I was ten when I started to believe I had fat legs. It needs to be said at this stage that I categorically did not have fat legs (I was a skinny kid) but I absolutely believed I did have fat legs and they immediately became a source of shame for me. I clearly remember looking at a photo of myself in my Tammy Girl white-with-pink-dots rah-rah skirt (I was a girl of my time…
Continue readingHave you ever noticed how much fear mongering our society engages in? Just stop and think about the messages we all receive (and generate) on a daily basis: “Lose 10lbs in 10 days!” based on the assumption that you are afraid your current weight is not acceptable. “Work hard at school otherwise you’ll never get a good job.” = fear of financial insecurity. “85{d7c98303840e9670c9916fdf0bd27d8ee2ea81283fe225d13ffb23906534ed7b} of women agreed this cream gave them younger looking skin,” which…
Continue readingI first heard the expression ‘Life on Life’s terms’ in my twenties when I was a messed-up, confused, unhappy young woman who couldn’t seem to find any peace or contentment in her life. The wise old bird who suggested I try to accept life on life’s terms had herself been a messed-up, confused, unhappy young woman, who had discovered the power of acceptance to transform her into the serene, wise, contented person she now was. …
Continue reading# This is a blog about the “can’t do” lies we tell ourselves… # This is a blog about growing your confidence muscle day by day # This is a blog that proves that you don’t need to be really confident at something in order to be able to do it. # This is a blog about confidence and cycling – not how to be a confident cyclist but how cycling has reinforced everything I…
Continue readingEveryone struggles with his or her confidence from time to time but for some of us, self-doubt and low self-esteem are constant companions, scuppering our abilities to reach our potential. But imagine if I told you that you could learn the skills you need to grow and maintain your confidence in just one week! Would you be willing to learn and practice them? I bet you would! These are skills that you will have to…
Continue readingFor those of you who regularly read my blog and my advice column you’ll know that I’m all about authenticity and being real. Why? Because perfectionism and mask-wearing are two of the biggest barriers to confidence that I’ve come across in my six years as a coach. I’ve worked with hundreds of people (probably thousands now) and they all tell me that pretending to be someone or something they’re not feeds their insecurities. And dismantles…
Continue readingSo many people think that confidence is something we are either born with or not but this is a lie! Confidence is a muscle – we all have a confidence muscle but some of us haven’t learnt to exercise it yet. If you want tight, strong tummy muscles you go to the gym to do your sit ups, crunches, planks, and leg raises 3-4 times a week, you also watch your diet and, lo and…
Continue readingI was listening to a podcast recently on which an eminent psychotherapist was asked what she would say to those who remain cynical about the effectiveness of talking therapies. Her answer was simple, “Your past is not your destiny,” she replied, before explaining how counsellors, coaches and psychotherapists are all in the business of helping their clients detach from their past in order to create a new future. I think I punched the air. …
Continue readingHave you ever wondered what your life would be like if you just accepted everything as it is without judgement, without trying to change other people, and without complaint? What if life were a river you were simply required to swim in; going with the flow, navigating all the twists and turns, and rocks and rapids, and tranquil spots along the way? How would your life be if you stopped trying to control everything and…
Continue readingMeet Sam. It’s his first day in a new job. A top marketing job no less in a company he’s admired for years! He’s excited about the project, the prospects and the people. He’s joined forces with a team of executives who all say they want the same thing. He and his team all agree they want to win. They want to beat the competition and be the best they can be. Sam leaves for…
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