S4 E4 Wellbeing with Manny in conversation with Alex Smith

TW: In this episode we mention (not in huge detail) anxiety, depression, dementia, cancer, in particular breast cancer – please listen carefully and when you feel you canLast summer I had the pleasure of being invited to the beautiful Palm House in Sefton Park in Liverpool for a very special all day Wellbeing Event. At this event I was given permission to do a roaming podcast – some of that you will hear later in the series, but I didn’t know I would come across this queen!Amanda from Zoti Project, Zone Out Tune In, had a beautiful set up outside with her sound bath, various instruments, mats, head rests, eye pillows – I think my daughter stayed there pretty much all day!! Amanda was generous enough to say that I could record her sessions whilst people were attending. Amanda is a meditation, breathwork and sound healing practitioner and talks much about the mind body connection. In the first section of the recording, she also takes us through the emotional freedom technique commonly referred to as tapping. This can be a way of identifying where anxiety is felt in the body and then we can use tapping to see, process and transform that energy. It can help to calm the nervous system by tapping on meridian points whilst repeating affirmations. The second section focuses on how vibrations and in particular sound healing can be a powerful therapy tool. Sound healing has long been used as a therapeutic relaxation method. She talks about how there is more and more scientific and medical investigation into vibrations and sound waves with regard to chronic illnesses. She also talks about the benefits of sound healing when dealing with grief or trauma that we may hold in the body and how it can gently and lovingly awaken our mind, soul and spirit. It is fascinating work and I thought it might be a thought-provoking episode to introduce you to some different practices should you wish to investigate further. I really hope you enjoy it and get something from it, I know I did!A huge thank you to Amanda for being so open and allowing me to sit by her with my mic and record her freely whilst engaging with her practice. You can contact Amanda at Zoti project via her email [email protected] or on Instagram @zotiproject  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mairi Barclay is a musical theatre performer who spreads joy and sunshine everywhere she goes. Some people in life are your radiators and she is HOT!! I ADORE this gal! Known as the queen of self-care, this girl knows exactly how to reframe her world into the balance that we’re all looking for. Mairi shares with us the reasons as to why resilience is key and how she has managed to navigate the choppy waters of acting so well, generously sharing her anxieties and learnings on the way. Mairi’s journey into being a performer began at a very young age and by 10 years old Mairi knew this was her path. Growing up in Fife in a loving and supportive family, Mairi was just 13 when she moved to Glasgow to train in musical theatre alongside her classic education. The resilience she learned in these formative years would ground her and empower her for the tough years ahead. At just 16 years old she auditioned for a place at a prestigious drama school. Having been told she was too young for her dream school of Arts Ed, she embarked on her journey at Italia Conti. Knowing only a few months in that this was not the school for her Mairi bravely left Italia Conti and re-auditioned the year after for Arts Ed where she eventually got a place. Despite there being little funding available Mairi worked a part time job and somehow, with the grit and determination she had been nurturing since the age of 10, managed to pay for her training. Mairi shares with us the ups and downs of the industry, the incredible jobs she done and the times when she had month/years out of work. She talks about the toll this had on her mental health and the importance of her weekly therapy sessions with the industry minds councillor and ex-podcast guest, our beloved Mary Burch. Mairi generously shares her thoughts and experiences with body positivity in the industry and how her incredible role in Lizzie at our most favourite theatre, the Hope Mill Theatre was “the job never knew she needed”. We both make a huge shout out to Will and Joe at the HMT who are leading the way in creating kind, non-judgemental, inclusive rehearsal rooms in order for actors to feel safe and thrive.Mairi Barclay we absolutely love you. I feel happy and joyful when I’m with you. You are the light in the room. Instagram, Facebook and X@mairibarclay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Smith is a classic multihyphenate! She’s an ex musical theatre performer, a personal trainer and life coach and most importantly is an endometriosis advocate. At the age of 11 years old Alex started her periods. From this moment on, everything changed for Alex. She spent huge chucks of the month with a whole host of severe side effects including crippling pain and even fainting. For years it felt as if Alex was screaming into the wind. All she was