From serving in the military to building a successful painting business, Steve Macfarlane, owner of Cotswold Painters opens up about the highs, the lows, and the battles most people never see.Find Steve here -https://www.instagram.com/cotswold_painters?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==In this powerful episode, Steve shares his journey through bipolar disorder, the pressures of the trades, and why he’s now pushing himself to the limit with an incredible challenge in Nepal, trekking to Everest Base Camp and taking on four peaks to raise money for The Lost City.Support here - https://www.justgiving.com/page/steve-macfarlane-3?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnWFD-e00C9S_2Ma7bqd95dXyEIGVGvnTRYdlmYXdKpE_KpD02kMlnhCvnsRE_aem_LlcO_QcDvFVjE6ebpnncrAThis conversation dives into mental health, resilience, purpose, and the importance of having people around you when life gets heavy.A raw and honest discussion about:• Military life and transition into the trades• Building a successful decorating business• Living with bipolar disorder• Mental health in construction• Brotherhood, community and purpose• The Everest Base Camp challenge in Nepal• Raising funds for charity through extreme enduranceSome conversations matter more than numbers. This is one of them.Chapters00:00 The Challenge of Climbing Everest06:02 Mental Health and Charity Work12:13 The Joy of Walking and Hiking13:51 Understanding Bipolar Disorder15:49 Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder18:56 The Importance of Physical Exercise20:53 Meditation and Mindfulness through Physical Activity22:42 Taking Small Steps for Mental Health24:40 The Connection Between Nature and Mental Well-being26:48 Building Relationships through Shared Activities28:50 The Journey of Starting a Business30:55 Scaling a Business in Challenging Times36:54 Building a Strong Team and Leadership Challenges40:01 Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace43:24 Raising Awareness and Taking Action on Mental Health48:54 The Importance of Mentorship and Skill Development53:36 Future Growth and Managing Work-Life Balance58:55 Understanding Loneliness and Community in Construction01:03:42 Finding Support and Building Connections

In this episode, Lewis Coomber shares his journey from a disruptive, misunderstood kid navigating ADHD to finding his place in the painting and decorating trade.Find Lewis here -https://www.instagram.com/l.c.painters?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==We talk openly about how the traditional education system didn’t work for him, but how the structure, routine, and hands-on nature of the trades gave him something to channel his energy into.Lewis also opens up about what’s happened more recently. Starting his own business just two years ago, settling into family life, and the pressure that comes with trying to make it all work at once. We get into the reality behind running a trade business. The long hours, working seven-day weeks, burnout, cash flow pressure, and the ongoing challenge of finding people you can trust to represent your name.This is an honest conversation about growth, responsibility, and figuring things out as you go. The highs, the lows, and everything in between.If you’ve ever struggled to fit the mould, or you’re in the thick of building something yourself, there’ll be something in this episode for you.Thanks to our Episode Sponsors Monarch - www.monarchpainting.co.uk

Branded By Sammi - Guest Merch

This one is hard to believe… but every word of it is true.Jacob Butchoff opens up about a life that spiralled through gang violence, identity battles, and extreme trauma… long before he ever faced the truth about who he really was.Find Jacob here -https://www.instagram.com/jacobcharlesthomas?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==We’re talking about:• Being stabbed 18 times• Getting pulled into gangs and violent crime• A restaurant attack that made national headlines• Six years in prison• Addiction and rock bottom momentsBut underneath all of that… was something deeper.A young man struggling with his identity.Jacob shares what it was really like growing up hiding the truth about being gay, the pressure to fit into environments where vulnerability gets you eaten alive, and how that internal conflict pushed him further into chaos.Then there’s the part that sounds unreal…He was adopted and told his parents died in a car crash in Paraguay…Only to later discover they were alive.And he had siblings.That moment alone changes everything.This episode goes way beyond a typical “redemption story.”It’s about truth.It’s about identity.It’s about what happens when you finally stop pretending.Now, after prison, addiction, and years of running… Jacob is living openly as a gay man, owning who he is, and working inside the prison system helping young people avoid the path he went down.No filters. No sugarcoating. Just real life.If you think you’ve heard it all… you haven’t heard this.🎧 Full episode available now on all platforms.Thanks to this episodes sponsorsMonarch - www.monarchpainting.co.uk Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jacob Butchoff04:43 Struggles with Identity and Belonging10:05 Gang Involvement and Self-Destruction20:39 The Impact of Privilege and Expectations29:36 Finding Strength in Vulnerability36:44 The Journey of Self-Discovery42:28 Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges47:45 The Complexity of Masculinity and Violence53:19 Consequences of Violence and Regret59:46 The Journey of Growth and Redemption01:06:54 Navigating Relationships and Self-Discovery01:13:53 Finding Purpose in Trauma and Helping Others01:20:39 Descent into Self-Destruction01:26:59 Unexpected Reconnection with Birth Family01:35:46 Finding Strength in Family Bonds01:42:36 Coming Out and Family Acceptance01:46:02 Turning Pain into Purpose01:52:42 The Restaurant Encounter: A Turning Point01:58:11 The Aftermath of Violence: Reflection and Regret02:05:04 Life in Prison: Adaptation and Survival02:16:21 The Flaws of the Prison System02:22:12 Navigating Gang Culture in Prison02:27:27 The Power of Vulnerability and Sharing Stories02:36:09 Redefining Strength and Masculinity02:41:55 The Journey of Personal Growth and Emotional Intelligence02:49:58 Finding Purpose Through Parenthood and Community Engagement