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/...
Feb 28, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 18
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...
Feb 21, 2022•57 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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/...
Feb 14, 2022•50 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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/
Nov 23, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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/
Nov 08, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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/
Nov 01, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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...
Oct 25, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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/
Oct 18, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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/
Oct 11, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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 likeli...
Oct 04, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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/
Sep 27, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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/
Sep 20, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 7
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, t...
Sep 13, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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/...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 5
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 b...
Aug 23, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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...
Aug 16, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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 ...
Aug 09, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 le...
Aug 02, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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...
Jun 28, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 42
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. Suicid...
Jun 21, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 41
This week we are talking to not one, but two incredible frontline workers, Dr Erica and Dr Linda. Dr Linda works as a NHS Emergency Medicine Doctor in A&E and Dr Erica is a NHS Primary Care Doctor. Together they founded ‘Afternoon Tea with Docs’ and set out to empower everyone to enjoy good health by bringing health experts to the table, over a hot cup of tea! Being Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physicians, they introduce us to the holistic approach to medicine. We discuss some simple t...
Jun 14, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Entrepreneurship is often glamourised in the media and many successful entrepreneurs have had their stories turned into Hollywood movies. But the reality is that it’s an incredibly difficult journey and one that undoubtedly has a significant impact on the mental health of the entrepreneur. This week we are speaking to Shilpa Panchmatia, a successful entrepreneur who suffered from burnout whilst striving to continually perform at the highest level. She describes it as something that creeps up on ...
Jun 07, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Bullying can have a long term effect on your mental health, long into adulthood. There is still a lot of education required around bullying, and today’s episode provides some valuable insight into the impact and effects of bullying. This week we are speaking to Chloe Metzger, who was bullied at a young age. This had a huge impact on her self-confidence and self-esteem. Luckily she found support through mentoring and counselling, which provided her with the tools and medication she needed to lift...
May 24, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Sleep... Many of us struggle with it, but do we really understand its impact on our mental and physical wellbeing? This week we’re speaking to Chris Bundell, a Strength and Conditioning Coach. In addition to helping his clients reach their sport and fitness goals, he also provides sleep advice to improve their athletic performance. In order to effectively train, you need to understand how you are feeling both physically and mentally and a big part of this, is maintaining good sleeping habits. In...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 37
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and we’re speaking to brothers Alexi and Kyri Pittalis. Both brothers have had their own, different experiences with mental health and have teamed up to create The Mind Field Podcast - in which they embark upon a quest to better understand the human mind. Alexi is philosophically-led; trying to understand his purpose as a way of designing his life. Whereas Kyri is focused on open conversations bringing positivity and perspective. Together they bring a fresh outl...
May 10, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Are you struggling with anxiety? Then this week’s episode is a must for you! Heather Rider is an anxiety specialist who helps high achievers suffering from anxiety and perfectionism find the peace and emotional balance they want and need. Allowing them to live their life with confidence, stability and ease. Having had high-functioning anxiety and perfectionism herself, Heather shares her journey with us. Suffering with a severe autoimmune illness, Heather realised that traditional medicinal appr...
Apr 26, 2021•55 min•Season 35Ep. 1
In this week’s episode, we’re talking to Ben. During his school years, Ben struggled with anxiety and emotional outbursts. Although he acknowledged he was struggling, he didn’t know what to do about it. Counselling gave him the answers and support he was looking for, something not many men can acknowledge. Now, 18 years later, Ben makes a conscious effort to ensure he has open and honest conversations about his feelings. An insightful episode into men’s mental health and solutions for mental wel...
Apr 19, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 34
This week we’re talking to Flo and learning about her history of coping with multiple mental and physical illnesses, and how this has shaped her daily routines. Flo is a mental health campaigner, who we have been lucky enough to include on our blog! She is also a website content creator and an ambassador for MQ Mental Health, a UK charity that champions and funds world-class research to transform the lives of everyone affected by a mental health condition. It’s fair to say that Flo is a fantasti...
Apr 12, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 33
This week we’re talking to Roman Mironov. Roman suffered from depression for 2 years, after which he immersed himself in self-help books to develop better relationship skills following his divorce. Using his learnings, he is now a relationship coach. Helping his clients find and keep love in their life. Supporting his clients to bring passion and joy into their relationships and where sadly the relationships are over, he helps them recover and come out of the situation stronger. Something which ...
Apr 05, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 32
At the age of 6, Radha and her family fled terror in her home country under the regime of Idi Amin. Growing up in the UK she always felt different, and despite the house always being full of family and the wider community, she often felt lonely. In this very powerful episode, we discuss immigration and how different cultures tackle mental health. At the age of 17, Radha lost her brother to suicide. In the months following, she realised there is still a very big stigma within the Asian community....
Mar 29, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 31
