The Bare Truth Podcast
'The Bare Truth' is a celebration of the extraordinary in day-to-day living, from the unsung hero to those on a bigger stage. Each week, Julia interviews someone from a different area of interest who is passionate about what they do, who is expressing themselves in their own unique way, and who wants to share what they do with others.
Please feel free to contact Julia with any comments about the show, or if you would like to be interviewed yourself. We also include contact details of our guests where possible - if you'd like more information, why not get in touch?
Latest Broadcast
Bare Truth 99: Phil Dhingra
14 August 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 14 Aug 2012.
Phil emailed me to let me know about his most recent book ‘Character and Chemistry’. A man after my own heart, he is passionate about self improvement and personal change and about relationship. He has explored relationship deeply and is still doing so and has written about the importance of being mindful of how big a part both the character of a person and the chemistry between one another is in forming a long term relationship that has the potential for growth and deepening and maturing in the long term.
We called him in Austin Texas, where it was 9am for him and the sun was just getting going to reach its full heat of 35 degrees later in the day! It was really enjoyable and stimulating talking to Phil, especially as relationship has been a driving force all my life and I have been eternally curious and explorative in seeking to understand what occurs in the spaces between us where the relationships exist!
Phil’s Twitter is: philosophistry
Bare Truth 98: Mike Holgate - Ironman Triathlete
07 August 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 07 Aug 2012.
I lived in Bath in the 80’s and there was a big group of runners who were the fabric of my daily life, a few in particular became friends and Mike Holgate was one. He joined our Health Club – Springs – in 1982, not long after we had opened, and was a member for the whole time we ran the gym until we left Bath in 1988.
Mike and I haven’t been in touch since, but recently reconnected through a mutual friend and twitter!
It was wonderful to speak to him after 24 years! He was only 24 when we first met and speaking to him over the phone to record this podcast, I could only imagine the 20 something Mike; he sounded the same! He was interested in running and living from a holistic philosophical position then and of course this has only deepened as he has explored going further in competition and facing his fear of water to become a triathlete – an ironman triathlete!
Bare Truth 97: Paul Hide
31 July 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 31 Jul 2012.
I met paul 14 years ago when I was working to unlock the patterns and pain of injuries from the disappointments and lows as well as successes and highs of a long running career. I was nearly 40 years old and wanted to run in to my old age, rather than live the story of the ex international athlete side-lined by injury. So began a long working relationship and friendship with Paul. I found his work and his energy behind it transformational and still do; he has moved north and now I only get to see him twice a year, but I still experience huge benefit from his input. Paul is a hypnotherapist, but he is also a life coach, a psychologist, a dream therapist and much more. He has a magic ingredient that makes him a magician – an alchemist…
Bare Truth 96: Rob Harley
24 July 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 24 Jul 2012.
I met Rob in 2001 when I called him at brighton University to see if he would help me in my training and put me through some physiological testing, so that I might find a way to enjoy my running again and run to the best of my abilities in my 40’s.
We started to run together over the downs and 11 years on we are still running over the downs and I am now enjoying my running in my 50’s!
I enjoy being in a conversation that never ends with Rob, that takes place mainly over the downs, exploring and sharing as the years pass by.
Rob is a principal lecturer at the university and has always inspired me with his passion focus and integrity. He is a true friend and I admire the way he lives, the way he is and who he is.
Here he talks to Andy and I about running with the torch for the alternative relay – and his preparation for the Antwerp half ironman which he completed last Sunday in 4 hours 58 minutes, and he finished 30 seconds ahead of his brother in law!
Bare Truth 95: The Rock Ride
17 July 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 17 Jul 2012.
Josie and Ross are cycling to Gibraltar from London in August – listen to them talk about their training and the causes they are raising money for and the logistics of organising a long long journey.
I met Josie about a year ago and so heard about the idea from its seed. Josie has an adventurous creative spirt and so I wasn’t surprised when she decided to accept the challenge. Ross was looking for someone to go with him; Josie was already fit from being a competing triathlete and Ross was used to organising tours but as a music manager. So Ross needed to get fit and Josie simply to say ‘yes’ and then meet Ross and get to know him as they rode around the roads together building up for a journey into the unknown for both of them…
Bare Truth 94: Pat Bowley - League of Mercy award for 40 years of voluntary work
10 July 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 10 Jul 2012.
Pat is a great friend – so it was a delight to spend time with her in Beanzz interviewing her about her very well deserved League of Mercy award for her services to the hospice. Pat is also a wonderful artist and I am very privileged to be in the receipt of a series of her hand painted cards featuring Maude! Who you will hear all about…!
Bare Truth 93: John Stirk - Creative Movement and Yoga Practitioner
03 July 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 03 Jul 2012.
I met John a year ago. I was directed to him because my knee was hurting; and my historical ‘left side’ troubles were needing a deeper look at.
John has been practising and teaching yoga for 35 years and practicing as an osteopath for 25 years.
He has a passion for how we move. He teaches that ‘How we move is how we are’.
I have found John’s work to be transformative, his understanding of the body and the mind is demonstrated in the moves he teaches and in his hands when he works on the body.
He is a true healer and a true master of his work.
He talked to Andy and I about shifting the mind to a space of quietness and stillness and softening both the mind and the body to allow more ease within and therefore more ease in life.
Bare Truth 92: Julia Armstrong - Running for England - Part 1
26 June 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 26 Jun 2012.
Julia had some great news recently regarding her running and I asked her to explain to us what’s been going on. I have to admit it all sounds rather good. Me interviewing Julia is always a dangerous thing – expect much giggling, laughter and general mayhem. At least we avoided talking about her sex life or strange running habits (listen to episode 70 for those).
Seriously though, I’m very excited for Julia and I wish her the best as she leaps (literally) into this new phase of her running career. Part two is to follow…
Bare Truth 91: Peter Greaves - aspiring ironman
12 June 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 12 Jun 2012.
I was introduced to Peter through his father in law who is looking to publish something I’ve written about running – he showed my musings to Peter. He was very affirming about the stream of consciousness that tends to come from me if I’m asked to write about running!... But I discovered in speaking with him a kindred spirit; a lifelong runner and now triathlete, he described his recent challenge of training for an ironman triathlon as the race of truth.
Speaking with Peter, and hearing about his joy of the movement of sport and of stretching how own boundaries, it was evident that his love of running is because he loves to run, and it was an inspirational message that ultimately must be the core reason we all run – because we love it.
Bare Truth 90: Beanzz Coffee Shop
05 June 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 05 Jun 2012.
I discovered Beanzz one day whilst walking along Grove road; I can sniff out a good coffee shop a mile away and so was instantly drawn in…
I sat with my friend Si who is also a ‘coffee person’ and we both agreed that it was a truly great coffee experience.
I also felt at ease and Tracy and Mikel were welcoming and open and made us feel welcome whilst giving us the space it seemed to while away our time for as long as we desired.
I went back – and back again – and have been known to spend hours at a time in Beanzz; it has become my ‘second office’ – or ‘Home’ as Tracy commented once!
I love it that I can eat healthy food should I want; but also enjoy the cakes and croissants too.
And my coffee is always perfect…
Andy and I really enjoyed finding out their secret and we are now resolved to record a podcast in the cafe ….!
Bare Truth 89: Sharon Aviva Jones - Applied Drama Practitioner
29 May 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 29 May 2012.
Sharon Aviva Jones is an applied drama practitioner.
Over the years as well as her own career on the stage and on television, she has run drama worships using the space and the art of drama for people to explore together something that was important to them.
It has proved to be a very powerful and expansive way for people to connect with themselves and one another, and to gain greater personal understanding and a deeper awareness of one another and the issue being expired at a more global level.
She has been fascinated by rites of passage and the transformation that occurs at these important juncture and her most recent project which she talked about with andy and I is the very high rite of passage of birth…
It was fascinating and illuminating exploring this subject with Sharon and she is starting pilot workshops for anyone involved intimately in the birth process, for instance midwifes and new mothers; but of course it extends to all people closely involved with the arrival of a new baby.
Please do contact me if you would like more information on Sharon’s workshops
Bare Truth 88: Kevin Marshall - Nordic Walker and Ultra Runner
22 May 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 22 May 2012.
Kevin had just finished a nordic walking session with one of his groups win we spoke and he told us of the transformation that occurs through his clients getting fit and then finding that they can join a group of people and make friendships whilst positively changing their lives.
He has been fit all his life, more than fit! An exceptional ultra runner from a very young age and still competing in ultra events in his 50’s and finding new challenges and stretching himself in every event he takes part in. I always enjoy talking with runners who have been running all their lives as I have – there is an instant recognition and understanding of what motivates and informs our life’s journey!
In Kevin’s words:
My view of the world sees the glass as half full and not half empty, and I apply this to everything I do, positive encouragement and realistic expectations help me to get the best out of those I work with.
I am passionate about health and fitness and have always enjoyed mentoring and coaching individuals, so decided to chase another dream and take the plunge and start a new career as a personal trainer, helping others to achieve their potential.
Bare Truth 87: Iwona Stepien - Painted T-shirts
15 May 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 15 May 2012.
I was having a coffee in Beanzz with Amy; on the table beside us a lady was having a meeting with a gentleman. Amy and I were chatting away so we didn’t hear their conversation much, but were simply aware it was a conversation of a business nature!
Amy left and I stayed! Now I couldn’t help but overhear their conversation! I learnt a lot and gleaned that the lady, Iwona, was starting a business selling her T shirts which she hand painted. I was inspired by their conversation, by Iwona’s enthusiasm and the gentleman’s ideas and encouragement.
As they went to go, they apologised for their conversation affecting my peace! I assured them that I had enjoyed them being there and that I had learnt a lot!
Iwona and I continued to chat and she showed me her T shirts – it was a small leap to suggest that we met to record a podcast! It was such fun meeting Iwona, and her T shirt present I bought my niece is a huge success.
Bare Truth 86: Mark Kleanthous - double and triple triathloner
08 May 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 08 May 2012.
Mark is an incredible athlete. he has been competing for over 30 years and has taken part in over 100 triathlons, nearly a third of those over the ironman discipline – and further – double and triple!!
He ran in the first London marathon as a 20 year old and had Andy and I laughing so much telling us of his training regime and the ‘kit’ he wore to train in!
The years of experience, lead him very naturally to coach others with real empathy and understanding for all aspects of sport; physiological, psychological and emotional.
It was a pleasure to talk with Mark and Andy and I very much enjoyed hearing about his journey through the years from competing in the first ever triathlon in the UK, to being a leading voice in a sport that now has 500 events a year in the country.
His new book has just come out – ‘the complete book of triathlon training’ – It is a great book and this is how it is described :
The book is for all athletes who want to improve in or convert to the fascinating sport of triathlon. It shows among other things how to construct a training program, how to approach a competition and offers an Encyclopedia that covers all aspects of triathlon.
Bare Truth 85: Hazel Lawrence - Advanced Skills Teacher
01 May 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 01 May 2012.
I have been friends with Haze for 19 years – we met because I (briefly) married her brother – our friendship has remained and from the day we met we laughed together!
Haze’s reputation as a wonderful teacher – one that truly helps children to see and become the magnificent human being they can be – has echoed back to me and reverberated all around since I met her, she is an exptional teacher; and for me an exceptional friend and a wonderful person who genuinely cares about other people and wants to make a difference.
In this interview she talks about the innovative new teaching method she is involved with where there is team teaching and the opportunity for children to be really developed as human beings not simply academically.
We had fun talking to Haze as you will hear!
Bare Truth 84: Andy White - First time marathoner
24 April 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 24 April 2012.
I met Andy aka doctorpod 6 years ago! He interviewed me for a mini podcast at the ‘Starting over Show’ which we were both involved with and I felt i had met a kindred spirit.
It was therefore him I turned to when I needed a ‘post production podcast person’. The quality of his work took my podcasts to another level…
At around the same time, he had asked me some advice about getting fit – we mention the ‘bursting stability ball’ in the podcast ! Which somehow has naturally lead into me coaching him to run a marathon…
It is great fun to be involved in creative projects with Andy, whether that is making a podcast or making him into a marathon man. He is brilliant to work with; great fun and very open and honest – and the most important of all, I have found a true friend!
Bare Truth 83: Kay Aplin - Architectural Ceramisist
17 April 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 17 April 2012.
Kay is a site-specific artist specialising in architectural ceramics and glass and has 15 years of experience creating public art works with a wide number of community groups.
Her work is very tactile, employing relief techniques which make her pieces interactive and sensory.
It was great fun interviewing Kay. The description of her bathroom in her Ceramic house made me instantly want to take a bath, it sounded to me as if it would be like swimming in a lagoon on a hot summers day.
As Kay observed – I am an incurable romantic! The house is a representation of her journey through her art all over the country. Kay is a public artist and her projects always are created in collaboration with the people living in the areas; through her work she expresses for them all they would like to say and in her ceramic house she uses the tiles that she has made specially for her work throughout the land!
