Today’s podcast episode features the indomitable Ann Carney. 

Ann was trapped in a cycle of overwork and bad health habits when at the age of forty-five, knowing she had to make changes, she decided to try to run. Like many beginners, she started too fast and would have given up if it wasn’t for a serendipitous meeting with a cousin she hadn’t seen in years. 

He guided her through a couch to 5k, and gaining confidence; she took out an advert in the local paper. She co-founded Chorlton Runners, a club which started with a couple of members and has grown to a membership of over six hundred, and the club is one of the most successful in Manchester. 

Ann knows that as well as having the courage to make the first step, novice runners also need a helping hand and a supportive structured programme to build momentum step by step. That’s why the Couch to 5K programme is still an integral part of the Chorlton Runner’s ethos and one Ann actively supports.

Having found her passion and identity, Ann could have been happy to reap the personal rewards, but she is a person who uses their grit, drive, and boundless energy to make things happen for others. 

Please listen to Ann’s inspiring story, and for anyone out there who thinks I could never do that, look for a guide because once you have someone at your side, the following steps are so much easier. 

Reference
You can find out more about Chorlton Runners here https://www.chorltonrunners.co.uk/

My guest today is Chloe Richards, a brave and strong breast cancer survivor emerging from a period of loss and change. She is refocusing her business to deliver her mission to help women succeed in the workplace.
We talk about

• How women struggle to describe their value in the workforce.
• How it's important to take the time to reflect on your success and find the words to do this in a way that feels authentic.
•  Creating behavioural diversity in the workplace so people can communicate in a way that resonates with them.  
• Celebrating differences helps people to fulfil their potential and bring value in different ways.
•  Taking the time to step back and be clear about what you won't tolerate builds resilience.
• Redundancy and striking out on your own.
• The experience of a breast cancer diagnosis.
• Dealing with loss and change and strengthening of purpose
• Being fearless. Being stripped back but brave enough to seek the light and move forward.
• Seeking help, trusting others and mentally dealing with both loss and illness.
•  Reflecting on values and developing a mission to help women succeed so they can effect change at work, making life better for everyone. 

The book I gave to Chloe is 
H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald
 

Want to be a waser reather than a wisher? Listen to this episode and I promise you will get some inspiration to get up, get out and keep going!

My guest today is Steve Pullen, a judo 7th Dan and holder of the MBE for his service to blind and disabled judo. 
He is a coach and has guided judokas to the Olympics, Paralympics, World and European Championships.
Steve heads up a group of coaches whose prime objective is to increase and expand judo teaching facilities in North West England to integrate able-bodied and disabled judo.
Outside of judo, Steve was in charge of physical education at the acclaimed Chethams School of Music in Manchester.
Steve's reputation, passion and commitment are recognised throughout the world. 

We talk about

• Discipline - cultivating the habit of never being late.   
• The importance of early role models and inspirational coaches
• Developing independence and resistance from difficult circumstances, in Steve's case having to spend several years in hospital with severe burns when he was a young child.
• Being tough minded, overcoming and getting there by driving yourself
• Being a waser not a wisher
• Changing the lives of others through coaching
• Knowing when to change direction and try something new
• Avoiding self-destruction when a life's practice comes to an end
• Using your hard earned skill set to forge yourself a new identity
• The power of strong relationships
• The importance of keeping dreaming.