Episode 032 - Craig Rigby - Participant Stories

Episode 034 - Amore Wellness Manchester - Empowering Women In The Community

On Episode 34 of our podcast, we welcome the amazing Elisha Emerson, who has set up an incredible wellness community for women in Manchester called Amore Wellness. Amore Wellness is only 6 months old, but in that time, Elisha has created something truly unique and special for women of Manchester where they can go and improve both their physical and mental wellbeing in a safe, supportive, and encouraging space, surrounded by other women empowering each other to be the best version of themselves. I really enjoyed this episode – Elisha’s passion for Amore Wellness and for improving opportunities for women to improve their wellbeing shines through. Her long term vision is incredible to behold. I am so glad we were able to give her this platform to showcase what she is doing. If you’d like to keep up with the activities offered by Amore Wellness, be sure to follow them on Instagram and TikTok - @amorewellness_mcr. Elisha has asked me to say that if any girl is nervous about attending, to simply message hervia the page and she will ensure you feel welcomed and settled when you come to any event. If you want to be a participant on our podcast then let us know! Message us via our website -www.happysomedays.co.uk or find us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter/X. Just search for “Happy Somedays”

Episode 033 - Rob Schofield - My Bodybuilding Journey

On Episode 33 of our podcast, it is a pleasure to welcomeRob Schofield. Rob is a local Wythenshawe lad and personal trainer, withover 17 years experience of working with people in the community on a 1-2-1 or group basis to help them achieve their fitness and wellbeing goals. However, in2024, Rob took a step back and re-assessed his own goals, lifestyle and habits after realising he had fallen foul of not ‘practicing what he preaches’, and  decided to implement some changes which led him down a road he never thought he’d go down – Bodybuilding. In less than a year, Rob got himself into competing shapeand entered a local bodybuilding contest where he was put up in two categories and won them both! This has led to the federation going on to select Rob for the European Championships in November 2025, taking place in Poland. Rob highlights his journey to this point in this episode,describing what starting felt and looked like for him, how he had to re-assess and made difficult decisions, and also gives some realities of bodybuilding that people may not know. It’s a fascinating insight into an industry which is risingrapidly. If you’d like to follow Rob and see how he gets on out in Poland, then give his Instagram account a follow @robertschofieldpt and if you want to see more of his personal training profile or even look to work with him yourself, you can follow @strongaf_pt If you want to be a participant on our podcast then let us know! Message us via our website -www.happysomedays.co.uk or find us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter/X. Just search for “Happy Somedays” Chapters: 00:00 – 01:32 – Episode Intro 01:32 – 06:00 – Welcome Rob and point of realisation 06:00 – 07:35 – Relationship with food and noticing changes 07:35 – 16:10 -  Education around fitness and nutrition 16:10 – 19:20 – Strong AF and the toll setting up a business can have on someone 19:20 – 24:45 – Navigating son’s autism diagnosis 24:45 – 30:20 – Prioritising own wellbeing ready for Poland 30:20 – 32:00 – “The Best Decision I Have Ever Made” 32:00 – 37:20 – Realities of bodybuilding 37:20 – 40:50 – Are you allowed cheat days when bodybuilding? 40:50 – 43:45 – Team GB 43:45 – 47:30 – More info on Rob and Strong AF Studio 47:30 – 47:58 – Thanks and End