I am going to visit this magical house and garden on my birthday and I am looking forward to it very much!
Bare Truth 82: Jerry Rothwell - Documentary Film Maker
10 April 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 10 April 2012.
Jerry Rothwell is an award winning documentary filmmaker. We met through a network of connections. He is next door neighbour to the artist Jane Churchill who we interviewed recently and he also has a link with Jim, my running friend who we also recorded a podcast with a few weeks ago.
Jerry has just made a documentary called Town of Runners. It premiers today April 10th in London. The film follows the fortunes of coach Sentayehu Eshetu and three of his young hopefuls from school to national level athletics. He is a coach with a difference, who has dedicated himself to coaching runners, with great success and has literally turned the town into a ‘town of runners’. 200 runners appear at dawn each day to take part in a hill session.
Sentayehu will be over in the UK with the three girls and will be speaking at the brighton Marathon. The film will be shown at the Duke of Yorks and then appears in the Tribeck film festival in New York on April 19th and from April 20th will be appearing in UK cinemas.
It was fascinating talking with Jerry about the process of making a documentary and the relationships that develop over time as the documentary progresses and reveals intimacies that are being openly explored maybe for the first time. We could have carried on talking all afternoon…
Bare Truth 81: Tom Roper - Runner, Observer and Commentator on Life
03 April 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 3 Apri 2012.
I was invited as guest of honour to the 25th anniversary of Seaford striders which is where I met Tom. He said very nice things about my ‘few words’ at the dinner in his blog and in an e mail exchange following this arranged to meet to record a podcast. Tom is amongst other things an observer and commentator on life. He writes an excellent blog which had made Andy aka ‘doctorpod’ and I laugh out loud. The day that he was coming for our ‘podcast philosophique’ as it transpired to be, Tom had been enjoying and writing about ‘The spirit of Schubert’ which was a series on radio 3 and on our podcast day it was Schubert the Wanderer, which was very fitting way to herald a podcast on running and the bigger ‘wandering journey’ therein.
It was very enjoyable interviewing Tom, his dry self effacing humour only slightly hid his intense curiosity and passion for life which appears to inform his desire to connect through the written word and as a social media voice for both the running and sailing club. Sharing himself through his own running journey connects us all, because if we run we know that it is a journey that never ends keeping us engaged wondering where it will lead us to next? Tom’s blog reflects this perfectly…
Bare Truth 80: Cas Holmes - Textile and Mixed Media Artist
27 March 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 27 Mar 2012.
It was a joy to talk with Cas. We had never met, but she had heard the podcast we recorded with Jane and got in touch. Something that struck me about Cas, apart from her wonderful art made from things that she has found, was her peaceful energy and how very present she was in the dialogue, every bit of her connected. She doesn’t own a car and so walking and noticing is part of who she is and has always been.
Her love of people shines through and her desire to help others access their own creativity whatever that may be.
In her own words:
I am a mixed media artist who works with textiles, paper and found materials. My particular interest is the link between the built and natural environment (Urban/Nature) and issues relating to sustainable practice.
I create works to commission for public and private settings and have pieces in collections around the world, including the Museum of Art and Design in New York, Arts Council England and the Sir Leonard Cheshire Foundation. The often overlooked things of daily life and observations of the land inform my work. Connecting paint, mark and image I reflect the ‘hidden edges’ of our landscape, verges, field edges and wild spaces, ‘stitch sketching’ to capture a moment before it is gone.
I exhibit in the U.K and abroad and enjoy working on collaborations and installations with other artists. This includes a recent installation, Curiouser and Curiouser at Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery and workshops in Europe and Australia. My book The Found Object in Textile Art, (published by Batsford 2010), looks at some of the processes I use. I will be a guest artist at the Knitting and Stitching Show 2012.
For details of my exhibitions, purchase or commission a piece of work, or look at my collaborations and teaching please browse through my on-line presence or contact me direct via email.
Bare Truth 79: Matt Shore - Personal Trainer and Healer
20 March 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 20 Mar 2012.
http://www.eastbournekettlebells.com/Matt-Shore.html
http://www.total-fitness-personal-trainer.com/
It was great to talk to Matt about his life and his vision for the future. His own philosophy is embodied in how he works with others and he is someone who you can definitely attach the label ‘He walks his talk’! I have only known Matt a short time but it has become evident to me why his clients respond so well to his coaching and teaching and healing. He truly cares about people, and genuinely wants what they want for themselves. His approach is holistic and really does address how the mind and body work together to achieve our goals, but his work is also transpersonal allowing for magic to occur which might not have been expected in the beginning! Talking about his ‘boot camps’ got Andy and I all keen again to visit!
Bare Truth 78: Kevin Izzard - The South Downs Double (Part 2)
13 March 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 13 Mar 2012.
Here’s part two of Kevin’s amazing South Down Double story.
Bare Truth 77: Kevin Izzard - The South Downs Double (Part 1)
06 March 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 6 Mar 2012.
I met Kevin 9 years ago in the Tri Store in Eastbourne; Kev talks about this himself in the podcast!! I have coached him for almost that length of time and essentially what has emerged for me is a really true friendship. Kevin is an incredible person, clear and open and sees through the ‘madness’ that can occur on this planet. He treads the path of a warrior of light – truly – this is how I see him. He displays incredible strength and tenacity in his sport, but also as a human being, when the going gets tough he steadies himself and digs in deeper. He really is a master in that all that he demonstrates out on his bike (his real love, although we have had other projects as he reveals!) he transfers to the way he does his dealings in life and with others. It is a privilege to know Kevin and more importantly to be his friend.
Here’s a link to Kevin’s article about the South Downs Double
Bare Truth 76: Fiona Bugler - Runner and Writer
28 February 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 28 Feb 2012.
Fiona and I have been running together for three years – it is our anniversary on March 1st! It is wonderful to have a running companion and a friend all rolled into one! We have the opportunity to do the endless explorative chatting that I so love doing with a girlfriend – and we get to put the miles in too!
Fi’s passions are running and writing – and she has created a lifestyle that allows her to fulfill them both! I am eternally amazed at Fi’s capacity to manage her life – as a Mum as well as a runner and writer! She works hard at all she does and has boundless energy and enthusiasm and is great company whatever the hour of day or whatever the weather!
Bare Truth 75: Don Came
21 February 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 21 Feb 2012.
www.appliedkarate.org.uk/Instructor.html
I have bumped into Don over the years in the gym, in coffee shops and we have talked sport and life, only fleetingly, but for enough time to recognize that we share a philosophy of our sport being an ongoing place of learning and growth and mirroring life – Although life can be harder! But at least the sport has accessed some inner strengths and latent talents – develop some skills that can then be applied in life too!
Don has been actively involved in the martial arts since 1976. He has acted as a civilian instructor for a Metropolitan Police karate club and taught successful self-defence courses for the Crime Prevention Office in South London.
Constantly looking to improve his base knowledge and refine his skills as a martial artist, Don completed an honors degree in exercise science at Brighton University in 1997. This has provided an understanding of biomechanics, physiology and psychology which continues to influence the development of the Academy and its students.
Formerly a member of the renowned “International Institute of Kyusho Research” before becoming a fully fledged Kissaki-Kai Instructor, he has been at the cutting edge in the research, rediscovery and further development of the effective self-defense techniques found within the fixed forms (kata) of karate since 1997.
Don has collaborated with the Eastbourne Borough Council to develop a pilot scheme for a youth protection programme aimed at helping young people who have been victims of, or are considered at risk of, physical violence.
In demand as a freelance physical intervention consultant, Don regularly provides specialised training courses for companies in the private sector.
Bare Truth 74: Steve Broadbent
14 February 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 14 Feb 2012.
I arrived in benidorm in November 2010 for a weekend of reporting on running. As I got into the lit to find my hotel Steve joined me and he instantly became the ‘marathon runner I would write about’...
Having heard many of his stories over breakfast, he was an obvious ‘podcast person’ for the future! Steve is a ‘man on the move’ he has run since he was a young boy, he loves the fells, but has competed all over the world in ultra events and boasts 4 sub 3 marathons.
He worked as a police officer for 30 years and when he retired created adventures to undertake which he told Andy and I about. He also re trained as cabin crew and enjoyed 6 months fulfilling a dream. He is soon to take up a position on long distance train travel and alongside journeying on foot bicyle car train or plane he finds time to take part as a TV extra – one rather memorable part standing out!...
Bare Truth 73: Sean Blair - Audio Fuel
07 February 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 7 Feb 2012.
I met Sean and his business partner Clare a couple of years ago, when I was invited to a launch of Audio Fuel’s sports music and coaching product with Martin Yelling. It was a great evening and I liked the concept of training with your own personal coach in your head, as well as music that matched the rhythm of your running.
I am a sound of the sea person, so to try it out on me was a big test – and I genuinely liked it and could see the value to enhancing performance and providing motivation.
So to record a podcast with Sean, was very exciting. He is very enthusiastic, about his products certainly, but about life and training and possibilities. Interviewing him was inspiring and he talked about Audio fuels latest product range ‘Tri Harder’ which they created with Chrissie Wellington who is currently four times ironman world champion!
It sounds a great range – and just speaking with Sean, boosted my desire to get really fit again following being side-lined with my knee injury!...
Bare Truth 72: Nick Dale
03 February 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 3 Feb 2012.
http://www.justgiving.com/yorkwalls
It was fascinating talking with Nick Dale about his endeavour with 5 others to run around – on the top – of the York City Walls! It instantly conjured up my childhood images, much of it spent on the top of walls, if I saw a wall I wanted to be on the top of it! So running around on the top of a wall for over 2 miles instantly captured my imagination. But they are going to run all day!! From dawn to dusk in order to raise money for the Tuberous Sclerosis Association.
Here is their story in their own words…
‘We were discussing running a marathon, decided it was boring, so came up with the idea for setting a world record for running round York City Walls. The boys from the black irish drink would’nt ratify it so it is an unofficial World Record attempt!! Hating running, being 40, heavy boned, with dodgy knees (Nick) should make for a short lived record. Luckily the rest of the team (David F, David C, Mark, Phil, Paul) are amazingly fit, healthy, running machines so running dawn till dusk round a 2 1/2 mile circuit of rough stone walls with steps should be a walk in the park. We are raising money for The TSA because Sam, Nick’s little boy, has the condition. Sam has brain tumours, epilepsy, polysystic kidney disease and learning delay. We are running in Feb cos’ its near his birthday and not, as some of you cynics might think, because the days are shorter!! Research in TSC is currently at a very exciting stage with the first drug treatment released in 2011. Your money is needed to make sure research continues to find further treatments for the various symptoms of the condition. So give us some of your money and laugh at the thought of just how much pain we are going to be in’!!
Donate to Nick’s cause here:
http://www.justgiving.com/yorkwalls
Bare Truth 71: Jane Churchill
31 January 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 31 Jan 2012.
Jane is an artist – her art reflects her and she is her art. Her whole life is a creative process and when I went to Jane’s last installation I heard comments like ‘She is a genius’ and ‘this is something very special’. And those words reflected Jane herself. She is a genius and she is very special.
I have known Jane for ten years – or ten million, we tend to forget the exact length of time, as we exist in a never ending dialogue of exploration and wonder at what ifs and possibility…
It is a joy to be in her presence and it is a joy to be in her imaginary worlds and feel transported to wherever you desire…
Bare Truth 70: Jim Wallis
24 January 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 24 Jan 2012.
Jim is motivated by growth through experience – through observing ourselves in relationship with one another and within adversity when it seems that it is ‘us against us’: our vulnerabilities and limitations. ‘Us against ‘stress’: against things we cannot control and instead lead us to a place where we see that our resources lie within us, and how in relationship that we can support one another in the learning and in the realising our own inner strengths and innate talents and so be part of the creation of something ‘more’ together.
From this position, Jim is interested in how sport can develop people, grow communities and make a difference in how people build a brighter future. He has been involved in Football for Peace which he discusses with Andy and I in the podcast, but he is exploring how this concept has wider opportunities to unite everyone through using sport to develop collaboration and co operation between individuals and groups
We also discuss running clothes and general habits of runners – using me as the example – or perhaps it is only about me..!
Bare Truth 69: HMO Landlady
17 January 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 17 Jan 2012.
I am a follower of HMO Landlady’s blog since she begun writing it – I love it – Serena’s stories about the antics of her tenants, is written with humour and love. She makes me laugh out loud as I read! But what comes across very profoundly is her generous and open heart and the fact that she truly cares about her tenants and their well-being.
