The Modern Mind

Dr Julie Smith, clinical psychologist and best-selling author, offers practical advice on mental health, including anxiety, depression, stress management, and finding deeper meaning in our lives. She discusses the power we have over our emotions and how to live a meaningful life by determining our values and redefining success. The podcast covers topics such as therapy, education, social media, non-alcoholic beer, and the tension between metrics and creativity.

In this episode, Fergus is joined by Ben West: author, activist, and mental health campaigner.Ben lost his brother Sam to suicide in January 2018, and has since been on a mission to change the landscape for mental health in the UK.He has raised over £100,000 through several initiatives, led petitions, and has even attended Downing Street to discuss the future for young people's mental health here in the UK.Ben has recently launched his first book: This Book Could Save Your Life.Expect to hear an honest account from someone who has reframed a traumatic experience into positive change.Expect to reconsider how you approach the mental health crisis here in the UK.Expect to understand how you can potentially save someone's life, by changing the way that we approach this conversation.Ben's Instagram: @iambenwestBen's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Book-Could-Save-Your/dp/0008503141/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=0008503141&psc=1  -Sponsors:Days Brewing - get 20% off with MODERNMIND20https://daysbrewing.comHMN24 - get 10% off with FERGUS10https://hmn24.comManCave - get 40% off with  FERGUS40.https://mancaveinc.com

In this episode, Fergus is joined by Alex Fell, founder and CEO of Barc London.This is Alex's first ever podcast, as he explores how he became despondent with life as a nightclub owner,  found a new lease of life in his dog Arch, and then turned his passion for dogs into a business.Expect to learn more about Alex Fell, and the personal challenges of growth.Expect to consider why you choose to follow a certain path.Expect to reflect on what's truly  important to you, and how you consider success.Alex's Instagram: @alexander_fell Barc: @barclondon-Sponsors:Days Brewing - get 20% off with MODERNMIND20https://daysbrewing.comHMN24 - get 10% off with FERGUS10https://hmn24.comManCave - get 20% off with  FERGUS20.https://mancaveinc.com

In this episode, Fergus is joined by Jonathan Pain: his business partner with Omnia Performance, S&C coach, father of four, and a man with a fascinating story to tell.This is an insight into Jonny that you won't have heard before, as we explore everything from his time growing up in Thurso, to working within high security psychiatric hospitals, to abandoning a high paying corporate directorship, to MMA, ultra-endurance, to fatherhood - and everything in between.Expect to learn more about Jonathan Pain.Expect to have your perspective on fear shifted.Expect to consider the 'currencies' within your own existence, and how you spend them.Jonny's Instagram: @jonathanpain-Sponsors:Days Brewing - get 20% off with MODERNMIND20https://daysbrewing.comHMN24 - get 10% off with FERGUS10https://hmn24.comManCave - get 20% off with  FERGUS20.https://mancaveinc.com

In this episode, Fergus is joined by Thomas Maw: Youtuber, online coach, and former bodybuilder.Thomas has always been very open and honest about his bodybuilding lifestyle - everything from the impact it has had on his relationships, his mental health, and his relationship with steroids.Expect to hear an honest account of something often kept quiet.Expect to understand the 10 year journey that Thomas has been on, none of which he regrets.Expect to discover some new habits, lessons, and considerations that you can apply yourself - through understanding Thomas's experiences to date.Thomas's Instagram: @tmcyclesThomas's Youtube: Thomas Maw-Sponsors:Days Brewing - get 20% off with MODERNMIND20https://daysbrewing.comHMN24 - get 10% off with FERGUS10https://hmn24.comManCave - get 20% off with  FERGUS20.https://mancaveinc.com

In this episode, I go solo, and reflect on my recent experience with burnout/a downturn in my mental health.Whether there is anything that you can take from this yourself or not, this should give an insight into the proactive steps I have recently taken to bring myself back to a healthier mind.If you are suffering, and feel like you don't have an immediate support network available to you:https://giveusashout.orghttps://www.thecalmzone.nethttps://www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotland-Sponsors:Days Brewing - get 20% off with MODERNMIND20https://daysbrewing.comHMN24 - get 10% off with FERGUS10https://hmn24.comManCave - get 20% off with  FERGUS20.https://mancaveinc.com

Dr. Sarah Vohra, NHS psychiatrist, shares insights on optimizing mental health through lifestyle changes and career experiences. Topics include journey into psychiatry, lifestyle modifications for well-being, challenges in adolescent mental health, and strategies for managing workload and building stability.

In this episode, Fergus is joined by Harrison Ward, outdoor cook, corporate speaker, and mental health advocate.We discuss Harrison's upbringing in rural Cumbria, his transition to university, and his subsequently negative experience with alcohol and mental health.Harrison very candidly shares his journey, his lessons learned, how he got out of the cycle of alcoholism that he had fought through for years, and ultimately, how he has become the inspiring and successful man that he is today.What is it like to suffer with alcoholism?How did Harrison break free from it, and find a new path in life?Expect to find out here.Harrisons's Instagram: @fellfoodieWebsite: www.fellfoodie.co.uk-Sponsors:Days Brewing - get 20% off with MODERNMIND20https://daysbrewing.comHMN24 - get 10% off with FERGUS10https://hmn24.comManCave - get 20% off with  FERGUS20.https://mancaveinc.com

Former SAS operator, Lindsay Bruce, shares about his military experiences and selection process. Topics include childhood in Fort William, military recruitment, importance of adaptability, and applying military lessons to personal growth.

In this episode, Fergus is joined by Flora Beverley: co-founder of Leo's Box, blogger, fitness influencer, social media consultant, and ultra-runner.We discuss how Flora spins so many plates, the lessons learned from ultra-running, the nuances and context required when assessing a company's sustainability credentials, as well as the simple actions we can all take to live a more sustainable life as of tomorrow.Flora explores the lesser-known eating disorder of orthorexia nervosa, and how this context now underpins her broader definition for health in the modern world.Expect to discover some actions you can take immediately, to live a happier, healthier, and more sustainable life.Flora's Instagram: @foodfitnessfloraFlora's YouTube: Flora BeverleyFlora's Blog: https://foodfitnessflora.blogWebsite referenced in our conversation: https://goodonyou.ecoWant to learn more about B-Corporations? https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/-Sponsors:Get 20% off Mancave with the code FERGUS20.https://mancaveinc.com