Adversity to Advantage Petra Velzeboer
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- Health & Fitness
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.
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156. Buy In From The Top with Geoff McDonald
“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 , linkedIn &Twitter. Hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. -
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, TedX speaker and Author of Love it or Leave it . 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 and you can see her full personal story in Episode 11 titled: How Badly do you Want it .
Find out more by connecting with Samantha on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd.
You can catch a previous interview with Samantha How Badly do you Want it
Further Resources mentioned in this episode::
Micro Mentor
Life Coach Directory
Love it or Leave it -
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 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 and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. -
153. Fill Your Cup with Hannah Meredith
“You really can’t pour from an empty cup. You need to make sure you are ok first”
Ranked as one of the top 10 companies to work for by The Sunday Times and recently shortlisted for the REBA wellbeing awards, Hannah Meredith leads the way on Health and Wellbeing for MVF Global
We discuss the current and long-lasting impact of the pandemic on employees and their mental health and Hannah lends practical advice on how employers can implement mental health strategies.
Hannah also opens up about her personal struggles with anxiety how she’s learned to manage these effectively.
We cover topics such as:
The impact of providing constant support on People Teams
The longterm effects of covid-19 on mental health
Home working and creating boundaries to thrive
Company initiatives during lockdown to support mental health
Understanding the needs of your workforce
Cultivating an open culture
The daily struggle anxiety struggle
Practicing Self-awareness and coping strategies
The importance of connection
The Pandemic and relationships
Aiming for prevention
The opportunities arising from Covid
Connect with Hannah on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. -
152. Pandemic Baby: Thoughts on leading by example with Selena Alcover
‘We have to adapt with the changing times and we have to adapt to what are employees are needing’
So excited to speak with Selena Alcover who is an Employee Experience Manager at National Grid.
We discuss the impact of the current pandemic on employees and Selena offers tangible advice to leaders on supporting their workforce through these challenging times as well as opening up about her own personal struggle of becoming a first time parent in the midst of a pandemic.
We go deep on:
Remembering to ask for advice and help
Stress and new challenges caused by the pandemic
Adapting to the changing needs of employees
The shared experience of the pandemic
Leading by example and promoting work/life balance
Driving mental health conversations and championing open culture in the workplace
How to support employees during maternity
Managing maternity cover dynamics
The benefits of remote working
Self -care during the pandemic
Connect with Selena on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. -
151. Off work with poor mental health - an employee experience and what helps with Tony Nneke
‘I would say to anyone, speak and there is bravery in that even if you are vulnerable ‘
Tony Nneke is Chair of Oracle UKIE Cultural Harmony Network and passionate about Diversity and Inclusion as well as mental health.
Tony talks openly about needing to take time off work due to poor mental health and how leaders helped or hindered his experience in the workplace.
We go deep on:
Practicing vulnerability at work
The need to create supportive and safe environments in the workplace
Engaging in mental health conversations in the workplace
Impact of mental health on productivity
Opening up to management and colleagues
The feeling of shame around mental health
The Power of Conversation
Childhood experiences of mental health
Recognising the trigger points and the ongoing journey
Finding your own balance and boundaries
Connect with Tony on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd.