What It Means To Be Human With Kate Stirling

Kate Stirling
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Previously Club Thrive: The Podcast, What It Means To Be Human draws back the curtain on how to be, live + achieve being the top of your game without becoming someone you are not in the process. We explore the idea anything is possible when you believe it to be & what needs to happen to bring your visions to life, whilst overcoming very real & painful life challenges. Kate shares insight from 24 years as a coach and ADHD HSP alongside talking to leaders in business, arts, science & entertainment to really dig into what it means to be human, high performing AND successful without burning out

  1. 2d ago

    Ep 83: Elephants In The Room and Attachments To Things That No Longer Serve Us

    I am really honest in this episode about the depths of my thinking and the impact of this during my cancer diagnosis last year so please listen at your discretion - my hope it is will help inspire you to be deeply courageous in your own life! This episode was prompted by a strange reluctance I found myself experiencing when it came to clearing away the basket of meds from my chemo and treatment for B-Cell Non Hodgkin Lymphoma over this last year I cover: My reluctance to discard my chemotherapy medicines reveals how objects can hold memories, safety, purpose, and a sense of achievement. Why perfectionism and fear of not being good enough can prevent people from sharing work and pursuing opportunities. How cancer treatment and confronting mortality clarified my priorities and helped me act with greater presence and courage. The difference between ambition rooted in fulfilment and purpose and pressure to perform or stay constantly productive. My reflections on ADHD, possible autism, neurodiversity, and the value of understanding yourself without letting labels define you. How self-protection can lead to self-censorship around creativity, appearance, career, relationships, and taking up space. Why honest self-reflection and community can help make difference feel safer and reveal what you genuinely want. Takeaways: Sometimes we can be so driven by the fear of not being good enough that actually we dampen and hold ourselves back in the process. We have to let go of stuff to create space for new things to come in. Ambition can be about fulfilment and purpose and direction. When we stop talking about ourselves as if we are the problem, then we find solutions to everything that we have been working so hard to force. We must also be aware of what we are trying to take and hold and carry for others is simply not for us to carry. Be aware of what you are holding onto. Understand with deep compassion for yourself. We will not change our life or our outcomes or the responses or the results that we get without changing what we're doing, without changing how we're thinking, without changing how we see ourselves This is how you can just keep staggering stuff without it being all or nothing, without it being extreme Things to explore/action items Notice what you are holding onto, then ask what it represents and why it feels difficult to release. Identify where fear, perfectionism, or concern about others’ reactions is leading you to censor yourself. Separate your own responsibilities from burdens that belong to other people. Clarify what you want your everyday life to feel like, not only what outcome you want to achieve. Try one small action toward a meaningful ambition, even if uncertainty or fear is still present. Replace all-or-nothing rules with choices that fit your needs and the life you want. Quotes: "we have to let go of stuff to create space" "we end up trying to be one thing" "your body is trying to tell you something." Chapters 00:00 Perfectionism, overthinking, and choosing to press record 02:18 Life’s “elephants in the room” and the difficulty of letting go 04:10 Why Kate couldn’t throw away her chemotherapy medicines 06:04 Language, coaching, and making room for lived experience 08:25 Body image, self-protection, and neurodivergent thinking 11:11 Motherhood, isolation, connection, and redefining ambition 14:02 Facing mortality and discovering what matters 18:12 Choosing presence through cancer treatment and family life 21:22 Neurodiversity, later-life diagnosis, and self-understanding 24:05 How self-censorship keeps us from living on our own terms 27:43 What the medicine hamper represents 30:51 Letting go of others’ burdens and listening to your body 34:28 Belonging, stress, and the courage to be honest 37:14 Turning purpose into action, creative work, and sustainable income 41:19 Radical honesty, compassion, and changing familiar patterns 43:08 Living fully, resisting perfectionism, and finding balance

