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In this episode we speak to Liam Stretton. Liam is a local builder from Cheltenham who originally shared his mental health journey on the Blindside documentary series about a group of people who found solidarity and camaraderie through playing rugby. Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.     Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.     sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.     https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we speak to Tizzy Philp about her experience with anxiety and panic attacks. Tizzy is the Global Director of Content for Valtech, a global digital agency.   Tizzy began to suffer from panic attacks several years ago. She describes them vividly and tells us about her diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder. The attacks started on the tube and then progressed to all public transport and then even at home; culminating in an event at night where her mind was telling her to get out of bed, go downstairs and hurt herself.    Tizzy sought help from a therapist to understand the root cause, after previously struggling with NHS talking therapies. A book called 'Jog On'' by Bella Mackie really helped her feel like she wasn’t alone and that other people understood how she felt. She now runs regularly for her mental health and sees this as part of a strong structure and routine to keep her centred when life’s challenges hit.  Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.   Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.  sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we speak to Jack Middlemore. Jack’s a rugby player who originally shared his mental health journey on the Blindside documentary series, about a group of people who found solidarity and camaraderie through playing rugby. Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.   Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we speak to Stephanie Harrison. Steph is an expert on happiness and wellbeing and the founder of the New Happy, a philosophy based on academic studies and original research to help you to find lasting happiness.   Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.   Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we talk to Georgie St Claire about digital wellbeing. Georgie is a digital wellbeing coach, artist and founder of swapthescroll.com helping people to use digital devices more mindfully.   Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.   Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we talk to Dr Eloise Crush about resilience. Elle is a psychologist whose research has focussed on psychological resilience.   Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.   Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we talk to Gwen Jones about social anxiety. Gwen is the founder of the Inspired Narrative - a website focussed on positive news, inspiring stories and personal development - giving a voice and a platform for others to share their stories and inspire others. Gwen is also a support worker at the UK charity Mind in Bath. Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community. sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing. https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we talk to Abby Rowe about writing to help yourself. Abby is an author and multi-passionate creative focussing on all things mental health. Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community. sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing. https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we talk to Naomi White about telling your story. Naomi is a PR coach & consultant and helps product and service-based businesses to get noticed, be heard, and become known, through the power of PR. Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community. sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing. https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we speak to Nikki Peterson. Nikki is a change, loss and grief coach who helps people to find a way to live with their grief. Through Nikki’s tragic own experience, a lot of her grief-work focuses on baby loss.   Nikki tragically lost her first child at 6 days old. She talks about the grieving process and the importance of grief-focused counselling that helped her cope, feel more positive and eventually have another child.   We discuss the sad statistics of miscarriages and the likelihood of mental health issues after someone has suffered a miscarriage. We also cover the lack of empathy and support from health services and employers that many experience after miscarriages, as well as how important exercise and journaling is when dealing with grief.   Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.   Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this episode we talk to Andrew Embling about individual empowerment. Andrew is the Director of Wye Dean Wellbeing, a community interest company that provides wellbeing support to local communities in the west of the UK.  Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community. sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing. https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this week's episode we talk to Marco Ricci, the founder of the platform 'Talking Mental Health' - which aims to make talking about mental health part of everyday conversations. Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community. sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing. https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this week's episode we talk to Rachel Strivelli about breastfeeding & mental health. Rachel is a writer and an intuitive coach helping people to address feelings of guilt, imposter syndrome and inner-criticism. 2:31 Growing up with low-level anxiety and depression 5:10 Dealing with suicide of a friend 6:02 Getting help from a counselor to deal with panic attacks in college and at Rachel's first job 8:13 Identifying as a highly sensitive person 9:03 Taking in too many stimulants (coffee, tobacco) increased Rachel's panic attacks 12:24 Seasonal Affective Disorder and living in a rainy climate 14:18 Being willing to find a counselor who is a good fit - don't take it personally if the first counselor you have doesn't work for you 16:43 Receiving counseling is an investment in yourself and in your quality of life 18:48 Mental wellbeing as a new parent 21:46 Breastfeeding and Dysmorphic Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) 32:41 The relationship between lack of sleep and postpartum depression (PPD) 34:24 How I prioritize my mental health over other lifestyle choices 36:58 Supplements that I take that support mental wellbeing 38:22 Big picture encouragement & advice for new mom's around their wellbeing Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community. sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing. https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In this week's episode we talk to Cornelia Lucey about positive psychology. Cornelia is an author and an award-winning Leadership Consultant and Psychologist, delivering transformational positive psychology for large scale multinationals, SMEs and start-ups. Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.   Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

