If Anne Can

Anne Morgan

Are you working on making a new version of yourself? Maybe you are changing careers, moving to a different city, or becoming an empty nester. Or are you facing retirement and some harsh realities of ageing and wondering what possibilities exist? In this podcast, I talk to people who have made successful transitions, survived and thrived, and I ask them to share their inspirational stories and life lessons. Subscribe to the If Anne Can newsletter: www.ifannecan.com

  1. Building a Legacy Through a Passion for Running

    04/10/2023

    Building a Legacy Through a Passion for Running

    Today’s podcast episode features the indomitable Ann Carney.  Ann was trapped in a cycle of overwork and bad health habits when at the age of forty-five, knowing she had to make changes, she decided to try to run. Like many beginners, she started too fast and would have given up if it wasn’t for a serendipitous meeting with a cousin she hadn’t seen in years.  He guided her through a couch to 5k, and gaining confidence; she took out an advert in the local paper. She co-founded Chorlton Runners, a club which started with a couple of members and has grown to a membership of over six hundred, and the club is one of the most successful in Manchester.  Ann knows that as well as having the courage to make the first step, novice runners also need a helping hand and a supportive structured programme to build momentum step by step. That’s why the Couch to 5K programme is still an integral part of the Chorlton Runner’s ethos and one Ann actively supports. Having found her passion and identity, Ann could have been happy to reap the personal rewards, but she is a person who uses their grit, drive, and boundless energy to make things happen for others.  Please listen to Ann’s inspiring story, and for anyone out there who thinks I could never do that, look for a guide because once you have someone at your side, the following steps are so much easier.  Reference You can find out more about Chorlton Runners here https://www.chorltonrunners.co.uk/

    27 min
  2. Be a Waser not a Wisher with Steve Pullen MBE Judo Coach

    01/23/2023

    Be a Waser not a Wisher with Steve Pullen MBE Judo Coach

    Want to be a waser reather than a wisher? Listen to this episode and I promise you will get some inspiration to get up, get out and keep going! My guest today is Steve Pullen, a judo 7th Dan and holder of the MBE for his service to blind and disabled judo.  He is a coach and has guided judokas to the Olympics, Paralympics, World and European Championships. Steve heads up a group of coaches whose prime objective is to increase and expand judo teaching facilities in North West England to integrate able-bodied and disabled judo. Outside of judo, Steve was in charge of physical education at the acclaimed Chethams School of Music in Manchester. Steve's reputation, passion and commitment are recognised throughout the world.  We talk about Discipline - cultivating the habit of never being late.   The importance of early role models and inspirational coachesDeveloping independence and resistance from difficult circumstances, in Steve's case having to spend several years in hospital with severe burns when he was a young child.Being tough minded, overcoming and getting there by driving yourselfBeing a waser not a wisherChanging the lives of others through coachingKnowing when to change direction and try something newAvoiding self-destruction when a life's practice comes to an endUsing your hard earned skill set to forge yourself a new identityThe power of strong relationshipsThe importance of keeping dreaming.

    34 min
  3. The Courage of Conviction From Greenham Common to the Outback

    12/16/2022

    The Courage of Conviction From Greenham Common to the Outback

    Do you know what having the power of your convictions means? Not sure, then listen to today's episode   My guest this week is Jane Lockwood; Jane is an activist who lived in Greenham Common to protest the horror of war and nuclear weapons. She has spoken at the UN and the Royal Albert Hall. She subsequently relocated to  Australia, became a Head Teacher and led a national training programme. Jane is reigniting her passion for writing and talking and has contributed to two books on healing from childhood abuse.  In this fascinating discussion, Jane talks about  The Importance of Education The drive to escape a complex background and being determined to work hard and take the opportunity to go to university.  Becoming an Activist The influence of her father's political stance and his support nurtured Jane's instinct to do something about bad things. Greenham Common Experience Jane answered the call and was deeply affected and horrified by the sight of nuclear weapons. She felt there was no other option but to become physically involved. This has led to a life-long need to take action. Defying Expectations Being different - Jane found her rebellious nature supported and encouraged by others. She believes fear is the driver of stopping people from doing things. By sticking with others, you gain strength. Not having family or career responsibilities at the time of Greenham made Jane's activism easier. She braved the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence or even being shot on sight. She was prepared to take the risk because other people were unable to. Strong self-knowledge MI is moving to a remote part of Australia. Becoming a teacher gave Jane a ready-made family. Being in the Outback gave Jane great happiness. She was living in connection to the land and being outdoors.  An unlimited horizon and space give Jane a spiritual connection. Ending her teaching career with the Aboriginal people was a revelation and inspiration to fight inequality and patriarchy. Looking forward with hope Across the world people are still struggling, and the situation for women remains complicated. National movements lead to inspiration. Focus on the Spiritual Jane continues the daily journey of looking at herself, taking steps to a better life, and feeling comfortable in her skin. Nature and seeking her path was more fulfilling than established religions. References You can find out more bout Jane  Lockwood here: https://greenhamwomeneverywhere.co.uk/jane/ This a project to document the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, recorded testimonies, oral and written, included from over a hundred women who were part of the camp; there is a visual and music archive and information about current and future events by the project.   Jane has some artwork on these sites Contemporary Markmakers Totnes  https://www.instagram.com › contemporarymarkmakers and the blog https://markmakers.avenda.uk/    Etsy shop name handmaderosarybeads The book I chose for Jane: Wild by Cheryl Strayed

