Escaping a Cult: A Mother's Journey to Freedom

In this episode, Toni interviews Shari Teigman. Shari, a performance mentor and creative strategist, shares her journey of self-discovery and transformation. Their discussion delves into topics such as embracing authenticity, navigating change, and finding balance in a busy life. Shari's candid and insightful reflections provide valuable insights into the importance of self-reflection, creativity, and self-care.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Shari emphasizes the importance of embracing change and letting go of the past to make space for new opportunities and growth. Taking time for self-reflection and self-care is crucial, especially in busy and demanding roles, to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy balance. Shari highlights the power of creativity and exploring new possibilities to drive personal and professional growth, even in challenging times. Being true to oneself and embracing all emotions, both positive and negative, allows for a deeper connection with oneself and others. Recognizing personal rhythms and cycles, such as preferred seasons or work patterns, can help in optimizing productivity and well-being. BEST MOMENTS "I help people unleash their inner maverick, both in their life and their business. So lots of people call me a pocket rocket." "I break all of the rules. and I like to get people where they deserve to be." "I will only be all of me. And lots of people don't like it and lots of people love it." "I fought with myself to get here, to own this." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Toni interviews Joe O'Connor, a resilient individual who has faced and overcome multiple challenges in his life. Joe shares his inspiring story, starting from a severe accident at the age of 14 where he was pronounced clinically dead three times, to his successful career in the military, financial advising, and even bomb disposal. The episode delves into Joe's mindset, drive, and determination to overcome obstacles, including a life-threatening incident during his time in the Bomb Disposal Unit. Despite facing dark times and challenges, Joe's story highlights the importance of resilience, regrouping, and seeking financial protection through group income protection schemes.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Joe O'Connor faced multiple challenges in his life, including near-death experiences and career setbacks, but he always found a way to overcome them. Joe's story highlights the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement, as he constantly sought new opportunities for growth and development. Despite facing dark times and tough situations, Joe demonstrated resilience by regrouping, adapting, and finding ways to move forward. Joe emphasized the importance of financial planning and having appropriate insurance coverage to mitigate risks and uncertainties in life. Joe's experience underscores the value of seeking support from others, whether it be from family, friends, or financial advisors, during challenging times. BEST MOMENTS "I just want to get my message out to the world, which is why I'm really happy to be on your show." "I found that most of the successful people that were in an overnight success, it's taken 10 or 20 years to get there." "If it doesn't kill you, it'll make you stronger." "I screamed a lot more times as well, like a baby. I cried my eyes out. I didn't know where the next pound was coming from." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Toni takes a look at the theme of overcoming challenges and resilience. Reflecting on the common thread of resilience found in all of her interviews, Toni considers the importance of having a strong support network, asking for help when needed, and sharing both challenges and successes with others. She also emphasizes the significance of checking in on others and being open about struggles.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Overcoming challenges and facing adversity requires resilience, which is a common theme among all the podcast guests. Having a reliable network of people around you is crucial for getting through tough times. Asking for help, even before things get dire, can prevent further challenges and make it easier to navigate difficult situations. It's important to share your challenges with others, not just the successes, to create a supportive community. Once you've overcome challenges, share your experiences to help and support others who may be going through similar situations. BEST MOMENTS "Shit always happens, doesn't it? And it's about how we handle it." "Resilience isn't always just dealing with it when the shit hits the fan or dealing with it on your own." "No one is a success on their own." "If you have a solution to a problem, you've made it through a challenging time, you've got a simpler, faster, easier, better way of doing something or a solution." "It's very easy when people are placed on a pedestal or they have a certain level of success to think they don't have these challenges too." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In today's episode, Toni sits down with Ash Dykes, an extreme athlete and adventurer known for his world record-breaking expeditions. Ash discusses his journey from cycling across Cambodia and Vietnam at age 19 to embarking on a solo and unsupported trek across Mongolia. He shares insights into his motivations, fears, and preparations for the challenging expedition, highlighting the physical and mental obstacles he faced along the way. Ash's determination and resilience shine through as he recounts the highs and lows of his remarkable adventure, showcasing his unwavering commitment to pushing his limits and exploring the unknown. KEY TAKEAWAYS Despite facing overwhelming challenges and dangers, Ash Dykes' naivety and curiosity drove him to push his limits and embark on an extreme adventure in Mongolia. Ash Dykes recorded a voice memo to himself, providing a stern talking to and motivation for future moments of doubt or difficulty during the expedition. He completed the expedition in 78 days, surpassing the anticipated 100-day timeline, showcasing his determination and ability to achieve beyond set goals. From facing dehydration to navigating harsh terrains, Ash Dykes encountered numerous risks and challenges during the expedition, highlighting the physical and mental resilience required for such extreme adventures. BEST MOMENTS "I think one of my biggest fears was I just didn't know myself fully. I didn't know to what point would I quit? I did not know how I would react to a pack of wolves following me or to a sandstorm or to a well being dry." "I remember feeling positive, you know, warm, sheltered, belly full of food, cup of tea in hand, thinking about all the worst cases that can happen out in Mongolia from the wolves, the blizzards, you name it." "I remember being on the plane. I remember being in the capital, flying from the capital to the most Western city, which is only like, three quarters, maybe of the land. And it was like a three hour plane ride." "It took 78 days. It was anticipated to take 100 days, so I knocked 22 days off the predicted time." