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In the third episode of our Healthy Coping Mechanisms mini-series, Debs is joined by railway operations professional and radio presenter Lee Everest to explore how hobbies can help us cope, recover and reconnect with ourselves.

Lee works in a high-pressure rail environment where clear decisions, safety and service all matter. He shares how, after years of bringing work home in his head, he found a powerful release through community radio - something he had dreamed of doing since childhood.

What began as a hobby became a 'happy place': a way to switch off from pressure, rebuild confidence, create community and give something back. Lee talks about the difference it has made to his mental wellbeing, especially when working shifts, handling demanding days and needing a healthy escape from the intensity of work.

This episode explores why hobbies are not just 'nice to have' - they can be a vital part of staying well, building identity beyond the day job, and creating space for joy, creativity and connection.

Lee also shares the importance of boundaries. When something you love grows bigger, it still needs to fit healthily around real life, relationships and rest. His reminder is simple: find something that lights you up, protect time for it, and don’t be afraid to give it a go.

A warm, practical conversation about switching off, finding your release valve, and remembering that we are all more than our work.

You can find Lee’s radio work at: www.danceradioshows.com

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Content note: This episode includes references to suicide bereavement and grief.

In the second episode of our Healthy Coping Mechanisms mini-series, we are joined by rail incident controller Tom Curcher for a powerful and honest conversation about coping under pressure, building trust, and recovering after difficult experiences.

Tom shares a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into working in a high-pressure rail incident response environment, where communication, calm thinking and teamwork really matter. He explains why trust is the foundation of effective response, how he prepares for worst-case scenarios without becoming overwhelmed, and why sharing the load is essential when pressure is high.

This episode also explores a deeply personal resilience reframe. Tom talks openly about losing his dad to suicide, living with grief, and how that experience has shaped his outlook on life, work and supporting others. Rather than seeing resilience as simply 'bouncing back', Tom offers a grounded reminder that we can live with difficult experiences, learn from them, and still choose connection, gratitude and growth.

Tom shares the power of genuinely asking “how are you?”, listening without trying to fix, knowing what is and isn’t yours to carry, and creating team environments where people feel safe to speak honestly. His call to action is simple but brave: ask for feedback, drop the mask, and consider what you could do differently to help yourself and others cope better.

Tom volunteers with SOBS – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide. You can connect with Tom on Instagram: Tom Curcher

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In this first in our 5 part mini-series looking at healthy coping mechanisms, we explore a practical proactive wellness toolkit for coping in the moment, recognising stress and making sensible choices under pressure.