This is what Serena says herself of her role as an HMO landlady:
HMO Landlady fell into the world of letting houses out on a room by room basis back in 2007. I’ve made lots of mistakes, unintentionally fallen foul of the law on the odd occasion, been taken for a complete ride by some tenants and wondered what the hell I was doing most the time! There are 8 houses in the portfolio of which the mortgage company owns a very large proportion: 3 Houses of Multiple Occupancy and 5 houses let to families. I balance being the main carer of my 3 children with the ongoing needs of 15 tenants across 3 houses. The divide is often blurred, but the skill set remains the same. I began writing it after realising that fellow HMO landlords are either corrupt, criminal or just plain rubbish at their job.
Bare Truth 68: Chris Finill
10 January 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 10 Jan 2012.
I had interviewed Chris in April when the dream of running across America was just that, a dream inspired a few years previously by reading James E Shapiro’s book ‘Meditations from the breakdown Lane: Running Across America…
And here he was back to be interviewed again having achieved the dream and the most poignant finale was that James Shapiro was on the beach on Coney Island on November 5th to greet Chris and his friend and running companion Steve Pope.
On November 6th they lined up for the New York Marathon and ran 3.38 having run 42 miles every day since setting off from San Francisco on August 17th.
They had to overcome many hurdles along the way, the challenge of the weather for one and Chris being injured across a whole state!
Chris and Steve are raising money for Help the Heroes.
But this was a dream that had burned in Chris’s heart for some years and he lives by the same philosophy as me, that it is important to live a life without regret for the things that you wish you had done.
Bare Truth 67: Helen Summer
02 January 2012
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 2 January 2012.
I first met Helen in Toronto! She was assisting on a Running Crazy trip to run the Niagara Falls half marathon and she looked after us all very well indeed. It was in Calvia Marjorca, in December this year, that I discovered that she had written a book with the title fittingly ‘Running Crazy’.
The book features people who have run 100 marathons or more. It is so easy to write that down, but as a marathon runner myself of significantly less marathons under my belt than 100, I know what a huge feat running 26 miles once is, let alone 100 times or more!
In speaking with Helen it is evident that this book is about humanity and the personal quests and journeys of individuals rather than just about running. In speaking with Helen, it seemed to me that she glimpsed the souls of the people she interviewed and saw more about the person than simply about their running, but then running, a simple action, one foot in front of the other, is as complex as each human being taking those steps, and unraveling themselves in the process..
Helen said that all the people she interviewed have their own personal reasons for running so many marathons and all have their own stories to tell. Set out in 26.2 chapters, which was Helen’s son Jack’s idea, she hopes that the book will appeal not only to marathon runners but to anyone who enjoys heart warming human interest stories that inspire and entertain!
‘Running Crazy’ is due to be published on March 5th, by John Blake publishing – it is currently available on Amazon for pre-order.
Bare Truth 66: Rob Bowley
21 December 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 21 December 2011.
It was a delight to listen to Rob talking about his violin and the discovery that his flow is more powerful and joyous than ever before.
Rob fell in love with the violin when he went to a concert from when he was a small boy, he then started to play because he knew he had found what he had come to do. In his early twenties he lived in Paris and played in Orchestras and as a soloist, living the life he had dreamed of. In his late twenties his life changed direction and he put his violin away.
Now in his early 40s he is playing better than ever before and he spoke to Andy and myself about how Tai Chi and playing the violin reflect and compliment one another.
Rob also works as an acupuncturist and I am privileged to have experienced the benefit of his treatments, which like his Tai Chi and his violin come from a centered and clear place within him.
Bare Truth 65: Barefoot Doctor - The Message
06 December 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for .
Barefoot Doctor has recently written a great book called The Message
The book gives us practical ways to learn how to live with consciousness – I first read his words of wisdom and inspiration in the Sunday Observer magazine – I used to ‘save him up to last’ such was the profundity and the effect of his words – I looked forward to them each week.
So it has been no surprise and pure delight to read his new book – where he encourages us to do the work that asks us to step up and be the difference we want to see in the world.
He challenges us to recognize that it is in the challenge of facing our own truth and through the discipline of the practice to centre ourselves that all can be achieved. He emphasizes that the liberation lies with ourselves and the power to create a vision for a better world will be through our collective efforts It is a book for heroes and warriors – Do read his book – it is life changing.
In his own words:
‘THE MESSAGE is crucial reading for you if you’re at all concerned about the critical state our world’s in and want to do what you can to contribute to creating a new world in which we, our children and our children’s children can live together in peace, plenty, joy and harmony – and sustain it.
Enough of us have evolved now to reach critical mass – what we have to do now is evolve together, collectively.
I show you, how by centering yourself, you realise your angelic self and as you do, the ten commandments, which we’ve been unsuccessfully trying to live by for millennia, suddenly take on a whole new light as perfect precepts for grace, for living together successfully in a new world’
Running to Learn 63: James Blanchard - Strength and conditioning coach
17 May 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 17 May 2011.
James is a great strength and conditioning coach and I can give testament to this, as he has been coaching me to re-find the strength I developed as a young runner. I have loved weight training again, loved the feeling of invincibility being strong has elicited within me!
James has just completed a degree in sports Science at Brighton Uni and is anticipating first class honours. He has already been coaching sportspeople during his degree (including me) and has now just started a daily blog, offering advice and inspiration on anything and everything you need to know to become proficient at your sport and so excel in all you do!
Running to Learn 62: Kate-Anne - Thonimara
10 May 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 10 May 2011.
I first heard from Kate-Anne as she sent me an email asking if I would like to try a Thonimara top to review, I said ‘Yes please’ – and a beautiful turquoise top arrived in the post a few days later.
I love my Thonimara top and as I said to Kate-Anne in our podcast, ‘I am not really a kit person’ I wear things till they fall to bits and I am very old school that going running outdoors, is like playing in the fields, so you wear your old clothes because you are going to get dirty!
I have been more converted in recent years as there is some lovely gear about, but this T shirt is instantly a favourite, and, I really enjoyed interviewing Kate-Anne, she lives a total lifestyle, a heptathlete in the past she is familiar with sport and competition and a runner now, her life embodies and reflects her core values. As she said, the products really are very likely to sell themselves, but with Kate-Anne’s energy behind them, I reckon they will be very very popular, and I feel fortunate to have had an ‘exclusive’ as the website only went live a few weeks ago!
Running to Learn 61: Toby Radcliffe - professional long course triathlete
03 May 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 29 March 2011.
Toby is a professional long course triathlete, he has been sponsored by Timex multi sport team since he turned pro in 2008. Toby was great to talk with, he wants to be the best he can be at ironman, but he has already had to overcome setbacks with unexplained physical responses to training hard and has an air of humility coupled with tremendous drive and passion to really do the very best he can.
He also is involved both professionally and personally in encouraging sustainability and is part of Fit planet whose aim is to make sporting events and races more sustainable and to ‘leave no trace’.
As a child he wanted to save the world and this has matured into a humanitarian consciousness. He is aware his influence and has a desire to make a difference, both at individual and global level.
As always seems to happen to me when I speak with people committed to excellence and doing everything they can to achieve their dreams I am inspired! – and I find myself committing again and again to my own dreams and wondering after listening to Toby chart his 30 hours of training – how much training I can do?!
Running to Learn 60: Terry Lonergan - club runner for 50 years
26 April 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 26 April 2011.
terryrunningonempty.blogspot.com/
I first met Terry Lonergan in the middle 1980’s when Nigel and I dropped in on him – we were all running fast then and Terry was also well known for his Fastrax range and his Complete Runner shop in Ilkley. Many hours were spent in Running Shops with Nigel, which were like an Aladin’s cave to him.
And Terry’s shop did not disappoint! Terry was very welcoming and of course we all talked running – enthusiastically and passionately.
So, when I received an email from Terry recently, I very much looked forward to talking with him. We spoke a couple of times to ‘catch up’ before recording our podcast and it was evident that we would have no trouble ‘filling’ the podcast space! His love of running is what comes across to me, and his spirit and determination – and of course we talked running – enthusiastically and passionately!
Running to Learn 59: Joe Beer - achieving top performance in endurance cycling, triathlon and running events
20 April 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 20 April 2011.
Joe Beer has been coaching people in endurance cycling triathlon and running events for twenty years and is highly respected for his work and his writing… I had been really looking forward to our podcast and I really enjoyed talking with him. His enthusiasm and passion for what he does is evident, he is curious about everything to do with people in sport and interested in seeking new ways to help others achieve their best performances. It seems that in many ways his path in life chose him, he didn’t set out to be where he is now, writing in magazines, coaching people and being sought out for his advice and insight, but he just loved exploring and it soon became evident that what he found out had huge worth.
I was so inspired by Joe and liked what he was saying, that after we had stopped recording I asked him if he might give me some guidance to help me rise up the over 50 rankings! His first suggestion was that I take some Neovite to make sure my stomach is healthy and that I buy a gadget to record my HR dstance and pace! For those that know me, they all knew that this felt a huge stretch, I have just been ‘going running’ for a long time now – but I already love my garmin and won’t look back! And looking forward to the Neovite arriving!
Running to Learn 58: Louise Collins - top class triathlete
12 April 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 12 April 2011.
I really enjoyed my conversation with Louise Collins. It is quite astounding how she manages her lifestyle to work full time and to train 20-40 hours a week!
She changed sports from rowing at international level to becoming a top class triathlete in 2007. In 2010 she came second in the Lanzarote ironman. She has entered as an amateur and beat all but one of the professional athletes and won herself a place to compete in the prestigious Hawaii ironman event in Kona.
Her attitude of enjoying digging deep to discover what is within and what she is capable was uplifting. Her openness and willingness to share what it is really like to make such a huge commitment was authentic and very inspiring.
Running to Learn 57: Chris Finill - International ultra runner
05 April 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 05 April 2011.
I had a brilliant evening when Chris Finill came for a run! And to record a podcast – Chris is an international ultra runner over 100k and 24 hour races, and he is an ‘ever present’ having run all the London marathons and all in under 3 hours, which is a world record. He is also training this year to become part of a special band of people who have run a sub 3 hour marathon in 5 decades, as his first marathon was in the 70’s.
In August he is setting off to see if he can run 3200 across America with his friend Steve Pope, they are starting in San Fransisco and plan to finish in New York 3 months later…
He said he wanted to run 8 or 9 miles and so I thought of a route which was mainly the seafront as it is such easy running, but to lengthen my usual 6 mile route, would also take in a part of the seafront I also used to run along in the dark until there was a murder there 5 or 6 years ago. I haven’t run there in the dark since, but decided I felt safe with Chris and he didn’t seem phased by me taking him on the scary route. Maybe though, I didn’t need to announce when we were at the actual spot, as that did slightly quicken our pace! And later in the run, we passed a group of homeless people having a beer together and they called out ‘Death is coming to you…’ but as Chris said, it was a profound and philosophical statement rather than a threatening one.
I had never met Chris before and yet because of running we had an instant bond – a point of reference, an instant understanding and we are also the same school year so we are positioned in history with instant recognition of names and events. And as he said when we were recording our podcast running along side by side without eye contact actually makes it very easy to talk and share, and we were in the dark too, with the sea lapping beside us and the lights of the pier always twinkling ahead and the miles went by.
Running to Learn 56: Fiona Bugler - editor of Running Free Magazine, and the founder of The Running Inn
31 March 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 31 March 2011.
Fiona Bugler is the Editor of Running Free Magazine, and the founder of The Running Inn. She is re launching her website and re launching some new running courses in London. We had been for a run on the downs in the morning, but we met for coffee and flapjacks and to talk some more! Listen here to her telling us about her new running courses and her final preparation for the Brighton marathon.
Her enthusiasm and love of all she does is apparent being with her as we run miles and miles across the downs together and it was lovely to have coffee with her and hear about the courses in more detail and her ideas for her website.
Running to Learn 55: Mark Kleanthous - the mind-body connection
29 March 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 29 March 2011.
Mark and I realized when we finished our last podcast that there was much about the sport that we had not had time to cover, particularly the mind body connection. After three decades in the sport Mark has learnt a huge amount about how to get the best from his body by harnessing the power of the mind. He shares this with his athletes and is aware that the more people learn these skills the more they can enjoy their sport and get the very best from themselves.
Running to Learn 54: Graeme and Anne - guides for blind runners
22 March 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 22 March 2011.
British Blind Sport has joined forces with Joggingbuddy.com a site created by Tony Piedale to connect runners up all over the world. By joining forces they hope to encourage more people who are blind to feel confident that they will be able to find someone to guide them wherever they travel to. My conversation with blind runner, Hazel McFarlane’s guides gave me a deeper understanding of the partnership, what is needed and how it develops.
It was fascinating hearing them talk of the building of the relationship and that the key, the essence as with any relationship is about communication, talking to one another, working it out as you go along and accepting that it doesn’t always work out exactly as you want.
The enthusiasm and commitment shown by Graeme and Anne was inspiring and indicated how much they both have benefitted from guiding Hazel. They have all learnt a lot, but the core value seems to be one of true friendship and connection.