  2. Oct 28

    Ep 82: Turning Down The Food Noise and Balancing Business In Motherhood as Neurodiverse With AuDHD Nutrition Coach, Lucy Holder

    I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Lucy Holder this week to unpack neurodivergence, career change, and her own unique approach to food and self-acceptance. We explore how understanding neurodivergence can transform your relationship with food, body image, and life alongside having a chat about the things we have had to face up to in our own experience with food and business to develop our own approach to thriving in our businesses especially in parenthood too We Explore: Lucy Holder's personal journey with neurodivergence and career change The impact of societal standards on women's identity and worth How neurodivergence influences eating behaviours and food noise The importance of self-awareness and diagnosis in mental health Strategies for managing social media's impact on mental well-being Balancing parenthood, business, and self-care as a neurodivergent woman The role of food joy and nourishment in mental health Building boundaries and intentionality in social media use Quotes: "I'm not lazy, I'm not greedy, I'm ADHD." "Food is joy, not just numbers." "It's never too late to start again." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Lucy Holder's Journey 02:05 Bridging Teaching and Nutrition 05:55 Societal Standards and Identity 07:47 Peeling Back Layers of Self-Discovery 09:10 Recognising Signs in Children and Self 11:15 Parenting, Neurodivergence, and Acceptance 13:05 The Impact of Diagnosis and Self-Understanding 16:09 Food Noise and Neurodivergence 18:18 Hormonal Changes and Food Behaviorus 22:07 Patience and Behaviour Change 25:19 Balancing Marketing and Authenticity 30:17 Social Media's Effect on Mental Health 33:00 Managing Social Media and Boundaries 36:31 Autism and ADHD: The Push-Pull 39:20 Grief, Acceptance, and Self-Compassion 42:00 Starting the Journey of Self-Awareness 44:25 Trust and Relationship with Food 48:21 Fuelling and Nourishing the Body 51:22 The Power of Joy in Food 54:11 Growth, Freedom, and Self-Expression 58:23 Handling Growth and Viral Success 01:00:28 Balancing Business and Self-Care 01:03:10 Future Plans and Personal Goals 01:06:32 Advice for Beginners on the Journey 01:09:32 Authenticity and Vulnerability in Sharing 01:12:01 The Power of Self-Compassion and Growth Follow Lucy on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/neurospicednutrition/ Join her “Turn Down food Noise in 30 Days” Programme: https://neurospicednutrition.co.uk/foodnoiselive Lucy’s Website: https://neurospicednutrition.co.uk Follow Kate on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katestrling_ Kate’s website: www.katestirling.com Please do rate and review the podcast, it helps to spread the word and reach those who will benefit from realising they are not alone Helpful keywords for content: Neurodivergence, food relationship, self-acceptance, career change, mental health, neurodivergent women, food noise, body image, mental health, coaching

  3. Oct 2

    Ep 81: How Shrinking Yourself to Feel Safe and Accepted Is Bad For Your Body Goals AND For Business Growth with Holly Taylor

    This week I chat to Holly Taylor about her journey through fitness, food, and managing chronic fatigue. We explore the misconceptions around body image, the importance of authentic self-expression, and Holly's mission to help you feel good in your bodies along side how shrinking yourself to feel safe and to be accepted can hold you back not just personally but professionally too. Holly is an online fitness and nutrition coach who helps tired, sensitive women stop sacrificing their spark to take action to live their biggest, boldest life. She specialise in helping women who struggle to show up for themselves in the way they do for others.  What we explore: Holly's journey from drama school to fitness coaching The impact of a single fitness class on perspective Misconceptions about health and body size The internal and external transformations in fitness The challenge of discussing weight loss without diet culture The experience of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia Identity shifts due to health challenges Energy management and self-care strategies The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in coaching Future goals for Holly’s coaching business Powerful thoughts: "You deserve to feel good in your body, no matter what" "Fuel your body to perform and feel good, not to punish" "Progress takes longer, but it's worth it" Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Holly Taylor and her journey 02:04 The pivotal spin class that changed Holly's perspective 03:47 Misconceptions about health, fitness, and body image 06:01 The challenge of discussing weight loss authentically 09:00 Holly's experience with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia 13:13 The impact of health challenges on identity and self-worth 17:09 Strategies for energy management and self-care 19:58 Building a coaching business while managing health 23:58 The importance of authenticity and vulnerability 30:00 Future aspirations and expanding Holly’s impact Let us know in the comments what you took from today's episode and don't forget to rate, review and follow to help others find us too Follow Holly on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thehollytaylor  Follow her Podcast, Tired AF (and Fit): https://open.spotify.com/show/2rfmWnL2xhICxp91dpuhPi?si=6b4e5c67f6ef4b4a Follow Kate on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katestirling_Kate’s Website: www.katestirling.com  Follow the podcast on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehumanpod

