The Confidence Clinic Season 2, Episode 8: Diana Vickers

Can’t believe we’ve already reached the last episode of The Confidence Clinic Season 2, what a journey!

To wrap up this rich and - I hope - inspiring season, I’ve invited Diana Vickers: singer, songwriter, actress, podcast host, and above all - friend!

In this honest and cheeky episode, Diana doesn’t shy away from talking mental health struggles and sharing with us the highs and the lows that come with being an all-rounded artist and performer in today’s entertainment industry.

Realising her musical talent at a very young age, Diana always embodied contradicting traits: from histrionic kid always putting up shows for her family, to being acutely self-aware whenever a teacher would ask her a question in front of the classroom.

And this pendulum very much characterises Diana’s life to date - except that now she’s gone through a few of the roller coasters that being a young popstar would throw you on and she’s picked up a skill or to along the way.

Honing in on her immense clarity about wanting to be a performer, Diana was itching to get herself out of A-Levels and dive into the world of theatre and performance. And the opportunity knocked on the door when a good friend sat her restless self down and helped her fill the forms for X Factor. And the rest is (almost) history.

And what a ride! Yes because jumping from teen to tv star is no easy feat. Especially if you are prone to insecurities and easily lean toward anxious behaviours. Certainly teen Diana went through a crash-course in confidence and resilience: the talent show world is a tough bootcamp not only for your artistic talents but also for your spirit!

Forging her confidence through this ring of fire, Diana blossomed into a successful popstar with an incredible record deal immediately following her X-Factor exit. Bravo! But the higher the highs, the lower the lows. The more exposure to the love and warmth of her fans, the more pressure to continue securing gigs and conquering her audience and critics. All the meanwhile, with they eyes of the press glued on you as they dissect your personal life (and body!) as a 16-year-old.

So how did she balance her conviction in pursuing her many creative expressions with the challenges of navigating an industry where the sense of rejection and scrutiny are always impending? Tune in and hear first-hand Diana’s journey - one where self realisation, self discovery and self acceptance form a beautiful triangle that helped her overcome anxiety, judgement and grow out of self invalidating narratives and behaviours.

While we may not live under the limelight like her, I’m sure you’ll find her tales and tips more than just relatable.

Thank you for following me on this Confidence Clinic Podcast journey and witnessing the story of my amazing guests. Stay tuned for what's to come!

About Diana: Diana is a singer, songwriter and actress. She was semi-finalist on The X Factor in 2008 and soon after signed a record deal with RCA Records that let her touring with her fellow finalists from The X Factor. After her TV success she turned to the West End with the revival of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Diana continues to express herself in a variety of ways, from Comedy to running her

Podcast Ki & Dee Podcast.

Connect with Diana

Instagram: @dianavickersofficial | Spotify

Connect with Me: Instagram: @drjaneleonard | Youtube: Dr Jane Leonard

The Confidence Clinic Season 2, Episode 7: Dr. Tosin

One of the many reasons I love running 'The Confidence Clinic' is to connect with people I hold dear and look up to. So, of course, trailblazing icon Dr. Tosin could definitely not be missed as one of my guests! In our penultimate episode of Season 2 (I know!), I’m joined by the Embarrassing Body co-host, incredibly reputed doctor and founder of Mind Body Doctor for a heartfelt, and banter-filled, chat. With honesty and laughter, we talk through her childhood, reminisce about our very formative Uni years and trace connections between our experiences as junior female doctors finding their feet in the medical industry. And let me tell you, it’s always so fun and inspiring to sit down with Dr. Tosin! From shy little girl to TV personality, her journey has been one of determination yet equally packed with lots of valuable self-learning experiences: launching into her medical education and training at full force, Dr. Tosin completed her GP training at the prestigious Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust in London, garnered a wealth of specialisations, and obtained a Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Health that cemented her dedication to women’s health leading her to become an expert voice for Endometriosis. With this mission clear in mind, her career took off but, naturally, the highs of her professional success and dedication, night-shift after night-shift, soon came at the cost of her well-being. Following a plot all too familiar amongst young doctors, Dr. Tosin proudly reveals how she had to prescribe herself a healthy dose of simply allowing herself to be more than just a doctor – to be her whole, full person! But it doesn’t just stop at these valuable tips on how to find your confidence and balance! Dr. Tosin is a true powerhouse and force of change as someone who has gradually come to terms with the pressures of being a black female doctor in the UK and has since committed to working to break down these barriers. How? By using her voice and position to offer the world the representation she lacked as a little child growing up, so that other little Dr.-Tosins-in-the-making can see that YES it is possible to dream and become who they want; all the meanwhile by offering her knowledge and presence to those patients who best resonate with her specific skills and embodied experience. Talking about a femtech icon - go Dr. Tosin!

