A New Way of Being

We have a tendency to put people on pedestals – successful sportspeople, celebrities, businesspeople – and there’s no doubt that what some people are able to create can be phenomenal. But, it is a mistake to project Godlike status onto such people, as if they really are a superior species. They are fallible human beings like the rest of us. I call this ‘the illusion of mental hierarchies’, and seeing through it is so valuable as you stop believing that some people are more important or valuable than you, and that you are more important than anyone else. So many of us are striving to prove that we are someone special – but we just need to recognise that we are all equally special, and always have been. To illustrate this one is former Liverpool and England footballer John Barnes. ****Ps. Please do share this episode with anyone you think might benefit. Word of mouth recommendations make a big difference****Follow/message me:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and 200 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.com (where you can also drop me an email)Please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. It makes a big difference and is hugely appreciated.***Finally, a huge thanks to my sponsors, Puresport. Their range of CBD and Nootropics supplements have had a significant impact on how I sleep, manage stress, and focus throughout the day. I can’t recommend them enough. I have many friends and family who have tried their huge range of products - and now swear by them.CBD has been shown to have benefits for anxiety, inflammation, aches and pains - and it may even be good for long term brain and heart health. Puresport are paving the way in the natural wellness market with their unparalleled range of products. I am currently enjoying their Destress oil, with ashwaganda and the sunshine Vitamin D - ideal for this time of year. Plus, their unwind capsules - ideal for relaxing and deep sleep, and their muscle and joint balm.The good news is that Life Lessons listeners can get 20% off all full prices products with code Life20 at checkout. Head to www.puresport.co to check out their fantastic extensive range and get your 20% discount. You won't be disappointed - their poducts have been a game-changer for so many people!Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hormones are the internal chemical messengers that have a powerful influence on our mental and physical wellbeing.When your hormone levels are balanced, you will tend to have stable moods and feel energetic, motivated, and mentally sharp. But - when hormone levels are out of whack, you may experience a range of symptoms that are also commonly associated with mental illness like depression. There may be anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, low motivation, low libido, difficulty concentrating… the list goes on. And – often people don’t realise it is the imbalance in their hormones that are causing the problems. To talk us through all this is Dr Nicky Keay – a hormone expert who has lent that expertise to the likes of the International Olympic Committee and regularly contributes to publications including the British Journal of Sports Medicine In this episode we discuss:What causes our hormones to be disruptedThe lifestyle factors we can adopt to get them in syncWhen we need to start paying attention to our hormonal healthThe key sex hormones - testosterone and estrogenTestosterone replacement therapy and HRT - pros and consThe importance of resistance trainingThe dangers of excessive cardioWhy we all should be taking vitamin D supplementationWhy our sex-hormones need carbohydratesWhy hormones love routineSo-called 'adrenal fatigue'Avoiding processed foodsSocial connection and its positive impact on hormonesThe perimenopause and menopause - and how to mitigate its effectsBeing proactive rather than reactive with our healthForth's private home blood tests are here: https://www.forthwithlife.co.uk/I hope you find this episode useful – if you do please can you share it – as that does make a big difference. **Follow/message me:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and 200 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.com (where you can also drop me an email)Please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. It makes a big difference and is hugely appreciated.***Finally, a huge thanks to my sponsors, Puresport. Their range of CBD and Nootropics supplements have had a significant impact on how I sleep, manage stress, and focus throughout the day. I can’t recommend them enough. I have many friends and family who have tried their huge range of products - and now swear by them.CBD has been shown to have benefits for anxiety, inflammation, aches and pains - and it may even be good for long term brain and heart health. Puresport are paving the way in the natural wellness market with their unparalleled range of products.I am currently enjoying their Destress oil, with ashwaganda and the sunshine Vitamin D - ideal for hormonal health. Plus, their Female Balance: Hormone Health nootropic capsules are highly recommended.The good news is that Life Lessons listeners can get 20% off all full prices products with code Life20 at checkout. Head to www.puresport.co to check out their extensive range, their rebranded products... and to get your 20% discount. Enjoy!Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The theme of this mini episode is all about creating opportunities for yourself. Sir Chris Hoy started in BMX before switching to track cycling, but a key moment in his career came when the cost of pursuing his passion was starting to bite while he was still a young lad.Rather than let that deter him, Chris got creative – and wrote letter after letter to people and companies he thought might be able to sponsor him. What followed was rejection after rejection – before eventually someone had a nibble, and gave Chris the all important backing to kick on and eventually have his hall of fame cycling career.The message in what Chris says is so important – don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, go out and create them yourself.This follows on nicely from yesterday's episode about 'Squiggly Careers' - and Hoy's approach to creating opportunities is particularly beneficial in the workplace.**Ps. Please do share this episode with anyone you think might benefit. Word of mouth recommendations make a big difference****Follow/message me:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and 200 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.com (where you can also drop me an email)Please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. It makes a big difference and is hugely appreciated.***Finally, a huge thanks to my sponsors, Puresport. Their range of CBD and Nootropics supplements have had a significant impact on how I sleep, manage stress, and focus throughout the day. I can’t recommend them enough. I have many friends and family who have tried their huge range of products - and now swear by them.CBD has been shown to have benefits for anxiety, inflammation, aches and pains - and it may even be good for long term brain and heart health. Puresport are paving the way in the natural wellness market with their unparalleled range of products. I am currently enjoying their Destress oil, with ashwaganda and the sunshine Vitamin D - ideal for this time of year. Plus, their unwind capsules - ideal for relaxing and deep sleep, and their muscle and joint balm.The good news is that Life Lessons listeners can get 20% off all full prices products with code Life20 at checkout. Head to www.puresport.co to check out their fantastic extensive range and get your 20% discount. You won't be disappointed - their poducts have been a game-changer for so many people!Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This a bit of a different episode of Life Lessons - a career special to mark National Careers week. My guest is Helen Tupper – who co-hosts the Squiggly Careers podcast with Sarah Ellis. They have also written two best-selling books, ‘the Squiggly Career’... and their new book is called ‘You Coach You’. It’s about giving people the tools to become their own careers coach. Helen and Sarah are also founders of the award winning company Amazing If – through which they lead workshops across the world to help people navigate and take ownership of their careers with confidence.In this episode we get a taster of the work they do – by discussing the five key skills they have identified that people need to be able to thrive in a squiggly career.(Ps. There will be another Bitesized episode along tomorrow.)**Follow/message me:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and 200 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.com (where you can also drop me an email)Please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. It makes a big difference and is hugely appreciated. I will also give a shoutout on the show to anyone who does share this - or any other episodes - with two or more people on an upcoming episode.***Finally, a HUGE thanks to my sponsors, Puresport. Their range of CBD and Nootropics supplements have had a significant impact on how I sleep, manage stress, and focus throughout the day. I can’t recommend them enough. I have many friends and family who have tried their huge range of products - and now swear by them. They have just rebranded and their products look superbCBD has been shown to have benefits for anxiety, inflammation, aches and pains - and it may even be good for long term brain and heart health. Puresport are paving the way in the natural wellness market with their unparalleled range of products. I am currently enjoying their Destress oil, with ashwaganda and the sunshine Vitamin D - ideal for this time of year. Plus, their unwind capsules - ideal for relaxing and deep sleep, and their muscle and joint balm is an absolute winner.The good news is that Life Lessons listeners can get 20% off all full prices products with code Life20 at checkout. Head to www.puresport.co to check out their extensive and frankly fabulous range and get your 20% discount. You won't regret it!Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation is about recognising that the stories and narratives we tell ourselves about what should make us happy – high status, millions of social media followers, billions in the bank – are often inaccurate. Instead – we need to start paying attention to what does make us happy – for example, spending time with friends, connection, pro-social acts of kindness and altruism, playing sport, listening to music … the list goes on.Paul Dolan is a behavioural scientist and author of the bestselling book Happiness By Design and Happy Ever After. His motto? "Do things that bring you pleasure or purpose. If they don't - stop doing them."So, in this episode we discuss:Letting go of stories and paying attention to our experiencesHow willpower is weak but design power is strong – what that means and how you can harness it in your own lifeWhy you need to put your phone away and stop recording at gigs and festivals (it interrupts your 'flow of experience')Reaching narratives - and how the belief that X in the future will make us happy is an illusionWhy pro-social acts need to be celebratedWhy we should spend time designing our lives to increase the amount of time spent doing things that provide pleasure or purposeThe power of environment and how to harness itThe importance of acceptance and recognising we are all fallible human beingsAnd much more!**Warning** this episode contains swearing and adult themesPlease do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. It makes a big difference and is hugely appreciated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are not our thoughts, we are aware of our thoughts. The more we can acknowledge this fact, the less emphasis we put on the need for 'high self-esteem' and 'positive self-talk'. To help me bust some myths is the best-selling author of the Confidence Gap and the Happiness Trap. And just a warning - if you stand in front of the mirror and do positive self-affirmations, this episode might get you to stop. Russ is one of the world's leading experts on Acceptance and Commitment therapy, which can have a profound impact on your wellbeing and -crucially - your relationship with your mind, your thoughts and your feelings.**My book Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself draws on some of my favourite interviews over the last six years. In it, I seek to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found.'This book captures the magic of being in flow . . . Highly recommend' RONNIE O'SULLIVAN'Entertaining and enlightening' MATTHEW SYED'This book will challenge your thinking on what success truly is and will give you tools to "succeed" in life in the truest sense of the world. This is definitely not just another book about sport and those who happen to be good at it' -- GOLDIE SAYERS'The intention behind this book is beautiful, and I highly recommend it' RUPERT SPIRA'The best guide we have to what it means to be human' AMOL RAJANOrder here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookAmazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Champion-Thinking-Success-Without-Yourself/dp/1526626497/Website: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is a price worth paying for a gold medal? That's a question that Cath Bishop seeks to answer in her work. Cath is a former World Champion British rower who won silver at the Olympics. She was also a diplomat and is now a leadership speaker, writer and consultant. Her book 'The Long Win' challenged the narrative around 'winning at all costs'. After competing at three Olympics - a period of her life she found draining at times - Cath reflected and realised that the cultural obsession with winning came at a big cost - to competitors, supporters and society. She is now pushing for a change in attitude - from 'conquering' to 'collaboration'. She wrote a brilliant article for the Guardian off the back of the Winter Olympics - which led to us recording this conversation.ARTICLE: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2022/feb/21/kamila-valieva-horror-show-price-olympic-gold-too-high - the articlehttps://cathbishop.com/ - Cath's website**Follow me:on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and 200 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.comPlease do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. It makes a big difference and is hugely appreciated.***Finally, a huge thanks to my sponsors, Puresport. Their range of CBD and Nootropics supplements have had a significant impact on how I sleep, manage stress, and focus throughout the day. I can’t recommend them enough.CBD has been shown to have benefits for anxiety, inflammation, aches and pains - and it may even be good for long term brain and heart health. Puresport are paving the way in the natural wellness market with their unparalleled range of products. I am currently enjoying their Clarity oil, with ashwaganda and the sunshine Vitamin D - ideal for this time of year.The good news is that Life Lessons listeners can get 20% off with code Life20 at checkout. Head to puresportcbd.com to check out their extensive range and get your 20% discountHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"What you put in, you get out." Words that Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton has lived by. It's about adopting and embracing an attitude of being you can be at everything that doesn't require talent - including effort and hard work. This is something anyone can adopt at any age - and Sam exhibited it even as a schoolboy.