In this episode I am again joined by World Champion Triathlete Gold Medallist Steve Judge.

We continue to talk about his journey to the podium, how it felt to cross the finish line and his transition into sharing his story as a motivational speaker and author.

Steve talks about some of the conversations he's had when people have meant well and the importance of listening to what people want, not what you think they want.

As always, thanks for listening. Please share this episode, comment, like or subscribe - the more people we reach the more we can spread the message that it's ok to talk.

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In this episode I am joined by the truly inspirational Steve Judge. Steve takes us through his journey from a hospital bed, horrendous pain, rehabilitation all the way through to being crowned a World Champion Gold Medallist Triathlete.

Steve discussed his mentality and how he overcame what could be seen as insurmountable challenges in order to get to where he is now.

Now that Steve has retired from professional althletics he now works as a motivational speaker and has given talks across the world sharing his story and supporting others.

Not only does Steve talk about his experiences, he writes about them too.

Steve has a couple of books;

One is his autobiography detailing his story in far more detail than what we could go into on the pod: https://www.steve-judge.co.uk/dont-lean-on-your-excuses-2/

He has also written about his mentality and how this could be beneficial for others: https://www.steve-judge.co.uk/gold/

Steve's website is also here: https://www.steve-judge.co.uk/

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Al talks about how he became crowned Britain's Manliest Man and how his experiences of testicular cancer inspired the journey to his undisputed crown.

We also touch on Al's career in the airforce, his determination in the face of setbacks and how he now brings psychological skills to bring out the best of his fellow fly-boys.

As always, this podcast wants to reach as many people as possible. Please feel free to comment, review, share and like. Every person we reach is another person who can spread the message - blokes, it's ok to talk.

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In this episode I am joined by Al Pepper to talk bollocks!

Al is a testicular cancer survivor and advocate. He talks through his journey of discovery, the importance of getting to know yourself down there and why it is so, so vital to get things checked out early!

Guys, get checking and rolling. Anyone who is familiar with a guy...get checking and rolling for them.

If you want to raise awareness, speak to #movember and talk to your mates and family.

There might be two bollocks, but there is only one of you so get talking.

As always, please feel free to comment, share and like. Every little hit helps us reach someone else!

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In this episode I'm joined by Tim Cruickshank from Sheffield Mind to discuss another side to him.

There's a very good chance that if you have ever played football in Sheffield then Tim has refereed you at some point.

There's also a good chance you will have heard his pre-match speech to set the tone.

Tim give an insight into why he is a ref, why he enjoys it and how he still gets more from it despite some of the less than pleasant things that get said during a game.

Later in the episode Tim talks about his role model, about someone who taught him about masculinity and how important it was to see himself represented in sport and in TV by perhaps the greatest of all time, especially when faced with the abhorrent nature of racism both implicit and explicit.

Tim has helped to create a safe space for men to talk and for men to share when things arent going so well. Tim's advice from the last episode was "give it a go, just knock on the door" so here's the link: https://www.sheffieldmind.co.uk/news/mankind-mental-health-support-for-men

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This episode I am joined by Tim Cruickshank. Tim takes me through a part of his life and experience and what led to him setting up the MenKind support group in Sheffield via Sheffield Mind.

Tim is an inspiring man who demonstrates an example that our own personal actions have the power to positively influence and touch the lives of others.

If you want to contact support in Sheffield or in your local area, as Tim suggests, knock on the door and ask. It isn't easy, and it is worth it. The following links may help.

https://www.sheffieldmind.co.uk/supportgroups

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.sheffieldmind.co.uk/

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Sam talks about why on earth you would do a barefoot marathon - a full connection with his values and finding something that works for him.

We also touch on adversity and injury as a promising decathlete and the struggles that he experienced when something he cares for is taken away and how he has been able to reconnect to his physicality through fitness.

At the end we also look at a character Jim Halpert from the US office as a role model in masculinity.

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This episode I am joined by Sam Hart. Sam shared his passion and experience as a primary school teacher and offers some insights into how young boys discuss mental health and how he tries to understand this in his day to day work.

Sam also offers some of his wisdom from his own podcast journey and reading - he hosts The Insight Podcast a wide collection of all things interesting and curious.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-insight-podcast/id1513800480

This is part 1 of my discussion with Sam...part 2 should land in the next few weeks.

Take care everyone and thank you again for listening.

Please share this podcast with others so we can continue to spread the word on male mental health.

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In this episode I am joined by an award winning comedian and author Dave Chawner.