About Dr. Tosin:

Dr. Tosin is a well-reputed GP with experience working in both primary and secondary care and with a particular interest in women's health. She gained an MBChB from the University of Manchester and a Diploma in the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She is the founder of Mind Body Doctor - an online education platform which offers a friendly space to educate people to take care of what's most important, and is a proud spokesperson for women’s health issues and specifically those of black women. In 2022, she co-hosted Channel 4's Embarassing Bodies, and has since been invited to many public engagements as a spokesperson, specifically for Endometriosis. As a committed role-model and pioneering professional, she’s venturing into the world of femtech to leverage technology to continue improving women’s health and outcomes.

Connect with Dr. Tosin

Instagram :@drtosinofficial | YouTube: Doctor Tosin

Connect with Me:

Instagram: @drjaneleonard | Youtube: Dr Jane Leonard

The Confidence Clinic Season 2, Episode 7: Simon Alexander Ong

Ever woke up, looked at your life and realised you were living someone else’s plot, walking in someone else’s shoes? If so, Simon Alexander Ong has definitely something to share with you on the subject of overhauling your life to pursue what keeps you - Energized. Yes, as a personal development entrepreneur, personal coach, author and renowned public speaker, Simon has garnered a wealth of experience perfecting a method that precisely empowers you to do that: taking stock of your life and addressing any areas where you may feel stuck or unsatisfied.

But his journey started far from enlightenment and self-awareness. He too had to go through it, to get out of it. So what’s the story, the catalyst, that made Simon pursue a life of fulfilment, and yes, self-inquiry?

As you’ll hear in our honest and deeply enriching chat, his hero journey started with the realisation that the life he had so convincingly pursued and constructed (one in the high banking world) was not hitting the spot. Quite the opposite, was bringing him donw. So how do you go from sleep-walking through life, keeping your eyes closed on your daily commute to imagine a different reality, to waking up to your dreams and desires and actually stepping into the next version of yourself?
Honing in on his wisdom pearls from his best-selling book ‘Start With Why' and recently published ‘Energize’, Simon doesn’t hold back from sharing his secrets to living a life of intentionality, consistent change, and self-compassion. Because at the heart of his personal revolution, it must be said, there really was a special ingredient, or element. One empowering source that really allowed him, motivated him, to find the courage that set him on a path of self-unravelling and blossoming, building his confidence step by step. Want to know what this was? Tune in and you’ll hear it first-hand in what will be a vulnerable, heartwarming and inspiring conversation. I’m still going through all my notes myself, thank you Simon!

About Simon Alexander Ong

Simon is a personal development entrepreneur, coach, public speaker and renowned writer. In his coaching work, he supports and empowers people from all walks of life, sharing the unique techniques and approaches he's put into his book 'Energize'.

Connect with Simon Alexander Ong

Instagram: @simonalexandero | www.simonalexanderong.com | YouTube: Simon Alexander Ong

Connect with Me:
Instagram: @drjaneleonard | Youtube: Dr Jane Leonard