Simon Glover had big dreams during his childhood years of being a footballer. He went on to play semi-professionally and saw a bright career ahead of him, however, the universe had other ideas. This "failure" led Simon on a journey of self-discovery. He trained to become a counsellor and life coach, which now sees him run his own company called You Life Guidance, where he has employed a team of therapists and life coaches to go into schools and do incredible work with young people.

Simon is on a mission to be of service to as many people as possible. Mantras are particularly important to him, as is his unique outlook on life. During the conversation Simon speaks about the events in his childhood that shaped him into the man he is today. We touch on mental health, spirituality, and when it's time to stop going over the same trauma repeatedly, and how that can become a block to our own growth in the process.

Check out the You Life Guidance website - You Life Guidance - Improved Mental Health and Wellbeing Follow Simon on Instagram @glovesy4

Follow You Life Guidance on Instagram @youlifeguidanceltd

Thomas Fowler wasn't dealt an easy hand in life. Growing up with an alcoholic mother, battling poor mental health, as well as taking drugs and drinking alcohol to excess to cope, you wouldn't recognise the man in our interview today. Tom has defied all of the odds and has totally turned his life around to one of purpose, and fulfilment. Today, Tom is a business owner, personal trainer, and dad. Mind Your Fitness is his online and in person coaching service, it combines both physical exercise and mental health techniques to give it's clients a 360 experience.

During our conversation we speak about Tom's upbringing, and how this led to him being diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) in 2018. We cover taking medication for mental health, how being a Dad has shaped him, and also his recent experiences living with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a long-term progressive liver disease.

Follow Tom on Instagram @mindyourfitnessofficial

Check out the Mind Your Fitness website - Mind Your Fitness: Mental & Physical Health Coaching

Russell Payne is a podcast host, painter and decorator, psychology student, and active Samaritans volunteer from the West Midlands. Russell has spent the majority of his life in the building trades. During his time working within the sector Russell has become increasingly aware of the many mental health issues that workmen and women face. Russell wanted to do something about this, so at the start of 2024 he started his own podcast titled The Talking Tradesman. It aims to shine a light on the challenges faced by those working within the construction, building and trade industries.

The podcast has taken the industry by storm and has become a huge success in a short space of time. Alongside this Russell has launched a line of garments, where 10% of all proceeds go directly to Samaritans.

Listen to The Talking Tradesman on Spotify - The Talking Tradesman | Podcast on Spotify

Follow Russell on Instagram @the_talking_tradesman

Visit Russell's website - Home | The Talking tradesman

Paolo Lai is a reflexologist, serial manifestor, and creator of Moon Mist. Paolo is originally from a small village in Sardinia, before he travelled abroad for a new life in London over 20 years ago. Paolo is renowned on the London wellness scene for his incredibly transformative body and facial reflexology treatments. During a period of hardship, Paolo created Moon Mist, an aura spray created on the night of the full moon each month, infused with crystals, herbs and a little dose of magic. The product has a cult following and is loved by Victoria Beckham, Lisa Snowdon, and many others.

During the episode we speak about the power of manifestation, how to make it easy for you and your life, the moon and it's cycles, and all things spirituality. To get to speak to such a likeminded individual who is interested in the same areas as myself was the healing balm I needed.

Follow Paolo on Instagram @paolo.reflex

Follow Moon Mist on Instagram @officialmoonmist

Purchase Moon Mist via Paolo's website - Moon Mist | Paolo Lai Reflexology | London (paoloreflex.com)

For the very first time, Own Your Journey went on the road to Liverpool to interview an extra special guest. James Sutton is an actor who you will best know for playing John Paul McQueen in the Channel 4 TV soap opera, Hollyoaks. John Paul landed on our screens in 2006, tackling major storylines including coming out as gay, being sexually assaulted, and more recently being involved in a storyline surrounding conversion therapy. James is heterosexual and an incredible ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Outside of Hollyoaks James has starred in Emmerdale, Casualty, alongside taking part in theatre productions.

We cover James's journey into acting, navigating being on TV from an early age, as well as his recent journey into self-discovery fitness, and self-care.

You can follow James on Instagram @thejamesutton

John Junior, aka Duckman is a mental health campaigner, social media influencer, and media personality from Manchester. For the past 5 years John has been travelling the UK to spread his message of strength around the subject of mental health and wellbeing. Accompanied by his toy duck, Charlie, John has gone on to feature in countless campaigns and articles, from speaking on Sky News to taking part in Samaritans and Lad Bible campaigns. It isn't just glitzy features though, John has done lobbying work with MP's which has led to real ever lasting changes being made for people experiencing poor mental health in the UK. This is an inspiring, powerful & deeply emotional episode that is sure to leave a long lasting impact.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion and references to suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, grief, OCD, depression, and other mental health issues.

If you're struggling with your mental health and feel like you're in crisis, please contact the Samaritans charity by calling 116 123 (24 hours a day).

Visit John's website - My Story (duckmanofficial.co.uk)

Follow John on Instagram - @johnjuniorofficial

Follow John on TikTok - @officialduckman

Ivy Ash, aka Bethany Dyson is a singer-songwriter and fashion & beauty influencer from Birmingham. From an early age Beth had a huge passion and love for music, which soon led to her working as a function singer on the local circuit, performing covers. However, in 2021 this changed when Beth invented Ivy Ash, alongside her debut single "Oops". Since then she has released several original tracks, has featured in BBC Introducing, as well as gaining employment working within the music industry too.

Life for Beth away from the music spotlight hasn't always been easy. She lives with a chronic health condition, fibromyalgia, something that impacts her daily, but with a positive attitude and an incredibly healthy outlook on life, Beth flourishes despite it. During today's conversation we delve into the process of filming a music video, the creative flow of her writing, and alter egos.

Follow Ivy on Instagram @ivyashmusic

Follow Ivy on Spotify - Ivy Ash | Spotify

Subscribe to Ivy on YouTube - Ivy Ash | Music, Mindset & Midsize - YouTube

Check out Ivy's website for further links & booking information - Home | Ivy Ash (ivyashmusic.com)

In 2023 friends Calum O'Neill and Luke Swain came together to change the face of mental health within the sporting world. From an initial idea to setup a company based around mental health, Mentality Clothing was born. We all struggle to talk about our mental health from time to time, but this can be even more prevalent within sport. Alongside the clothing side of the business, Calum and Luke also run Mentality Football, a weekly football group in Cardiff.

During the conversation we delve into the mission and values behind the brand, men's mental health, sport, finding community, resilience, and more.

Follow Mentality Clothing via Instagram @mentalityclothing_

Check out the Mentality Clothing website - Mentality (mentalityclothing.co.uk) Sign up for Mentality Football - Select a Date & Time - Calendly