Sarah and Dennis are joined by Sam Wones from The Adaptable Human Project to talk about stress, pressure, resilience, leadership, food, first money memories and why "just be more resilient" is not always helpful advice.

Sam helps organisations and their people understand stress, manage pressure and perform better. Not in a vague wellbeing way, but in a practical and measurable way.

With a background in performance psychology and over a decade as a Royal Marines Commando, Sam brings an unusual mix of lived experience, research and practical application to the subject of stress.

Over lunch, we talk about what stress really is, how it shows up in people and teams, and why resilience is often misunderstood. Sam explains the difference between short-term pressure and the kind of chronic stress that builds quietly over time, affecting communication, performance, decision-making and relationships.

We also discuss psychological safety, leadership, breathing, posture, screen time, and why the body can sometimes respond to everyday pressure as if something far more serious is happening.

As always, food plays its part in the conversation with Dennis cooked a Japanese-inspired summer lunch.

Sam also shares his first food memory, his first money memory, and the moment that led to a family conversation about pocket money.

And, as always, our guest brings Dennis a financial planning question. Sam asks how parents can help children develop a healthy relationship with money, opening up a wider conversation about pocket money, saving, spending, inheritance, Junior ISAs, and why money should not become a taboo subject at home.

This episode is about stress, but it is also about honesty. The pressure people carry. The assumptions we make. The conversations we avoid. And why the safest environments, whether at work, around a table or in financial planning, are often the ones where people feel able to say what is really going on.

Japanese-inspired cold broth with somen noodles, poached chicken, cucumber, spring onion, mooli radish and shiitake mushrooms.

Peanut-infused ice cream, made French-style with roasted peanuts.

• What stress really is and why it matters at work
• The difference between short-term pressure and chronic stress
• Why "just be more resilient" can miss the point
• How stress shows up in communication, leadership and team culture
• Psychological safety and what businesses can learn from military environments
• Breathing, posture and practical ways to manage pressure
• Sam's first food memory and relationship with food
• Sam's first money memory and the start of pocket money
• How different money backgrounds can affect relationships
• How parents can help children build a healthier relationship with money
• Dennis's own reflections on being a spender
• Why honesty and safety matter in conversations about money

Sam Wones is co-founder of The Adaptable Human Project, which helps organisations and their people understand stress, manage pressure and perform better.

Sam has a background in performance psychology and spent over a decade as a Royal Marines Commando. His work brings together psychology, physiology, leadership, team dynamics and practical tools to help people understand what is happening under pressure and how to respond more effectively.

The Adaptable Human Project: https://theadaptablehumanproject.com/

Sam Wones on LinkedIn: Sam Wones

Yellowtail Financial Planning: www.yellowtail.co.uk

In this episode of A Taste of Financial Planning, Sarah and Dennis are joined by Annabel Veysey and Dr Katie McBride from Shift Happens.

Annabel and Katie are close friends, but they bring very different perspectives to the same question: why do so many capable people feel overwhelmed by modern life?

Annabel sees this through a very practical lens. She builds support systems for people who are overloaded, including those whose brains simply do not work well with the neat little systems the world keeps handing them.

Katie brings the wider systems perspective. Why do we blame ourselves when the structures around us are fragmented, badly joined up, or simply not designed for real lives?

Over lunch, they talk about the invisible load many people carry, from school apps and life admin to work, family logistics and the pressure to keep everything moving.

They also discuss early food memories, early money memories, AI, human judgement, and the very human question of how you know when you have enough security to make a big life change.

As always, Dennis cooked. This time, Thai-inspired pork with tamarind, lemongrass, peanut and red curry, followed by a parfait with peanut praline, toasted black sesame and pineapple.

Good food has a way of softening the edges of difficult conversations. And money, overwhelm and the question "is this it?" are not always easy things to talk about.

But around a table, they become easier.

Useful Links

Find Shift Happens at: https://nas.io/shifthappens/community

Annabel Veysey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabel-veysey/

Dr Katie McBride: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-katie-mcbride-62078523/

Yellowtail Financial Planning: www.yellowtail.co.uk

Host: Dennis Hall

Host: Sarah Steele

Contact us: ask@yellowtail.co.uk

ABOUT YELLOWTAIL

Founded by Dennis Hall, Yellowtail are the trusted financial planners who advise individuals & families across the UK. Yellowtail's experts provide the clarity, control and confidence to guide you through financial planning, estate planning, pension transfers and investment management directing your journey towards a prosperous retirement and financial peace of mind.

In this episode of A Taste of Financial Planning, Sarah and Dennis are joined by Toby Swallow, health coach, ageing disruptor and former world champion powerlifter.

Toby first joined us on our previous podcast, The Century Plan, where we explored the parallels between planning for your financial future and planning for your future health. This time, we invited him to join us around the table.

Over lunch, we talked about Toby's career as a powerlifter, the moment he realised strength and health are not the same thing, and why he now helps people think differently about what he calls their "health pension".

The conversation covers the basics many of us know we should pay attention to, but often avoid. Sleep. Movement. Strength. Protein. Fibre. Getting outside. Not waiting until something goes wrong before taking action.

There are also strong parallels with financial planning. Health and money are both areas where it is easy to assume we are "fine" until we are not. Both benefit from starting earlier. Both rely on good foundations. And both can shape the freedom and independence we have later in life.

Toby also shares his first food memory, involving sausage and beans, his first money memory, polishing his dad's army shoes to earn pocket money, and the money lessons he now tries to pass on to his own daughter.

And, as always, our guest brings a financial planning question for Dennis. Toby asks about pensions, the triple lock, the cost of living, and whether future retirees could face a much tougher retirement than the one many current retirees are experiencing.

There was also a quick mobility check. Dennis was involved. Photographic evidence exists.

Tomato consommé with cucumber, basil oil and a beautifully clear tomato broth.

Wild rabbit loin and croquettes, served with charred cauliflower, gem lettuce, carrots and a light rabbit jus.

• Why strength and health are not always the same thing
• Toby's journey from world champion powerlifter to health coach
• What Toby means by a "health pension"
• Why doing "something" for your health may not be enough
• Sleep, movement, resistance training, protein and fibre
• The link between food habits and family life
• Why future independence is about more than financial security
• Toby's first food and money memories
• Pocket money, chores and teaching children the value of earning
• Toby's question for Dennis about pensions, the triple lock and retirement planning
• Why your money needs to work hard for your future, and so do you

Toby Swallow is a health coach and ageing disruptor who helps adults build strength, mobility and resilience for later life.

A former world champion powerlifter and eight-time British champion, Toby now works with people who want to invest in their long-term health, not just chase short-term fitness goals. His work focuses on what he calls a "health pension", helping people stay capable, independent and active as they age.

Toby Swallow Coaching: https://tobyswallowcoaching.co.uk/

Yellowtail Financial Planning: www.yellowtail.co.uk

Host: Dennis Hall

Host: Sarah Steele

Contact us: ask@yellowtail.co.uk

ABOUT YELLOWTAIL

Founded by Dennis Hall, Yellowtail are the trusted financial planners who advise individuals & families across the UK. Yellowtail's experts provide the clarity, control and confidence to guide you through financial planning, estate planning, pension transfers and investment management directing your journey towards a prosperous retirement and financial peace of mind.