“I’m lazy.” “I’ve been bad.” “I can’t stick to anything.”

How often do you say those things to yourself without questioning them?

In this Monday morning bonus episode, I'm talking about the language you use when things don’t go to plan, and how easily a missed workout or a food choice can turn into an attack on yourself.

I share why I still have to catch my own self-talk, how to describe what happened without insulting yourself, and a simple daily reflection to help you recognise your wins and decide what to adjust.

You can be honest about your choices and kind to yourself at the same time. This week, we’re practising both.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When was the last time you finished school, went home and actually felt like your working day was over?

You might leave the classroom at four o'clock, but your head is still in school. You're thinking about tomorrow's lessons, the work you haven't finished or whether you should be doing more. And when you finally get an opportunity to do something for yourself, you feel guilty.

After 13 years in teaching, I know how easily this becomes normal.

In this week's Teachers Off Duty, I'm talking about why so many teachers feel personally responsible for everything, how being the person who always says yes can start taking over your life, and why leaving school on time can feel like you're doing something wrong.

I'm also looking at the difference between genuine workload pressures and the expectations you place on yourself, with practical ways to start setting boundaries without feeling like you're letting everybody down.

Because if you're waiting until all the work is finished before you start making time for yourself, how long are you prepared to wait?

Follow me on Instagram @coachmarinahardiman, or DM COACHING if you'd like support making your health a priority around teaching.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dark when you wake up. Dark when you finish work. And suddenly, the habits that felt manageable a few weeks ago take a lot more effort.

In this Monday morning bonus episode, I'm talking about staying connected to your goals through November, especially when “I’ll start again in January” starts sounding tempting.

We’ll look at what maintaining your progress with intention can mean: shorter workouts, finding ways to move indoors, protecting your rest and setting expectations that fit your actual life.

Your challenge is to define what a successful November looks like for you and choose three realistic habits to support it. Small, steady actions count and you can adapt them as you go.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many women, PCOS/PMOS is about far more than weight. It's the unexplained symptoms, hormonal changes, exhaustion, frustration and sometimes years of wondering why their body feels like it's working against them.

In this episode of Teachers Off Duty, I'm joined by Mary-Jo Maguire from MJ Nutrition, a nutritionist specialising in hormonal health who also has personal experience of living with the condition. We explore the symptoms women often overlook, the challenges of getting a diagnosis, insulin resistance, weight management and the overwhelming amount of conflicting advice surrounding nutrition and exercise.

Most importantly, we discuss practical ways to manage PCOS/PMOS, understand your body and make informed decisions about your health without constantly chasing another quick fix.

Whether you're already diagnosed, suspect you may have PCOS/PMOS or simply want to understand the condition better, this episode is for you.

Find us on Instagram:

Marina: @coachmarinahardiman

Mary-Jo: @mj.nutrition_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten things go right. One thing goes wrong. Which one are you still thinking about at bedtime?

In this Monday morning bonus episode, I'm looking at how quickly a missed workout, an unplanned weekend or an unfinished goal can become “I’ve failed” and how much progress we overlook when that happens.

I’m talking about all-or-nothing thinking, the expectations we set ourselves, and how to learn from a difficult day without turning it into a judgement about who we are.

Your challenge this week is simple: write down one success and one thing you’re grateful for each day. From preparing a meal to choosing rest when you need it, those small wins count. It’s time you started counting them.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many times have you started another diet, promised yourself this time would be different, but quietly wondered how long you'd actually stick to it?

I gained 30kg while teaching, despite spending years actively trying to lose weight. What I didn't realise at the time was how much those repeated attempts were affecting my confidence, my decisions around food and my ability to trust myself.

In Episode 113 of Teacher Off Duty, I'm exploring why losing weight can feel harder with every new attempt, how the constant cycle of restriction, guilt and restarting keeps you stuck, and what it actually takes to start rebuilding trust in yourself.

If you're a teacher who's tired of trying to figure it all out alone, follow me on Instagram @coachmarinahardiman or DM COACHING to find out how we could work together.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your routine stops working, is your first thought that you need to try harder?

In this Monday morning bonus episode, I'm taking a breath and looking at what might need to change. Your schedule, energy and circumstances won’t always stay the same, and your plan needs room to adapt.

I’m sharing my own two-out-of-ten day and talking about realistic expectations, recognising progress you might be overlooking, and making small adjustments before frustration builds.

We’ll work through three simple questions:

What’s not working right now?

Why might that be?

And what can I adjust to make it better?

You’re allowed to change how you approach your goals. You’re still moving forward.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you keep telling yourself you’ll focus on your health when school calms down, this episode is for you.

I spent years doing exactly that while teaching, gaining 30kg and constantly trying to lose it at the same time. I didn’t need another plan or another Monday restart. I needed to learn how to keep looking after myself when life was busy, messy and nowhere near ideal.

In this episode, I’m talking about why teachers get trapped waiting for a quieter week, how all-or-nothing thinking keeps that cycle going, and how to create your own “busy-teacher baseline” so you can adjust when life gets hectic without abandoning yourself completely.

If you’re ready for support putting this into practice, DM me CHANGE on Instagram @coachmarinahardiman to have a chat.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.