Bare truth 64: Stephanie Anderson
15 March 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 15 March 2011.
I met with Stephanie for tea at the Grand! We decided that the Grand would be quiet enough to record our podcast and also give us a tea and chat opportunity. Two and a half hours after meeting we turned on the recorder!
It was magical listening to Steph describe her writing worlds and her writing process. It filled me with excitement, these worlds she described made anything seem possible. I am always inspired by Einstein who encourages us to use our imagination to create with. If we can create it in our imagination, surely it means it is possible in ‘real life’!
However for anyone wishing to open to the creative writing process and discover success in ‘becoming a writer’, Stephanie has profound yet simple straight forward advice; turn up at the page regularly and do some writing…
Running to Learn 53: Andy McMenemy - 66 ultras in 66 cities
15 March 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 15 March 2011.
Andy was running through a very tough patch in a 78 mile race across the Namibian desert when the idea to run 66 ultra races in the 66 Cities of the UK came to him! Speaking with him to record our podcast, I heard and understood the passion within and the energy that might make someone come to an idea like this – in the middle of the night in a desert!
As well as being an Ultra runner, Andy is a speaker and business coach and it was through his own journey of realising that he had let go of his personal goals through engaging fully in his corporate career that has brought him back to following his heart and listening to where it is leading him and daring to follow and inspiring others to do the same!
Andy is encouraging everyone to take part, and to run with him, to get involved as he travels the country. The adventure is raising money for ABF The soldiers charity, as Andy’s father was a former soldier, so the cause is close to his heart and runs from march 16th 2011 until May 20th which is Andy’s 50th birthday! What a way to go into the next half century!
I love this quote on his website Only those who will risk going too far… can possibly know how far one can go…
Running to Learn 52: Sharon Gayter
08 March 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 08 March 2011.
I found it very inspiring interviewing Sharon Gayter. Sharon has represented Britain as an Ultra runner for 17 years and ranked British number 1 for 13 years. In 2006 Sharon’s long standing dream to break the Guinness World Record by running from land’s End to John’O Groats came true. She tells of the incredible journey and of the importance of nutrition, for this event she was supported by Neovite which she believes is really helpful for maintaining a healthy immune system when there are such extreme demands on the body.
Sharon won the commonwealth Gold medal in September 2009, running 140 miles in 24 hours. She has just published her first book ‘The Clock keeps Ticking’ which I read avidly, feeling by the end that I had found a friend. I felt that I had journeyed with her and experienced with her the highs and lows of an incredible life.
The real message for me was to ‘go for it’ – ‘life your life to the full’ – ‘whatever you dream, do it!’ It echoed my own life philosophy and it was with real, joyful anticipation that I called Sharon for our interview. I already had a sense of a kindred spirit and I came away enriched, uplifted and inspired to definitely keep going for the impossible dream.
She has a huge generosity of spirit, I sensed a genuine concern and desire that everyone live their lives fully, that we do as she has done and make certain not to allow oppression or disappointment to stand in the way of expressing and being who we truly are!
She describes herself as ‘selfish’ because she decides what she wants to do and goes for it. I believe that if we all ‘went for it’ and listened to our inner voice, and communicated our desires and our dreams to one another, then we could all support one another in our dreams and co create together the magic of lives well lived.
Read her book and and take up Sharon’s challenge, to ‘be inspired by her story, to go out and set your own goals, challenge the clock and live your life to the full’
Running to Learn 51: Hazel McFarlane
01 March 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 01 March 2011.
British blind sport links with Joggingbuddy
Speaking with Hazel was an inspiration, her energy and enthusiasm for life is tangible. Hazel took up running again three years ago when she lost her sight. She had been partially blind for many years and had been advised 15 years ago to stop running in case it damaged her retina. This was devastating news and when her sight eventually did go, Hazel decided she wanted to turn this into a positive. And so, resumed her running career on the wettest windiest night imaginable in her home town of Troon. She speaks very highly of the welcome her club gave her and of the support of her running guides Graeme and Anne.
As you will hear, Hazel gives so much of herself. Her passion for the sport and the beauty of the outdoors will make you want to go out running straight away.
Joggingbuddy has teamed up with British Blind sport to encourage more people to feel confident to run and to find people who will guide them. Hazel is now planning to run a 40 mile ultra race. I came away from my conversation with Hazel, uplifted and feeling that anything is possible if you set your mind to it…
Running to Learn 50: Tony Piedade - CEO of Joggingbuddy.com
22 February 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 22 February 2011.
I drove to Brighton to interview Tony Piedade for this podcast. He was a delight to spend an afternoon with. I so enjoyed sitting in a café, eating restorative soup and French bread and finding out we had quite a few similarities in our ‘life journey’.
It is always wonderful to find new friends and make connections and running does this so amazingly. Tony’s website joggingbuddy allows friendships to be forged in 71 different countries with so far 11,000 runners! If you want to find a friend to run with join Tony’s site. He first thought of the idea because he went for a run at 3am and imagined that no one else would be out running then. He discovered there were other runners out there and the idea came to him. He was so excited that he didn’t finish his ‘early morning’ run but instead returned home and Joggingbuddy was born!
Running to Learn 49: Mark Kleanthous - 3 decades of marathon running and triathlons
15 February 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 15 February 2011.
It was a joy to meet with Mark. He has been competing for 3 decades in marathon running and triathlons. He took part in the first ever London Marathon when we was only 20 years old and was at the beginning of Triathlon becoming popular.
We recognized one another the moment we met and started to talk over coffee in a lovely Knightsbridge boutique hotel. The comfort of the hotel a contrast to Mark’s tales of training 30 hours a week and of triple ironman that took 46 hours to complete!
His love of the sport is apparent and it seems his orientation of being curious and exploring, of seeing what has worked and what hasn’t, of finding out how to remain healthy and injury free and stay competing and training consistently for so long, has translated into the wisdom and the eye he brings to his coaching. He knows how to get the best form his athletes and to promote longevity and enjoyment.
He has also worked out a great system to coach people which enables him to calculate the amount of stress they can take and so get the best from their training – listen to the podcast for the details! I am looking forward to meeting Mark again as we are going to record another podcast exploring more deeply the mind body spirit aspect of sport.
Running to Learn 48: Mimi Anderson - World record holder for John O'Groats to Land's End
08 February 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 08 February 2011.
Mimi holds the world record of 12 days 15 hours and 46 minutes for running from John O’Groats to lands End. And she recently achieved a world record for the distance run on a treadmill in a week, most of which she did with a broken foot!
Recovered from that now, she has set off again on her Ultra trail exploring her limits – seeing if there even is a limit. Her love of running and of seeing how far she can go was apparent in every word she uttered, and I found myself wondering whether and then thinking maybe I might partake in something very very long one day… This is the power of Mimi’s energy and passion and love for what she does.
I really enjoyed hearing about the challenges to body mind spirit and of Mimi’s ways of overcoming the obstacles she faces as she runs the races. She makes the concept of failing unthinkable and once again reminds us of the incredible strength of the human spirit
From Mimi’s site:
*“The only way to define your limits is by going beyond them”
“Try to fail, but don’t fail to try”
I started running at the age of 36, teaching myself how run on a treadmill. Having started with shorter races I soon found that they became less and less of an attraction; it was the ‘ultras’ that got me excited and motivated. A dedicated mother of three and grandmother to Theo, I enjoy seeing just how far I am able to push myself and ask “is there a limit?”*
Running to Learn 47: Scott Neyedli - champion ironman triathlete
01 February 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 01 February 2011.
Scott is a champion ironman triathlete. His story is inspirational. Scott spoke with passion about the feeling of achieving his goals – a feeling like nothing else. It communicated to me, that although he has crossed the line in first place this possibility of personal fulfillment is there for all of us.
He has achieved a huge amount in this sport and has a long list of honours. He holds the Scottish record of 8 hours 17 minutes and 47 seconds. This is an incredible time and the training required asks for total commitment, but more importantly Scott has developed the ability to listen to his body whilst stretching it and finding out there was more within him than he ever thought.
Scott spoke with passion about the feeling of achieving his goals, a feeling like nothing else, and although he has crossed the line in first place this is true for all of us. He said that he doesn’t consider himself to be very talented but that he does work hard and he said that he believes that anything is possible with hard work.
I liked this footnote to his biog on his website:
You have one chance in life. Follow your Heart. Don’t cry when it hurts. Make sure you have a proper balance between protein, carbohydrates and fat. Everything else take’s care of its self.
Running to Learn 46: Jules Lewis - running 2011 miles in 2011
25 January 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 25 January 2011.
I met Jules through Twitter and then when the Janathon began at the begining of this year he befriended me, and I am glad he did! – Because he helped me out!:) and because I have found him to be kind and interested and interesting – with a genuine desire to move towards, to connect with and to help others. He represents what friendship and community is about, sharing and caring and joining together to create synergy and for the common good.
This was apparant in his patience as I struggled to 1) sign up for Janathon and 2) work out how to log my training! Jules took the trouble to send me a little virtual little ‘help video’ which did the trick.
I enjoyed recording a podcast with Jules and hearing about his aspiration in his running and what it means to him, and about his quest to run 2011 miles this year to raise money for Shelterbox which is a cause close to his heart because it orginated in Cornwall where he lives.
Running to Learn 45: Cecilia Morrison - world record holder for 1500m and 5000m
18 January 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 18 January 2011.
Cecilia Morrison is the current W70 world record holder for 1500m and 5000m. She has only been running regularly since the age of 61. She ran to two World Age Records at Cardiff in the 40th British Masters Championships on the 3/4 of July. Cecilia won the W70 1500 in 6:04.59, on the Saturday and 5000m on the Sunday in 22:19.99. Then she went on to the European Masters Championships (15-24 July in Hungary) to win the W70 1500 by a large margin in 6:11.05. Eight days later she broke her own world Record at a League match in Portsmouth, taking off a further 15 seconds to record a time of 22.06.
I really enjoyed talking with Cecilia, discovering how she trains and how she mentally prepares for her races on the track. I was also very interested in the thoroughness of her preparation from the actual running training, to the strength work and the awareness of the importance of nutrition and supplementation. Neovite have supported her for the duration of her track career and she finds that the supplement boosts her immune system and means that she can continue to train year round!
It was inspiring and illuminating hearing how she rises to and embraces the challenges she sets herself and gave me the message loud and clear that having dreams and going for them enriches our lives and we can discover that everything is possible!
Bare truth 63: Stewart Pearce
13 January 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 13 January 2011.
The Angles of Atlantis
The Alchemy of Voice
I had a wonderful time in the company of Stewart Pearce who is a master of voice, a sound healer, a seer and an Angel facilitator. Stewart has written a book called ‘The Alchemy of Voice’, which teaches how we all have a signature note, that is our true note that comes from our soul and that we must speak from our hearts, so that we can connect truthfully with one another.
‘If words arise from the heart, they will enter the heart. If words arise from the tongue alone, they will not pass beyond the ears’ – AlSuhrawandi.
I had travelled to London to interview Stewart again as his new Book ‘The Heart’s Note’ is now out. The book shares powerful insights about the knowledge of the heart as the seat of the soul and how a practical daily application of love can create answer to the myriad problems of life.
Stewart was saying that when we first came into the world we felt choices with our heart, but that got lost and instead people think with their head and so often live in fear and anger instead of love and compassion. I always love being with Stewart as he is the embodiment of what he teaches and I come away enriched and expanded.
Bare truth 62: Sandra Crathern
12 January 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 12 January 2011.
It was a joy to speak with Sandra. She so clearly ‘walks her talk’ which I found inspirational to hear. She has turned her own life around and lives with a sense of great ease within and without. Her story in itself would be enough to encourage you to go to see her for guidance and help, but it is her warmth and enthusiasm and the feeling that she really cares that came across to me when we spoke.
Here is some information about her work and her mission:
Are you living your dreams or do you find yourself being pushed and pulled in so many directions, you’ve lost sight of your own sense of purpose in life? Do you want to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, yet find it difficult to resolve recurring health issues or act on your best intentions?
Innavision provides a powerful system that enables you to simplify your life, allowing you to take back control. Using proven, innovative techniques that empower you to make choices and changes, you can develop a healthy work/life balance that is aligned with both your personal and professional aspirations. This can help you to live a happier, healthier life that is true to your self.
- Gain the personal and professional satisfaction you desire
- Enjoy the good health that is meant for you, and
- Truly live the life you are designed for
Every day, more and more people are transforming their everyday health and lives as well as regaining control over their personal and professional futures with the help of Innavision.
My approach
At Innavision, the focus is on making wellness a priority for you. This means taking into consideration your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Rather than treat effects of issues, I will help you to identify and resolve the causes.
