Frances Atkins, legendary chef on resilience building at any age, never looking back and trusting your instincts

My guest is the fabulous second curver Sarah Armstrong, a trailblazing businesswoman and author of the book "The Mom's Guide to a Good Divorce: What to Think Through When There Are Children Involved".    Like many couples, Sarah and her husband faced challenges that led to her considering divorce. They both knew it was not an easy decision, but they were determined to make the best out of the situation, especially for Grace. Sarah witnessed ugly divorces among friends and knew she needed to approach her own situation differently. As a result, she focused on making Grace the priority throughout the process.    We discussed her book, "The Mom's Guide to a Good Divorce: What to Think Through When There Are Children Involved," and how it became a powerful tool for many people going through similar situations. The book provides practical guidance and emotional support for parents and Sarah stressed the importance of compartmentalizing emotions during this challenging time. She recounts how her daughter Grace's innocent and wise remark about a "good divorce" became the catalyst for writing the book.   Sarah is on a mission to change society's perception of divorce and to promote the concept of a divorce should not define one's life negatively and that everyone deserves happiness and fulfillment, regardless of marital status and with the right support can find a way to move forward.    Guest contact info: Facebook | Website We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]

Sahar Hashemi is just the greatest!   You will want to hear every piece of wisdom from ultimate second curver Sahar Hashemi OBE. A hugely  inspiring serial entrepreneur, author and speaker, she is known for her remarkable journey and contributions to the world of business and entrepreneurship. In her best-selling book, Anyone Can Do It, she advocates that anyone who really wants to be an entrepreneur can be one. We discuss the power of small steps and micro shifts in moving forward and how second curvers can apply her motto of leap and the net will appear. It is all about making the first step and not worrying about having all the answers.    Sahar shares her personal experience of following the beaten path, after a degree in law she joined a law firm but quickly realised it wasn't for her. She vividly describes her transformative moments and shares stories of her multiple businesses (Coffee Republic, founded with her brother and Skinny Candy) and Buy Women Built, the fast growing consumer movement she launched, shining a light on amazing brands built by women.     "The true high, the real joy, doesn't come from the end result or the fruits of your actions. It comes from being fully engaged in what you're doing, being busy and being in the flow every day."    Sahar's story serves as a testament to the incredible results that can arise when we have the courage to step into the unknown and create a life that truly resonates with who we are. Sahar is the author of the entrepreneurship best seller “Anyone Can Do It: Building Coffee Republic from Our Kitchen Table - 57 Real Life Laws on Entrepreneurship”   Guest links: Instagram | Website   We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]  

You will love my guest, Frances Atkins, mega chef and Second Curver.  She shares her incredible journey to becoming to a renowned British chef.  We discuss her early passion for cooking and her determination to follow her culinary calling despite societal expectations. From starting as a dishwasher in a male-dominated kitchen at the Box Tree restaurant to honing her skills in renowned establishments across Europe, Scotland Frances shares her relentless pursuit of culinary excellence and the key life learnings she adopted on the way. She puts passion at the centre of it all, "passion is the driving force behind any successful career. If you truly love what you do, it will fuel your perseverance and dedication."    We also discuss some of the pivotal moments in Frances' life, including her temporary retirement after getting married and her subsequent realization that she couldn't stay away from the kitchen. Having gone through many second curves, Frances emphasizes the importance of trusting one's instincts, being brave in the face of challenges and never looking back.    Forge forward is her mantra!  Frances would love to welcome you to Paradise with FR&J at Daleside in Harrogate. Guest contact info: Instagram | Website   We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]  

My guest is the fabuIous Second Curver Bobbi Parker Hall, fitness entrepreneur and wellness coach who shares her inspiring journey and how she motivates individuals of all ages to become the best version of themselves. Bobbi shares some of her second curving secrets which I hope will also motivate you.    We cover all bases on challenging times from the menopause to major upheavals in her marriage. Despite the obstacles, Bobbi discovered strength through fitness and exercise, which became her guiding light. Bobbi’s story is a reminder to me and hopefully to you of the power of perseverance, the importance of pushing past self-doubt and crucially, learning how to invest in ourselves so we can shine.     We touched upon the stigma surrounding ageing particularly for women and the need for society to embrace the fact that women can be beautiful and vibrant at any age. Age 50 is the new 30. Bobbi also talks about her latest second curve, as she goes through a new moment of growth and transformation which is so life-enhancing to hear about. “Patience is the name of the game when you are transforming.”    Bobbi’s story will inspire you to take risks, embrace change and second curve. Her unwavering determination serves as a powerful reminder that it's never too late to embark on a new chapter and make positive changes and that the most important thing is to believe that you can do it. "It's just stepping into that empowerment and then all of a sudden, things just open up for you."   Guest contact info: Instagram | Facebook We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]  

