it's vital for the algorithms that we show there are people listening, liking and commenting, which should help us climb the rankings.

Bez runs True Self Transformation, where he helps people to not only get fitter and to lose weight, but also to understand how to look after their mental health and not just the physical side of things.

In 2013, he suffered a severe panic attack which triggered 4/5 years of anxiety and depression. Understanding that it was just his mind and false beliefs about life which were causing the suffering, he started to look into ways to heal himself and to get his life back on track.

His passion had always been fitness but up until that point, he had neglected his mind. He began to recognise and break down the false story that had been playing in his head and he slowly started to dig his way out of the dark and into the life he had always dreamed of.

Bez used to run a Go-Kart track and to the outside world, seemed to have it all. But behind closed doors, like so many of the stories we hear on the WNI Podcast, all was not as it seemed. Luckily, Bez is here to tell the tale and it's compelling one at that.

I really hope you enjoy this episode; Bez opens up about his depression and how it nearly cost him his life. He also gives us practical tips on ways to deal with negative beliefs and it's all based on creating good habits. Bez talks about visualisation, meditation and gratitude too.

True Self Transformation - https://www.trueselftransformation.com/

'Bones' owns and runs The Sandyman Chop Shop, a traditional barbers with branches in Exeter and Lyme Regis.

His transition from Assistant Head Teacher to Mens Barber is an interesting one, with many tattoos along the way, and Bones' life continues to be an evolving journey.

He's a Buddhist, skater, musician and a vegan (amongst many other things) who's into cold water therapy, meditation and breath work. Bones doesn't drink or take drugs, and won't stand for misogyny, sexism, racism or homophobia in his barbershop. In fact, if he hears this kind of talk, he'll "call you in", not out, IN... he explains this process in the episode.

He fights against toxic masculinity and has founded the Dharma Punx Surf Sangha, a movement created by Noah Levine in the US, which Bones is running here in the UK.

He hosts mens groups and retreats with his best mate John, a Kiwi and equally heavily tattooed man. They've started 'New Savages', which again Bones covers in the podcast.

This podcast is a fascinating listen and one that even I (Matt) the host wasn't prepared for. There are Goose Bump moments and times of real clarity... it was a joy.

Find an hour (commuting, walking, running, doing the housework, gardening or whatever...) and soak all this in. Enjoy!

Sandyman Chop Shop - http://www.sandymanchopshop.com/

Dharma Punx - https://www.instagram.com/dharma_punx_surf_sangha/

New Savages - https://www.instagram.com/the_new_savages/

So, this week's episode is a little bit different. Not only is it a 'solo-podcast', in other words, it's just me (Matt) on my own, it's also being filmed as well (hence why the audio is a bit different too). And to add to that, it's all about JOURNALING.

I'm a huge advocate of journaling, it has helped me so much and, in this episode, I'm going to explain why it could be the answer to your communication issues.

I look at why I journal, what my process is, how you can get started, the different types of journaling there are and how I PERSONALLY do it and why that works so well for me.

Sit back, soak it up and most importantly, when you get going, let me know how you get on, OK? Thank you... Matt 🙏🏼

In January 2021, Olly wrote a post on LinkedIn which went viral.

He's a self-confessed bad sleeper and one dark Friday morning four months ago, Olly wrote the post below. 1.2 million views later, he's become the poster-boy for vulnerability in business.

The loss of his (Australian) father in 2018, hit Olly very hard. That, alongside an acrimonious business split with his ex-business partner, made life extremely challenging.

But over the last three years, Olly has bounced back from those challenges. The family business is on the up again and his confidence is growing.

Olly's posts on LinkedIn are philosophical and inspiring. He wants us to believe in ourselves and back ourselves too. He used the lack of respect he was given by his ex-business partner to drive him on today, to take calculated risks and to make a success of things.

Basically, he's a decent bloke with a brilliantly honest story to tell, which he modestly wants to inspire you with. BACK YOURSELF!

This Man is 47

This Man runs a business & employs 130 people

This Man worries a lot & sleeps badly

This Man fell 40ft off a Balcony

This Man spent 12 days in Intensive care

This Man man taught himself to walk again

This Man cried uncontrollably at the Doctors

This Man did counselling for 4 months

This Man got bored so stopped

This Man’s heart stopped repeatedly

This Man misses his Dad more than you will ever know

This Man struggles to talk about any of the above

This Man was made to justify himself in his own business to a 3rd party

This Man took that really badly

This Man came out on the right side of it

This Man suffered confidence issues

This Man moved away from where he wasn’t appreciated

This Man was told he would never be a success and ‘didn’t have it in him’

This Man is not driven by money

This Man will never forget the disrespect

This Man took a big gamble on Magnus

This Man backed himself

This Man invested every penny he has

This Man enticed great management to join him

This Man & his team work really hard

This Man wants to do the best for his staff

This Man knows his weaknesses

This Man is very loyal

This Man is done when he loses trust

This Man is Vulnerable

This Man is me - Olly Magnus

This Man is just the same as you

Follow your dreams #backyourself

You can see the original post here.

Connect with Olly on LinkedIn.