    33 min
  4. The Mindset of a Olympian; Life After Competition

    12/09/2022

    The Mindset of a Olympian; Life After Competition

    My guest today is Rowena Birch, an Olympic and European judo champion. Rowena is also the current president of the British Judo Association. Outside of judo, Rowena has coached at elite levels across many sporting disciplines and corporate leadership. She has retrained as a financial advisor and now runs her own business. Rowena talks about how she coped with not being selected for the Barcelona Olympic games by prioritising her training and reorganising her life to maximise her focus. Self Belief and reflective self-discovery. Being in the right place and loving the sport is vitally important, as is knowing that just because you don't get instant results doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong.  The mindset of enjoying the journey. The danger of over-focusing on results instead of the process. Keeping going relies on finding ways to enjoy what you are doing. After Competition. Using the skills learned from the experience of competitive sport and applying them to coaching and revelling in an environment of learning - creating and developing new skills. Letting go of an elite sporting persona and finding a new place in the world of judo after the elite competitions. - Adjusting techniques to a new reality and accepting that your body and circumstances have changed.    Core Identity - The importance of being part of the judo community, how the core values  of honesty, integrity, courage and respect have shaped Rowena's identity embuing a passion for learning and self-development. Starting new challenges   Using the tools of being an athlete to embrace new challenges and learn new skills. Breaking new tasks into logical, systematic pieces.    References You can find out about Rowena's business here: https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/partner/goldenbirchesfinancialplanning. I chose Rowena's book: How Much is Enough: Money and the Good Life by Edward Skidelsky and Robert Skidelsky.

    31 min
  5. Rambling, The Kinder Mass Trespass and a Garden in a Viaduct.

    10/21/2022

    Rambling, The Kinder Mass Trespass and a Garden in a Viaduct.

    In this episode, we celebrate the importance of accessing green space and consider the historical actions of others and how these actions made it possible for us to enjoy the ability to ramble in the countryside. These conversations were recorded over the Kinder Mass Trespass 90th anniversary weekend in the High Peaks of Derbyshire in Hayfield village hall. I want to thank Joss Underwood from the Tent People, who organised a fantastic pop-up event on the village green in Hayfield and generously introduced me to today’s guests, Helen Darby, Dorothy Collins and  Kate Ashbrook.  Ninety years ago, members of the young communist league gathered at Kinder Scout here in Derbyshire, to highlight the fact that walkers were denied access to areas of open country. When the group reached the plateau of Kinder Scout, there were violent scuffles with gamekeepers. As a result, six ramblers were arrested. They received jail sentences ranging from two to six months for offences relating to violence involving the keepers. According to the Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group website, this act of civil disobedience was one of the most successful in British history. It arguably led to the passage of the National Parks legislation in 1949[8] and helped pave the way for establishing the Pennine Way and other long-distance footpaths. Walkers' rights to travel through common land and uncultivated upland were eventually protected by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CROW Act) of 2000.  Reference Reach Helen Darby  on Instagram @helenlouisedarby or at their website www.helendarbypoetry.com Follow Kate Ashbrook's blog here: https://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/ Castlefield viaduct: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castlefield-viaduct Find out more about the Tent People:  www.thetentpeople.co.uk Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group: https://kindertrespass.org.uk/

    18 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Are you working on making a new version of yourself? Maybe you are changing careers, moving to a different city, or becoming an empty nester. Or are you facing retirement and some harsh realities of ageing and wondering what possibilities exist? In this podcast, I talk to people who have made successful transitions, survived and thrived, and I ask them to share their inspirational stories and life lessons. Subscribe to the If Anne Can newsletter: www.ifannecan.com