asking for was someone to listen. The general attitudes of everyone including medical professionals (obviously not all but Alex is telling her story as it was for her) was that she was a ‘drama queen’. Her situation was so severe that she had to leave musical theatre college as she was bleeding so badly she was severely anaemic. Her upbringing although loving and caring with very supportive parents, was in part difficult due to it being a religious upbringing and therefore conversations about the body were much more tricky and not as free flowing. Fast forward a STAGGERING 19 years to 2020 and then, only then did Alex have someone listen to her and get a diagnosis of Endometriosis, and we might add, one of the worst cases the doctor who was treating her had ever seen.Alex generous shares with us exactly what endometriosis is and the further education needed in this field to ensure other woman are listened to. Alex is now a life coach across many areas but specialising in Women’s Health and is a true ‘Endo Warrior.’ She is building her ‘Flareless’ brand where her coaching helps women manage their symptoms with some of Alex’s own healing journey research. Alex has just had a successful retreat and will be organising more in the future. Alex really brings to the fore the issues around women’s health and investigation and this whole conversation is fascinating, with such an insight into what it is like to choose a purpose driven life of service and advocacy. We think you are small but fierce! We love you pocket rocket!Follow Alex on her socials:Insta @iamalexandraelizabeth_ or @flarelessfemaleFacebook Alexandra Elizabeth Smith and Reset and Rise Retreats Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oge is a wellbeing consultant and coach working predominantly with people in leadership. Oge calls herself a Grand Soul which I love! Her soul is grand, and I believe it means she is capable of infinite possibility – and after this conversation I know this to be true!Oge’s work concentrates on supporting people working in leadership in various organisations to cultivate a culture of wellbeing which in turn leads to success and knowing that a work life harmony (as opposed to balance, as Oge calls it) is 100% possible. There doesn’t always need to be sacrifices in our wellbeing in order to create success. Oge explains the different aspects of wellbeing and how it is not just one thing. When just one of these components are out of sorts your whole wellbeing system can feel out of alignment. Oge generously shares her thoughts on purpose – a subject she discusses in great length when working with her clients and how finding your purpose can really be the key. Oge talks about how in her experience a lot of people are not living in alignment with what they truly want. She examples the education system in this part of the conversation, and it is fascinating to hear. A top tip from Oge to dialling down and listening to what you really want is to get curious in order to find your purpose and to ask yourself questions. A place to start might be “what really pisses you off”! For this I would have many answers!! It is clear from this conversation that happiness and purpose truly is an inside job and listening to what you really want can shape some powerful and purposeful life choices. Thank you so much Oge – It’s always a pleasure to talk to you! You can find Oge on Linkedin – Oke Okosieme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: In this episode we discuss some tough topics including anxiety, depression, suicide, miscarriage, abusive relationships, cancer diagnosis and whilst all of these are nothing to be ashamed of or should carry a stigma, we know these can trigger feelings for so many. If this is you, please feel free to listen when you are up to it. Charlotte is an exceptional human being. Dedicated to living her life as an ‘adventurer’. So much so she is called The Executive Adventurer. Charlotte is a Coach, Consultant, Speaker, Adventurer and Mentor. Charlotte’s previous career was in no way connected to her current career yet a few years of soul searching, listening to what she really wanted, reading some excellent books and ultimately following her North Star, something Charlotte talks about in the episode, she arrived at this incredible place of service to others by tuning in to what she really wanted.Charlotte’s life, I think it is fair to say has been tough, traumatic and challenging. She generously opens up to how she has survived deep depression 3 times, an abusive relationship, a marriage breakdown, multiple miscarriages and as she turned 40, a cancer diagnosis. Charlotte so profoundly says “cancer is the least worst thing that has happened to me”. This really made me stop in my tracks. Her response is powerful.She opens up in such an incredibly enlightened way and her words are hopeful, positive and comforting despite the subject matter. She signposts to some incredible resources that she has on her website and ultimately “walks us home” with bravery, insight, and compassion.This is one mind blowing conversation and Charlotte you are truly a one off hero!May your sense