The Life Matters Podcast

In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, host Diane Sealey sits down with Phil Greenaway - former professional rugby player, ex-Director of Sport at Dulwich College, and now education and sport consultant - to explore how sport shapes character, why men struggle to talk about their emotions, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself in midlife.Phil opens up about growing up in Exeter, playing alongside future England legends like Jonny Wilkinson and Mike Tindall, and the moment rugby turned professional and changed his life's trajectory. He reflects on 12 formative years building a world-class sports programme at Dulwich College, the courage it took to walk away from institutional security, and the surprising person who finally pushed him to make the leap - his daughter.This episode is honest, heartfelt, and packed with practical insight on emotional health, resilience, parenting, stress management, and finding purpose beyond a career that once defined you.You can connect with Phil via his LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-greenaway-496b73a3/ or his website https://pgreenawayltd.com/#about

What are the behaviours and attitudes needed for entrepreneurial success? Find out in this captivating conversation packed with guidance. Bob Parker has spent his career driving growth, leading change, and building global brands. During this time he has inspired hundreds of people from all backgrounds and walks of life to entrepreneurialsuccess. Today, he is at the forefront of executive search and consultancy, helping businesses navigate the rapidlyevolving 'Direct-to-Consumer' (DTC) landscape across Europe and beyond. His reputation for operational excellence was cemented during his tenure as Country Manager for a global wellness giant, where he led his territories to becomenumber one in the world for two consecutive years, achieving staggering year-on-year growth and a turnover in excess of £100 million.To connect with Bob on LinkedIn here or on Instagram here

In this episode, Sue Doughty chronicles the 20-year evolution of Westmeria Counselling Services, a counselling service born from a personal family crisis. What began as a grassroots, donation-only initiative to ensure mental health support remained accessible to all has since expanded into a robust organization with 100 counsellors delivering over 250 sessions every week.

In this episode of Life Matters Julie McCammon shares herjourney from being a physiotherapist to discovering the profound impact of myofascial release therapy and the mind-body connection regarding her own healing. She talks about the evolution of pain neuroscience, and the transformative insights from the three principles which has deepened her understanding and treatment of chronic pain . She discusses the innate capacity for healing that lies within each of us and how she was inspired to write 'Quiet Mind, Quiet Body,' as a way of helping others, and as a guide for those seeking to navigate their own healing journeys. It’s an insightful conversation that will bring hope to many dealing with chronic pain and a new way of understanding it. TakeawaysHow her experience with viral meningitis in Nepal changed her perspective on health.Discovering myofascial release therapy as a means to heal herself.The mind-body connection in understanding chronic pain.Pain is often a response to perceived danger, not just physical damage.Her pilot study showing significant pain reduction in patients.Empowering readers of Quiet Mind Quiet Body with knowledge about pain and healing.Awareness of bodily sensations is key to managing tension and pain.Healing as a journey in understanding and compassion for oneself.   Chapters00:00 Journey to Healing: A Physiotherapist's Story11:56 Understanding Myofascial Release Therapy24:23 The Power of the Mind in Pain Management36:05 Transformative Insights: The Three Principles andHealing

Dr Amna Khan shares her experiences of what life was like growing up as a British Muslim Pakistani in Manchester, how she became head-girl in a Catholic school, and her academic journey. She talks about how she has become a leading media commentator on consumer behaviour and her power-lifting journey to British Champion. This really is a fascinating conversation and an inspiring listen with too many highlights to mention.Chapters00:00 Growing Up in Manchester: Identity and Faith04:39 The Academic Journey: From Rebellion to Achievement09:09 Entering the Media: A Surprising Transition11:36 Building Trust: The Importance of Credibility17:36 Overcoming Failure: Lessons from the First TV Appearance22:22 Powerlifting Journey: From Gym Anxiety to Record Holder37:24 The Unexpected Start of a Powerlifting Journey40:18 Overcoming Physical Challenges and Building Confidence43:52 The Role of Mental Blocks in Lifting46:03 The Joy of Lifting and Embracing Failure48:06 The Discipline of an Athlete50:48 The Impact of COVID on Training and Recovery56:38 Breaking Records and Achieving Goals01:00:22 The Legacy of a Champion01:05:08 Becoming the Change You Want to SeeFor more information visit https://dramnakhan.co.uk

Dr Denise Tiran HonDUniv FRCM MSc RM, is an internationally acclaimed authority on maternity complementary therapies. Denise pioneered complementary therapies as a midwifery specialism in the 1980s and at the University of Greenwich, where she developed one of the UK’s first complementary therapy degrees. She has treated almost 6000 pregnant women, taught courses for over 4000 midwives and helped around 100 NHS trusts to introduce complementary therapy services. She has undertaken several research studies, published many books and written guidelines for practice for the Royal College of Midwives. In this episode she shares her journey from aspiring midwife to an internationally recognized authority in the field. She discusses the integration of complementary therapies in pregnancy, emphasizing their popularity and the importance of safety. Dr. Tiran highlights various therapies such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, and reflexology, while also addressing the need for qualified practitioners. The conversation touches on the evolution of midwifery practices, the challenges faced by modern mothers, and the future of maternity services, advocating for a return to natural birth practices.Chapters00:00 The Journey to Midwifery05:26 Complementary Therapies in Midwifery10:06 Popular Therapies and Their Benefits15:25 Safety and Caution in Therapy Use20:12 Training and Qualifications in Complementary Therapies25:21 Natural Methods to Induce Labour30:26 Changes in Midwifery Practices35:19 Future of Maternity Services

