Breakfast with Boots: Health & Wellbeing in Your Own Two Hands

Episode 15 - Prioritising mental health & wellbeing | Breakfast with Boots & Mel Cunningham

For the final interview of my 10-part series, we decided to switch things up and turn the interview spotlight on Becca Boots. Becca is the host of Breakfast with Boots and the founder of Siendo, a company invested in promoting positive health and wellbeing. 

During this podcast, we talk about everything; from the need for greater investment in mental health to the importance of taking a proactive stance towards your own wellbeing. 

Among many nuggets of gold, Becca explains that long-gone is the day when people used to see mental health and physical health as separate entities. Our mental health and physical health are in one constant feedback loop and it doesn't just make sense for people to prioritise their mental health, but it makes financial sense for business to prioritise it as well. 

Actual figures for discussed statistics are: 
* 91 million working days lost in the UK due to Mental Health, £30 billion cost each year. These figures do not include those that self-report incorrectly, or those who are off work due to physical health conditions that may be a result of mental ill health. 
* Then, the aggregate UK cost of presenteeism (reduced on-the-job productivity) associated with mental health problems is estimated at £21.2 billion in 2016/17. An increase of 40% on the corresponding figure for 2006, which was calculated at £15.1 billion.
* 18,000 inpatient adult Mental Health beds in England & Wales, and just 2,000 inpatient beds for young people. 

Campaign Mentioned:

* Sign the petition to make Mental Health First Aid a legal obligation within companies: https://www.wheresyourheadat.org/

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So, who is Becca Boots?
Until recently, Becca worked within the corporate banking world as a Business Manager, but her love of people, human behaviour and personal development led her to re-train as a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor, Yoga Teacher, Personal Development Coach and Public Speaker.

Over the last decade it has become abundantly clear to Becca that prevention and early intervention is the cornerstone for a mentally and physically healthy society. All Siendo's services, therefore, come from a place of exactly that; giving people the confidence and knowledge they need to support their own wellbeing, at every stage of their lives.

Find more about Becca:
Website: https://www.siendo.co.uk/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siendo-wellbeing 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siendo.wellbeing 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siendo.wellbeing 

Episode 14 - Lessons from life on duty | Breakfast with Boots & John Sutherland

For the 9th of my 10-part series, I am thrilled to be joined by John Sutherland. John has had an extraordinary career where he served as an officer in the metropolitan police for over 25 years, rising in the ranks to Chief Superintendent before leaving on medical grounds in 2018. Now as a writer and public speaker, he shares his incredible stories and experience.

During this podcast, we talk about everything; from the need for long-term societal solutions to domestic violence, to the compound impact of repeated exposure to extreme trauma within the police force.

Among many nuggets of gold, John explains that because of the way we live, we are always asking for faster reforms, for faster solutions but, actually, we need to be thinking longer term. We discuss how the intergenerational effect of abuse, poverty and maltreatment has culminated over years and years of repeated behaviours being passed through generations and as a result - short term, easy solutions are not the answer.

A fascinating podcast from the man who has so many lessons to share from a life on duty.

 

So, who is John Sutherland?

John Sutherland is a father of three, who lives with his wife and children in south London. John served as an officer in the Metropolitan Police for over 25 years, rising in the ranks to Chief Superintendent before leaving on medical grounds in 2018.  

Since leaving the police force, John has focused primarily on speaking and writing about policing issues. You can learn more on his blog, listed below. On top of his writing and TV / radio appearances, John has also authored two captivating books; ‘Blue: A Memoir’ and 'Crossing the Line: Lessons from a Life on Duty'. John's first book, Blue, was a Sunday Times bestseller. It tells the stories of his policing life and of his slow recovery from the serious nervous breakdown that led to his early retirement from the police force.

As if that isn't enough - John is a sought-after public speaker whose TEDx Talk 'Every contact leaves a trace' has had nearly 23,000 views.

 

Find more about John

Books Authored: 'Blue' & 'Crossing the Line'

Twitter: https://twitter.com/policecommander?s=20

WordPress: https://policecommander.wordpress.com/

TEDx Talk: Every contact leaves a trace | John Sutherland | TEDxLondon

Episode 13 - The union of mind & body for health & happiness | Breakfast with Boots & Julian Daizan Skinner

For the 8th of my 10-part series, I am joined by Julian Daizan Skinner, the founder of Zenways. Daizan has lived an extraordinary life; after deciding to become a full time Monastic Zen in 1989, he subsequently spent 20 years of his life living in monasteries and temples, learning from the great teachers of Zen Buddhism.