of adventure live on!If you wish to contact Charlotte or download any of her free resources, below are Charlotte’s details including the TEDx talk she references.https://www.charlottefowles.com/Instagram: @executiveadventurer Charlotte’s TEDx Northwich talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUhkiCTBn38 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire Marie is a health coach and Femmway ™ trainer. Claire’s interest in empowering and lifting others has always been present in her life. This was certainly something I felt when I first had the pleasure of meeting Claire when I was training at Drama School in her previous incarnation as a dance teacher. Claire moved to Australia in the mid-2000s after meeting her Ozzie love. After having children, as some women do, Claire explains, life changed, and she wanted to re train in a career that would mean she was the best she could be as a mum and could give her children a great blue print by which to live. Despite all this deeper work and living a healthier, happier lifestyle, when Claire hit her 40s, she felt as if there was still something missing. After an introduction into how hormones may affect our mood, our bodies, our weight……. our everything, Claire fell down a most enlightened rabbit hole! After years of research and devising her own incredibly unique way of explaining the cycle that women go through each month, Claire now has her own business, focused on supporting and empowering women. Claire beautifully explains the language she uses for the 4 phases of our cycle and what might feel good to do at each of these points. She also explains how useful it is to include the whole family in knowing what and when your phases are. It is truly fascinating, and I learnt so much. Do not be fooled this conversation is not just for women. If you have any women in your life, mum, daughter, grandma, sister, friend, colleague, you need to tune in. I adored this conversation I know you will too. Thank you for your wisdom, Claire xReach out to Claire: Instagram: @femmwaylifeFacebook: FemmWayWeb: www.femmway.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well this is very exciting! Most people who know me well know that my dad is the greatest human that ever lived….according to me…..and everyone who meets him! I know that my quest for looking after people and treating people well all came from him. His core values align a lot with mine….apart from his RED CARD FOOTBALL incident, listen to the end to hear that particular indiscretion!!My dad shares with us his secret to happiness and how his mantra of “don’t cry for the moon” has seen him always be happy with his lot in life, providing me and my sister not with everything we wanted but everything we needed. I find the intergenerational similarities fascinating. I talk about my dad in such fond terms and he does for his dad, my Grandpa Julius, to whom he attributes all his best qualities. My dad talks of how his father guided him and advised him but never solved his problems, therefore instilling a sense of resilience and ownership. He talks about his father’s great skill of understanding people and that words were his greatest tool. My dad generously shares a period of darkness in his life, before children, that came following a short spell of intense stress and pressure and how that taught him some valuable lessons going forward. We also get very important permission from my mum (who by the way is also a legend….) to talk about her anxiety and different characteristics which have been tricky to navigate at times. With compassion my dad says that when we are dealing with things that mum doesn’t feel she can do, instead of being frustrated which he often gets, he tries to help and see it from her point of view and how she feels. “I am not the who says I am, I can…I’m this……I am happy as I am”Well, we think you’re THE guy! We love you, 100% as you are.Thanks so much for coming on the podcast dad, this podcast is loving dedicated to you and mum who are the best parents and Grandma Trudie and Grandpa Julius, no longer with us, who raised a mega mega human. Thank you for being here and sharing series 3 with me! You are the best community x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Lindsay is a 21 year old disability awareness and acceptance ambassador, equal rights for all activist and all round absolute legend. Jake is a very new and dear friend to me after Jake reached out to me on social media after seeing my slot on stage at the Lowry, where he is a volunteer, during the High Performance podcast live tour, July 2023.  