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In today's episode, we explore the intricate emotions that facilitators experience right before a workshop – a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. 

My guest today is the award-winning TV journalist from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sophie Scott OAM. Sophie's multi-faceted career has transitioned her from a household face on TV to a well-renowned speaker and educator, with a prime focus on mental health. 

Dive into our conversation as we unravel Sophie's personal journey, discover her pre-workshop routines, and delve deep into her experience with burnout. It's a candid, open conversation about the realities of mental well-being, the importance of self-care, and the pivotal role that authentic communication plays in our lives.

What You Will Learn:

• Sophie's transition from a journalist to an advocate for mental well-being and a sought-after speaker.
• The personal story of Sophie's encounter with burnout, which she faced while in the public eye.
• The "Spotlight Effect" – A mechanism to center oneself and focus on the audience while facilitating.
• Physical Reactions to Anxiety: Even when well-prepared, your body might still show signs of anxiety, but recognizing these signs and continuing to move forward can be beneficial.
• Facilitation vs. Journalism: Both roles involve extracting information and insight, and the techniques used in journalism can apply to facilitation.
• Tips and ideas on how to host engaging panels or events.

About Sophie Scott OAM

In addition to an extensive career as an award-winning medical TV journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sophie is a professional speaker and educator with expertise in mental health.

She has an extensive presence on social media, has been an invited speaker at the World Congress on Positive Psychology, has written two books (Live a Longer Life (ABC Books) and RoadTesting Happiness (Harper Collins), and has won major awards for her journalism and medical reporting including a prestigious Eureka Award

Sophie’s mission is to help people help themselves, using evidence-based science and her own personal journey.

She is an ambassador for Bowel Cancer Australia, Pain Australia and is a patient reviewer for the British Medical Journal.

Sophie is a highly sought-after keynote speaker on topics such as preventing burnout, managing your mental well-being during times of change, the science of high-performance habits, and how to use neuroscience to stick to new habits and overcome unwanted ones.

Her talks and workshops help people take better care of their mental health through science-backed techniques so they can build emotional resilience, maximise their potential and thrive at work and at home.

Links and Resources:

• Sophie Scott's Website - A central hub where you can find all of Sophie's content, including links to her social media platforms.
• Insight Timer and Balance App: These apps are mentioned in the conversation, suggesting they might be tools for personalization or well-being.
• Continue the conversation when the show is over, join The Flipchart free group on Faceboo

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(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

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