Content warning: This episode discusses suicide andmental health challenges. If you’re affected, please reach out to a mental health professional or confidential helplines. UK: Samaritans 116 123; US: 988. If you’re in another region, please contact your local crisis line.

Have you ever come across someone who makes a profoundimpact on you, the very first time you meet them? This is Martin Williams, a recently retired partner and employment tribunal advocate from Mayo Wynne Baxter. He was also a member of Ampa, the UK’s leading legal and professional services group and one of the largest professional services B-Corporations in the world.

In this deeply moving episode, we talk about the realitiesof mental health, leadership, and the power of vulnerability. Martin bravely shares his personal journey, including the challenges he’s faced and the lessons he’s learned about being open, seeking help, and supporting others. Thisconversation is raw, honest, and full of insights for anyone seeking understanding, support, or inspiration on their mental health journey.

Summary:

💡 Explore mental health challenges faced in high-achieving careers.

💡 Find out why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

💡 Get inspired by Martin’s journey from silence to openness and the impact it had on his life.

Here’s to your health and wellbeing.

Estelle Read

Bestselling Author, Coach & Speaker

Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome to the Optimising Your Brilliance Podcast

0:40 – Introduction: About Estelle Read

1:04 – Why this episode matters: Martin’s background and theimportance of talking about mental health

2:13 – The impact of not talking and Martin’s leadershipphilosophy

2:36 – The reality of suicidal thoughts as a leader

2:57 – Support resources and the importance of reaching out

3:14 – Introducing Martin Williams

3:33 – How Estelle and Martin connected; the power of aheartfelt LinkedIn post

3:53 – Martin’s origin story: family, childhood, and earlychallenges

6:45 – From music to law: Martin’s career journey

14:40 – The role of arts, advocacy, and confidence-building

19:55 – Coping with isolation, bullying, and buildingresilience

24:41 – The power of vulnerability: Martin’s viral LinkedInpost

27:00 – The healing impact of sharing and community support

33:45 – Journaling, self-reflection, and processing emotions

41:39 – Mentoring, overcoming labels, and advice to theyounger self

49:47 – Letting go of perfection and embracing openness

58:39 – The importance of non-judgmental listening andsupport

1:09:39 – What’s next for Martin: mentoring, poetry, andlegacy

1:11:52 – Final thoughts: authenticity, learning, andlooking after yourself

1:13:22 – Outro: Subscribe, share, and connect with Estelle

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch onYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit.

For free resources, book a discovery call or join TheResilient Leader Programme: SHINE, or The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL, visit ⁠www.EstelleRead.com⁠

Connect with Martin Williams:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-williams-900a5a13/

Get support from the Samaritans:

Call them anytime: 116 123

https://www.samaritans.org/

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your BrilliancePodcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informationalpurposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.

I catch up with coach, Gemma Hogan to discuss what it means to be resilient and how to bounce back and thrive in challenging times. We have a candid conversation about overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating career pivots, and finding your flow - both professionally and personally.Gemma shares the momentous moments that shaped her, and the practical tools she uses to help others break through their own barriers.

• Discover how Gemma transformed early feelings of not fitting in into a thriving career—and how you can do the same.

• Learn practical strategies for managing energy, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout as you pursue your goals.
• Hear real-life stories about overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing creativity, and building a life you love.

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read

Bestselling Author, Coach & Speaker

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Welcome

01:04 – Meet Gemma Hogan: Origin Story and Early Challenges

04:30 – Navigating Expectations, Imposter Syndrome, and Self-Doubt

08:00 – Turning Points: Motherhood, Career Growth, and Coaching

13:00 – The Power of Boundaries and Managing Energy

18:00 – Strengths Profiling and Positive Psychology

23:00 – NLP, Breakthroughs, and Overcoming Phobias

28:00 – Levelling Up: What’s Next for Gemma

32:00 – Creativity, Art, and Finding Your Flow

37:00 – Final Thoughts: Brilliance, Resilience, and Advice for Listeners

41:00 – How to Connect

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit.

For free resources, book a discovery call or join TheResilient Leader Programme: SHINE, or The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL, visit ⁠www.EstelleRead.com⁠

Find Out More About Gemma Hogan visit: www.talenta.me.uk

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your Brilliance Podcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.

In this episode, I interview Rachel Rainbow, a seasoned HR professional with 16 years of experience across multiple industries. Rachel shares her journey into HR, her passion for authenticity and integrity in leadership, and practical advice for managers and leaders. The conversation covers the evolution of HR, the importance of psychological safety, tips for handling underperformance, and the shift from work-life balance to work-life blend.

Summary:

• Discover the top four qualities that make leaders and candidates truly stand out—straight from an HR veteran who’s seen it all.
• Learn why “work-life balance” is an outdated concept, and how embracing a “work-life blend” can transform your wellbeing and productivity.
• Get practical, real-world tips for tackling underperformance and creating a psychologically safe workplace where everyone can shine.

