Join us for a special episode where for the first time...drum roll....we have male guests!

Meet Matt Knibb, Dad of two, Head of PE at a school for those with additional needs and Mental Health first aid trainer and Brad Smith, Dad of one, solution based hypnotherapist, the hosts of Mental Health Takeaway podcast. A podcast that discuss men's mental health in a light hearted manner.

After being invited on to their podcast and having such insightful conversations, I thought it would be great to have an authentic conversation delving into confidence, mental health and let's be real...their life stories!

Key moments of the episode:

- Matt and Brad discuss what led to them launching this podcast and focusing on men's mental health. Discussing the vital things that we can learn from these conversations and how women can support the men in their life who are struggling with their mental health.

- Both men share their childhood confidence journeys into adulthood and reflect on key moments of struggle and lessons.

- Both share their life confidence pivotal moments and how those moments shaped their growth.

- We all realised that one of our life pivotal confidence moments were our divorces and walking away from marriages that didn't work, we discussed how hitting rock can set you up on a new more authentic path.

- We discussed pillars of self-esteem and how life sometimes impacts all of your pillars at once, losing a job, a relationship ending etc and when this happens it can be extremely ungrounding and stressful.

- Both Matt and Brad share some really valuable advice for those on a confidence journey with some golden nuggets of wisdom.

Contact Matt and Brad:

Instagram: @mental_health_takeways

In this episode, we sit down with Hayley Brown, a passionate sign language interpreter, to explore her unique career journey and the life experiences that have shaped her along the way. Hayley opens up about challenges like single parenting, overcoming relationship struggles, and the influence of personal tragedies on her passion for communication.

Below are some key highlights from our conversation:

1. Single Parenting & Vulnerability

Hayley shares the raw realities of being a solo parent and how it impacts a woman's ability to embrace vulnerability. She explains how single mothers often lack the space to express their feelings freely, needing remain strong for their children.

2. The Impact of Losing Her Mum to Alcoholism

Hayley’s mother passed away when Hayley was 25 after battling alcoholism and loneliness. This tragic loss instilled fears around loneliness and influenced Hayley’s beliefs around being alone.

3. Dyslexia and the Drive for Communication Accessibility

Growing up with dyslexia and witnessing her mother’s struggle to communicate openly about her battles inspired Hayley to champion communication accessibility for all. Her work as a sign language interpreter is deeply rooted in her belief that everyone deserves to be heard and understood.

4. Overcoming Confidence Blocks in Relationships

In her personal life, Hayley has faced confidence blocks due to a lack of healthy relationship dynamics being modelled during her childhood. These experiences led to trauma-bonded relationships, but through self-growth, Hayley has shifted toward healthier relationship patterns.

5. Facing Criticism and Finding Her Voice Online

For years, Hayley struggled with criticism, particularly accusations of being “attention-seeking.” This blocked her at times, from pursuing a presence on social media and starting her own podcast. In this episode, she shares how she overcame these internal obstacles and found the confidence to put herself out there.

6. Walking 24 Hours for Charity

Hayley pushed herself to her limits by walking for 24 hours to raise funds for a deaf charity, documenting the entire experience. During this vulnerable time, a fellow interpreter accused her of “stealing the deaf limelight,” leading to discussions around projection, envy, and the negativity often found in online spaces.

7. Why Negative Comments Stick More than Positive Ones

A powerful moment in the episode was our conversation on how negative feedback often leaves a more lasting impression than positive feedback.

8. Pivotal Life Confidence Moments

Finally, Hayley reflects on the key moments in her life that helped shape her confidence and resilience, including how these experiences contributed to her career as a sign language interpreter.

Tune in to hear Hayley’s moving story, her insights on relationships, communication, and self-growth, and how she’s turned her personal challenges into professional strength.