“Innavision’s mission is to help you to grow and develop your true potential as well as maintain your health and wellbeing. I seek to understand your individual needs, so that you can find a solution that is right for you.” Sandra Crathern, Innavision Founder
Professionally trained as a nurse, I have worked for over 25 years nursing those in need back to health. This has also included running well woman and smoking cessation clinics. Along with my extensive knowledge, experience and qualifications in health and social care, I am accredited by the International Coaching Federation as an NLP Master Practitioner combining training in anger and stress management.
“I firmly believe in walking the talk, and I live a healthy life that is congruent with my own inner vision. Now, I want to help you to live the life of your dreams…”
Innavision’s Health and Wellness Coaching programmes provide you with strategic, practical and creative solutions that enable you to:
- Recognise your individual needs and core beliefs
- Establish your goals, and
- Determine how you will achieve them
As a qualified and experienced professional, I will work with you to achieve your health and wellness objectives.
Running to Learn 44: Mike Marten - wheel chair marathon competitor
11 January 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 11 January 2011.
I met Mike Marten in Benidorm where he was competing in the wheelchair event in the marathon. It was inspiring to talk with him about his experiences as a wheel chair marathon competitor. I eternally find it such a privilege through my podcasts to talk with people about their lives and about who they are. Mike broke his neck when we was 29 years old in a freak water skiing accident and he talked to me candidly about his process of emotional recovery to a position four years after the accident where he felt fully recovered at an emotional level. He said that essentially the process was one of adaption and acceptance and that he wasn’t sure which order that was in – and that the only guarantee in life is that things are always changing.
His wise words and his energy and enthusiasm for life means that as he travels the world competing in marathons he is spreading a powerful energy that communicates that living fully is there was all of us and that we must take each day as an opportunity to be all that we can be and connect with one another. Mike was told that at best he could expect to take a jumper on and off on his own if he got hot or cold; when I was in the queue for the check in to return home from Benidorm I saw Mike whizzing across the airport in his wheel chair pushing his racing wheel chair in front of him and negotiating this all alone and looking like he was having fun!
Running to Learn 43: Kris Harley
04 January 2011
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 4 January 2011.
‘Your body is a complex biomechanical structure and your feet are the foundation of that structure. When there are problems at the foundation, it affects your entire body. Foot-related pain can affect the way you walk and stand, which can often lead to pain in your ankles, knees, hips and back. When your foundation is correctly supported, aligned and cushioned, it starts a chain reaction of pain relief throughout your entire body’.
I really enjoyed talking with Kris – it fitted another piece to the jigsaw puzzle of how to run as our ancestors did, naturally and fluidly, the bones in our feet aligned and our arches strong. The soles also help with the transition to barefoot running because of re-training the arch and allowing it to gain in strength and return to its natural healthy state.
Kris emphasised how wearing their flips in the summer and the exhale shoes in the winter actually aids recovery from training while you are walking around and of course therefore prevents injury and aids performance.
I love the Exhale and have been wearing it constantly as my ‘walking around shoe’ since it arrived in the post and as I said when I was talking to Kris, when I put them on, it felt like my feet gave a little sigh of relief – she pointed out that this is why they are called the ‘exhale’!!
The Bare truth 61: Andrew Westgate - surfer, healer, writer and Tai Chi practitioner
31 December 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 31 December 2010.
I met Andrew 10 years ago and we found that we had a shared core interest in learning to go with the flow! He has surfed all his life and I have run and both these disciplines have honed in us the knowing that we must relax and get out of the way of ourselves to live live. Andrew has always practiced Tai Chi and is now a teacher and also a Reiki healer. He is therefore familiar with working with energy. Understanding and practicing the principles of Yin and Yang is core to his life and to all he does – being aware of the energy moving when you are still, and being still and present when you are moving.
Andrew Jane and I formed our writing group which we called Gold and Silver (GnS for short) and we used to meet regularly in ‘the Long Rooms’ in Lewes until it burnt down! I do remember we frequented some other eateries too as the process of our writing unfolded. It was the environment we created together and support of Jane and Andrew that meant I wrote my book. ‘Running to learn’.
The Long Rooms, rose like the phoenix from the Ashes to turn into Real Eating Company and the three of us are meeting for a reunion there in the new year.
Andrew talks about how he uses Tai Chi – lives Tai Chi – in all he does, his business life, his writing, his guitar playing and his surfing
Running to learn 42: Helly Visser and Roger Davies
26 December 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 26 December 2010.
I had an inspiring time talking to Helly Visser and Roger Davies this week. They are world class master athletes living in Canada and they have written a book called ‘The Guide to Natural Posture Running’. The core message is that we are born to run and that if we return to the relaxation and natural form that we knew as children then we can run free and relaxed and without restriction and injury all of our lives. Roger and Helly are in their 70’s and the photos of them running on their website are truly inspiring. They look graceful and flowing and so fit. I said to them how much they inspire me as I love to run so much and Helly said to me, ‘you will be enjoying your running for many many years to come’...
About ‘The Guide to Natural Posture Running’
Internationally competitive, champion master athletes Roger Davies, 75, and Helly Visser, 76, launched their
new book The Guide to Natural Posture Running on Saturday October 2nd 2010.
The book is a resource for beginning, recreational or competitive runners, who desire to practice techniques to improve their running form, economy and efficiency.
The easiest way to understand Natural Posture Running is to watch young children run; leaning from the ankles, with legs flying, arms swinging easily. No rules, just doing what comes naturally in a style unique to their physique, but perfectly easily and biomechanically efficient. It’s the way our ancestors evolved to run and it’s imprinted in our genes today. And it’s the way to recover our original capabilities characterized by good health and unlimited energy.
The first-time authors are the founders of the Natural Posture Running (NPR) training system to which they attribute their running longevity and absence of injuries. Davies and Visser have been running for over two decades and have competed at World Master Athletic Championships since 1995, earning scores of podium victories.
The Guide to Natural Posture Running covers the theory and the six techniques on which the Natural Posture Running system is based. As well, the guide contains foundation exercises designed to improve the strength and flexibility of all the parts of the body required to adapt to a more economic running form.
‘We are born to run,’ says Dr. D. Lieberman, (anthropologist) of ‘Barefoot Professor’ fame. Lieberman’s 2004 research inspired Davies and Visser to develop NPR. His recent research confirms that humans were designed to be endurance runners. The laws of physics and gravity combine with our self-awareness, core development and adaptation to new techniques to reduce the injuries that plague seventy per cent of all runners.
Running to learn 41: Gerry North
21 December 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 21 December 2010.
I loved spending time with Gerry. He trained hard, he loved and still loves the sport of running and I found him inspirational in his direct and straight talking approach. His advice – if you want to be good, you must be determined, make the time, be prepared to sacrifice and believe in yourself. He has been involved in athletics all his life, from being a top class international athlete through the 60’s, a team manager from club to international level from the mid 80’s and now as a coach to individuals. He is the only person to have won the National Cross Country Championships in three different age groups – as a junior, a senior and a master in the over 50’s. He has just, very deservingly, been nominated for The South of England region services to athletics award. I left speaking with him and wanted to go training!!
Running to learn 40: Greg Funnell
14 December 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 14 December 2010.
Greg has been involved in sport from a young age. He first started his interest in health and fitness playing in-line hockey on a national and international level. Throughout this period he won several regional league campaigns, National and European Championships, and represented Great Britain in two World Championships. On his travels to Australia and New Zealand he discovered Triathlon and was fascinated by the limits the human body is able to be pushed to, which explains his recent interests in Triathlon, completing over several distances including a Half Ironman event. Greg is able to carry his interest in competitive sport and the training that is required through his work in Sports Massage. Greg works with several sporting clubs & their coaching staff with the rehabilitation of injuries & improve sporting performance. He qualified with the North London School of Sports Massage gaining a Level 4 Diploma in Sports and Remedial Massage Therapy and is now taking his interests to a new level studying systematic Kinesiology & Biomechanics.
I first met Greg on the downs, Fi and I were running and a group of guys came running towards us and we went through the gate one way and they the other. I then bumped into him at the coffee shop at Eastbourne station and I recognized him, but he didn’t recognize me (I seem to look very different in my running persona as I often find this happens!) I introduced myself as having already met him through a gate…! I then saw him again when I was out running and heard he had come 7th in the Beachy Head marathon, so the next time I saw him I asked him if he would be interested in recording a podcast.
His story is very inspirational, he hasn’t spoken publicly before about his experience of overcoming cancer as an 18 year old, when he was playing in-line hockey to international level. But he now feels ready to talk about the positive effect of sport in his life and the inner strength and power he found in having a goal to return to after losing all he had.
The bare truth 60: The bare truth: Chinwe Russell
07 December 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 07 December 2010.
It was wonderful talking with Chinwe. I was excited when I read her website and found she was from West Africa the place of my birth. Her Mother was making soap in Nigeria the 60’s when I had just been born, not so far away, also in West Africa in Sierra Leone.
It was evident as we talked that her business chose her, it seems to have come from within her. She creates the products herself and they are natural and organic and come from the women of her birth place, a fair trade practice with the energy of Africa and the women and the Shea but with its profound and energizing qualities that nourish and nurture the skin.
I was certainly won over and I am very much looking forward to my face cream arriving in the post!
Running to learn 39: Gobi and Rach
07 December 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 07 December 2010.
It was a delight to talk with Gobi and Rach. They are positive high energy people with a zest for life and for their sport. Their shared commitment to reaching for the stars and seeing what is possible – going further than before was evident speaking to them both.
Gobi is an accomplished athlete, he has a best marathon time of 2.39 and he has competed in Ultra races including the Comrades where he achieved a silver standard and won the Welsh Ultra Distance Championships in 2008. This year (2010 he has also competed in duathlon and triathlon events (although Rach’s coaching advice to him is to stick with dualthon!). But even with her lack of confidence in his swimming prowess he has still competed in the European and World age group triathlon Champsionships. He is passionate about sport and about coaching others to achieve their best. His advice for Rach has reaped rewards and she has achieved some great results.
Rach had never run prior to 2005 and her introduction to the sport was through running 5k, three times a week on the treadmill, as fast as she could. This was because she had entered a Race for Life event which, as she lined up to ‘go’ was the first time that she had run outdoors. She finished the race in 22.20 and in 5th place ‘in more pain than I’d ever imagined’! – clearly showing a talent for running…
Rach had pursued a career as a professional violinist in the past and so dedication to achieve a level of performance was something she was familiar with, practicing for 6 hours a day!
Her application, and eventual internalizing of Gobi’s suggestion she slow down her training a little, has resulted in her running some great times, her 5k has come down to 17.52, she has achieved 36.58 for 10k.
Rach has also developed a love of triathlon, as injurt directed her to the bike and swimming and next year hopes to medal in her age group with the possibility of turning elite ‘A dream come true’.
Listen here to them sharing their love of the sport – and how they met one another – and me trying to keep myself on the subject of their running rather than being nosy about the dynamics of their relationship! But I had just been on the radio talking about relationships (in role of relationship ‘expert’!) – only an hour before I interviewed them!
You can find Gobi on Twitter at gobi_one, and Rach at rach_e.
Running to learn 38: Chris Moon - One Step Beyond
30 November 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 30 November 2010.
I had a wonderful time meeting Chris Moon to record a podcast with him. He is a runner and an inspirational speaker, a charity fund raiser and an author. His book is called ‘One Step Beyond’ and is published by Macmillan.
Chris had just completed 1000 mile run from Scotland to the Barnados HQ in Essex to raise money for the Barnados children. He completed the run in a month. He has also run sixteen marathons as well as many Ultra races, including Badwater, the 135 mile run through Death valley!
Fifteen years ago when Chris was 33 years old, he was blown up while working for a mine clearing charity and he lost his right arm and the lower part of his right leg. I can remember him at that time, because he ran the London Marathon only months after his injuries. I saw him on television and what really struck me was when the interviewer was asking him to tell his story, he said that his immediate thought when he knew what had happened to him was ‘How will I deal with this’?
I met him in Brighton yesterday when he has just returned from a two hour run. He is ‘real’ and insightful, a man whose soul shines through. He has inspired millions by teaching how to take the next step in life when it feels too hard to do so, and of the importance of how we think. He maintains an attitude of positivity and the idea that limitations are only in our mind is his orientation. He applies this to his running, and more importantly to his whole life. The essence of his teaching is about self management and self discipline and about appreciating the gift of life.
He teaches how to gain the skills needed and how to access inner strength to deal with the adversity, which we will all face at times on our life journey . As he says he literally ‘walks the talk’ and has learnt how to grow stronger from difficulty and to allow the unseen gifts that wouldn’t have been expected to arise from within himself. We teach best by example and he is the living embodiment of this truth.
I was struck by his curiosity and enthusiasm to know, to keep seeking to go further within, allowing for a bigger and bigger outer expression. He appeared connected and accepting of himself. In experiencing more than most will ever go through and having embraced his process so fully, he literally shines. A brighter light on the planet, which is why he is guiding so many of course!