Jake is one of life’s absolute rays of sunshine and someone with wisdom, heart and authenticity running through his veins. Jake’s advocacy is truly heart warming and how he raises awareness for his community is invaluable.Jakes shares with us his story of how Jake Lindsay Studios came to be and how it became a positive focus during lockdown.Jake generously opens up about the difficulties of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world and speaks to us directly about what we can do as allies to support and arm ourselves with knowledge. Jake shares with us how he has managed to build his confidence through some of the incredible drama groups available to him in both Warrington and at the Lowry and how that ultimately led to his volunteering at the theatre, something his 13 year old self could never have envisaged him doing! Jake has an incredible wealth of knowledge, he is well researched, has a wonderful support system in some of his friends and family, special mention to his incredible parents who I am sure are bursting with pride to have a son like Jake. If all 21 years olds were like Jake, the world would be A-OK!!! What a shining example of how no matter what life throws at you and how quote unquote ‘different’ you are to the quote unquote ‘norm’ (what the hell does that even mean?!) You are special, worthy and perfect and you can make such a difference if you lead with your heart, with service and with purpose. Thanks for teaching us Jake. Follow Jake on all these platforms:His website – www.thejakelindsayshow.co.ukFacebook – Jake Lindsay and Jake Lindsay StudiosX - @jakelindsay2001 and @Lindsay_showInstagram @jakelindsaypersonal and @jakelindsaystudiosofficial Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lowri Dowthwaite-Walsh is a perfect podcast guest, and you’ll very quickly figure out why! Lowri trained as an actor as one of only 4 girls in her year group at The Bristol Old Vic theatre school. The huge irony of Lowri’s story begins with the fact that she landed a dream job as a character in a soap opera for 2 years. Her character was studying psychology and philosophy and Lowri became so engrossed in her research that she fell head over heels in love with psychology - so much so, that she quit the acting business in 2005 and went back to university to study Psychology. Not content with that, she followed her degree with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and worked in the NHS for 7 years as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. A real-life full circle moment!Lowri has also been a lecturer in Counselling, Phycology and Wellbeing and is an expert in her field researching the topics around wellbeing and the science of happiness having published many papers. Lowri is now concentrating on building her own private practice.    Lowri generously opens up about her experiences as a professional actor – the ups and downs. She also talks about her fascination with what it means to be human and the challenges of going back into academia after living quite the creative life. Lowri shares her thoughts and experiences from her years as a practitioner around treating depression, anxiety and trauma and how happiness, as she so wonderfully puts it, Lowri says: “Instead of being obsessed with happiness we can be content with happier”!I think recognising that happiness is a practice that we need to build on is absolutely key. It is there for us all, but it isn’t necessarily as easy as just ‘let’s all be happy’. It’s a very interesting and uplifting conversation with someone who has made a significant and positive impact on my life!Thank you Lowri, you Welsh goddess!!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He’s back!! We are so honoured that Jonny Landels at Next Step Nutrition is sponsoring series 3 of Wellbeing with Manny in conversation with…..! Jonny joined us on the very first series episode 4 for those of you who may want to go back and listen! Jonny’s episode had such an amazing impact and the feedback from the Wellbeing with Manny community was overwhelming. For many wonderful folk who were stuck in a diet culture, body hating cycle, they really connected with Jonny’s words.Next Step Nutrition is an incredibly successful online coaching company focussing on personal training and intuitive eating counselling. Jonny has spent years working in this tough industry, trying to find ways to make it accessible for people to live healthily, without restricting and ultimately having compassion for themselves and their bodies. Jonny is also a professional music theatre performer and therefore understands both of these industries with real world experience, making him such an ideal guest for the pod!Jonny drops so many mind-blowing comments it’s hard to know where to start for the description - I mean you just need to listen!We talk all things body positivity, diet culture the absolute minefield that is the fitness industry – always coming from a place of no judgment and pure compassion.There is always so much scrutiny around the female body and that chat is ongoing, triggering and exhausting for all but in this chat, we also talk openly about the male body and how that has significant shifted over the years.Jonny also gives us an insight into exactly what is intuitive eating, including some resources we can look at if we are interested and of course we are…… we are hanging on your every word Jonny!Jonny you are a true friend and supporter of this pod and we are incredibly lucky to have you! Thanks for being part of our community!Get in touch with Jonny should you wish to chat more:Instagram and X (twitter) @jonnylandels    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.