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. Oct 15

    Ep78 - "More MEN need to Breathe" With Louise Mortimer / The Spxce

    In this episode, Alex and Louise explore the transformative power of breathwork, its impact on mental and physical health, and how it can be integrated into daily life for greater well-being. They also discuss upcoming retreats, community building, and the importance of self-awareness and acceptance. keywords breathwork, mental health, physical health, self-awareness, retreats, community, nervous system, emotional regulation, holistic health, personal growth key topics The physiological sigh and its benefits Breathwork as a tool for nervous system regulation The impact of breathwork on emotional trauma and unregulation Creating safe spaces for vulnerability and healing Upcoming retreats and community initiatives in the North of England The role of self-awareness and acceptance in personal growth Breathwork for stress reduction and sleep improvement The integration of holistic and medical approaches to longevity sound bites "Breath is our only autonomic system we can control" "You don't have to fix anything, just connect" "Trust your body's instinctive knowledge" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest 02:33 The physiological sigh and lung expansion 06:30 Controlling the autonomic nervous system through breath 12:51 The importance of connection over fixing 32:19 Trusting your body's innate wisdom 36:32 The global need for breath awareness and mental health 44:43 Creating safe spaces for vulnerability 54:16 Breathwork in schools and children’s emotional regulation 01:04:33 Retreats in Marrakesh and future plans 01:06:59 The power of community and collaboration

    Ep78 - "More MEN need to Breathe" With Louise Mortimer / The Spxce

  2. Oct 8

    Ep77 - From Organised Crime to Iron Man Athlete - Dan Lanigan AKA Iron Man Dan

    In this episode, Dan Lanigan shares his inspiring journey from a challenging youth to becoming an Iron Man athlete and mental health advocate. Discover how mindset, support, and resilience can transform lives and inspire positive change. keywords mental health, resilience, Iron Man, triathlon, mindset, recovery, motivation, coaching, charity, self-improvement key topics Dan Lanigan's early life and challenges Transition from boxing and football to triathlon The role of mindset and visualization in success The impact of support systems and relationships The importance of mental health awareness and giving back The benefits of sauna and recovery in training The significance of community and social connection Lessons learned from adversity and grief The journey to becoming an Iron Man and coaching others The importance of purpose and passion in life sound bites "It's about acting as if I am already there." "Sharks don't swim backwards, they die." "Everyone's got something worth living for." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and breathing ritual 00:29 Dan Lanigan's background and early days 02:15 From football and boxing to challenges in youth 04:14 Transition from boxing to life struggles 07:33 Facing serious environment and decisions 09:26 Turning point and moving to Yorkshire 11:21 Discovering Iron Man and setting new goals 13:20 The power of visualization and self-belief 16:07 The importance of mindset and resilience 20:22 Balancing grief, training, and purpose 23:19 The significance of community and giving back 27:37 Involvement with Andy's Man Club and mental health 37:38 Dealing with personal loss and mental health awareness 44:46 The social and health benefits of saunas 01:00:03 Saunas as recovery and mental health tools 01:03:25 Unlocking potential through diet, recovery, and mindset 01:04:24 Future goals and ongoing impact 01:05:22 Parting message and encouragement

    Ep77 - From Organised Crime to Iron Man Athlete - Dan Lanigan AKA Iron Man Dan

  3. Oct 1

    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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Aug 27

    Ep73 - Building the Next Multi-Million Pound Supplement Brand + More With Gabe Moore

    In this episode, we sit down with Gabe Moore to unpack the real story behind building a business while juggling pressure, identity, and long-term ambition. =Gabe opens up about leaving barbering after nearly 10 years, why he made the leap into supplement brand building, and how a failed first version of the product forced a pivot that changed everything. He explains how his Reload brand evolved from mushroom coffee into a high-dosage electrolyte formula, why customer feedback mattered, and what it takes to keep going when traction is slow. We also get into the mindset behind going “all in,” the reality of burnout, the importance of structure, and why having the right people around you can make or break a business. Gabe shares candid thoughts on trust, delegation, social media, small-town mentality, mental health, and what freedom really means when you’re trying to build something meaningful. Key topics: Leaving barbering after nearly a decadeStarting and rebuilding a supplement brandWhy feedback and iteration matterThe pressure of going all inBurnout, balance, and daily structureSmall-town mentality and personal growthBuilding trust in business partnershipsWhy social media and personal branding matter If you’re building a business, navigating a pivot, or trying to turn pressure into progress, this one is packed with honest lessons and practical perspective.

    Ep73 - Building the Next Multi-Million Pound Supplement Brand + More With Gabe Moore

  7. Aug 20

    Ep72 - How Failure Built a Stronger Athlete, Creator, and Mindset / Grace Ramsden, Round 2

    In this episode, Grace Ramsden shares her incredible journey from professional rugby to fitness influencer, highlighting her mindset shifts, lessons from failures, and upcoming ultra endurance challenges. Discover how she navigates setbacks, refines her training, and stays motivated through honesty and resilience. keywords fitness journey, mindset, failure, endurance, rugby, ultra marathon, motivation, self-belief, training, social media influence key topics Grace Ramsden’s transition from rugby to fitness Lessons learned from multiple Hyrox competitions The importance of mindset and failure in growth Nutrition mistakes and lessons from ultra marathons Balancing life, family, and high-performance training The role of honesty and authenticity in social media Strategies for overcoming mental and physical burnout The significance of purpose and setting short-term goals sound bites "You can't always stand on that pedestal" "It's about being able to repeatedly fail to succeed" "Get the first five minutes out of the way" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 00:05 Grace’s journey from rugby to online fitness 01:00:24 Supporting others and staying authentic

    Ep72 - How Failure Built a Stronger Athlete, Creator, and Mindset / Grace Ramsden, Round 2

  8. 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
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Immerse Podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Immerse Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Immerse Podcast

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