In having faced death, Chris lives more fully than most. It was inspiring and uplifting to be in his company. I believe that all of us must face the fact that we will die one day, to fully embrace each moment of our lives on this planet
Bare Truth 59: Hazel Courteney - Countdown to Coherence
23 November 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 19 November 2010.
It took awhile for Hazel and I to record our interview due to many factors that held it up, including one occassion where we did actually meet, but the time had become limited limited and so we had lunch instead, which was perfect as it gave us time to connect and look into one another’s eyes which allowed for the soul recognition and for the vibration of our conversation to be more powerful in spreading the message of Hazel’s new cutting edge spiritual/science book called ‘Countdown to coherence’.
Hazel is an astounding person who has lead a fascinating life, as well as being a health and spiritual writer she experienced a profound near death experience in 1998 which radically altered the way she saw the world and opened her to other dimensions which are existing all the time but few of us are in touch with and ultimately lead to her launching her new book.
I really enjoyed Countdown to Coherence – it is profound and inspiring and yet easy to read, a unique book, in which Hazel travels widely to meet numerous distinguished yet controversial thinkers and scientists who offer their cutting edge verified research and theories on a vast range of subjects. ‘Coherence denotes ‘everything coming together as one’ – and Profesor Gary Schwartz from the university of Arizona sayd of this book:’ A serious attempt at offereing good scientific ideas toward a Spiritual Theory of Everything. Even the sceptics will be riveted by the possibilities’
Running to learn 37: Caroline Palmer - A La Carte Health
23 November 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 23 November 2010.
Welcome to A La Carte Health. If I was face to face with you right now I’d want to ask you a couple of questions… Could you enjoy better health and fitness? Where will you be in 5 years’ time if you are still doing what you are doing now? My answers to these questions a few years ago prompted me to make a few lifestyle changes – and now I help others to do the same. Maybe you or someone you care about could do with a helping hand?
I received a message on my voicemail from Caroline, saying that we had a connection through Haslemere Border AC. I had been the first lady member in 1974 and Caroline ran on the very same fields around Woolmer Hill that I did as a teenager 20 years later.
Caroline shared her story with me on this podcast and it will be one that inspires people to take control of their lives and to follow their dreams.
Caroline followed her own in taking the leap to follow her passion and train as a personal trainer giving up a lucrative corporate career. The main thing that came across to me in my conversation with Caroline was that she loves her life and she loves helping others love theirs
Bare Truth 58: Jobie Summer - Author of The Pleasure is Ours: Increase Your Intimacy and Ecstasy with Phone Sex
19 November 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 19 November 2010.
Jobie Summer CFP® CEP, CFS, MA
Author, The Pleasure is Ours: Increase Your Intimacy and Ecstasy with Phone Sex
I so enjoyed recording my podcast with Jobie, she was a delight to speak with and after accommodating a long delay because I had computer trouble, she was open and engaging and her warmth and genuine desire to make a different was evident in everything she said
Jobie has found in her work with people that the two most difficult issues in a relationship are sex and money!
Jobie is an expert in loving, intimate communication. After working with couples as a financial advisor for 15 years, she found the common thread to money problems was a lack of true intimacy in their method of communicating. Jobie says, “Many people talk to one another but don’t truly listen and feel each other. This same challenge transfers to all aspects of relationships and often starts with the most tangible aspect of intimacy – sexuality.”
If people can’t speak lovingly about sex and money there will be a strain on your relationship. After seeing this strain over and over again with her clients, she decided it was time to do something about it.
Jobie has combined her diverse background in Education, Mediation, Compassionate Listening and Tantra to help people really connect on an intimate level. She has taken the communication skills she has learned both through her own experiences and 1000s of hours of training to teach people how to talk lovingly to each other.
She loves training in the context of Phone Sex because it is the perfect playground for learning. When lovers speak on the phone, they can’t look into each other’s eyes or wrap their arms around each other for support so they are forced to develop loving language. People have a choice between feeling the distance growing between them or they can learn to communicate with their words.
It is all about having the proper skill set. Jobie introduces these skills in her latest book, “The Pleasure is Ours: Increase Your Intimacy and Ecstasy with Phone Sex”.
Running to Learn 36: Virginia Pawlyn - Running a marathon at 70
17 November 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 17 November 2010.
Virginia Pawlyn was a very inspiring lady for me to interview! She ran the Jersey marathon this month. It was her first ever marathon and she completed it in 4.26. Virginia started running 4 years ago and decided that she would celebrate turning 70 this year by running a marathon! She spoke about the support of her running clubs and how vital the people had been to encourage and to train with and of the help of her personal trainer Dan Fivey http://www.danfiveypersonaltraining.co.uk who had her doing many hill reps and ran some of her long runs with her.
Virginia said that she feels better now at 70 than at any other time in her life…
She has stretched herself to achieve something she never would have conceived possible and her message to us all is to ‘try it’ – If you want to do something – then try it and find out what is possible.
Running to Learn 35: Mary Thornton - Where Physiotherapy meets Pilates
09 November 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 9 November 2010.
The Clinical Pilates Studio is Eastbourne’s first fully equipped classical Pilates Studio and is based in the heart of Old Town.
The studio is unique in its approach to movement therapy as it combines Physiotherapy with Pilates to create a specific programme for the individual based on medical history and physical assessment.
The studio is run by Chartered Physiotherapist Mary Thornton who leads a team of Physiotherapists and Pilates instructors to provide a high quality service backed by regular training.
My interview with Mary was inspirational as well as fun and informative. I has decided meme to go for a professional visit to Mary’s lovely sunny studio to check out my alignment. I believe that this will enable me to take further steps in my body awareness and help my mission to run with a free and flowing action and without biomechanical pain all the days of my life!
Running to Learn 34: Nick Ballard - Winning over 50s Triathlete
02 November 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 2 November 2010.
Nick is an athlete of 51 who is inspiring many of us over 50’s with his performances, this year competing with great success as a triathlete. Nick competed in the British Triathlon championships, winning his age group and being ranked British number 1, which has meant that he is now eligible to compete in the European and World Championships in 2011.
However Nick is an athlete reborn, as up until this year he was suffering from chronic knee injuries that meant he literally couldn’t run at all – but a miracle occurred, Nick started to take supplements, run with a different running action and hey presto here he is running and competing – and winning – again.
He enjoyed much success as a younger athlete, the pinnacle of his running career being winning the Slough Half Marathon in a time of 67.01 and a couple of weeks later running and winning the Robin Hood marathon in Nottingham in 2.25. He decided to hang up his running shoes. But as his current activity and form shows, we must never say never again!
I very much enjoyed my conversation with Nick – his enthusiasm is infectious and inspiring and I recognized my own love of training and the passion to extend and see what is possible. Nick described us a ‘nutters’ – which may of course be true!...
Running to Learn 33: Clare Crean - Audio fuel
26 October 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 26 October 2010.
I found my way to 1 Alfred Place, a gorgeous Club, just off the Tottenham Court Road. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and the club had an air of industrious calm and relaxation. People were working, laptops out, but delicious steaming cappuccinos by their side in spacious airy light surroundings.
Clare ordered us Coffee and biscuits, both of which were a great experience. I am an expert of coffee and biscuits and these were top grade!
We both had the afternoon free, so we were able to chat first and find out about one another, which I enjoyed a lot – and I got a sense of the energy and creativity and collaboration that has gone into founding audiofuel. It was also clear that there is a genuine commitment to creating something of value both in the actual product that has the power to make a real difference to runners and their ability to extend themselves and so get more out of themselves as well as a philanthropic orientation in the long term.
But what was really evident was the passion and energy that Claire communicates. When I (eventually) downloaded the music and practiced with it I found that this is replicated in the product which I genuinely think can help me with my own interval training.
Running to learn 32: Chris Howarth - Kenya after the event
19 October 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 19 October 2010.
I flew out to Africa with my friend Ange who was keen to meet Chris and interested in the work he is doing with the street children of Kenya.
By the time we found Chris we had been journeying in the car for 11 hours from Nairobi, a journey that had been rich with experience and a sense of being embraced by the rhythm of the Mombasa road and African landscape
Chris was in Mariakinu, and as we approached the town, he came out and stood in the road. We were wedged between two lorries as we negotiated the busy street, when suddenly there he was, waving on the roadside, his bright and powerful energy shining out. We ate with his team, Steve, Lee, Iasiah and Evans in a little restaurant and sampled the diet Chris has been living on for the last 6 weeks, Rice and stew and Chapati. It was delicious. Ange and I has eaten very little for the last two days! Chris looked so well and fit, even though he had at times been through days when he had hardly known how he would take the next step.
We slept so well in our little cottage, which was basic accommodation, but provided all we needed to rest our heads for the night.
Early in the morning we were gathered by the roadside in the humid hot African heat – another bit of the road stretching ahead for Chris, running in the country where I took my first running steps for me – and a chance for Chris and I to catch up.
We set off and talked all the way – about his journey – about his experiences and about how the run , which was huge and awesome, was still but one step in Chris’s vision. One step in the journey he begun two years ago with the street children. The run was all about his work, and the running has been a way of allowing him to carry his message further and wider.
We ran together deep in dialogue, waving to the children that ran out to greet us….
Running to learn 31: Phil Newton - Marathon du Sables
12 October 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 12 October 2010.
Phil is going to run across the desert! The marathon de sables has called him and he is following. Phil and I met on twitter and the moment we first spoke to arrange the podcast, it was clear that we would have no trouble in talking about running together! Talking with him was uplifting and fun! Phil is challenge orientated and he has discovered that running has changed him in positive ways and given him more confidence through finding out that he can do what he didn’t know he could before. He has also found that it is a constant learning ground and place for his own personal development. Having embraced running challenges that have taken him deeper within himself, he feels ready for the big one! 150 miles through the desert, where one of the main obstacles is how to run and not get sand in your shoes! It is certainly the aspect that has always alarmed me when I have found my thoughts heading in in that way!
Follow Phil’s progress on twitter @SaharaRunner
Bare Truth 57: Vena Ramphal - Passion Coach
06 October 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 6 October 2010.
Vena is a passion coach specializing in transition and transformation in romance.
Speaking with Vena is always a joy and a powerful experience. Her energy is all encompassing and accepting and she creates a safe space through being herself and by her obvious commitment to her own work which brings an authenticity and truth to her work with others.
Working with people who are in relationship ‘crisis’ or flux, she facilitates them to make choices that bring them more fulfilling love lives. Whether it’s ending a partnership, creating a new relationship, or a mid-relationship dilemna the space of transition is rich with gifts: you are at the crossroads of many possible futures. The choice is yours. But making the choice on your own can be so challenging with the torrent of emotions that accompany love dilemnas. Vena’s work enables clients to make clear choices in that compelling and confusing thing we call love. Unusually, her energy work allows clients to access the emotional charge of the situation and turn it into useful and useable energy that they can use in every aspect of their lives. Working this way, the gifts of passion are manifold.
Vena’s work draws on the classical Indian energy traditions: yoga, ayurveda and tantra; unlocking the body’s inherent power to clarify and pull our inner intentions into physical form. Her approach makes these techniques directly relevant to a Western, twenty-first century lifestyle.
Running to Learn 30: Matt Hyde - The sabbatical
05 October 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 5 October 2010.
When I asked Matt if he would record a podcast with me, it was after receiving a text from him, when he was in the mountains, clearly loving the total experience, the mountain lake, the sun, the mountains rising around him. He sounded very joyful, therefore I anticipated our podcast about his sabbatical from teaching, much of it spent cycling up 15 of the Tour de France cols and following the tour itself in his camper van to be about just that.
But as he spoke, it became apparent that the time away from teaching, the time meeting other adventurers ‘There are only nice people at the top of a mountain’ has effected a shift within which has meant he cannot be in the education system in the same way as he was before. He is unable to ‘join in’ with the group karma around result driven teaching. He spoke about how he is is passionate about education being about developing the individual and allowing them the freedom to know who they are and live fully rather than emerge with a list of results that may or may not reflect them in the truest sense.
Bare Truth 56: Jacky Chapman
28 September 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 28 September 2010.
I love going into Jacky’s shop which has appeal for most spiritual communities – spiritualists, pagans, wiccans, buddists and she sells a large range of spiritual and ritual items. Jacky has been involved with all things spiritual for almost thirty years and I love going in to browse and buy( I am one of her best customers she says!) and to chat to Jacky. She is creating a Spirit Roadshow that is opening on October 2nd here in Eastbourne, and she then intends to take it out on the road to educate people into other possibilities and ideas about ‘all things spiritual’.