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read

Bestselling Author, Coach & Speaker

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the podcast and host

01:03 – Introducing Rachel Rainbow: HR background and leadership philosophy

02:59 – Rachel’s origin story: From Yorkshire to HR

04:19 – The impact of performing arts and singing on wellbeing

09:45 – Falling into HR: Early career lessons and challenges

11:42 – What makes people brilliant? Qualities admired in leaders and candidates

15:33 – The importance of authenticity, integrity, and psychological safety

17:36 – Addressing underperformance: Practical steps for leaders

21:46 – Unconscious bias and the “horns and halo” effect

24:54 – Learning styles, academic paths, and the value of experience

28:41 – The HR Ninjas community and peer support

31:24 – Work-life blend vs. work-life balance in the digital age

32:52 – Rachel’s future outlook and personal mission

33:37 – Closing thoughts

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead⁠

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit.

For free resources, book a discovery call or join The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE, or The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL, visit www.EstelleRead.com

Connect with Rachel Rainbow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rainbow-chartered-mcipd/

https://www.thehrninjas.co.uk/

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your Brilliance Podcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.

Alex Wickens is fearless, positive, and resilient. She embodies these mindsets when facing challenges - on stage, in high-adrenaline sports, and through personal trials like recovering from cancer and losing a parent in the same year. She shares her stories with infectious humour and positivity.

Alex is a true multi-hyphenate: interior designer, lecturer, senior business surveyor, community first responder, and amateur dramatics enthusiast. She’s also my “Cumbrian bestie.”

In this episode:

• Alex shares stories from her unique upbringing in Storrs Hall Hotel, surrounded by people from all walks of life - including well-known celebrities from the 80s with helicopters and powerboats!
• Alex is one of the bravest people I know – she will give practically anything a go, which has shaped her career and personal life.
• Alex is quite the local celeb herself – not that she would describe herself in that way. However, during the festive season you will see her face plastered around Windermere on posters for the Christmas panto. We get into how to overcome the fear of public speaking and she shares:
• Her techniques for avoiding forgetting her line son stage.
• Insights on learning lines, handling mistakes onstage, and engaging an audience—plus how these lessons apply to business and life.
• The importance of self-belief, competing with yourself, and striving for your personal best.
• Navigating setbacks including cancer and the loss of aparent all in the same year, and the value of humour and positivity.

• 
  

Key Takeaways:

- Brilliance is about authenticity, self-belief, and embracing challenges.

- Mistakes are human - own them, use humour, and keep moving forward.

- Every experience, good or bad, is an opportunity to learn and grow.

- Stay positive, take baby steps, and don’t be afraid to “give it a go.”

Connect with Alex Wickens:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwickens/

See the Lakes Players: http://www.lakesplayers.co.uk/wpsite/

Connect with Estelle Read, Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call:

https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts

I hope you’re enjoying the podcast! If you’d like to help it grow, you can:

1. Subscribe
2. Leave a review
3. Share it with someone who might benefit

Thank you!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:04 – Meet Alex Wickens

02:08 – Growing Up in a Hotel

04:28 – Fearlessness & Taking Chances

07:11 – Adrenaline & Adventure

12:41 – Self-Belief & Competing with Yourself

16:53 – Getting Into Amateur Dramatics

27:45 – Handling Mistakes & Engaging the Audience

34:52 – Resilience Through Health Challenges

41:20 – Redefining Success & Letting Go

45:00 – Maintaining Positivity & Adapting to Change

48:23 – Defining Brilliance & Final Thoughts

In this episode, I dive into Chapter 10 and wrap up my bestselling book  Inner Brilliance: Outer Shine, 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress. I reflect on the importance of self-care, managing energy, and not letting work or stress steal our joy. I use personal stories, client examples, and research to highlight how our habits around food, sleep, movement, and self-compassion directly impact our wellbeing and performance.

My goal is to encourage you to treat yourself with the same care you’d give a child, to make healthy choices, and to take mini-holidays every day so you can truly shine in work and life. I also share a glimpse of what’s next for the podcast, including upcoming interviews and new topics.

Key Topics Covered:

• Introduction to the podcast and book wrap-up
• The importance of self-care and energy management
• The "energy bank" analogy and how to make healthy deposits
• The impact of food, sleep, and movement on health and performance
• Recognizing and addressing inflammation and its effects
• Personal and client stories about overcoming burnout and health challenges
• Practical tips for better sleep, nutrition, and daily routines
• The value of self-compassion and treating yourself like you would a child
• Encouragement to take daily "mini-holidays" for wellbeing
• Summary of key points and a heartfelt conclusion
• Preview of future podcast episodes and guest interviews

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read x

Bestselling Author, Coach &Speaker

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction & Podcast Overview
• 01:04 – Chapter 10: Access the Mess Deck
• 03:02 – The Energy Bank Analogy
• 08:22 – Good Energy Deposits & Withdrawals
• 18:24 – Inflammation: The Root of Many Health Issues
• 27:31 – Food, Mitochondria, and Energy
• 40:06 – Sleep: Why It Matters and How to Improve It
• 57:02 – Move Your Body: Exercise and Longevity
• 1:01:20 – Daily Self-Care and Mini-Holidays
• 1:03:12 – Summary of Key Points
• 1:04:37 – Conclusion & Final Reflections
• 1:10:01 – What’s Next for the Podcast

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead⁠

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. For free resources, to join the SHINE Coaching Programme or to apply for a discovery call, visit www.EstelleRead.com

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your Brilliance Podcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.