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Toni interviews Jackie Tomes on the topic of being a perfectionist, whilst finding joy and freedom in life. Jackie shares her experiences of launching a book, travelling the world, and evolving her mindset towards enjoying the journey. They delve into the importance of meditation, self-awareness, and letting go of the need for perfection. Jackie reflects on the challenges she faced, the shifts in her perspective, and the process of writing her book. KEY TAKEAWAYS Jackie shares her journey of shifting from a perfectionist mindset to one of surrender and allowing things to unfold, leading to personal growth and transformation. She emphasizes the importance of mindset over skillset, highlighting the shift towards prioritizing mindset as a key factor in her success and happiness. Acknowledging the role of awareness in personal development, Jackie discusses the significance of being aware of one's thoughts and emotions to navigate challenges effectively. She credits meditation as a transformative practice that has helped her gain clarity, process emotions, and find joy in the journey. Jackie's journey from meticulous planning to embracing surrender and allowing things to unfold showcases the importance of finding a balance between structure and flexibility in life and business. BEST MOMENTS "I think if you're enjoying it, you're destined for five-star luxury anyway, because if you're enjoying it, you're going to keep wanting to do it and you'll be drawn through it." "You've only failed if you've tried forever and never achieved, but your dreams for yourself were so big and your aspirations were so big that actually, there was never going to be a success in your head." "We think the world is happening to us, things are happening to us, and we're fighting the world." "We will have a vision. We will know what we're going to do. I've just always planned everything. And this book, along with everything else that happened over the last few years, just made me go, 'oh my God, maybe I need to shift my perspective'." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In today's episode, Paul Mort opens up about his journey from rock bottom to success. He candidly discusses the series of events that led him to a breaking point in 2014, including struggles with mental health and feelings of worthlessness. Paul reflects on pivotal moments, such as interactions with his mentor Donna and a heart-wrenching conversation with his wife Lesley, that sparked a realisation of the impact his actions had on his family. He shares how these experiences shaped his perspective on life and the importance of being authentic and vulnerable.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Paul Mort emphasizes that resilience is built through a series of little things rather than one big moment. It's the accumulation of small actions and realizations that lead to significant change. His openness and authenticity in sharing his struggles and experiences have a profound impact on others. He believes in making a real connection with people by being genuine and relatable. Paul sees himself as a demonstration to his children about what's possible. By being open about his struggles and growth, he aims to show his kids the importance of authenticity and resilience. Paul acknowledges the guilt he felt for burdening others with his struggles. However, he recognizes that his journey has led to positive outcomes and growth for himself and his family. Leslie's proactive support and intervention, such as following Paul when he was in a vulnerable state, played a crucial role in helping him navigate his challenges and seek help. BEST MOMENTS "If anyone tells you you can't or you shouldn't, that really fuels me." "I'm a demonstration. That's my ultimate thing. Like, I'm a demonstration to my kids about what's possible. Don't just tell them, show them." "Depression didn't give a fuck. Bipolar didn't give a fuck about it. My problems are worse than your problems. It actually made it worse because I had more money to spend on coke. Do you know what I mean? It made the whole thing worse." "I wasn't being fully me on the outside. I remember a conversation I had with Mark actually was like, 'Paul I know all these different versions of you, which one is it?' I'm like, all of them. I'm fucking all of them." "Everyone in life is either a drain and they suck the life out, fun out of everything, or when you see them, they just light you up." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Toni sits down with Jan Muhlfeit, a global strategist and former executive at Microsoft. Jan shares insights on public speaking, leadership, and unlocking human potential. He emphasises the importance of authenticity, storytelling, and connecting with the audience to deliver impactful presentations. Jan recounts memorable presentations, including a humorous and spontaneous performance with his colleague, David, that captivated a large audience. He also reflects on overcoming challenges, such as dealing with distractions during presentations. Jan's experiences and advice provide valuable lessons for aspiring speakers and leaders. KEY TAKEAWAYS Jan emphasizes the importance of being authentic and self-aware in presentations to connect with the audience effectively. He highlights the power of storytelling in presentations, noting that stories are more memorable and engaging than facts alone. Jan discusses the impact of body language, storytelling, and audience interaction on brain chemistry, such as the release of dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin. He stresses the need to adapt to the audience's preferences and engage them through various techniques, such as humor, spontaneity, and audience interaction. Jan shares strategies for overcoming fear, such as focusing on the love for the subject matter and avoiding negative bias by redirecting attention away from negative stimuli. BEST MOMENTS "Leadership is not about what you have on your business card. It's about how many people are going to follow you, even if there are very tough times." “Rational people are usually right, but only crazy people will change the world." "If you concentrate on what you like, you beat your fear through your love for that activity." "You don't tell, don't say it: show it. You could say something, no connection, but you show it and you know that influence to make people crazy." "Facts will tell an idea, but the stories will sell it." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

