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.

In this powerful episode, stunt performer, martial artist and coach Jon Santry opens up about losing friends to suicide, the impact of addiction, hitting rock bottom, and how martial arts, therapy and self-awareness helped him rebuild himself.

Sharing some incredible insights, Jon’s words will undoubtedly resonate with anybody who has experienced mental health difficulties.

His message is simple but powerful - build boundaries, take responsibility, look after your sleep and diet, and keep adding tools to your mental well-being toolkit.

Remarkably, Jon also appears in the upcoming Eddie Hall documentary, making this episode especially timely and relevant.This is a conversation about masculinity, mental health, resilience and finding your own meaning in life.

If you’ve ever questioned your purpose, struggled in silence or wondered how to keep moving forward when life hits hard, this episode is for you.Thank you to our core sponsor, NTS for supporting Tackling it Together.

A huge thank you to Jon for your bravery, transparency and openness in sharing your journey.

You will undoubtedly inspire others.

#TacklingItTogether #MentalHealth #Masculinity #Resilience #JohnSantry #EddieHall #Podcast #LittleBlackbird #WinTheInnerFight

Introducing one of our most powerful episodes of Tackling it Together to date, “Championing Resilience”, in conversation with Paul Reed.Paul, the MD of Vortex Performance Academy, and Strength & Conditioning coach of Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, sits down with us to talk openly about vulnerability, resilience and coping with stress.In this honest account, Paul shares reflections about reaching a point in his life where stress became unmanageable, having a hugely significant impact on both his mental and physical health.It was a life changing conversation with a Doctor that put things into perspective for Paul, as he had the realisation that stress could kill him. With insightful discussion around the importance of effective communication in his role as a coach, Paul emphasises the importance of building authentic, honest relationships that open up opportunities for meaningful communication. A huge advocate for the power of demonstrating vulnerability, Paul talks about how he is now able to be vulnerable with his team, and praises some of the toughest athletes in the world for the way in which they publicly demonstrate vulnerability themselves, reflecting on how Resilience has changed the lives of so many of the athletes he coaches.Paul reflects that nothing that changes your life is going to be easy, but that focussing on your Mental Health is going to be the best thing you can ever out effort in to.A huge thank you to our Core Sponsor, NTS for sponsoring this episode of Tackling it Together. Trigger warning – this episode includes reference to suicidal ideation.#MaleMentalHealth #VortexPerformanceAcademy #Chester #Resilience #PaddyTheBaddy #MensPodcast #Vulnerability #Stress #TacklingitTogether

Introducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together, “Challenging the stiff upper lip mentality in middle age”, in conversation with Jonathon Brown. Co-Founder of Chester based “Middle Aged Vandals”, a community boxing club that supports older men to get back to the camaraderie and sense of belonging that being part of a team or sport brings, Jonathan shares his thoughts and reflections on the challenges of the middle aged period of life with incredible honesty. Discussing the impact of the stiff upper lip mentality, stoicism and masculinity, we explore the many masks that men wear, and the many opportunities we have to block out emotions, rather than addressing them head on.From a childhood spending time in boarding school, where he constantly felt in a state of “fight or flight, to experiencing a sudden drop in self-confidence as he approached middle age, Jonathan reflects that by the time you reach your 40s or 50s, the chances are you will have experienced some form of difficulty in your life.Not confronting and dealing with those difficulties can show up elsewhere, and in Jonathan’s case, that was previously using drink and drugs as a coping mechanism.With a powerful reflection that true power comes from having a conversation with yourself; “Who am I really, and what do I really want?”, Jonathan talks openly about finding a quiet confidence that you’ll find what you need, and how simple advice to “back yourself” has been the best thing someone ever said to him, enabling him to sustain a sense of belief and determination during times of difficulty.This is a raw, open and relatable conversation. A huge thank you to Jonathan for being so transparent and speaking from the heart – we know this episode will resonate with so many of our listeners. Thank you as always to our core sponsor, Nuclear Transport Solutions!

Could introducing positive rituals, healthy routines, and getting into a sustainable rhythm support your well-being?Our latest episode of Tackling it Together, in conversation with Bryan Griffiths, is packed full of meaningful insights and reflections, with a focus on the transformational benefits of making small but consistent changes to benefit long term well-being.Bryan is an avid walker, and talks passionately about the hugely positive impact walking has on his mental health. As someone who finds working towards a goal very motivating and rewarding, Brian sets himself challenges and has completed the Welsh Coastal Path! He is currently on a mission to circumnavigate the whole of Wales! With reflections on how connecting with nature, noticing Birdsong and always finishing a walk feeling grateful, whatever the weather, Bryan provides some really relatable golden nuggets of advice for getting back to basics and exploring the great outdoors. For Bryan, creating rituals, routines, and getting into a rhythm has significantly supported him to manage anxiety, and he talks openly about the power of consistency in this respect.Bryan's Worm of Wisdom about being your own algorithm, is one of the most poignant to date - a huge thank you to Brian for his honestly, insight and brilliant reflections.

Are you a parent looking for relatable insights and reflections? Would you like to be more open and able to communicate more effectively with your children?

Introducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together, ……….., in conversation with “Just Real Dads” Podcast co-host, Ryan Gray.

We were delighted to welcome Ryan on to Tackling it Together, for an open, honest conversation that centres around the support that can be found in sharing experiences, opening up important conversations, and simply communicating feelings with others.

Just Real Dads is a fantastic Podcast, brought to you by a group of brilliant men from Chester. Their conversations are relaxed, authentic, relatable and explore parenting in the real world.

Reflecting on the positives that come with hosting a podcast with other men at a similar life stage to him, in this episode of Tackling it Together, Ryan talks openly about how Just Real Dads is almost like therapy, and discusses how it has encouraged him to become more open, and to accept help when it is needed rather than trying to persevere regardless. Exploring how his new found openness has made him a better Father, Ryan shares his views on how other people’s normal gives you a sense of perspective on your own life, and how choosing to focus on the little everyday moments of joy with your children can really shift your mindset.

As an experienced High School Teacher, Ryan talks about the importance of supporting young people in an effective way by levelling with them and opening up opportunities for meaningful communication.

A fantastic conversation that will undoubtedly resonate with parents in particular, this episode will provide some real food for thought and actionable advice.

Thank you to Ryan for your time, honesty and transparency in sharing such important and relatable thoughts!

Thank you to Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) for sponsoring this episode.

#MensMentalHealth #PositiveMasculinity #MasculinityPodcast #TacklingitTogether #LittleBlackbird