The Immerse Podcast

The Immerse Podcast

Challenge the norm with hosts Alex O'Keefe and Dan Ramsden as we dive into the transformative power of entrepreneurship, health, fitness, wellbeing and connection. Through conversations with inspiring athletes, entrepreneurs, and wellness experts, we explore the secrets of health, wellbeing, business, mindset & self mastery. From the sacred traditions of Finnish saunas to the latest trends in recovery, performance, and personal development, our mission is to inspire a healthier, more connected future for families, communities, and ambitious individuals.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep76 - Turning Pain into Power & Breaking Generational Curses With - Emiliano Castroni - Castroni Coffee

    In this episode, Emiliano Castroni shares his journey from childhood trauma and family struggles to building a successful coffee business and becoming a dedicated father. We explore themes of resilience, mental health, and the power of love and support in overcoming life's challenges. keywords personal growth, mental health, family, coffee business, resilience, fatherhood, overcoming trauma, support systems, emotional healing key topics Emiliano's childhood and family struggles The influence of heritage and culture on his journey The role of coffee in social connection and community His approach to fatherhood and breaking cycles The importance of mental health and vulnerability takeaways Love and support are crucial in overcoming childhood trauma. Building a business can be a form of healing and legacy. Authenticity and vulnerability foster deeper connections. Support systems and community are vital for mental health. Turning pain into power is possible through resilience and purpose. sound bites "Love and support are crucial in overcoming childhood trauma." "Turning pain into power is possible through resilience and purpose." "Support systems and community are vital for mental health." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Emiliano's background 02:01 The influence of family and heritage 06:57 The role of coffee in social connection 11:52 Childhood trauma and its impact 20:03 Emiliano's journey to building Castrone Coffee 29:51 Parenthood and breaking cycles 44:46 The importance of vulnerability and support 01:00:04 Forgiveness and emotional healing 01:15:06 Future goals and legacy 01:19:56 Final thoughts and advice for listeners

    Ep76 - Turning Pain into Power & Breaking Generational Curses With - Emiliano Castroni - Castroni Coffee
  2. Sep 9

    Ep75 - Leia Guest's journey through 29 jobs to Entrepreneurship

    In this episode, Leia Guest shares her journey from multiple jobs to running a successful coffee trailer in Halifax, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, community, and continuous learning. Discover insights on entrepreneurship, self-awareness, and living a purpose-driven life. keywords entrepreneurship, coffee business, self-awareness, community, personal growth, small business, mental health, authenticity, reinvention, purpose key topics Leia Guest's journey through 29 jobs to entrepreneurship The importance of authenticity and community in business Living with purpose and continuous self-improvement The role of mental health and therapy in personal growth Balancing stability and risk in entrepreneurship The influence of cultural and personal background on success The significance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness Lessons learned from building a coffee trailer and community sound bites "Manners and a smile will never fade." "You're not everyone's cup of tea." "Words are so powerful and it's so cool." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 5194:26:34 Meet Leia Guest and her business Nowhere to Bean 7583:19:54 The story behind the sauna and building community 11999:59:54 Leia's diverse job history and love for giving things a go 17638:53:14 The importance of change and self-awareness 22555:33:14 The role of curiosity and living in the present 26666:39:54 Balancing stability and excitement in life and work 33388:53:14 The significance of internal purpose and self-trust 38944:26:34 Travel, growth, and embracing change 45277:46:34 Gender roles, cultural influences, and personal identity 50777:46:34 The value of community, connection, and authenticity 62749:59:54 Handling negativity and self-acceptance 73888:53:14 Tools for mental health and emotional intelligence 91277:46:34 Overcoming challenges and personal resilience 100666:39:54 The power of connection and human interaction 112166:39:54 Creating a community space and future aspirations 123916:39:54 The importance of curiosity, learning, and myth 127861:06:34 Closing remarks and where to find Leia