  4. Sep 25

    Ep 80: I Choose Myself: Carving New Paths In Entertainment, Career and Life with Abbie Hills

    This week I talk with talent agent, all round creative and founder of Dazey Talent, Abbie Hills about building a career in entertainment, living with cerebral palsy, and what happens when achievement no longer feels like enough. We also dig into burnout, the pressure to keep performing, and the surprising clarity that can come from slowing down. This conversation is honest, practical, and very human, especially for anyone balancing ambition with exhaustion, identity, and change. Quotes and Takeaways “Slow and quiet doesn’t mean bad.” “Patience will pay.” “I’ve got nothing left. I feel like a car that has just been hanging in there.” Things To Notice In Your Own Life Notice where career has become identity and ask what you want outside work.Treat fatigue as information, not failure.Stop softening or avoiding the word disability if it is part of your truth.Make room for creativity, even if your job is already creative-adjacent.Let yourself be in a transitional phase without forcing immediate answers. Please do follow/rate, review and share the episode! It all helps spread the word, thank you so much. Let us know what you think!

    Ep 80: I Choose Myself: Carving New Paths In Entertainment, Career and Life with Abbie Hills

  5. Sep 15

    Ep 79: ADHD, Motherhood, and the Cost of Hiding Who You Are

    I’m talking more openly about ADHD, creativity, and self-expression! In this episode I unpack the hidden patterns that have shaped my work, motherhood, and identity, and why I am finally speaking more openly about ADHD. I connect ADHD, masking, grief, creativity, and ambition, showing how self-protection can quietly limit fulfilment, visibility, and business growth. This episode will resonate if you are a parent, self-employed, late-diagnosed with ADHD, or trying to balance multiple identities without shrinking yourself to fit one label. Chapters: 00:00 – Opening reflections on the last episode and why honest conversations matter00:54 – Motherhood, injury, and the shift away from fitness into coaching01:52 – Money stress, self-employment, and the pressure to choose what is “practical”02:50 – Realizing something deeper was going on and exploring ADHD03:18 – The power of the unconscious mind and how it shapes behavior04:16 – What late ADHD diagnosis reveals in hindsight05:45 – Divorce, emotional pain, and the impact of rejection sensitive dysphoria06:38 – The long aftermath of trauma, grief, and navigating mental health07:05 – Why parenting disrupted old coping mechanisms07:58 – Helping partners understand ADHD through shared perspective08:28 – Avoiding being boxed in as “just an ADHD coach”10:17 – Grief, existential crisis, and why emotional processing matters11:33 – Safety, self-trust, and the gap between where you are and where you want to be12:32 – Coaching, creativity, and rediscovering imagination13:25 – “Creative, resourceful, and whole” and what coaching taught her14:20 – Eating disorder recovery, expansion, and fear of taking up space15:07 – Burnout, control, and trying to fit into one business identity16:34 – Missing collaboration, storytelling, and acting17:27 – Masking and the cost of not acknowledging what you really need18:14 – Motherhood, ambition, equity, and hard conversations at home19:25 – Wanting the podcast to be a breath of fresh air20:21 – Why all work is creative, whether you are a scientist or a business owner21:17 – Why controlling how you are seen drains energy22:14 – Speaking more about ADHD, creativity, and culture23:07 – Dreams, action, and staying consistent24:03 – Building a business from mind, heart, and soul24:57 – The messiness of self-employment and evolving Club Thrive25:23 – Dare to be Seen, pricing challenges, and leading with what feels aligned26:20 – Closing message: stop hiding from yourself and dare to be seen Please do rate, share and follow the podcast to help spread the word! Website: www.katestirling.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehumanpod_ www.instagram.com/katestirling_