Dave talks about his lived experience of Anorexia and his experiences of services as well as his own journey into being a stand-up comedian and going on to share his experience with the world via his book "Weight Expectations".

He gives an insight into why he is so passionately an advocate for mental health and how he uses his skills to train and support others to be able to talk about mental health in a non-threatening way.

We also discuss what he gets from comedy and why this is akin to blood letting and slapping on the proverbial leeches.

Dave also talks about an inspirational male figure from fiction in the shape of the late, great Robin William's legendary performance as Daniel Hillard. Also known as Mrs Doubtfire.

Check out Dave and his book on twitter: @davechawner

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This week is a little bit different. Recently I was delighted to be asked to appear on Sam Hart's Insight Podcast.

A place where Sam asks all sorts of people about the things that they are passionate about and WHY these things matter to them.

I was able to talk about mental health and male mental health. Giving a bit of insight into why this podcast exists in the first place.

I also talk about how I feel that the ideas of "self-care" can be weaponised by some sectors of the industry as well as give my younger self a bit of advice.

If you like this episode then please feel free to check out The Insight Podcast which can be found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-insight-podcast/id1513800480

He is also active on Twitter: @samuelcwhart

As always, please feel free to comment, like and share this episode and I look forwards to speaking to you soon!

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In this episode I return to a brief character study.

Today I'm focussing on Percy de Rolo - a character from The Legend of Vox Machina and Critical Roll as voices by Taliesin Jaffe.

Percy is a character who is defined by tragedy, vengeance and being able to start to grow beyond his experiences as he turns towards his difficulties through the support of others.

The story of Percy is crafted over the course of 400 hours of episode content and so this is a very limited and potted introduction to Percy.

If you're interested then please go and check out Critical Roll podcast, YouTube or the TV show on Amazon!

As always, feel free to like, comment and share this podcast. The aim is to spread the word that it's ok to talk about the stuff we haven't always felt able to.

Take care and see you back here soon for more episodes.

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Here is the second part of my conversation with Dr Ray Owen, a Clinical Psychologist whose career has focussed on chronic health, palliative care and the process of dying.

We continue our conversation about ageing, palliative care and the classic Sword of Damocles that sits above us all.

We also talk about a character who inspired who Ray is as a man - The Doctor. Yes, that Doctor. The Time Lord himself as he changes to show a hero who in a world of ray guns and destruction chooses to face the universe with a screwdriver and kindness.

Please check out Ray on twitter: @mindfulprimate

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This episode I am joined by the Mindful Primate himself - Dr Ray Owen.

In my chat with Ray, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, we discuss mortality, death, dying and how this can impact on daily life.

We explore about how we think about death can change depending upon where we are in our own lives as well how this can change specifically for men.

If this episode interests you then you may be interested in checking out Ray's twitter: @mindfulprimate or take a peek at one of his brilliant books:

"Facing the Storm" and "Living with the Enemy".

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This episode picks up where the last episode left off. We dive into an exploration of sexuality at work, the assumptions that we make about others.

We also look at how we all still get things wrong despite our best efforts and trying to do better (for example gendered pronouns!)

Ross also talks fondly of role models from across his life as gay men.

As always, please feel free to like, comment and share.

Also, don't forget to check out Ross's fabulous People Soup Podcast!

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In this episode I am joined by the wonderful Ross McIntosh, organisational psychologist and host of the wonderful People Soup Podcast.

Ross brings his experience and approach to consider the role of men at work.

What parts of masculinity impact on men's mental health at work and the roles that we play?

Ross also talks about how compassion and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be used to promote growth at work and beyond.

We all wear different hats and take on different roles at work but there is more to us than what we do in office / factory / shop floor / site etc etc.

Strap in for an interesting listen with part 2 coming next episode.

Don't forget to share or offer feedback, the more men we can reach, the more the message can spread.

Also, feel free to give Ross' podcast "People Soup" a listen with his approach summarised as: Nourishing the mind to flourish at work.

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In this episode I talk to Chris Winson - a champion of compassion and custodian of the #365daysofcompassion (go check it out on Instagram or Facebook!)

After I give Chris an accidental promotion (whoops!) we talk through what compassion actually is and the importance of intent towards compassion to yourself as well as others.

We also talk about holding compassion in a world of polarised views in the digital world as well the role of compassion as a leader in the workplace and how this may or may not tally up with an Alex Ferguson hair dryer.

Chris then goes on to talk about a fictional character that inspired him as a man - well, Chris cheated and picked 3 characters from Lord of the Rings, and without trying to sound too click-baity, not any of the ones I would have guessed either!)