 

Prepare to be zenned out by his relaxing tones as he talks about his journey and his life-long mission to find eternal truth. You will learn about our ability to heal ourselves, when - rather than turning away from pain - we turn towards it, without an agenda or desire to fix.

 

Among many nuggets of gold, Daizan discusses the importance of learning to let go; "When we learn to let go, we are able to let come. As we let go, something new arises."

 

A podcast you do not want to miss.

 

So, who is Julian Daizan Skinner?

Julian Daizan Skinner is the first Englishman to go to Japan and become a Roshi or Zen Master in the rigorous Rinzai tradition of zen. Over twenty years ago, he gave up a promising career as a scientist in the pharmaceuticals industry, sold his house, gave all the money away and entered a zen monastery.

 

Over many years of strict training, in Japan and the west, Daizan Roshi received Dharma Transmission and permission to teach in both the Rinzai and Soto lineages of Zen. He has also undergone training as an enlightenment intensive master with Lawrence Noyes, leading student of the creator of enlightenment intensives, Charles Berner. Daizan Roshi received inka from Shinzan Miyamae Roshi of Gyokuryuji, with whom he continues to study (see below).

 

Upon returning from Japan in 2007, Daizan Roshi went on walking pilgrimage up the centre of the island of Britain from the south tip of the Isle of Wight to the north tip of Scotland, living solely on alms food. He met many of his students from different parts of the UK during this time. Daizan Roshi currently offers sanzen (‘interviews’ or training encounters with his students) at Yugagyo Dojo (Zen Yoga) in London as well as using Skype for remote students. Together with his students, he has established, “Yugagyo Dojo”, a Zen training place in London. Daizan Roshi was teaching at The Buddhist Society, the oldest non-sectarian Buddhist Society in Europe, until his retirement from the post in December 2011.

 

His Zen study incorporated yoga practice. He has also studied yoga in Europe, America and Asia. He brings this wide range of yoga experience to sharing a practice that combines physical challenge with mental and spiritual development. He is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level and is registered with the Independent Yoga Network as a Yoga Elder with more than 5000 hours of successful teaching experience. Daizan trains yoga teachers to find an expression that is authentically their own and will bring them success when they teach. His knowledge and training in Zen gives him the background to guide you on your spiritual journey.

 

Find more about Daizan & Zenways

Website: https://www.zenways.org/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI7xkhOMdzda716AwYmm-gA

Facebook - Daizan: https://www.facebook.com/juliandaizan.skinner

Facebook - Zenways: https://www.facebook.com/zenwaysyogameditation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliandaizan/

LinkedIn - Daizan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daizanjulian/

Episode 11 - Establishing connection in this new virtual world | Breakfast with Boots & Mel Cunningham

For the 6th of my 10-part series, I am joined by Mel Cunningham, a vivacious photographer who shares with us the power of acknowledging the person behind the photo and the important steps that we can take to establish more effective human connection in this new virtual world. Among many nuggets of gold, Mel also talks about the importance of caring about something outside of yourself and the power of immersing ourselves within nature, both in and outside our home.

Who is Mel Cunningham?

“People assume I’ll be watching them intently to get that precisely, perfect photograph. I’m listening for the lift of joy in your voice… soon you’ll be laughing into your smile.”

Mel is a photographer specialising in events, professional headshots, personal brand images for your website. As if that isn't enough, Mel has also created a motivational photography program called "I am my change". This program helps you to break-free from the yo-yo cycle we so often find ourselves in.  'I am my change" is about capturing you creating your alternative future where you commit to being active, because you made a different decision. 

If you hate being photographed or you hate seeing photographs of yourself, you are Mel's favourite type of client. Really? Yes - genuinely! It’s Mel's personal mission to replace those "ickie" images in your head with images that show you the beauty she can see in you. And then you’ll see for yourself how beautifully you CAN be photographed!

Not only that, Mel loves capturing an atmosphere. While your guests are enjoying themselves, Mel listens out for the lift in someone’s voice, for the punchline reaction. Be it a new product launch, a science fair, a charity fundraiser, a networking group, or an awards ceremony; you will see that every photo has the vivacious stamp of animated joy.

Get in touch and see what she could do for you - Mel would love to hear from you. 

Website: https://www.vivaciousmelphotography.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melcunningham/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivaciousmelphotography/