Proudly Said

Ep 51: Alena (The Pole Loft) said

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Alena is the owner of The Pole Loft, a Liverpool-based studio built on inclusivity, confidence and creating space for people to move, express and reconnect with themselves. Alena joins John to talk about her journey from the Czech Republic to Liverpool, and how her path into pole fitness began. What started as a personal exploration soon grew into something much bigger: a passion for creating a space where people feel safe, supported and empowered, no matter their experience or background. They chat about the realities of building a business from the ground up, the misconceptions around pole, and why creating an environment that is built on trust and community is just as important as the physical side of the work. Alena also reflects on the responsibility that comes with holding space for others, and how The Pole Loft has become more than just a studio, but a place where people can grow in confidence, find connection, and challenge themselves in new ways. Looking ahead, the conversation turns to what’s next: expanding the space, reaching more people, and continuing to evolve a community that puts wellbeing, inclusivity and joy at its centre. It’s thoughtful, grounding and quietly powerful — a conversation about movement, identity, and building something that truly makes people feel at home. Follow The Pole Loft on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thepoleloft.liverpool/], and check out their website [https://www.thepoleloft.com]! 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk [ProudlySaid.co.uk] Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row [https://proudly-said.captivate.fm/support] for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

Ep 50: Mikey Connor said

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? For the 50th episode of Proudly Said, John sits down with reality TV personality, football referee and digital creator Mikey Connor. Best known to many from BBC Three’s I Kissed A Boy, Mikey joins John for a candid catch-up about life since the show, what it’s like navigating public attention, and why he’s still terrible at replying to messages. They talk about Mikey’s role as an openly gay figure in the world of football, challenging stereotypes that still exist within the sport, and why visibility matters for young LGBTQ+ people growing up around football culture. The conversation also touches on how Mikey’s life has changed since reality TV, the opportunities and pressures that come with a growing online following, and how he’s continued to use his platform to speak openly about identity, confidence and community. Alongside the laughs and tangents, Mikey reflects on a far more personal chapter too: his cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how that journey has reshaped his outlook on life, health and what really matters. If Mikey’s story raises questions about testicular cancer or checking yourself, organisations like Movember [https://uk.movember.com] and The OddBalls Foundation [https://theoddballsfoundation.com] provide clear information, advice and support. It’s honest, funny and reflective in equal measure — a conversation about resilience, visibility, and finding your voice in unexpected places. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk [ProudlySaid.co.uk] Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row [https://proudly-said.captivate.fm/support] for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

Ep 49: Debbie Darling said

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Debbie Darling is a Liverpool drag queen known for her polished performances, big personality, and a strong commitment to giving back to the community. Debbie joins John to talk about her journey into drag, from early days doing photoshoots with established queens and learning the ropes behind the scenes, to performing in holiday parks and building the confidence to take drag seriously as her own creative path. As the conversation unfolds, Debbie reflects on how those early experiences shaped her approach to performance, identity and finding her place within Liverpool’s drag scene. Rather than simply following a traditional route, she’s worked to carve out her own lane, combining entertainment with community-driven work. A big part of Debbie’s drag journey has been charity fundraising, including being part of bold and memorable events like the infamous “Drag & Drop” abseil from Liverpool Cathedral, which brought performers together to raise money while quite literally stepping off the edge for a good cause. It’s a conversation about ambition, creativity, and using drag not just to entertain, but to bring people together and make a difference. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk [ProudlySaid.co.uk] Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row [https://proudly-said.captivate.fm/support] for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

Ep 48: Daisy Gill said

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Daisy Gill is a Liverpool singer-songwriter known for her retro-pop sound, powerful voice, and growing audience online, where thousands follow her mix of music, honesty and sharp observations about life. Daisy joins John to talk about her journey into performing, from early influences and finding her confidence on stage, to stepping into the spotlight on The Voice UK. They chat about what it’s really like performing on national television, how those experiences shape you as an artist, and the work that happens behind the scenes to keep building a music career. Alongside her music, Daisy has built a strong following on TikTok through her candid talking videos, where she shares thoughts on everything from creativity and the realities of being a working artist to the oddities of everyday life. It’s a side of her audience connects with just as much as the songs themselves. The conversation also looks ahead to what’s next: new music, live shows, and how Daisy is carving out her own space as an independent artist while staying true to her vintage-inspired style. It’s open, thoughtful and full of ambition - a chat about creativity, confidence, and figuring things out as you go. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk [ProudlySaid.co.uk] Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row [https://proudly-said.captivate.fm/support] for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

Ep 47: Tyler (The Cracked Mirror Collective) said

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Tyler is the founder of The Cracked Mirror Collective, a grassroots project creating space for trans mutual aid, culture and community across the North West. In this episode, Tyler joins John for an honest conversation about his journey as a transgender man: from navigating identity and transition, to the everyday realities and challenges that come with living authentically in a world that doesn’t always make it easy. They talk about visibility, resilience, and the importance of building spaces where trans people can show up as themselves without apology. The conversation also dives into the energy of nightlife and rave culture, and why dance floors, music and community have always been powerful places for queer and trans people to find belonging. Through The Cracked Mirror Collective, Tyler is helping create those kinds of spaces deliberately — bringing people together through mutual support, creativity and culture. It’s reflective, candid and hopeful — a conversation about identity, chosen family, and the power of community when people look out for one another. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row [https://proudly-said.captivate.fm/support] for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)