Today's episode features an emotional and eye-opening conversation with Anne Hamilton, who shares her journey of growing up in a cult and eventually breaking free from it. Anne recounts her experiences of fear, control, and unhappiness within the cult, highlighting the strict rules and restrictions imposed on its members. She discusses the pivotal moment in 2013 when she made the courageous decision to leave the cult, despite the challenges and fears she faced. Anne's story is a powerful testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the strength to break free from oppressive environments.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Anne faced immense fear and control within the cult she was born into, leading to a sense of isolation and restriction in their life. Her decision to leave the cult was a life or death situation, driven by a deep internal struggle and a need for self-preservation. Despite the challenges faced, Anne took steps towards independence by making small changes in her appearance and seeking mental health support. The process of leaving the cult involved complex family dynamics and custody battles, highlighting the emotional toll of breaking away from such a controlling environment. BEST MOMENTS "I thought I'd have to be kidnapped. I spent a week thinking of who could kidnap me. And I even, you know, I even wrote letters to my kids, almost like suicide letters." "I knew I could never go back. I thought I'd have to be kidnapped." "I was constantly up til' the last minute bargaining with God. You know, I was saying, OK, if what I'm doing is wrong, show me."  HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In today's episode, Toni flips the script and shares the time she was interviewed by Anthony Ogogo on his podcast, Getting Back Up. Toni discusses her journey from being a girl from a council estate in Liverpool, to becoming a successful property investor and public speaker. She considers her drive for success, the importance of helping others, and her experiences of overcoming setbacks, including the loss of her mother at a young age.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Toni shares a personal story of losing her mother at a young age and how she faced this setback with strength and determination. Her motivation is fueled by a desire to prove others wrong and achieve success, even in the face of doubt and adversity. Toni's leadership style is characterized by empathy and respect for others, making people feel valued and motivated to succeed. She emphasizes the importance of constantly learning and growing, both personally and professionally, to achieve success and make a positive impact. Toni highlights the significance of believing in oneself and others, as well as the impact of support and encouragement in overcoming challenges and achieving goals. BEST MOMENTS "I am mum, wife, property investor, public speaker. That's me in a nutshell. Legend. And raising future legends." "Success changes day to day. Success is, you know, getting over hurdles. Success is achieving the small things to get to the big things." "I think I've achieved a lot in life, I'm very happy with what I've achieved. I've got some really, you know, proud moments, but there's always something more that you can do." "Without a shadow of a doubt, the first one that comes to mind was when my mum died when I was 21. It floored me. It was unexpected." "You make learning really fun. You and Robert did an amazing job and like you guys have the best time." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Toni sits down with a multifaceted individual known for his roles as an author, podcaster, actor, and cancer survivor: Billy Moore. Today, Billy shares his personal journey, including his struggles with addiction, time spent in prison, and his experiences in Thailand where he worked as a stunt stand-in for Sylvester Stallone. He also discusses his crushing cancer diagnosis and the challenges he faced during his recovery process.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Billy Moore's ability to adapt to challenging situations, whether in prison or on a film set, showcases his resilience and resourcefulness. Despite facing extreme circumstances in Thai prisons, such as witnessing violence and living in overcrowded cells, Billy maintained a sense of humour and found ways to cope. Billy's journey from addiction to recovery, including periods of relapse, highlights the ongoing struggle and complexity of addiction recovery. Billy's involvement in the film industry, including working with Sylvester Stallone, showcases his diverse experiences and ability to seize unexpected opportunities. BEST MOMENTS "Klong Prem had 20,000 inmates because they had different prisons within the complex itself." "I had this Indian guy, he was in for murder. And he hadn't even done it and I believed him to be fair." "I'm watching everyone and just observing what's going. Everyone's washing themselves down, the whistle goes again, you dry yourself off, the whistle goes again, you sit down ... Everything goes on this whistle." "I've seen so many people who have got low self-esteem shout at the rooftops about what they've got, what they're driving, what they're wearing, what all these are going on. It's all a show for Facebook and social media, the smiles." HOST BIO Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment. With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses. Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.