Contact Hayley Brown:

Instagram: @hayleybrown_andco

Podcast instagram: inadequatemothers

Episode Title: Confidence, Nutrition, and Embracing Change with Laura Bryan

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Bryan, Nutritional Therapist and mindset coach, to explore her inspiring confidence journey. From struggling with body image and disordered eating as a teenager, to finding her passion for nutrition and learning to love food, Laura shares the pivotal moments that shaped her transformation.

We discuss:

• Laura’s early struggles with body image, seeking validation through weight loss, and the challenges of adolescence.

• Her turning point at university, where she discovered nutrition, fell in love with cooking, and shifted from calorie counting to eating for pleasure.

• The importance of self-image and achievement as pillars of self-esteem in her youth.

• Our shared experiences of pregnancy, navigating body changes, and learning self-acceptance.

• The confidence challenges of starting a business and staying aligned with personal values in defining success.

• Laura’s key moments of growth, including reading The Secret, breaking free from a lack mindset, and how her studies led to a deeper understanding of food’s impact on mental health.

Join us for an empowering conversation on confidence, embracing change, and redefining what it means to live successfully on your own terms.

Contact Laura:

INSTAGRAM: @mind_nourishing

Grab a glass of wine or a cuppa this is an episode not to be missed! With many laughs, real life experiences and tips for those navigating modern dating, love and relationships.

Jo Tucker and Heledd Fflur two of my favourite guests, come back to the podcast to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences of dating and love, and how to keep your self-esteem in a healthy place whilst navigating it.

Episode highlights:

- We all share what we think is the biggest issue with modern dating currently

- We share our green flags and red flags when dating

- What is the ick? why do we get it and what is our personal experience of 'getting the ick'

- Each of us share a confidence tip to use in dating and relationships to stay in your power and keeping your self-esteem in check

Contact:

Heledd Fflur: Instagram @heleddfflur

Jo Tucker: Instagram @baldmothertucker

Meet Gemma Jones, a Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach from Bristol and life long friend of mine! On this episode we delve into many topics:

- Gemma talks about how she went from hating sport at school, to discovering her love of fitness and becoming a Personal Trainer.

- Female friendships and how we have found more authentic friendships since embarking on a self-development journey

- Confidence themes that have been more difficult, with Gemma sharing her block around posting on social media for her Business and showing up as herself, fears around saying the wrong thing, being judged, and lacking confidence.

- The fear of 'being seen' on social media and how it can feel vulnerable.

- Perceptions of 'coaches'

- Gemma talked about losing her Dad, friend and Grandad in close succession and how that was ungrounding and the worst time of her life. We discussed grief and the impact it can have on your confidence, impacting our sense of self.

- How Gemma's level of empathy has meant she's become a successful PT, providing a safe space for her clients.

- Limiting beliefs we can create around fitness and sport that as women we have been fed growing up about what we can and cannot do.

- Gemma's shares some confidence tips for those on a Confidence journey.

Instagram:

@_gemwellbeing

Sarah is the Founder of Come Network With Me, an award-winning networking experience for passionate and ambitious female founders of impactful online service businesses. She's a proud advocate and cheerleader for women, supporting and empowering small business owners to become trailblazing legendary leaders.

Episode highlights:

- We discuss how passion is an essential element of running a Business

- Sarah shares her confidence story from her childhood where she would people please and pretend to feel exactly the same as her friends, something she changed as she got older.

- We discussed how this was largely a female issue and we hoped that girls could learn to use their voice from a younger age.

- Sarah shared having a wobble in Confidence when running a Business, and we discussed how Imposter Syndrome is common

- Confidence pivotal moments: Sarah becoming a marathon runner after spending a life time feeling like she wasn't a runner. She also touched on leaving a long term relationship and how that brave decision was the spring board to lots of positive change.