Please follow Chris' work as @chisi_98 on Instagram or search for #365daysofcompassion

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In this episode I take a look at a character in fiction - Kaladin Stormblessed and do a bit of a case study.

Kaladin is one of the main protagonists in Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive books.

He is a leader, he is an inspiration, he experiences depression. I wanted to give some words, some language to talk about mental health written through a males perspective and Kaladin is one of the best examples I have ever come across.

This is an experimental episode, one which I would happily repeat so let me know if you like it and I'll do more in the future.

For now, I hope you enjoy and take care.

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Alex shares his experience of infant and child loss and death and speaks openly about his experiences during, immediately afterwards and his work in the time since.

Due to his own experiences Alex has set up SANDS United West Yorkshire - a football team for men who have experienced, or have been touched by the experience of, child loss. Creating a safe, nurturing and compassionate space for men to be. To talk about their experiences as, when and how they want to while engaging in football.

This is an incredibly powerful and honest account of the impacts on mood, relationships and grief. We also talk about masculinity and the impact of watching the dichotomy of JD and Dr Cox on SCRUBS and how this can feel like an internal monologue of our own experiences of what it means to be a man.

I can only offer my most heartfelt thank you to Alex for sharing these thoughts and feelings and helping to redefine what "STRONG" really means.

If you are impacted by anything in these conversations, or know someone else who may be then please take a look at: www.sands.org.uk

or @sandsuk

There are local branches of SANDS United FC across the country, however, to support Alex's team check out @SUFCHuds on twitter.

A thank you again to Jack Edwards for composing and playing the music of this pod - go and give him a look on twitter: @jackedwardsuk or Jackedwardsmusic.com

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This week I am joined by Jack Blakey. Jack is a member of Sheffield United's Rainbow Blades: https://www.rainbowblades.com

Jack volunteered to come onto the show to discuss his experiences and introduced himself to to me as a gay man, a massive football fan and a man who lives with depression. He is far, far more than this and these are also parts of his experience that he wanted to share.

We talk about the intersection between elements of his identity and pressures that he notices as a gay man and how these can differ from those that hetrosexual men. We also talk about the many different hats that we can wear and how when they blend together they make new and exciting things! Things that we didn't know about before.

Jack also described his take on what being an LGBTQ+ ally is and the notion of intent inherent within this and the power of seeing Rainbow merch on the terraces.

Jack gives an honest, thorough and wonderfully articulate description of his experience and I am delighted that we can bring this to you for your listening pleasure.

I enjoyed this conversation hugely and a massive thank you to Jack!

Please check out your teams LGBTQ+ supporters club and consider how you can be an ally to ALL who want to take in the beautiful game. Failing that, check out the wonderful work of Rainbow Blades.

Also, take a look at Rainbow Laces: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/rainbow-laces

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In this episode I'm delighted to be joined by Dr Ian Gill, a Clinical Psychologist who works with adults in an eating disorder service.

We talk about eating behaviour, how this can impact men and men's mental health and how "masculinity" has led to both of us eating things that are far too spicy for us! We also touch on superhero movies, gender roles related to eating and also how Ian was inspired by a lawyer from middle America. Finally we also consider how what society values and expects from men can impact how we seek support, but also how others recognise the need support us.

A huge thank you goes out to Ian for taking the plunge and agreeing to be the first guest on the show. I'm sure you'll all be wonderfully kind about my questioning and editing skills for the first attempt!

As we are talking about potentially sensitive materials it is important to look after yourself. If you, or someone you know is affected by anything contained in this podcast then please seek support from those you trust and get in touch with your GP or local doctor to see what is available for you.

A great resource to look into for further information would be BEAT as mentioned in the pod - https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

I want to give a special thanks at this point to Jack Edwards who has composed and played the music in this episode. He's a great lad and go say "hi" on twitter: @jackedwardsuk

And remember: Sh*t, Shower and Self-care, because sometimes, a shave just isn't enough.

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As Sh*t, Shower and Self-Care grows, we will look at some important topics; masculinity, mental health, sexuality, blokiness and all things in-between.

In the meantime, go on, give this 4 mins a listen and see if it tickles your fancy, wets your appetite or strikes a chord.

I want to give a special thanks at this point to Jack Edwards who has composed and played the music in this episode. He's a great lad and go say "hi" on twitter: @jackedwardsuk

And remember: Sh*t, Shower and Self-care, because sometimes, a shave just isn't enough.

#mentalhealth #mensmentalhealth #selfcare

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