  6. Sep 4

    Ep 78: The Year That Changed Our Lives Forever: Cancer, Parental Loss and The Unexpected Gifts We Gained As A Family With Special Guest, Warren Taylor

    This week I am so delighted to welcome my partner, Actor Warren Taylor to the podcast. As a heads up this is a very honest conversation containing details about cancer, the treatment that followed alongside my dad's declining ill health with dementia and his passing away at the same time at starting chemotherapy. There is real light and shade, both bittersweet and funny alongside brutal honesty about what it is like experiencing a cancer diagnosis as a family. We explore the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the emotional rollercoaster of facing mortality while maintaining family life. We talk about the importance of mindset, resilience, and the power of choosing calm amidst chaos. We also look at the power of acceptance and living life fully despite adversity. We hope our candid conversation offers valuable insights for anyone facing challenges or seeking to understand the transformative power of difficult experiences. For clarity, as I hash up the specific diagnosis part, I was diagnosed with High Grade B Cell Non Hodgkin Lymphoma - Stage 1. I know not everyone has the same experience of cancer so this is not to ever compare experiences, more to share our unique experience. I had 3 rounds of chemotherapy (R-CHOP) and 15 sessions of Radiotherapy over 3-4 weeks. I would love for this episode to help you see how much control you have even in moments where you feel out of control and to face any health concerns you have right now - or even deeper challenges personally too. Avoiding these things doesn't make them go away and when you have the courage to face them you will realise how much there is to take from the mere bravery in facing something that scares you. Also that life is short, please don't wait any longer to do what you want with yours! From a place of empowerment, rather than fear Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction 00:03 Introduction to the journey and key themes 5138:51:42 Kate finds a lump and initial concerns 6638:51:42 Kate and Warren share their personal experiences with cancer 11583:18:22 Medical investigations and inconclusive results 16805:31:45 Lessons learned about resilience and acceptance 18138:51:47 Diagnosis of lymphoma and emotional reactions 24694:25:17 Balancing hope, fear, and acceptance 25444:25:17 The impact of adversity on personal growth and family life 33333:18:42 The impact on family and loved ones 33472:12:02 The importance of mental health and mindset during illness 41861:05:25 Decisions around treatment and fertility 41999:58:45 Reflections on living fully despite challenges 49972:12:10 The importance of mindset and choosing calm 50638:52:10 The role of support systems and community 58194:25:32 Handling uncertainty and emotional resilience 58944:25:32 Advice for others facing health crises 66888:52:22 Treatment process and immune system concerns 66916:39:02 The transformative power of difficult experiences 75222:12:29 Reflections on the year and personal growth 75333:19:09 Looking forward: embracing life after adversity Kate Instagram - https://instagram.com/katestirling_ Warren Instagram - https://instagram.com/_warren_taylor Podcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehumanpod_ Kate's website: www.katestirling.com Lymphoma Action website: https://lymphoma-action.org.uk Macmillan Cancer Website: https://www.macmillan.org.uk

  7. Aug 5

    Ep 77: Only YOU Get To Define Your "Worth"

    In this episode, I explore the importance of self-worth, how personal perceptions shape our lives, and the power we hold to create change. I really enforce the idea that only we can determine our value - you’ll gain ideas on how to stop your self doubt and limiting beliefs holding you back from achieving your full potential too Topics: The importance of self-worth and personal value How past experiences influence current responses The role of identity and ego in personal growth Strategies to recognize and flip negative self-beliefs The impact of societal and industry perceptions The connection between self-respect and external success Overcoming fears of judgment and rejection The importance of self-awareness and reflection Thoughts: Only you can determine your self-worth and value. Your responses to industry and societal expectations are within your control. Recognizing and flipping negative self-beliefs can transform your life. Self-respect and confidence are foundational to success. Understanding your unique value helps you communicate and stand out.  Quotes: "Only you can change your life." "Your self-worth is your greatest asset." "Don't let others define your value." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Your Worth Is Yours to Define 02:17 Making Changes in Life Starts with Self-Responsibility 04:34 The Desire for Love, Belonging, and Safety 06:53 Recognizing Self-Worth in Challenging Times 09:05 Understanding Privilege and Personal Circumstances 11:18 Exploring the Balance Between Ego and Authenticity 13:33 Facing Fears and Embracing Growth 16:28 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Expansion 18:47 How to Cultivate Confidence and Self-Respect 19:17 Closing: Believe in Your Value and Potential Follow the podcast to get first access to new episodes and ever grateful for reviews! Leave one here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-it-means-to-be-human-with-kate-stirling/id1691994215 Follow Kate Stirling on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katestirling_ Follow What It Means To Be Human Podcast on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehumanpod Check out Kate’s website: www.katestirling.com Check out Club Thrive: www.club-thrive.com

  8. Jul 29

    Ep 76: At School I Was Called Butch: Identity, Challenge and Self Expression Through Change

    When I had my hair cut short in January before starting chemo it was an astonishingly liberating process. At school I always found the female identity a challenging construct - wanting to both be a girl and a tom boy was a funny combination. This isn't the focus of the episode but it highlights how impactful our experiences and thoughts that follow are in relation to formative times in our lives. In this episode I explore my personal journey through change, challenges, and embracing self expression alongside offering insights on navigating life's difficulties while pursuing holistic high performance. What I explore: - Navigating change and challenge - The importance of self-expression and authenticity - Holistic high performance and well-being - Overcoming societal and internal fears - The role of neurodiversity and identity in personal growth  Takeaways - Allow all parts of yourself to coexist without judgment. - Reframe perceptions of ambition and success. - Recognise self-sabotage as self-protection. - Use creativity and resourcefulness to overcome limitations. - Face fears to unlock personal freedom. Quotes: "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate." "Allow all parts of yourself to exist at the same time." "Maybe you do fear actually taking up the space." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and the importance of embracing change 402:46:35 The power of Marianne Williamson's quote on fear and potential 833:19:55 The impact of societal conditioning on self-image 1191:39:55 Navigating multiple challenges: health, identity, and motherhood 1516:39:55 Understanding self-sabotage as self-protection 1833:19:55 The role of high performance in personal fulfillment 2136:06:35 Balancing ambition with self-care and authenticity 2519:26:35 The importance of reframing perceptions of success 2836:06:35 Overcoming fears of visibility and power 3141:39:55 Holistic approach to high performance and self-acceptance 3302:46:35 Encouragement to explore and pursue personal potential Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatitmeanspod www.instagram.com/katestirling_ Website: www.katestirling.com Feel free to pop questions in the comments box too

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Previously Club Thrive: The Podcast, What It Means To Be Human draws back the curtain on how to be, live + achieve being the top of your game without becoming someone you are not in the process. We explore the idea anything is possible when you believe it to be & what needs to happen to bring your visions to life, whilst overcoming very real & painful life challenges. Kate shares insight from 24 years as a coach and ADHD HSP alongside talking to leaders in business, arts, science & entertainment to really dig into what it means to be human, high performing AND successful without burning out

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