Running to Learn 29: David O’Meara
28 September 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 29 September 2010.
When we spoke David had just returned from running round the world in less than 30 minutes! It was inspiring to talk with him, he is a coach, a speaker, an author and an athlete. His latest adventure running 6 one mile races in six different continents in a combined time of 29.25 – achieving his goal of running them in a total time 30 minutes or less. One of them was a straight mile into a headwind! By following his own passion and finding out about himself through having to dig into the unknown to keep running fast, without injury and with joy – he inspires and teaches older athletes how to recover more quickly, how to run fast and free and how to develop functional strength. Like Lee Saxby, who I have also recorded a podcast with, he mirrored the message that it is about technique and looking after the body at a physiological level and that at an emotional and spiritual level it is about seeking and expressing our own truth and finding out about our own amazingness. He writes about this in his book ‘Creating Amazement’. Recognising that we are all unique, with a unique spark of light that needs igniting to its full power – and that if we don’t fully express then the world misses out!
Running to learn 28: Andy White - Get a running buddy
21 September 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 21 September 2010.
This is a re-interview of Andy…
I met Andy at an SOS networking event and he recorded a little podcast with me. He is doctorpod, the king of podcasting and he inspired me that day into starting to do my own podcasts.
A few months later, met for a coffee and a chat about ideas on being healthy and fit, as he wanted to be fitter. A year later we met again, in the same cafe in Brighton and Andy is now fit! The secret – he started to run and he also found a running buddy to encourage him.
He looks great, running clearly suits him and has benefitted his life in more ways than the obvious physiological and health benefuts. Running has helped Andy to think differently and to live with more ease, it has helped him to connect to his true self as part of a spiritual awakening – and he looks great too!
I asked him if I could record a podcast with him and so it seemed fitting that we met again in the same cafe….
Bare truth 55: Leonie Linssen - Love Unlimited
14 September 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 14 September 2010.
I had arrived back from my trip to Africa the morning that Leonie was scheduled in my diary for our podcast later the same day. I had ordered her book ‘Love Unlimited’ the hope it would arrive before my trip and the intention therefore to read it while away, neither of which had happened!
I dipped into sections of the book, before our conversation and was instantly interested and absorbed. She writes with wisdom and compassion and without judgement. The book is exploring how to be in polyamorous relationship, but the core message seemed to me to be one of teaching clarity and openness in dialogue with those we are in relationship with. The book leads us to believe that it might be safe enough to explore our yearnings and desires with our partners and lovers, in a way that allows fro growth creativity rather than hurt and destruction.
When we spoke, I found her to be in person as she had seemed to me from her writing. I really enjoyed my conversation with her, she was open and warm and easy to connect with and willing to share her own experiences in her own love life as well as give guidance as to how to be ourselves in relationship. The essence of her work is how to grow as individuals in our closest relationships, through truthful dialogue and in the honouring of ourselves and one another.
Here’s Leonie’s website. ( I think she has another website that she mentions in podcast?!). Here’s where you’ll find her book, Love Unlimited.
Running to learn 27: The Gumpathon boys
14 September 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 14 September 2010.
I went up to London to meet four of the Gumpathon team to record this podcast with them. The team arerunning across America from New York to LA – it’s called the Gumpathon because the idea was inspired by Damian who when he watched the film ‘Forrest Gump’ thought that running across America was something he would like to do someday . Ten years later and he is doing just that.
He found a reason to put his plan into action when his friend Mark, who was also there for our interview, was left with serious permanent disability following his tour in Afghanistan. Mark is now a triple amputee and speaking with him was an inspiration. From the beginning when it seemed there was nothing he could do – that he had lost so much – he has worked and worked to relearn how to do things that before he took for granted.
Now he is part of the team running across America and is intending to cover a mile a day himself – he said that when he first went from being in a wheelchair to using his prosthetics, he could only manage a few steps before being exhausted and having to rest. He has even had to learn to write with his left hand, being originally right-handed. He has written a book called ‘Man Down’ and I asked him to sign my copy and wondered when I watched him writing whether he was originally left-handed, but then he said ‘I’m afraid the writing isn’t great as I was originally right-handed’ – the writing is very neat! The team are raising money as they run for Help for Heroes, the Royal Marines charitable trust fund and the US injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
I loved being with the guys – especially as they said I looked like Britney Spears – but I bet they say that to all the girls! I was struck by their spirit of enthusiasm and determination and by the relationships between them all – a strong bond born out of sharing in adversity, seeing their friends go down and staying to support and help and work together for everyone to live fully whatever their circumstances. Mark spoke of his new job working with injured soldiers, some who are only 18 or 19 years old with their lives irrevocably altered. He said that before his own injuries he had not even met a disabled person and now he is part of helping them to walk again and even to run again.
Running to Learn 26: Lee Saxby - Barefoot running
09 September 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 09 September 2010.
I had an amazing experience with Lee, he helped my body remember how to get into alignment in a way that allows for natural and free running. I started my running career as a barefoot runner and with Lee’s guidance it felt like an unravelling of some of the adaptions I have made to shoes and I released and ran free. Lee’s philosophy is that running barefoot reconnects us to our truth and to all that is real, to our needs, emotional mental and spiritual at a profoundly real level. However he is keenly aware of the responsibility of encouraging people to run barefoot as it is about technique as much as about simply shedding shoes – there is a need for patience to ensure you allow your body to remember ‘how to’ again.
I would highly recommend a session with Lee www.thebarefootclinic.com – it was fun, but also I felt safe and supported and his eye is so accurate and insightful – our ’stuff’ – our wounds and imbalances all show in how we move, so it follows that if we realign and reconnect to our natural self then we are in a position to start to release the stuff rather than keep it blocked in – or worse hurt ourselves even more!
Julia talks to Stu Prince and Mark Cage about CoastersGB, the relay around the coast of Great Britain
03 September 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 03 September 2010. If all else fails, try here.
Highly influenced by Eddie Izzard’s fantastic feat of 43 marathons in 52 days, and one man’s innate desire to “do something a bit different”, the question “would it be possible to run a relay around the Coast of Great Britain?” was posed. The departure of a baton named Barry from Blackpool Tower on the 9th May gave us part of the answer.
Find out more about the relay at www.coastersgb.co.uk
Follow Barry the Baton on Twitter
Interview with Lyz Cooper, Sound Therapist
27 August 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 27 August 2010. If all else fails, try here.
Lyz has been working in the complementary health arena since 1981 and has studied many aspects of this field. In 2004 she graduated from University with a Certificate in Education (Cert.Ed) and is now taking a Masters Degree in Education – researching the effectiveness of sound on learning ability, social skills and the immune system.
In 1995 she began researching sound therapy and developed an effective technique for improving health and well-being. Her work has produced excellent results and received very positive support from the media with features in magazines, newspapers, radio and television in the UK and overseas.
In 2000 Lyz formed the first sound therapy training establishment in the UK to offer a professional qualification in sound therapy. She is a consultant to the Institute for Complementary Medicine and a member of the British General Council of Complementary Practitioners, an organisation formed to represent the complex profession of complementary medicine through elected and appointed representatives.
Lyz gives performances and runs talks, workshops and presentations in the UK and overseas. She has also composed two CD’s – Chakra Balance and Crystal and Stone – and performs with her group, Soundscapes, in wonderful locations such as Stonehenge. In June 2006 Soundscapes released their first CD Emergence which has received excellent reviews.
Interview with Andy White, 'Doctor Pod'
23 August 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 23 August 2010. If all else fails, try here.
I met Andy at an SOS networking event and he recorded a little podcast with me! He is doctorpod – so he is the king of podcasting and he inspired me into starting to do my own!
We then met for a coffee and for a chat about fitness – as he wanted to get fit – a year later we met again in the same cafe in Brighton and Andy is now fit! The secret – he started to run and found a running buddy to encourage him. He looks great and running clearly suits him and has benefitted his life in more ways than the obvious physiological and helath benefuts. Running has helped Andy to think differently and so live with more ease – and he looks great too!
I asked him if I could record a podcast with him and so it seemed fitting that we met again in the same cafe….
Interview with Rachel Disley, Surrey Cross Country Girls Team Manager
13 August 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 13 August 2010. If all else fails, try here.
Rachel joined Haslemere Border AC in 1976, when I was 17 and she was 12 years old. 34 years later and we are lifelong friends, having shared so much in those few years together in the same Athletics Club. Rach comments in our podcast that our connection and friendship was born out of a shared dream and a recognition of this within each other. My nickname then was Star and Rach aspired to run fast like me – and, as the older and for a while faster runner, I was struck by her tenacity, determination and her amazing spirit and belief that anything was possible. With the unfolding years her spirit is undimmed, but now it is also full of the wisdom that has come through life’s challenges and having to keep going even when all seems lost. She is an inspiration and a true friend.
Interview with Darren Campbell, Olympic athlete and Youth Sports Ambassador
06 August 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 06 August 2010. If all else fails, try here.
It was Darren Campbell’s mother who first spotted his talent when she saw him run in his first school sports day – ‘she knew that day that I had talent, and so from that day on it was evident to her that I was going to be an athlete. It first clicked for me when I was twelve years old, watching the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and seeing Carl Lewis win four Olympic Gold medals.’ Young Darren started practising his autograph and telling everyone that he would be going to the Olympic Games to compete. Now, with more than 20 medals to his name, including Olympic Gold & Silver, Commonwealth Bronze and World Championship Bronze, Darren works to help people realise that motivation and inspiration can help you achieve your dreams, even when the odds are stacked against you.
Darren’s profile on the Youth Sports Trust page.
Interview with Lynne McNicoll, founder of the charity It's Good 2 Give!
30 July 2010
Lynne started fundraising in December 2005 on her 49th birthday – she wanted to find a different and more giving way to celebrate her 50th birthday. She pledged to raise £50,000 for a young persons cancer charity by her 50th birthday.
Although the first three months of fundraising were a struggle Lynne soon developed a taste for networking and event organising! By the time she had turned 50 Lynne smashed her target raising over £54000.
Since that whirlwind year Lynne has continued to fundraise. With the help of the community of the East of Scotland she has raised over £650,000 to help teenagers fight cancer. Among other things this has allowed the opening of age appropriate facilities in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children for teenagers aged 13-16.
During her first four years of fundraising Lynne met many families affected by cancer and the more she got to know them the more she realised how much cancer affected the whole family. In setting up It’s Good 2 Give! Lynne wanted to support the whole family. Called It’s Good 2 Give because for Lynne it has been! She is very keen to encourage giving – of time, ideas and skills as well as funds.
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 30 July 2010. If all else fails, try here.
My marathon friend Mark introduced Lynne and I on twitter – Lynne lives in Edinburgh, and as my brother and Mark also live in Edinburgh it is lovely to be gathering a band of kindred spirits there! Lynne and I said ‘hello’ after our introduction and then Lynne said ‘what do we do now?’! ‘How about I record a podcast?’ was my response and so that is what we did! Lynne’s open heart and warmth and genuine love of the people she works with and is raising money for is inspiring. Her passion and her enthusiasm are tangible, and it is obvious why she has been able to transform that into money that is making such a huge difference to the lives of young people with cancer and their families. I am very much looking forward to meeting her on my next trip north.
Interview with Stewart Pearce, Sound Healer and Master of Voice
23 July 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 23 July 2010. If all else fails, try here.
Stewart was born in London, England and having trained as an Actor Teacher worked in Repertory Theatre. In 1980 his practice as a Voice Coach began, teaching under the auspices of Cicely Berry at the ‘Guildhall School of Music & Drama’, and in 1981 Stewart became the Head of Voice at the prestigious ‘Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art’, continuing until 1998. During this period he also worked pervasively throughout the theatre industry at the ‘Actors Centre’, and in the West End and as a coach with many major companies such as the ‘Actors Touring Company’. From 1998 Stewart become the Master of Voice at ‘Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre’ for Mark Rylance, the first Artistic Director of the newly reconstructed Theatre. Today, Stewart continues this role for the ever expanding Globe Education Department. Stewart facilitates Master Classes internationally and has taught extensively throughout the USA; for example at the ‘Stella Adler Studio’ in NYC, and regularly coaches premier theatre companies such as ‘Classic Stage Ireland’, ‘Chicago Shakespeare Theater’, the ‘Long Wharf Theater Connecticut’, Sonia Friedman Productions in the West End, and at the Royal Court.
Clients have included luminaries of the entertainment industry such as Maria Aitken, Frances Barber, Minnie Driver, Kathryn Hunter, Josie Lawrence, Vanessa Redgrave, Jonathan Cake, Simon Callow, Jack Davenport, and Mark Rylance.
www.stewartpearce.com
www.thealchemyofvoice.com
Details of Stewart’s August 2010 retreat can be found here.
I had a wonderful time interviewing Stewart – it was our second meeting and I was really looking forward to spending time with him again. After being with him the first time, I had left floating on air – in love for sure! He is all heart and so it is impossible not to fall in love with, into the safety and beauty of someone who is living the message he is teaching – speak from the heart, heal your own heart and connect to the hearts of others. Like this, together we can heal the world, interaction by interaction.