I had the best time talking to Eliot Brooks, an amazing human being and serial entrepreneur. Eliot and I met a long time ago when he joined our programme at Centre for Entrepreneurs.  Eliot began his career in finance and technology before co-founding Thriva, looking for a solution to his own health problem. Today Thriva is a prominent UK home diagnostics company. Over 7 years as COO, Eliot helped scale the company to over 100 employees, with a turnover exceeding £150m. In 2021, he gained recognition on Forbes 30 Under 30 for Thriva's role in COVID-19 antibody testing. In late 2022, Eliot turned his attention to the climate emergency. He co-founded Cocoon, to focus on decarbonizing sectors like Steel and Cement, responsible for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Eliot is a true second curver, having successfully grown his first venture, he could no longer ignore his inner guide, sending him in a new direction to address a major challenge which he was passionate about. Again, he was brave and took the jump and he tells us how he did it here.    Eliot speaks compellingly and openly about risk-taking, resilience, learning from failure and aligning his passion with his work. He shares his views on how being an entrepreneur is more about working smartly and trusting your instinct, using the synthesis of learnings and experiences to lead you to the right decisions.   To those wrestling with their current status quo, Eliot's advice is to embrace change. To figure out if a passion can be transformed into a venture, he suggests beginning by documenting and turning that into an outlet, a mode of self-exploration to guide that leap towards fulfilling entrepreneurship or a new path.   You will love Eliot’s story. It is a brilliant example again of how career progress isn't exclusively about a straight-line trajectory, but about leveraging life’s cumulative experiences into something you are passionate about.   Guest contact info: LinkedIn | Website   We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]  

I am so excited for you to hear in direct from my incredible and inspiring guest, major Second Curver Tracy Woodward, a trailblazer of the beauty and wellness industry. Get ready for some practical learning on self-talk, the importance of telling yourself you can and why self-care is truly healthcare.    Tracey is a highly respected titan in the world of wellbeing. She is an industry thought leader, sits on multiple boards and is an active investor in the space. She is also Co-creator for Kalmar.  Tracy's journey from working on a beauty counter to becoming a renowned wellness expert is a testament to her resilience and determination. Starting out, Tracy's curiosity and deep connection with customers and their well-being set her apart. Personal hardships led to a fundamental shift in Tracy's perspective, and she took action by prioritising her health and making significant lifestyle changes. Her journey improved her physical health and wellbeing and radically strengthened her confidence and self-esteem. Tracy and I discussed beauty, wellness and personal growth. She shares her insight and wisdom on finding real purpose in life and emphasises the vital need for focus, ‘a lack of focus means that you'll have a lack of determination, you'll have a lack of tenacity and you'll have a lack of energy for life.’  Put your seatbelt on and take notes!! Use code SC35 for 35% off products at https://kalmarlifestyle.com/ Guest contact info: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]

I absolutely love Sian Sutherland!   In this episode I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with serial Second Curver, the incredible Sian Sutherland, co-mastermind behind A Plastic Planet and PlasticFree. You are going to get some vital types for embracing what you don’t know and how this can be your new superpower.    Sian has been second curving since her early twenties, guided by her instinct, her passions and applying ‘radical naivety’ and the spirit of why not to all her ventures. She has jumped in fearlessly since her first venture launching a restaurant, which won a Michelin-star restaurant within a year, without any prior experience and subsequently creating Mio, a globally successful skincare brand despite having no industry background. Her unyielding belief that not knowing something can be a superpower was simply awe-inspiring. "I think that radical naivety of not treading the traditional path and embracing the fact that you don't know things is really, really empowering."    We also touched upon the topic of retirement. She says “I don't want to retire, and there is something about having to earn that gives you that bit of grit.” She embraces the need to continuously earn and stay driven, always open to the next second curve. She also talks about the vital importance of grit. Unlike those who can afford to take risks without consequences, Sian sees every endeavour as a make-or-break situation.    Sian is a second curving powerhouse now on her next curve with an  unwavering commitment to making a positive impact with A Plastic Planet. She sees businesses as powerful agents of change in creating a sustainable future. Her belief in the potential of collaboration and her rallying cry for all of us to step up and protect our planet left me feeling inspired and motivated and I am sure it will too for you. Guest contact info: Instagram | Plastic Planet | PlasticFree   We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]  