On this week’s episode of sidekick stories, we’re speaking to Estelle Keeber, founder of Immortal Monkey, a support platform for business owners from startup to level up.  From a young age, Estelle faced mental health struggles. Medication was prescribed, but as we know, medication is only part of the solution. Estelle found support in physical exercise, meditation and breathing exercises. These have helped her control her anxiety and feelings of overwhelm.  In 2000 following the collapse of her business, she found herself collapsing too. With the right tools to support her mental health and the right mindset, she was able to found Immortal Monkey.  A fantastic episode highlighting the importance of resilience and finding the right tools for your mental wellbeing.  Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.  Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

This week we’re welcoming Bethany Robinson to sidekick stories. Bethany is a teacher, mental health advocate, CrossFit athlete, vlogger and blogger, and was a recruit on season 5 of the TV show, SAS: Who Dares Wins. And, in our opinion, she’s an all round role model! In today’s episode, we talk about her mental health journey, which revolves around bipolar disorder, depression and an abusive relationship. Bethany is a strong advocate for body positivity, and loving your body. This stems from her personal struggles with eating disorders and body dysmorphia. She has an inspirational story of losing 40kgs in just one year and changing her life, from being morbidly obese to an inspirational CrossFit athlete.  Diet, exercise, relationships and sleep are the key ingredients in supporting Bethany’s positive mental health. She’s here to share her learnings and insight. Don’t miss it!  Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.  Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.  sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.  https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

This week we’re speaking to none other than Danielle North. Danielle is the founder of Pause Global, a retreat and coaching company that inspires people to slow down and pause. In addition, she has written four books on mindfulness and meditation - helping her readers to prioritise mindfulness, calm and positive energy. Danielle grew up in an environment with mental ill health surrounding her; in the form of eating disorders, violence and psychological abuse. Like many others, she realised that only she could take control of her feelings, and started her spiritual journey. This took her across the world - travelling, working, finding herself and developing herself.  As always, we discuss what’s in her mental health toolkit - psychotherapy, meditation, nature, exercise and a healthy dose of courage.  To find out more about Danielle’s retreats or to purchase her books, visit www.pauseglobal.com Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.  Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

In episode 42 of sidekick stories we are talking to Ella Greenwood. Ella is a filmmaker, a mental health activist and an ambassador for stem4, a teen mental health charity.    We welcome Ella on to our show and discuss her life. During her teen years, something changed and a shift happened in her mental health. Like many of us, she faced long waiting times for professional support. This formed her new way of thinking - the only one who can support her, is herself.    Now a filmmaker, Ella takes the lessons learnt from work, proactiveness, into her mental health. Taking a proactive stance on your mental health, thoughts and feelings helps to identify triggers, aids understanding and ultimately will help lay the foundation of a better mental health.   Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community. sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing. https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

Trigger warning: Please note this episode contains content about suicide.  Teachers are instrumental in our society. Not only do they educate our children, they help to shape dreams and build confidence. However, it’s no secret that teaching is quite possibly one of the hardest jobs out there.  This week we’re speaking to Ellie Frith. Ellie is a teacher and the founder and host of the Chewy Head podcast, a mental health psychology podcast based on her own mental health journey.  Ellie found herself hospitalised after a breakdown caused by the results her pupils received. This breakdown had a severe impact on her self-worth and ultimately caused suicidal feelings.  In this truly honest and eye-opening conversation, we focus on the importance of self-worth, taking care of yourself and how to achieve a more fulfilling life.  Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.  Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.  sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.  https://sidekick.org.uk/  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message

Suicide&Co, a charity that supports those bereaved by suicide, was set up by Amelia and Emma after they both suffered loss at the hands of suicide. And this week we’re joined by both to hear more about their story. We learn more about the importance of talking, and sharing experiences. Amelia and Emma both experience catastrophic thinking as a result of their bereavement and share their tools with us. Breathing exercises, aromatherapy and journaling are their chosen coping mechanisms. Suicide and suicide prevention are such crucial, yet difficult and dark topics, however the energy and colour Suicide&Co bring to the table really does make it an accessible and safe topic. Listen and subscribe to the sidekick stories podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.  Download our free app, connect with us on Instagram and join the community.   sidekick. boost your mental wellbeing.   https://sidekick.org.uk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sidekickstories/message