His own voice has a soothing quality to it and his mission is to help each individual find their signature note – the sound of their soul. Once again, when we parted I left floating on air, the authentic and open energy of Stewart creating an environment of safety to be all that you can be. His life’s work has been in enabling others to find their true expression and, as he says at the beginning of the interview, his whole life has been about this as first he had to find it for himself.
Interview with Steve Uzzell, Runner
16 July 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 16 July 2010. If all else fails, try here.
Steve and I are runners who have crossed paths over the years on the running road without ever having really stopped to chat and pass the time of day! He read my book a few months ago, which opened a dialogue on facebook, so it was very enjoyable to meet him face to face and find out that the phoenix has been a powerful symbol for us both throughout our lives. Listening to Steve tell his story and how he maintains the belief that when everything is lost it is still possible to rise from the ashes is an inspiring message for living – and Steve tells of how he has followed the wise words that encourage and teach that if you fall down seven times, get up eight!
Interview with Naomi Richards, The Kids Coach
09 July 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 09 July 2010. If all else fails, try here.
I met Naomi in London when I was at an SOS event. I was just about to leave and she came over and said hello to me, as we were following each other on twitter! We didn’t have a chance to chat then as I was aiming for a train, so our podcast together was our first real conversation – I enjoyed it a lot! Her enthusiasm for life – for her family, her work and her running is uplifting and inspiring, especially for anyone balancing bringing up little children with working. The value of running, the time for herself, the time to think and return refreshed and committed to all she does is a message that says a lot for committing to giving time to move the body – whether in running or any other way. She finds that the power of exercise helps the children she works with who have emotional difficulties and are learning how to release and understand their anger. It was lovely to speak with Naomi and every year she runs a marathon on her birthday in October to raise money for charity – a birthday present to herslef she says – but of course it then becomes a present to many others too!
www.thekidscoach.org.uk
Naomi on twitter.
Interview with Mark Cooper, after running his 49th out of 50 marathons - in 56 days!
02 July 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 02 July 2010. If all else fails, try here.
I met Mark in a shopping centre in Edinburgh when he was running a marathon on a treadmill, and two months later I travelled to Spain to run the 49th of 50 marathons with him, just one part of a journey which has taken him from Amsterdam to Barcelona, raising £25,000 for Headway in the process. We recorded our first podcast together in April, in the Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh – with his journey still ahead of him. This, our second podcast, was recorded in the afternoon having run together for 26 miles of his epic journey, with the 90 degree heat and spectacular scenery of sunny Spain as a backdrop to our morning together. Mark is an inspiration, in answer to my question as to what he has learnt, he replied that he has learnt that anything is possible and that it has opened him to bigger horizons, and how moved he has been by people’s generosity of spirit, that there are so many people willing to give of themselves.
Interview with 'Death Valley Jack'
25 June 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 25 June 2010. If all else fails, try here.
Death Valley Jack is a legend! He has competed in 14 races across the famous Badwater Ultramarathon – a 135 mile race that reaches temperatures of 50 degrees centigrade!
I so enjoyed my conversation with him, he is enthusiastic and positive and talks of his challenge in a way that really and truly almost had me signing up myself there and then, particularly for the hallucinations which he claims to love! Listening to his experiences and the gathering together of his support team and of the friendships and fun along the way, it is almost possible to start to forget the extreme physical challenge and how astounding it is that Jack keeps going back for more. So now I really am contemplating putting it on my ‘to do list’ – I have a few races on there! This is because of Jack’s passion and energy – he spoke of how people have described him as an inspiration – and he is, in every sense – encouraging and humble – and yet showing such fortitude and strength and the ability to keep going through adversity and keep optimistic.
See a video about Jack’s run at the Badwater Ultramarathon.
Interview with Louise Wingate-Saul, Jeweller
18 June 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 18 June 2010. If all else fails, try here.
The native American Indians see the butterfly as a symbol of joy. This year, for my birthday, my friend Angela had especially made for me a beautiful butterfly necklace. I love the necklace, it has special energy and gives me great delight to wear it. So meeting and talking with the creator of my gift was a brilliant experience. Louise took me through her creative process, and what I found fascinating was how much she finds running helps her create her beautiful jewellery. How the rhythm of the run brings up all sorts of previously unseen possibilities and how she then returns home, ready to fashion her ‘base metal’ into the gold that becomes my butterfly and her many other pieces of beautiful jewellery!
It is also inspiring hearing how she decided to create her business, how an idea can become a reality. What strikes most is her love of it, which means that her jewellery will be holding the energy of that joy! I can feel it in my butterfly for sure!
Interview with the Barefoot Doctor, Supercharged Taoist
11 June 2010
Barefoot Doctor enjoyed a mystically oriented childhood, studied Aikido, energy healing and meditation at age 11, studied yoga, Tai Chi in his late teens, the human psyche and how to approach it with RD Laing in his early 20s, shamanism living with the Native Americans for four years in New Mexico and acupuncture and Taoism in his mid- to late -twenties, returned to London in ’83, ran a busy acupuncture healing practice till 2000, while also doing experimental performance events, workshops, seminars and talks, making healing music and teaching Tai Chi and meditation. In 2000 he went full time into book-writing, media and running this site, which has been in existence since 1998 as an informal online Taoism training school and virtual clinic (through email coaching). He spends his time writing, running the site and www.superchargedtaoist.com, making music, doing workshops, seminars, talks and musical events around the world and helping people. He also runs School For Warriors an 8-week online course in the principles of personal power.His 13th book, THE MAN WHO DROVE WITH HIS EYES CLOSED – AND MY OTHER ASTONISHING TEACHERS AND GURUS is now out, published by Hay House in the UK and in the US in January 2010 also with Hay House, under the title, SUPERCHARGED TAOIST.
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 11 June 2010. If all else fails, try here.
Ten years ago I established a Sunday routine of driving to the Ashdown Forest, stopping en route to buy the Sunday Observer, running with friends for three hours and then piling into Duddleswell tea rooms on the edge of the forest for breakfast and a read of the papers. Barefoot Doctor had a page at the back of the magazine, which I loved. I would discipline myself to read my way right through the magazine until I legitimally reached his words of wisdom rather than turning straight to it!
I loved what he wrote and how he wrote and I felt he was speaking directly to me. But as he says in his interview with me, he was – because he speaks to each individual. He tunes in and speaks from his heart to the hearts of all those who read his words, or listen to him speak or hear his music. He emphasises that his practice is based in love – of the Tao – and of each and every person on the planet. Throughout all his many projects the core message is the same: live fully, be here, now, be still within all the movement and connect to your heart so that you are open to move towards and follow your destiny. His life has been dedicated to communicating ancient wisdom to us in a way that is accessible, and he emphasises that to be fully integrated and happy, as well as focusing on our own path, it is of importance that we are of service to each other, every day that we are alive!
Interview with Chris McDougall, Author of Born to Run
10 June 2010
Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 10 June 2010. If all else fails, try here.
I arrived at Profile Books, Chris’s publishing company with 40 minutes to spare, which was just perfect for my cappuccino moment and email catch up time. Being with Chris was like being with someone I hadn’t seen in a long while but we ‘just picked up where we’d left off’! At the end of our time together, when Anna -Marie his publicist had to come and fetch him away for a lunch appointment, we had to almost finish mid-sentence – ‘Clearly a conversation to be continued,’ he said, and was suggesting a race in the states called ‘fat arse…’ or something like that? That already feels like it might be drawing me to it. His eyes had lit up at the prospect of the cross country London – Brighton race!
He spoke again of how he feels that time over distance and the pressure of pushing for times might have taken the joy out of running for many – he says he is not certain, but that he notices that in Ultra racing there is a different mentality and that the runners are more connected to nature, to themselves, and so inevitably to one another and that the joy and play of ‘being like a child’ is very much there. He commented that you don’t ask a 5 year old – ’so how many miles did you run today?’ and yet they race around using their bodies all the time – free and full of joy.
Interview with Jill Purce, Pioneer of the Sound Healing movement
04 June 2010
Jill Purce pioneered the international sound healing movement through her rediscovery of ancient vocal techniques, the power of group chant, and the spiritual potential of the voice as a magical instrument for healing and meditation, and introduced Overtone Chanting and other Healing Voice Workshops into Europe, North America and Japan.
Through her workshops, Inner Sound and Voice; The Healing Voice; Re-enchanting the World; Ritual Resonance – Healing The Family; and Ritual Resonance – Healing The Ancestors she has taught internationally for thirty years, teaching diverse forms of sacred chant, and especially Mongolian overtone chanting.
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 05 June 2010. If all else fails, try here.
I travelled to the Mind Body Spirit Festival and arrived as Jill was doing a stint on the main stage, which she described as a jungle! She was amazing – performing with the noise of the masses all around and not really having any way of telling if she was engaging her audience – she was of course – the power of her chanting was transformative and I was excited to be going to her workshop later in the day.
I loved the two hours that I and the group spent listening to her describe, with passion, the ability of sound to literally calm stormy seas and to change turbulent emotions and fear into calm and trust. Her mission – that we can reconnect with one another through finding our own resonance and so resonating together to heal the world – mirrored my own work of learning how we can liberate ourseves to be all that we can be. Jill maintains that we all have our own note, that if you liberate the voice you liberate the human being, and that to maintain a person in tune is to maintain them in a state of health.
I went home with her in her taxi to record this podcast and was inspired by exploring how her work has evolved over the years and that now she is working with healing the family through working ceremonially with resonant fields of the family – revealing the dynamic of their patterns to restore love and harmony. She has taken this further to combine her powerful healing family work with her cermonies for ancestral healing. It was both a privilege and a joy to spend time with Jill and to learn about work.
Interview with John Francksen, Charity Runner
28 May 2010
Click here to find this podcast on iTunes, or here for the feed – look for 28 May 2010. If all else fails, try here.
I travelled to Riga as Running Free’s roving reporter and met John Francksen and his wife Tracy who were there too. We had all booked to go with Malcolm from Running Crazy which always guarantees a great time away!
John, who runs for Thornbury Running Club, was completing his final marathon of nine – each begining with a letter of his name. He has raised money for charity in each one and as we chatted he also explored all the other reasons he runs and the benefits it brings him.
It felt that his running connected him up to himself and others in so many ways. He is able to clear the stress of the day, connect with his friends, be present with his family and at the same time make a difference at a global level in raising money for causes that are dear to him.
And – he is showing that games teacher from 40 years ago that ‘he can do it’ – he has ‘picked himself for games’!
Would you like to be interviewed?
Would you like to be interviewed by me, about any subject or any aspect of your life? Is there something you want people to know about: maybe your work, your hobby, an event, work you are doing, a charity, your art, your writing, your music, your business, your politics, your spiritual beliefs – anything at all? What motivates and excites you, what you’d like to achieve, what you have achieved and how – anything that you would like to say, then I would like to listen to you and so would the people who are subscribing and tuning in every week!
‘The Bare Truth’ offers a chance to speak and be heard and to make a difference in the process of the dialogue as it unfolds! If this is something you would like to do, then please get in touch and we can schedule an interview!
Archive
2012
August
Bare Truth 99: Phil DhingraBare Truth 98: Mike Holgate - Ironman Triathlete
July
Bare Truth 97: Paul HideBare Truth 96: Rob Harley
Bare Truth 95: The Rock Ride
Bare Truth 94: Pat Bowley - League of Mercy award for 40 years of voluntary work
Bare Truth 93: John Stirk - Creative Movement and Yoga Practitioner
June
Bare Truth 92: Julia Armstrong - Running for England - Part 1Bare Truth 91: Peter Greaves - aspiring ironman
Bare Truth 90: Beanzz Coffee Shop
May
Bare Truth 89: Sharon Aviva Jones - Applied Drama PractitionerBare Truth 88: Kevin Marshall - Nordic Walker and Ultra Runner
Bare Truth 87: Iwona Stepien - Painted T-shirts
Bare Truth 86: Mark Kleanthous - double and triple triathloner
Bare Truth 85: Hazel Lawrence - Advanced Skills Teacher
April
Bare Truth 84: Andy White - First time marathonerBare Truth 83: Kay Aplin - Architectural Ceramisist
Bare Truth 82: Jerry Rothwell - Documentary Film Maker
Bare Truth 81: Tom Roper - Runner, Observer and Commentator on Life
March
Bare Truth 80: Cas Holmes - Textile and Mixed Media ArtistBare Truth 79: Matt Shore - Personal Trainer and Healer
Bare Truth 78: Kevin Izzard - The South Downs Double (Part 2)
Bare Truth 77: Kevin Izzard - The South Downs Double (Part 1)
February
Bare Truth 76: Fiona Bugler - Runner and WriterBare Truth 75: Don Came