I am so delighted to welcome Second Curver Jill Robinson and share her inspiring journey to end the bear bile industry in Asia. Her life changed in 1993 after a harrowing visit to a South China bear bile farm. Jill took a stand and launched Animals Asia, an organization committed to raising global awareness about bear bile farming and to ending it for good.   We delve into the challenges Jill faced, navigating cultural and financial obstacles while striving for meaningful change. She emphasizes the importance of trust and collaboration and to not giving up, attributing the success of Animals Asia to these principles. Despite facing eviction campaigns and endangerment, Jill's commitment to respectful engagement has propelled Animals Asia from a five-member foundation to a 400-strong staff running sanctuaries, with plans for a third on the horizon.   Jill shares heartwarming stories of the bears they have rescued. Looking forward, she envisions continued growth and impact, with plans to repurpose sanctuaries once bear farming is eradicated. Her story is a powerful testament to perseverance, being open to second curving despite obstacles and converting a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a global symbol of hope and transformation. Guest contact info: Twitter | Instagram  Latest petition to end dog meat trade in Vietnam   We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]  

Tom’s entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of inspiring. His transformation from a biology student to a thriving entrepreneur who co-founded PENGARNA has been a tale of determination and sheer hard work. Yet, what strikes me most about our conversation is his decision to step back and take a much-needed break from the business.   Tom shares his reflections on the evolution of his work life. He talks about the intense effort that went into the launch and growth of PENGARNA, as well as the incredible learning period in the agency's early years. My conversation with Tom serves as a reminder that life isn't a straight line and that sometimes, taking a step back, recognising the special seeds of talent and brilliance within us can lead to leaps forward and getting on to the next second curve. His unique perspective on work, identity and personal growth left me, and hopefully, you with plenty to contemplate.    In all our busy lives, we can learn from Tom to press pause occasionally, reassess our direction, and most importantly, not shy away from stepping off the beaten path. Remember, it's the detours that often lead to the most exciting discoveries and the next second curve.   I look forward to catching up with Tom in a few months and seeing where his next second curve takes him. You must join us to hear all!    We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]  

I love Lyn Slater. That is it!    She is the ultimate second curver. An academic, an author, a model, a stylist and Accidental Icon, Lyn has appeared on the cover of world-renowned magazines and modelled for some of the biggest names in fashion and luxury including Valentino, Dior and Uniglo.    Lyn speaks about her journey from being an academic to becoming a global fashion icon. She emphasises the importance of embracing unconventional ways to express yourself, being open to new experiences and learning, and the ability to adapt and evolve, second curving from one role to another. Discussing her fashion journey, she explains how she started her blog as a creative outlet and to connect with women of all ages. She actively encourages everyone to start somewhere and emphasises the importance of experimentation.   Lyn talks about the importance of authenticity in her work and how it has helped her connect with her followers. She shares how she has recently become more open and vulnerable, writing more intimately about her experiences and feelings.   She discusses her perspective on ageing and the stereotypes associated with it in society and stresses the importance of challenging these stereotypes and embracing creativity and opportunities that come with at any age, always being open to getting on to the next curve. She comments, “I have great respect for young people… and I think that normally when we talk about ageism, we think it's about older people, but it's also directed towards younger people 100%.”    Lyn shares her belief that everyone has creative skills in their everyday lives that they may not fully realise or utilise. She encourages listeners to embrace these skills and to see every experience as a creative challenge and opportunities to keep second curving. “The secret is I respond to everything that happens to me in my life as a creative challenge, as an opportunity to be creative in coming up with a response or a solution that is outside of the box.” Lyn is the author of an amazing book “How to Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon” that is going to be available from 12th March. You can preorder the book here: https://sites.prh.com/howtobeold?ref=PRHFF0250EC3180&aid=28914&linkid=PRHFF0250EC3180 Guest contact info: Instagram | Website   We would love to hear from you. Do send me a dm on Instagram (@secondcurvers) or email us at [email protected]