S4 E7 Wellbeing with Manny in conversation with Jen Hilton at She's Winning podcast

TW: Dark, suicidal thoughts are discussed please listen when you feel you can. Welcome to this super bonus episode……you are not ready!! This is a special conversation. Miguel is a creative social entrepreneur and one of life’s absolute gems. He has created the most incredible community of dancers within the Liverpool City Region and has worked with some of the most famous artists in the world including Michael Jackson and Beyoncé.  Miguel’s ‘MD’ brand of dancers has been the only group to ever reach the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent a staggering 3 times! It is easy to look at Miguel’s really ‘shiny’ achievements and think this is what success looks like but with the highs comes some incredible lows. Miguel opens the conversation with some honest reflection of his journey through life so far, the good bad and the ugly! His entrepreneurial journey began over 20 years ago and due to his incredible work ethic and levels of empathy, Miguel found himself giving away more than his capacity could allow. His business was in some level of financial difficulty and the stress of everything Miguel was trying to keep afloat became all too much. Miguel hit absolute rock bottom. He was in an incredibly dark place, the darkest you could imagine. He used his crutch of food, seeing his weight spiral and the stress led to a painful and significant skin condition. He thought this might be the last time he would teach dance and began to walk away from all he had built and the dreams he envisioned. Slowly but surely, Miguel found his love for dance again and with his spirit of character and the resilience he had witnessed day in day out from his incredible mum, raising 4 children alone, he found the strength to ‘do the work’, heal from within, find his passion and drive and remember what he truly loved. Miguel generously shares with us how he felt a loss of identity growing up, as he explains about his sexuality and his race not ‘running side by side’. It was hard for him to align with what he saw in the mirror and who he was. There was little or no representation for him, no one that he saw paving the way, which is why I think Miguel is a true trailblazer, walking the path for others who will clearly now see themselves reflected back at them.  What a story of resilience and growth, inspiration and dreams.You are one exceptional human being Miguel. Here’s to all you go on to achieve in life and thank you for being YOU. I see YOU and you see ME. So grateful for you. Follow Miguel:www.migueldoforo.com@MiguelDoforoor on the socials @seeyouseemecic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heeeeeeee’s back! It’s only Wellbeing with Manny in conversation with…….. the first ever guest and huge friend of the pod – Matt Mills!!!! Yayyyyyy!Matt Mills had much joy and learned wisdom to share with us today. Matt has successfully completed the UK tour of Dreamgirls playing his ultimate role of Curtis. Whilst this was his absolute dream, he reminds us all of how grounded and present we must stay. This includes keeping learning and growing no matter what.Matt is about to originate the roles of Berry Gordy/Nick in the UK/West End premier of the much-anticipated MJ the musical. Getting the opportunity to create a role was another step on the ladder of Matt’s dreams and one he never thought he’d be lucky enough to achieve. To think that there was, not so long ago, a young Matt who had suffered a stroke and need to learn to walk again let alone gain the strength enough to play 8 shows a week! We’re in awe!Yet again Matt is generous, warm, open, honest, and encouraging. This conversation is a celebration of Matt’s determination, hard work, and general all-round awesomeness. We always feel as if we’d had a huge hug and spoonful of positivity when we’ve spoken to Matt……oh and of course there’s lots of laughter, because it’s us!! Thank you Matt, we are so proud of you and all you’ve achieved.Here’s to you – Matt Mills xInstagram @millzilla_X - @Millzilla_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: In this chat we discuss mental health in depth, including suicide. Please listen with care and when you feel you can.This episode is dedicated to Mike’s brother and one of my best friends Ben Aspinall and his whole family. We love team Aspinall. Mike Aspinall is a 41-year-old father of 2, ex- professional Rugby player, CEO and founder of a group of companies called the NPP group. He is a property developer and investor but to best describe him, using some of his own words, he strives for the best investment of his time in order to cultivate a good life. After an incredibly promising start to his professional Rugby career, signing for Saracens at just 15-years-old and being selected for England under 18s, Mike began to experience shoulder problems that saw him undergo many operations by the age of just 20. What was to follow were some profound awakenings of his own vulnerability within the sport as a player. Even when Mike switched career to a successful professional Rugby coach, he was advised at just aged 26 “to quit”. The exact words were “(In the future…) if you ever want to pick up your children, you need to stop”.Mike’s resilience and incredibly strong mindset allowed him to dial down and focus on what was next. Fast forward to today and Mike has built a multi-million-pound property business from the ground up. His determination and quest to align with his family values and priorities has ensured finical freedom and a wealth of time to invest back into his family. He shares some absolute gems with us and I know you will get so much from this part of the episode. Mike generously opens up to the deep trauma that was the death by suicide of his dear brother and one of my best friends Ben, aged just 17 years old. He talks about how that weighed upon him and how his growth mindset and quest to be ‘successful’ whatever that means, is perhaps in some way to remind his parents that they are great parents (and my goodness they are) and to make them proud.It’s an emotional one, it’s an insightful one, it’s a special one and Mike is one special friend. Thank you for your time, honesty and one of the best lines ever……“Don’t whinge about the rules of the game, just figure out how to win!”Love you millions!XFollow Mike on Instagram @mikeaspinallproperty or @northernpropertypartners  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: We mention mental health and touch upon male suicide - listen with careWell check us out doing a little cross pod! Jen Hilton is the host of her own incredible podcast She’s Winning, where she interviews some of her fellow high performing females in an array of different industries. It’s amazing and I’m a huge fan! This was Jen’s first cross pod so I feel very honoured indeed. Jen was a professional dancer for over 10 years working in musical theatre, landing several dream contracts including in the West End. At age 30 Jen found herself in a change of life circumstance, pregnant with twins and thinking about other career directions. A keen and highly skilled photographer Jen had always had a camera with her, so she diversified into actors’ headshots. Jen loved helping people look and feel great and felt incredibly useful and valued by the people she photographed and that is when she realised that this could be her new journey. Not only is Jen a photographer, but she also specialises in brand identity, brand strategy and has a thriving business, Woman the Collective, empowering ambitious women to be seen online and improve visibility. Jen also asks me a lot of questions too and you will hear me speak more than in a normal episode due to the nature of it being a cross pod…..sorry!!! We talk all things WOMEN, the pressures, confidence, body image, aging, fear of judgement and how and why I started my podcast. Jen shares her tips on where to start with growing a brand and I share tips on dialling down to what it is you want more of in life! I have loved this chat and Jen is soooooo easy to sit and shoot the breeze with! Her brand shoots are a thing of beauty - go check her out on her socials! Jen you’re a total force and we love what you are doing to empower, lift and support other women.We think you are totally winning……see what I did there?Thanks JenXWebsite: www.womanthecollective.co.uk Instagram: @woman_yourpersonalbrandFacebook: @Jennifer HiltonAndy’s Man Club: andysmanclub.co.ukFacebook: @andysmanclubInstagram: @andysmanclubuk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.