    Ep75 - Leia Guest's journey through 29 jobs to Entrepreneurship
  3. Sep 4

    Ep74 - "Running Saved Me from Eating Issues" With Ella Grace Grows

    This episode follows Ella Grace Grows, a local runner and marketer whose story moves from childhood pressure and food anxiety to marathon training, entrepreneurship, and landing in a role that actually fits her personality. It is a conversation about health anxiety, self-image, consistency, and learning how to build a life around what matters most.We discuss Ella’s early school years, how running became the thing she could be good at, and how her relationship with food and exercise shifted over time. We also get into her career path, her move away from restrictive fitness culture, and why people and purpose matter more to her than labels or job titles. Key topics Ella’s early identity as a high achieverWhy year 7 felt like a shockHow running startedStrength training, aesthetics, and the start of disordered eatingWhat her eating disorder looked like in real lifeOrthorexia and the obsession with “healthy” eatingHealth anxiety and emetophobiaThe thyroid scare and a broader perspective on healthWhy she’s careful with online fitness adviceCareer pivots that actually made senseWhy she left corporate environmentsWhere she is nowIf you are struggling with food, exercise, or health anxiety, look at the patterns behind the behaviour, not just the behaviour itself.Be cautious of fitness content that promises dramatic results in unrealistic timeframes.If you feel yourself spiralling on symptoms, reduce the Googling and give yourself time to wait for proper answers. Timestamps 00:00 - Catching up, breathwork, and welcoming Ella02:17 - Introducing Ella Grace Grows and her local connection04:06 - Who Ella is beyond the online content05:57 - Why her content feels real and unfiltered07:25 - Going back to childhood and school pressure08:15 - Losing out on grammar school and the impact on year 712:10 - How running entered her life at 1413:08 - The mile run leaderboard that changed everything14:32 - Parkrun, first 5K, and building a running habit15:29 - Strength training, lockdown, and the start of food issues16:14 - Being referred into eating disorder support18:38 - Lunch anxiety and feeling judged around food20:00 - Calorie tracking and the 1500 calorie ceiling21:59 - Online advice, dieting culture, and why less is not always better22:28 - CAMHS, dietitian calls, and family support24:24 - Why running ended up helping more than stopping movement25:22 - Advice to younger Ella and trusting her mum more26:18 - Why quick-fix fitness content is harmful29:10 - Naming orthorexia and understanding the disorder31:07 - Why prescriptive nutrition needs careful handling32:06 - Health anxiety, emetophobia, and panic spirals33:31 - The caffeine, HIIT, and heart rate scare35:22 - Thyroid issues, lump discovery, and radioactive treatment36:50 - Chest lump, biopsy, and waiting for results38:17 - Messaging another Ella Grace going through cancer treatment39:42 - Memento mori and learning what actually matters40:36 - How health anxiety affects friendships too42:29 - A&E, anxiety, and how thoughts can drive physical symptoms43:57 - Triathlon dabbling and keeping running as the priority46:16 - Why endurance challenges are hard for her body type47:15 - First marathon at Leeds and raising money for family48:40 - Why sub-four became a target and Chester Marathon at 3:3349:42 - Knowing when to keep going and when to stop52:34 - Likely next races and Valencia being on the horizon54:11 - Choosing marketing over sports science58:29 - Why transformation culture can go too far60:51 - Landing at OTA and building confidence in a new niche62:19 - Quitting at the right time and pivoting without guilt63:16 - How she joined UMA and what made it feel right65:08 - Building side projects with Connor and staying in fitness66:32 - Loving the new role and being closer to home

    Ep74 - "Running Saved Me from Eating Issues" With Ella Grace Grows
  4. Aug 13

    Ep71 - How 'Crazy Auntie Ann' Turned Rock Bottom Into Internet Stardom

    Crazy Auntie Anne on sobriety, self-acceptance, and turning kitchen videos into a DJ career Crazy Auntie Anne shares the story behind her rise from college lecturer to viral creator, full-time DJ, and family-run business owner. This conversation covers the mindset shifts that helped her rebuild after addiction, why authenticity matters more than perfection, and how taking bold leaps led to Tomorrowland, brand work, and a growing music career. We discuss sobriety, faith, manifestation, and the practical side of building a creative career from scratch. Anne also explains how her family is now part of the business, and why helping even one person is the real measure of success. Key topics Crazy Auntie Anne’s origin storyWhy not caring what people think changed everythingSobriety, addiction, and rock bottomPeople-pleasing versus being yourselfFaith, higher power, and spiritual growthHow TikTok became a real careerFamily business and redemptionFrom pots and pans to real DJ setsWhy music mattersWhat’s nextTimestamps00:00 - Opening in the studio and introducing Crazy Auntie Anne02:24 - TikTok numbers, kitchen videos, and becoming a DJ03:20 - Manifestation, Tomorrowland, and ignoring judgment05:13 - The cream bun theory and why guilt is often social07:30 - Rock bottom, recovery, and addiction as control09:27 - Learning to be yourself after years of people-pleasing11:43 - Building discipline from sobriety and education14:04 - Why authenticity beats perfection online15:51 - Recovering from alcohol identity and rebuilding self-worth18:12 - Gratitude after addiction and seeing life differently19:40 - Nearly losing everything and valuing family now21:03 - Charity shop skirt, early sobriety, and small wins22:02 - TikTok grows into a full-time income23:24 - Brand deals, tax, and turning the work into a company24:22 - Hiring her sons and making it a family business25:53 - Song promotion, music labels, and helping artists break through27:12 - Why helping one person matters more than money29:37 - How unexpected success changes your life31:29 - Earning in a day what teaching paid in a year33:24 - Leap of faith as action, not wishful thinking34:51 - Leaving work, taking the home care job, and trusting the path38:12 - Why experience teaches you not to slow down too early40:07 - Slumdog Millionaire, timing, and being in the right place43:06 - Higher power, faith, and a universal core of kindness44:36 - AA, God language, and why spirituality is not religion47:26 - The Power of Now and separating self from thoughts49:15 - Self-talk, self-love, and realizing you are still loved51:41 - Reframing religion and making peace with the past55:33 - How the DJ story began with pots and pans57:25 - Learning real DJ skills and building live sets59:15 - LA party, Justin Bieber, and surreal career moments61:12 - House music legends, Tomorrowland, and being part of the scene62:40 - The feeling of playing to a crowd64:19 - Being a safe space for people to be themselves66:18 - What comes next: gigs, festival sets, and a podcast68:23 - Closing thoughts and why the story mattersNotable quotesCopy“I don’t care what anybody thinks.”Copy“I’m not my thoughts.”Copy“You get back what you put out, but only if it’s genuine.”