Abbie Walker runs a social media account and a successful small business, The Third Wish Shop. Her business aims to bring a touch of magic to people’s homes and families, a mission that brings her immense happiness. As a single mam to three children, Abbie’s life is exciting and a little bit different every day. Key Moments from the Podcast: 1. Abbie’s Colourful Career Story and Strong Moral Compass • Abbie shares her diverse career journey and the role her strong moral values have played in shaping her experiences in various workplaces. Her commitment to integrity and love of magic eventually led her to create her own small business. 2. Flying Under the Radar with Autism • Throughout her childhood and early adulthood, Abbie navigated life without a diagnosis of autism or dyslexia. She discusses her experiences as a mother to neurodivergent children, offering insights into the unique challenges and triumphs they face. 3. Love of Medicine • Although Abbie has a passion for medicine, she realized that a career in the medical field wouldn’t suit her. She explains how this realization influenced her path towards entrepreneurship. 4. Little Abbie’s Story • Growing up in a challenging area with a working-class background, Abbie spent much of her childhood trying to fit in and be liked. She describes secondary school as a particularly difficult time for a neurodivergent girl, finding solace in the library and later adopting humour as a safety net. 5. Finding Her Authentic Self • Abbie began a transformative journey seven years ago with the help of a psychologist. Discovering her true self required letting go of everything she once knew, a process that ultimately led to profound personal growth. 6. Confidence and Relationships • Relationships have been both a source of significant damage but also fuelled her fire to be who she is now and started her personal growth journey. She explores how these experiences have shaped her confidence and determination. 7. Pivotal Life Moments • Starting The Third Wish Shop during the pandemic, while in a toxic and abusive relationship, marked a turning point for Abbie. With no money and few options, she built a successful business, which boosted her confidence and empowered her to make other necessary life changes. For more about Abbie Walker and her journey, visit The Third Wish Shop. Connect with her on Instagram to follow her latest updates and insights: @abbiewalkerh

Unlocking Calm and Confidence in Parenting with Kecia Nelson, Licenced Clinical Social Worker & Holistic Parenting Coach. Kecia specializes in guiding overwhelmed and anxious mums to parent with confidence and calm. She helps them reduce frustration and anger, create emotionally supportive homes, and build stronger connections with their children. With 25 years of experience as a licensed social worker working with parents and children, and as a mother of two, she offers a safe and nurturing space for mums to heal their inner child, achieve emotional balance, and foster deeper connections with their children. Guided by her experience in social work, she understands the unique challenges that modern mums face today. Drawing from transformative techniques that enhance the parent-child relationship, she offers a holistic coaching program designed to overcome parenting anxiety. Through her program, mums can build stronger connections with their kids, break generational cycles, heal childhood wounds, and foster continuous growth to create lasting positive changes for their families. Episode Highlights: 1. Childhood Struggles and Self-Discovery: Kecia shares her experience growing up as an extroverted and fun child, who was often told she was too outspoken. This led her to shrink herself, struggle with perfectionism, low self-esteem, and an eating disorder in her teenage years. 2. Career Journey: Her transition from a career as a social worker to becoming a holistic parenting coach. Kecia helps mothers navigate the complexities of motherhood, offering tools to manage anxiety and frustration. 3. Pivotal Moments: Kecia discusses her pivotal moment a few years back when she hit a wall in life. Discovering the work of Brené Brown, she decided to reclaim her true self with healthier boundaries. 4. Shame and Vulnerability: Addressing the shame associated with having personal struggles and how it impacts professionals in coaching and mental health professions. Emphasizing that one does not need to be perfectly healed to help others. 5. Emotional Space and Boundaries: The importance of holding emotional space for others while maintaining healthy boundaries, especially as single mums. Recognizing the tendency to help others to avoid dealing with one’s own issues and the necessity of self-care. 6. Parenting Philosophy: Kecia’s concept that parenting is not about control, but about fostering a deep connection with your children. Learning to observe rather than absorb others’ energy is crucial. For more insights and to connect with Kecia Nelson follow her on Instagram. Keywords: • Parenting Anxiety • Emotional Support • Holistic Parenting • Childhood Trauma • Generational Healing • Brene Brown • Emotional Boundaries • Coaching Professionals • Self-Care • Connection Over Control Relevant Links • Kecia Nelson on Instagram