Introducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together – “There's a Human, and There's a Being”, in conversation with Tom Hughes.After a long term, successful career in hospitality led to emotional burnout, Tom is now a Life Coach, supporting others in the industry to beat overwhelm and be more vulnerable, taking his experience and turning his passion in to purpose, by creating "Possibilities with Tom".This conversation gives us a completely open and honest account of hitting the wall and feeling unable to continue under incredible pressure, and how not having the skills to sit with feelings of difficulties, and never being taught how to cope had a significant impact on Tom's mental health. With complete transparency, Tom shares how he ignored all of the warning signs that he was struggling, instead choosing to self soothe in unhealthy and unhelpful ways, until he was in crisis. With reflections around the devastation of completely losing a sense of who he even was, Tom's message is clear - Don't pretend you're OK. Don't wait until you're at breaking point until you reach out for support. With brilliant, insightful conversations around challenging limiting beliefs, this episode is perfect for anybody in need of a reminder, that there is a human, and there is a being.A huge thank you to Tom for taking part! Your story will undoubtedly resonate with many, and your outlook will inspire many more.We continue to be very grateful to NTS and AW Shipping for sponsoring Tackling it Together.

Introducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together – “Fast Forward the Tape”, in conversation with Danny Winning.Sometimes, you meet a guest for the first time and instantly know that they’re about to completely capture your full attention, and that’s exactly what happened when Danny walked into the room!This conversation gives us a completely unfiltered, open and unapologetically honest account of Danny’s battle with addiction, his road to recovery, and how he keeps on track. From never liking school, childhood trauma, an early introduction to class A drugs, involvement in violence, lengthy custodial prison sentences, long term drug addiction, and reaching crisis point, Danny is now a successful business owner, living a happy and fulfilled life. With a sense of self-acceptance, gratitude and peace that can only come from overcoming trauma, Danny’s attitude is truly inspiring. Fast Forward the Tape is all about knowing what you have to lose – playing forward a potentially risky situation and using that knowledge to take accountability and make better choices. Danny’s ethos is very simple – “A good life is available to anybody” – it’s about putting in the work, taking accountability and crucially, surrounding yourself with people who are already doing what you want to achieve.This an inspiring, raw and brutally honest reflection of the devastating impact addition can have, and the incredible strength and determination that can be found in recovery. A huge thank you to Danny for taking part! Your story will undoubtedly inspire many others. Trigger warning – this episode includes reference to substance misuse, and suicidal ideation. A huge thank you to NTS and AW Shipping for sponsoring this episode of Tackling it Together.

TW - This episode includes reference to suicidal ideation and eating disordersIntroducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together, “What’s Next?.. Everything”, in conversation with Andy McAdam. This is a very special and personal episode for us, as we sit down with good friend and Chester RUFC legend Andy, to have one of our most insightful and powerful conversations to date. Andy reflects on his life as a husband, father, teacher and rugby player, and openly shares the highs and lows he has experienced. As a secondary school teacher for 30 years, a role that Andy describes as a pleasure and a privilege, he talks honestly about his struggle to manage stress, and be the best teacher he could be, without sacrificing all of his spare time to work. With candid honesty, Andy shares how his previous inability to understand and process feelings that he now knows to be caused by stress, meant he experienced some very dark thoughts. By voicing those thoughts, and developing a relationship with stress that made it easier for him to recognise the signs, he has been able to get help and utilise effective coping strategies. A huge advocate for the power of counselling, Andy shares how talking to people, and meeting others who are experiencing similar difficulties makes a big difference, and makes you feel less alone. Andy reflects on his role as a Dad, and how counselling has supported him to communicate in a different way with his family. Recording this conversation with us has taken Andy way out of his comfort zone, but we know the perspective he shares is going to be incredibly powerful for our listeners, and will particularly resonate with those who know him, and serve as a reminder that you never know what somebody is going through behind a big, friendly smile. Andy's words about living life to the full ring particularly true - "What’s next? Everything I can. Because I might not be here tomorrow". Thank you Andy - you're an absolute legend!A big thank you to our core sponsor, NTS for your commitment to Tackling it Together.