Petra Velzeboer was raised in a religious cult with no education that erased her identity and future. Through depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence and suicidal thoughts she reached her rock bottom by age 25. Today her goal is to help others who are near their rock bottom to learn the fast track for improving their lives! Join Petra as she interviews people from all walks of life about their journey to discovering that their superpowers are nurtured in their pain and their success is crafted through their story.
“What really saved my life during that time was my ability to talk”
I am SUPER excited to have gotten the chance to interview the Legendary, Mental Health Power House that is Geoff McDonald!
Best known as a global advocate, campaigner and consultant who is passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces, and about helping organisations embed purpose as a key driver of business performance. His sense of purpose to his work was catalysed by his diagnosis in 2008 of Anxiety fuelled depression.
Geoff shares his experience of mental ill health, his journey to recovery as well as what goes into a sustainable health and wellbeing initiative within the workplace.
We go deep on topics such as;
Diagnosis of anxiety fuelled depression
Learning to talk
Taking responsibility for our wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing plans in the workplace
The stigma & shame associated with depression
Taking accountability in order to get better
The blessing of love during recovery
Reintegrating at work
Transition from employment into purpose
Tools that contribute to maintaining recovery
Connect with Geoff and learn more about his work at geoffmcdonald.co.uk (https://geoffmcdonald.co.uk/) , linkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-mcdonald/) &Twitter. (https://twitter.com/geoffmcdonald1) Hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/petra-velzeboer)
29 Nov 2020
155. Tactics for Creating a Happier Workforce with Samantha Clarke
‘It’s not going back to business as normal, we’re in a very new era now and If you’re not stretching yourself to meet that you will get left behind’
Samantha Clarke is an amazing friend of mine, Happiness Consultant (https://samanthaand.co/), TedX speaker and Author of Love it or Leave it (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Leave-How-Happy-Work/dp/1913068080/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=love%20it%20or%20leave%20it%20samantha%20clarke&qid=1567441777&s=gateway&sr=8-3). She advices global companies on Happiness at Work and supports people’s conscious decisions to either Love it or Leave it!
She is full of innovative advice for employers and employees on finding happiness in our work as well as providing practical tips on how we can all adjust to the change born from the pandemic!
We get practical on topics such as:
Finding the opportunity in change and disruption
Creating safe spaces for employees to be vulnerable
Steps to becoming a change maker
Challenging your belief system and evaluating your achievements
Physical & Mental Health signs that it is time for change
Widening our networks and making new contacts
Balancing head and heart decisions
Managing loneliness during the pandemic
Championing your people to deliver their best
Creating that work / life definition
Preventing tech fatigue and creating wiser practices
Find out more by connecting with Samantha on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclements2/)and you can see her full personal story in Episode 11 titled: How Badly do you Want it (https://petravelzeboer.com/podcast/samanthaclarke-ht4pr) .
Find out more by connecting with Samantha on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclements2/)and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/petra-velzeboer)
You can catch a previous interview with Samantha How Badly do you Want it (https://petravelzeboer.com/podcast/samanthaclarke-ht4pr)
Further Resources mentioned in this episode::
Micro Mentor (https://www.micromentor.org/)
Life Coach Directory (https://www.lifecoach-directory.org.uk/)
Love it or Leave it (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Leave-How-Happy-Work/dp/1913068080/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=love%20it%20or%20leave%20it%20samantha%20clarke&qid=1567441777&s=gateway&sr=8-3)
22 Nov 2020
154. Coming out and the new normal with Matthew Clements
“When I came out…..I had completely unconditional support and love and I realised that’s sadly not the case for everyone”
I feel very privileged to interview Matthew Clements. Matthew is the Senior diversity and inclusion advisor at Herbert Smith Freehills (https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/) and i have had the pleasure of working with him through the partnership between Medigold and PVL where i have been supporting the Mental Health strategy and training of HSF.
We discuss Mental health and his Matthew goes deep on his own experience of mental health and coming out to his family and friends.
We cover other topics such as:
Challenges of mental health in the workplace
HSF Thrive Strategy
The evolution of how businesses understand mental health
Promoting an inclusive culture
Mental health champions
Adapting to needs during the pandemic
The build up to coming out to family and friends
No longer being able to hide / the loss of control
The benefits of coming out
Looking back on yourself with kindness
The ripple effects of shared stories & experiences
Creating impact through authenticity
Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace
The mental health silver lining in the pandemic
The need for organisations to step up mental health strategy
Agile & remote working
Non-negotiables around self-care
Connect with Matthew on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclements2/)and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/petra-velzeboer)
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