In this episode Tahira Herold shares her transformative journey from a successful film makeup artist to a confidence coach. She discusses the importance of understanding confidence, the cultural influences that shape it, and the power of storytelling in building self-worth. Tahira also talks about practical techniques such as ‘tapping’ in developing confidence. Throughout the conversation she emphasizes thensignificance of embracing discomfort for personal growth. The conversation concludes with her insights on self-worth and the importance of community support in achieving goals.You can find Tahira on Instagram @balancebytahira and https://balancebytahira.comChapters 00:00 Tahira’s Journey: From Makeup Artist to Coach07:06 The Importance of Confidence in Personal Development12:11 Cultural Influences on Confidence and Self-Perception17:17 Emotional Freedom Techniques: Tapping into Confidence22:25 Embracing Inner Tension and Self-Acceptance23:41 Building Confidence: The Starting Point29:07 The Journey to Unbreakable Confidence32:41 The Role of Action in Confidence Building35:51 Self-Worth and the Challenge of Asking for Help39:36 Unpacking Self-Worth and Acceptance

Charlie Flounders shares her transformative journey following a traumatic accident that resulted in the loss of sight in her right eye. Through her story, she discusses the challenges of recovery, the emotional turmoil she faced, and the profound changes in her perspective on life. Charlie emphasizes the importance of resilience, the process of acceptance, and her desire to inspire others who may be going through similar experiences. Her journey is one of hope, healing, and the quest for a new purpose in life. TakeawaysCharlie experienced a life-changing accident that resulted in the loss of her right eye.She maintained composure during the accident, using breathing techniques to stay calm.The recovery journey involved both physical healing and emotional processing.Charlie learned to navigate her new reality, including adjusting to life with one eye.She faced emotional challenges, including anger and grief, throughout her recovery.The process of acceptance was crucial in moving forward after the accident.Charlie found strength in sharing her story and wisdom with others.She aims to support those who have experienced similar traumas.The journey of recovery is ongoing, with ups and downs along the way.Charlie emphasizes the importance of community and support in healing.

What if we could transform our relationships by simply listening more? In this conversation, Barry Phillips discusses the profound impact of deep listening on personal relationships and mental health. He contrasts deep listening with active listening, emphasizing the importance of being fully present and non-judgmental. Barry shares insights from his experiences as a listener for the Samaritans catalysed by the Covid pandemic, and how deep listening can create a safe space for us to explore our thoughts and feelings. The conversation highlights the transformative power of listening in fostering connection and understanding in our relationships and how it is a skill we can all master.Find out howDeep listening empowers individuals to express themselves.Deep listening can transform our relationships..Creating space for others to explore their thoughts is crucial.Listening without judgment fosters deeper connections.People often feel unheard in their daily lives.Deep listening can calm an anxious mind and promote clarity.Curiosity is a key component of effective listening.The ripple effect of listening positively impacts both the listener and the speaker.

Donna Still is a transformation coach, breathwork facilitator, author, and speaker who embodies the art of reinvention. With a career spanning care work, interior design, coaching, and authorship, Donna has walked the walk—evolving through personal challenges, spiritual exploration, and a deep commitment to helping others live more consciously and courageously.Beginning her professional life in the care sector for 14 years, Donna juggled raising four children, launching an interior decorating business, and studying for a BA (Hons) in Spatial Design. Her early life was a lesson in resilience—marked by burnout, family struggles, and a turning point that forced her to reconsider how she lived and worked. From that collapse emerged a new chapter: one focused on self-inquiry, personal development, and empowerment.Donna trained as a Peak Performance Coach, NLP Master Practitioner, and one of the first UK-based facilitators of Bob Proctor’s “Thinking Into Results” programme. Her work is deeply influenced by the teachings of Bob Proctor, Neville Goddard, Wayne Dyer, and Byron Katie, with whom she shares a passion for mindset mastery and the integration of mind-body wisdom.But Donna’s real breakthrough came through breathwork. After discovering the power of plant medicine and somatic healing, she trained in various breath modalities and now runs transformative breathwork circles, one-to-one sessions, and workshops that help people heal trauma, reconnect with themselves, and unlock the clarity they need to move forward. Her work combines conscious connected breath, acupressure, sound healing, and intuitive coaching.She is the author of several books, including Ditch the Scales and The Divine Nature of Being, which emerged from years of journaling and channelled writing. Her work continues to evolve, recently expanding into ceremonial leadership and a new programme, Sacred Abundance.Donna’s philosophy is simple yet profound: when we slow down, tune in, and listen deeply, we reconnect with our inner wisdom—the part of us that already knows what we need. Her approach is grounded, compassionate, and transformational, encouraging clients to trust themselves and make aligned choices with courage and grace.For Donna, reinvention isn’t just a concept—it’s a way of life.Connect with Donna at www.donnastill.co.uk Instagram @infinitelife

In this episode Dr. Mayoni Gooneratne discusses the importance of prioritizing women's health, particularly through understanding hormonal changes and metabolic health. She shares her journey from being a surgeon to specializing in functional medicine, emphasizing the need for women to take charge of their health and well-being. The discussion covers the role of functional medicine as a root cause approach, the connection between confidence and wellness, and the six pillars of health that can empower women. Dr. Gooneratne also highlights the significance of energy management and the impact of societal expectations on women's health, encouraging them to prioritize self-care and connection with their true selves.Connect with Dr Mayoni Gooneratne on Instagram @dr.mayoni or visit https://drmhumanhealth.co.uk