    Ep71 - How 'Crazy Auntie Ann' Turned Rock Bottom Into Internet Stardom
  5. Jul 30

    Ep70 - The Importance of Seasons in Training and Life With Al & Rammer

    In this episode, we explore the importance of adaptive training, periodisation, and mental well-being through personal stories and expert insights. We discuss how to optimize training, recovery, and life balance for sustainable success. keywords training, periodisation, endurance, recovery, mental health, fitness, lifestyle, adaptation key topics The concept of periodisation in training and life Balancing stress and recovery for sustainable progress The importance of mental health and breath work Adapting training plans to life changes and challenges The role of nutrition and active recovery in performance guest name The Immerse Podcast Hosts Titles Mastering Training Periodisation for Long-Term Success The Art of Adaptive Training and Recovery sound bites "You can't always climb the ladder of success." "Progressive overload is key to improvement." "Vulnerability is a sign of strength." Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Embracing Adaptability in Life and Training 369:26:13 Endurance Challenges and Personal Stories of Resilience 694:26:13 The Concept of Periodisation in Training and Life 1011:06:13 Balancing Stress, Recovery, and Sustainability 1336:06:13 The Impact of Nutrition and Active Recovery 18638:52:56 Mental Health, Breath Work, and Emotional Release 23527:46:16 Planning for Peak Performance and Long-Term Goals 28666:39:40 Building a Sanctuary: The Future of Personal Fitness Spaces 35249:59:43 Communication, Relationships, and Life Balance 41472:13:03 Deep Dive into Training Periodisation and Strategies 54777:46:23 Practical Tips for Implementing Periodisation 73499:59:49 The Role of Mindfulness, Breath Work, and Emotional Health 83694:26:29 Preparing for Competitions and Peak Events 91444:26:32 Tapering, Carb Loading, and Final Preparations 96277:46:32 Closing Remarks and Future Plans resources The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X Louise - Breathwork Coach - https://www.instagram.com/louise_breathwork/ Neutonic Focus Pouches - https://neutonic.com/products/focus-pouches The Immerse Saunas - https://immersesaunas.co.uk guest links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/immerse_thebrand/ Website - https://immersesaunas.co.uk

    Ep70 - The Importance of Seasons in Training and Life With Al & Rammer
  6. Jul 15

    Ep69 - The Magic Inside Napoleon Hill's 'Think & Grow Rich' - Books that Change us With Al & Rammer

    In this episode, we explore the timeless principles of success from Napoleon Hill's 'Think and Grow Rich,' emphasizing the power of mindset, goal setting, faith, persistence, and the importance of a supportive mastermind group. keywords Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich, success principles, mindset, goal setting, faith, persistence, mastermind, self-development key topics The influence of Napoleon Hill's 'Think and Grow Rich' The importance of a clear vision and goal setting The role of faith and belief in achieving success Auto-suggestion and guarding the mind Persistence and turning failure into success The significance of a mastermind group The impact of environment and relationships The concept of God within and abundance mindset takeaways A clear vision and specific goals are essential for success. Faith connects us to a higher intelligence and fuels persistence. Auto-suggestion influences the subconscious mind and self-belief. Failure is temporary and a necessary part of growth. A strong mastermind group accelerates progress and self-reflection. Guarding your environment and thoughts is crucial for mental health. Believing in yourself is the foundation of achievement. Discipline in daily routines like exercise and nutrition supports success. The importance of gratitude and living with purpose. Action is the bridge between dreams and reality. guest name The Immerse Podcast Hosts Titles Unlock Success with Napoleon Hill's 13 Principles Master Your Mind: Lessons from Think and Grow Rich sound bites "God is within us, and so is our power." "Guard your mind and your thoughts." "Your environment shapes your mindset." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to 'Think and Grow Rich' and its impact resources Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Think+and+Grow+Rich+Napoleon+Hill Napoleon Hill - Official YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/NapoleonHillFoundation Wobbs - Inspiring Client Story - https://www.instagram.com/wobbs/ guest links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/immersedthebrand/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheImmersePodcast

    Ep69 - The Magic Inside Napoleon Hill's 'Think & Grow Rich' - Books that Change us With Al & Rammer

About

Challenge the norm with hosts Alex O'Keefe and Dan Ramsden as we dive into the transformative power of entrepreneurship, health, fitness, wellbeing and connection. Through conversations with inspiring athletes, entrepreneurs, and wellness experts, we explore the secrets of health, wellbeing, business, mindset & self mastery. From the sacred traditions of Finnish saunas to the latest trends in recovery, performance, and personal development, our mission is to inspire a healthier, more connected future for families, communities, and ambitious individuals.