In this episode, I dive into Chapter 9 of my bestselling book Inner Brilliance: Outer Shine, 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress. I share how learning to handle life’s rough seas can shape our journey, both personally and professionally. I discuss the importance of managing our state of mind, processing emotions, and usingpractical tools to build resilience and find joy, even during challenging times. My goal is to help you become the captain of your own ship, steering toward greater wellbeing and fulfilment.

Key Topics Covered:

• Our state of mind directly impacts our actions, performance,and happiness.
• Acknowledging and processing emotions is essential. I sharehow and the consequences of not doing this.
• Tools like Havening and EFT can help reset limiting beliefsand manage stress.
• Scheduling joy and making space for fun are vital forresilience.
• You have the power to navigate challenges, no matter thecircumstances.

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read x

Bestselling Author, Coach &Speaker

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the podcast and host

00:40 – About Estelle and the episode’s focus

01:04 – Reading from "Inner Brilliance OuterShine" – Antidote #9

01:32 – The importance of state of mind

02:26 – My friend’s skiing story: accessing positivestates

04:56 – State of mind: thoughts, feelings, body,neurochemistry

06:03 – How to change your state

08:03 – Personal story: perimenopause and HRT

09:47 – Research: state of mind and leadership

11:06 – Managing intense emotions

12:24 – Story: emotions at a family funeral

14:10 – Bottling emotions vs. acknowledging them

16:00 – Meta-emotions explained

18:00 – Emotional processing techniques

22:47 – The “emotional bucket” analogy

25:55 – Strategies for stress and resilience

28:45 – Introduction to EFT

31:17 – EFT resources and support

32:41 – Cultivating and scheduling joy

35:09 – Key takeaways and summary

39:43 – Closing, resources, and next episode preview

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch onYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead

You can find my EFT video mentioned in the podcast here: https://youtu.be/_PROjHMnKAg?si=lhaZXMd-9fENcuyh⁠

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. For free resources, to join the SHINE Coaching Programme or to apply for a discovery call, visit www.EstelleRead.com

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your BrilliancePodcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informationalpurposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.

In this episode, I dive into Chapter 8 of my bestselling book  Inner Brilliance: Outer Shine, 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, which focuses on how to develop an inner captain and take charge of your thoughts.

Key Topics Covered:

• I explore how to develop an “inner captain” to take charge of your thoughts and beliefs.
• I share personal stories, including my experience withimposter syndrome and a cancer diagnosis, to show how mindset tools work in real life.
• I discuss the impact of negative self-talk and how reframing thoughts can change your emotional state and outcomes.
• I reveal practical strategies like journaling, havening, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and positive affirmations, to manage stress and negativity.
• I talk about the importance of gratitude and how focusing on what’s good in your life helps you to stay positive and become happier.
• I explain how I interrupt negative thought patterns—sometimes with humour, distraction, or even singing!
• I highlight the dangers of comparison, especially on social media, and how you can bring your focus back to your own journey.
• I encourage listeners to process emotions rather thansuppress them, using various tools.
• I remind you that negative feelings are temporary, and that we have the power to choose our response.

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read x

Bestselling Author, Coach &Speaker

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Introduction to the podcast and host
• 0:40 – About Estelle and her book
• 1:33 – Starting Chapter 8: Develop Your Inner Captain
• 2:37 – The impact of negative thoughts and language
• 6:17 – Strategies to counter imposter syndrome andnegativity
• 8:38 – Personal story: Facing a cancer diagnosis
• 14:07 – Blackpool Illuminations: Spotting and interruptingnegative thought patterns
• 17:04 – Journaling and processing thoughts
• 21:06 – Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and havening
• 24:06 – Dealing with uncertainty and "what if"thinking
• 27:00 – Useful vs. useless thoughts; learning to reframe
• 31:16 – Down in the doldrums: Coping with depression andloss
• 36:46 – The power of gratitude and "re-dipping"into positive memories
• 41:17 – Affirmations and manifesting positive change
• 46:09 – Summary of key points and closing thoughts
• 48:48 – What's next: Preview of Chapter 9

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch onYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead⁠

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. For free resources, to join the SHINE Coaching Programme or to apply for a discovery call, visit www.EstelleRead.com

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your BrilliancePodcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informationalpurposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.