Episode 032 - Craig Rigby - Participant Stories

Our podcast is back! And what an episode we have to bringyou with another participant story from someone else who has been involved since the very early days of Happy Somedays Craig Rigby started coming to sessions when we were onlygetting 10-12 people at a time for the men’s football, way before the women’s sessions launched, before the fitness classes, badminton, walks and the social events, too. Here, he talks to us about the growth he has seen and how the people very much make Happy Somedays what it is and what epitomises the incentive. Craig also touches on his love of Man City and how special it was to be sat on the Kippax during the Maine Road days and going on away days to some long-forgottenFootball League grounds. He also mentions disability awareness as his dad is a disabled supporter and is often left scratching his head at the lack of awareness and support – not just within football but in general. Craig alsohighlights his love for travel and discusses launching a YouTube channel of travel Vlogs alongside his wife Philippa. Be sure to check out The Rigby-Holmes Adventures Channel on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRigbyHolmesAdventures [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRigbyHolmesAdventures]and follow them on Instagram to see where they’re going next @Rigbyholmesadventures If you want to be a participant on our podcast then let us know! Message us via our website - www.happysomedays.co.uk or find us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter/X. Just search for “Happy Somedays” 00:00 – 01:40 – Episode Intro 01:40 – 04:48 – Welcome Craig 04:48 – 08:53 - Familiar Surroundings and Faces 08:53 – 13:51 - Passion for Manchester City and MemorableMoments 13:51 – 19:47 - Accessibility and Attending Matches 19:47 – 22:30 - Growing Up with Disabled Parents 22:30 – 26:21 - Accessibility Challenges, Improvements HeWants To See and Travelling With A Disability 26:21 – 31:11 - Staying Active: Sports, Fitness and The Joyof Football and Community 31:11 – 35:14 - Finding a Supportive Environment and TheEnjoyment Of The Fitness Classes 35:14 – 40:10 - Adjusting to a New Community &Maintaining Connections 40:10 – 41:58 - Creating an Inclusive Space 41:58 – 49:21 Travel Adventures and YouTube Channel Vlogs

Episode 031 - Happy Somedays x Block Cinema

As part of our partnership with the Forum Library's Creative Space, this edition of the Podcast welcomes Stephen Evans from Block Cinema to chat about the project which aims to bring social cinema and a "proper movie atmosphere" to Wythenshawe. Block have moved into the Creative Space late in 2024 after establishing in Northenden in 2019. They have gone from strength to strength, offering a variety of films across various genre's that are screened at a reasonable, fair and affordable price. It has long been said that a cinema in the area is needed - Block are trying their hardest to do just that! Stephen chatted to me about the project, how films are chosen, his own passion for film and getting this project off the ground, and why he is a huge advocate for social cinema and creating a "togetherness" when watching movies on a big screen. To view listings or suggest a film you'd like to see screen, as well as all upcoming showings, check out their website www.blockcinema.org. You can also find Block Cinema on Facebook (Search Block Cinema) Instagram - @cinematheblock or on Twitter/X @Blockcinema.

Episode 030 - Hayley Shing - Participant Stories

Across 5 years of Happy Somedays, we have welcomed so many wonderful participants to our sessions who make everything that we do so unique. We have always said that everyone has a story to tell, and this year we have committed to having more people from within Happy Somedays tell their story on our Podcast, as part of our ‘Participant Stories’ series. The second episode in this series – and our 30th overall - is with a participant from our wonderful ladies provision, Hayley Shing. Hayley is fairly new to Happy Somedays, having only joined in April 2024. Previous to being involved with ourselves, Hayley was part of Wythenshawe FC (Formerly Amateurs) Ladies, but an injury ended her involvement with them. After some time away from football, she got an itch to return but wanted to do so in a non-competitive, nonjudgemental environment and decided Happy Somedays was the one for her. She has involved herself in every aspect since then, and has been rewarded by being recognised as “Participant of the Year” at our annual awards night in 2024. Hayley is also involved with other volunteering aspects, including “Friends of Rose Vale Park” and as a leader for Heald Green Scouts, both of which she delves into further within her podcast. Hayley also details her Chinese heritage, as she is British born Chinese, and spent some of her youth living in Hong Kong where she picked up her love of football and sports in general. She also had a very unique way of learning Cantonese! Listen out for how she did that… To find out more about Rose Vale Park and the projects Hayley is involved in, check out their Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/RVPhealdgreen) and if you know any young people who may want to involve themselves with Scouts, check out Hayley’s group that meet in Heald Green. More information can be found at https://2ndhealdgreen.org.uk/ If you want to be a guest on our podcast, please do reach out! Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X or email us happysomedaysfootball@gmail.com Chapters: 00:00 – 01:15 – Intro 01:15 – 02:35 – Thanks for reaching out 02:35 – 03:35  - “I’malways busy!” 03:35 – 07:50 – Volunteering and Friends Of Rose Vale Park 07:50 – 09:45 – Landscape Architecture Background 09:45 – 18:10 – Involvement With Scouts 18:10 – 21:40 - Hayley’s Hong Kong Heritage 21:40 – 25:30 – “Girls Aren’t Supposed To Play Football…!” 25:30 – 28:55 – Joining Wythenshawe Ammies 28:55 – 33:30 – Leaving The Ammies, Finding Happy Somedays& Falling Back In Love With Football 33:30 – 37:40 – Final Thoughts, Thanks and End