In this conversation, Sharon Norton-Marshall shares her journey from being a decorator for 25 years to becoming a health coach focused on improving the mental health and well-being of decorators and tradespeople. She discusses her personal struggles with mental health, the importance of active listening, and the need for mind expansion. Sharon emphasizes the significance of nutrition and supplements in maintaining health, particularly for women experiencing hormonal changes. The conversation also touches on the balance between her dual roles as a decorator and health coach, highlighting the importance of self-care and community support. In this engaging conversation, Laura and Sharon discuss the balance between indulgence and achieving health goals, the importance of nurturing clients through their journeys, and the significance of movement and recovery in maintaining physical health. They explore how spraying has revolutionized the decorating trade, allowing for better time management and improved mental health. Along with the evolution of community support among female decorators. Finally, they share quickfire questions that reveal personal preferences and insights into their experiences in the trade.

Key Takeaways

• Sharon has been a decorator for about 25 years.
• She transitioned to health coaching to help tradespeople improve their lives.
• Mental health is a significant issue in the trades community.
• Active listening is crucial for emotional support.
• Women face unique health challenges, especially during hormonal changes.
• Nutrition and supplements play a vital role in overall health.
• Sharon enjoys working with clients on weight loss and health improvements.
• It's essential to get regular health check-ups and blood tests.
• Health should be prioritized over appearance in the journey to wellness. It's all about balance when it comes to indulgence and health goals.
• Nurturing clients can involve psychological coaching.
• Sugar is highly addictive and can impact weight loss.
• Small changes can lead to significant health improvements.
• Spraying can enhance efficiency and mental well-being in decorating.
• Finding joy in work is crucial for mental health.
• Sharing experiences can help others in the industry.
• Time management is essential for decorators to maintain work-life balance.
• Community support among tradespeople is invaluable.

Follow me:

Instagram: @lifeofafemaletradie_

TikTok: @loaftpodcast

Follow Guest:

Instagram: @sharontradehealthcoach

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Decorating and Health Coaching

02:13 Mental Health Struggles in the Trade

05:22 The Importance of Normalizing Conversations

09:03 Active Listening and Emotional Awareness

11:47 Women’s Mental Health and Hormonal Changes

16:02 Health Coaching: Client Profiles and Approaches

24:41 The Role of Supplements in Health

36:24 Balancing Decorating and Health Coaching

40:33 Cravings and Comfort Foods

43:56 Injury Management and Strength Training

47:36 The Transformation of Mental Health through Spraying

52:38 Finding Balance in Work and Life

58:22 Community and Support in the Trade

01:04:02 Resilience and Learning from Setbacks

01:09:22 Future Aspirations and Trade Insights

Helpful Links if you need to support:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

In this conversation, Rosie, a skilled stonemason and stone carver, shares her journey into the trade, the skills and tools required, and the importance of patience in her work. She discusses the challenges of working with natural stone, the balance between carving and masonry, and the dynamics of working in a family business. Rosie also touches on the impact of social media on her trade, the unique challenges faced as a female mason, and the significance of family support in managing stress and burnout. Throughout the conversation, she highlights her passion for her craft and the joy of creating bespoke pieces of art from stone. She shares her favorite projects and the excitement of customization in her work, along with insights into the challenges she faces as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Key Takeaways

• Rosie's journey into stonemasonry began unexpectedly through her father's influence.
• Patience is essential in stonemasonry, as it is a slow and meticulous process.
• Each piece of stone has unique characteristics that affect the carving process.
• Working with natural stone requires understanding its properties and how to adapt to them.
• Rosie enjoys both carving and masonry, with a preference for carving in the summer.
• Balancing work and personal life can be challenging in a family business.
• Social media plays a significant role in promoting her work and connecting with others in the trade.
• As a female mason, Rosie has faced challenges but feels that mindsets are changing.
• Pricing for bespoke stonework can be misunderstood by customers.
• Rosie's favourite projects are those that allow for creative expression and unique designs.

Follow me:

Instagram: @lifeofafemaletradie_

TikTok: @loaftpodcast

Follow Guest:

Instagram: yorkshire__rosie

TikTok: yorkshire__rosie

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Stonemasonry and Family Legacy

03:08 The Art and Skill of Stonemasonry

05:59 Working with Natural Stone: Challenges and Techniques

08:56 Balancing Work and Personal Life in a Family Business

12:01 The Role of Social Media in Modern Stonemasonry

14:52 Navigating Gender Dynamics in the Trade

17:53 Creating Unique Art Pieces in Stonemasonry

24:28 The Art of Stone Carving: A Journey of Trial and Error

28:48 Challenges in Large-Scale Projects

31:03 Creative Highlights: Favorite Projects and Inspirations

33:26 Quickfire Questions: Personal Preferences and Insights

In this episode, Jo shares her journey in the decorating industry, discussing her background, emphasising the importance of social media in building her business, and the challenges she faces as a self-employed decorator. She shares the importance of balancing work and personal life, building trust with clients, and the creative freedom that comes with bold decorating choices. Jo also reflects on the significance of transparency in her work and the evolving nature of decorating techniques, while providing insights into managing time and workload effectively. Overall, the discussion provides insights into the realities of being a self-employed decorator and the skills required to succeed in the trade.

Key Takeaways

• Jo has been a self-employed decorator for 19 years.
• Building trust with clients is essential for long-term relationships.
• Jo believes in sharing knowledge to help others in the trade.
• Transparency in her work helps clients understand the process.
• Jo emphasizes the importance of work-life balance.
• Managing time effectively is key to avoiding burnout.
• The decorating trade is evolving with new techniques and products.

Follow me:

Instagram: @lifeofafemaletradie_

TikTok: @loaftpodcast

Follow Guest:

Instagram: @Joannehay_decorating

Facebook: Joanne Hay Decorating

Youtube:@JoanneHayDecorating

TikTok: @Joannehaydecorating

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Joanne Hay and Her Journey

02:43 The Impact of social media on Decorating

05:59 Balancing Work and Personal Life

08:54 Favourite and Challenging Jobs in Decorating

11:39 Customer Relationships and Quoting Process

14:36 Preferred Products and the Importance of Quality

17:45 The Joy of Decorating and Personal Preferences

27:25 Navigating the Evolving World of Paints

32:19 The Challenges of Choosing the Right Products

38:09 The Importance of Available Sundries

40:42 Building Trust with Clients

46:29 The Art of Transparency in Decorating

50:36 Social media and Community in the Trade