***Follow me:on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on Twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and 200 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.comPlease also rate and review wherever you get your podcasts***Finally, a huge thanks to my sponsors, Puresport. Their range of CBD and Nootropics supplements have had a significant impact on how I sleep, manage stress, and focus throughout the day. I can’t recommend them enough.CBD has been shown to have benefits for anxiety, inflammation, aches and pains - and it may even be good for long term brain and heart health. Puresport are paving the way in the natural wellness market with their unparalleled range of products. I am currently enjoying their Clarity oil, with ashwaganda and the sunshine Vitamin D - ideal for this time of year.The good news is that Life Lessons listeners can get 20% off with code Life20 at checkout. Head to puresportcbd.com to check out their extensive range and get your 20% discountHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We like to think we know what will happen, but we don't actually know what will happen an hour from now let alone in a years time.Stevie Ward burst onto the rugby league scene as a teenager, helping Leeds Rhinos win the challenge cup final in 2012. But, his career was blighted by injury. He had 10 operations – all before turning 27. He had just been made Leeds Rhinos Captain and was reaching the pinnacle of career, but concussion on opening weekend of 2020 season stopped him in his tracks. Stevie announced his retirement in January of last year because of the severe side effects of his brain injury, including migraines, sensitivity to light and screens and memory issues, which continue to this day. In this episode we discuss surrender, acceptance, the difference between success and fulfilment as well as Stevie’s own 'Dark Night of the Soul.' experience.In 2016, Stevie launched Mantality after experiencing depression and anxiety with all the highs and lows he was going through. Mantality offers coaching and counselling to people struggling with their mental health.You can check out the excellent work they do at www.mantality.co.ukFollow me:on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and 200 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.comPlease do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. It makes a big difference and is hugely appreciated.***Finally, a huge thanks to my sponsors, Puresport. Their range of CBD and Nootropics supplements have had a significant impact on how I sleep, manage stress, and focus throughout the day. I can’t recommend them enough.CBD has been shown to have benefits for anxiety, inflammation, aches and pains - and it may even be good for long term brain and heart health. Puresport are paving the way in the natural wellness market with their unparalleled range of products. I am currently enjoying their Clarity oil, with ashwaganda and the sunshine Vitamin D - ideal for this time of year.The good news is that Life Lessons listeners can get 20% off with code Life20 at checkout. Head to puresportcbd.com to check out their extensive range and get your 20% discountHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We live in a very goal-orientated society. So many of us are continually striving and thinking - 'what’s next?' We may believe that when we get promoted at work, move into a bigger house or finally get a six pack – THEN we will be happy. However, you may have noticed that the horizon we are striving for always seems to stay just out of reach. Once one goal is ticked off – we want another one, ideally bigger – and so the sense of inner satisfaction we are really looking for is perpetually elusive.Clearly there is nothing wrong with goals, they are important. But, they are by definition in the future, whereas our values are how we want to be in the world from moment to moment. And there is good research that shows the more we live in accordance with our values, the higher sense of wellbeing we are likely to experience.One person I spoke to about values was Professor Steve Peters who came up with the Chimp Model - a metaphor for how we think, than helped many elite sportspeople from Ronnie O'Sullivan through to Victoria Pendleton and Steven Gerrard.**Follow me:on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and 200 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.comPlease do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. It makes a big difference and is hugely appreciated.***Finally, a huge thanks to my sponsors, Puresport. Their range of CBD and Nootropics supplements have had a significant impact on how I sleep, manage stress, and focus throughout the day. I can’t recommend them enough.CBD has been shown to have benefits for anxiety, inflammation, aches and pains - and it may even be good for long term brain and heart health. And anything that helps keep me well in the long-term rather than having to fix lots of niggles once they arrive gets the thumbs up from me. Combined with their range of nootropics, Puresport are paving the way in the natural wellness market.I am currently enjoying their Clarity oil, with ashwaganda and the sunshine Vitamin D - ideal for this time of year. The good news is that Life Lessons listeners can get 20% off with code Life20 at checkout. Head to puresportcbd.com to check out their extensive range and get your Life Lessons discount**Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.