Your Permission to Pause

Today's episode explores the significance of movement during menopause with our guest, Jo Hoskings. I’m thrilled to share a conversation full of insights and practical advice on how exercise can boost creativity, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Jo Hoskings, a dedicated health and wellness coach, joins us to explore the transformative power of daily movement and strength training, adapting routines to individual needs, and the vital role of a balanced diet and self-care.  Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Introduction 06:17 Managing type 1 diabetes is a daily battle. 08:03 Female leaders need to prioritise self-care despite decision fatigue. 13:18  You can improve well-being by increasing activity, enhancing sleep, and eating healthier. 15:56 Establish better habits to avoid fatigue and decline. 25:52 Balance rest and activity for menopause health. 31:25 Confidence is crucial for personal and professional growth. 35:38 Nutrition fuels the body, ensure you are getting enough protein. 42:38 Focus on change: simple, sustainable, attainable consistency. Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.  Passionate about learning and growth, she is dedicated to delivering results, drawing from her own experiences of overcoming corporate burnout, overwhelm, and a lack of direction. She turned this all around, and created a way forward that brought the balance that she needed to thrive no matter what life threw at her. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.  Find out more about Jo here: https://jocowlin.com/ [https://jocowlin.com/] Connect with Jo:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ [https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/ About Jo Hoskings: I’m Jo, a Health & Wellness Coach of 20 years… I’m also a full time working Mum. I absolutely understand the challenges that perimenopause/menopause brings. I have worked with thousands of women to help educate, support and empower them to making lifestyle changes that not only achieve weight loss short term but actually maintain it long term. They have made sustainable lifestyle changes that have increased their energy levels, supported their hormonal health and they are now thriving through life! I’ve spent 20 years in the fitness industry and the last 8 years working slowly with women over 40. I am also an Executive Menopause Coach: I regularly provide Menopause health & wellbeing webinars to Companies in the UK. My 12 week online Program has now helped thousands of women successfully better manage their menopause symptoms, lose weight and improve their health via lifestyle change. Find out more: www.paulhoskingscoaching.com/the-lean-mum-project-discount [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paulhoskingscoaching.com%2Fthe-lean-mum-project-discount&e=AT3YrRp_imVmpDGUNwZzA8DE4quUpQip6LsuZz5MMSFHj-RIu1xU2xHbrJBwQUm9ihRxwZYNpR3hOj31ynuoJBARrhVSJ9kTj3EWDBddGHr5Bh7N] Connect with Jo:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanmumproject Produced by winteraudio.co.uk [https://winteraudio.co.uk/]

Happy New Year! Today, I'm talking about a famous mantra that I'm sure we're all hearing a lot at the moment: "New Year, New You" - and it tends to irritate me! As the clock strikes midnight, we're bombarded with messages urging us to redo every part of our lives. But is this incessant pressure to change really helpful? In this episode, I'll be sharing why I genuinely hate this phrase, outlining its pitfalls, and offering you healthier, more compassionate alternatives for approaching your goals in 2025. Get comfortable, grab your favourite beverage, and let's explore how we can set ourselves up for a fulfilling year ahead, with intention and self-compassion. Enjoy the show!  Here are the Highlights: 00:23 How to embrace self-improvement with acceptance and compassion. 07:15 Transformation occurs gradually, then suddenly. 09:15 Self-reflection isn't taught effectively in organisations. 12:08 Align your goals with your true self and remember to rest. 15:11 Why should you trust the process and embrace change? Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.  Passionate about learning and growth, she is dedicated to delivering results, drawing from her own experiences of overcoming corporate burnout, overwhelm, and a lack of direction. She turned this all around, and created a way forward that brought the balance that she needed to thrive no matter what life threw at her. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.  Find out more about Jo here: https://jocowlin.com/ [https://jocowlin.com/] Connect with Jo:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ [https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/] Produced by winteraudio.co.uk [https://winteraudio.co.uk/]

How well do you understand the messages sent from your body? Ben Causer, a highly experienced sports therapist and strength and conditioning coach, joined me to share his wisdom on understanding and managing pain. We talk about everything from the root causes, including emotional and physical influences, to holistic approaches that bridge the gap between pain and performance. Ben emphasises the importance of balance and proactive stress management, and we explore different elements that impact women’s health and well-being. Tune in now and learn about breathing techniques, stress management, and why paying attention to our body's early signals is crucial.  Here are the Highlights: 07:31 Why is it important to focus on the root cause of pain? 13:13 Breathwork for a balanced central nervous system. 18:21 Balancing work on screens rest and recovery 24:54 How does the lymphatic system function? 28:00 Tips on proactive stress and recovery management for women. 32:49 How to work on lifestyle management. 36:43 Why should you prioritise self-care and mental recovery? 41:14 The hierarchy of pain: emotion, tension, gait, breathing. 42:33 How restrictions and habits cause injuries. Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.  Passionate about learning and growth, she is dedicated to delivering results, drawing from her own experiences of overcoming corporate burnout, overwhelm, and a lack of direction. She turned this all around, and created a way forward that brought the balance that she needed to thrive no matter what life threw at her. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.  Find out more about Jo here: https://jocowlin.com/ [https://jocowlin.com/] Connect with Jo:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ [https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/] About Ben Causer  For the last 20 years, Ben's been on a mission to help people who love being active but feel adrift and need to find the path back to a focused, pain-free fitness journey. He's spent time working in gyms, developing knowledge in strength and conditioning, and progressed that knowledge into Sports Therapy. He's helped develop a system to educate people and empower them to progress to the point where they are fully rehabilitated long-term. Ben has also developed a very successful in-person seminar series called Bulletproof Your Body which has enabled him to reach out to many more people on a far larger scale. His aim is to build you up, not break you down. Find out more: www.fit6.co.uk [http://www.fit6.co.uk/] Produced by winteraudio.co.uk [https://winteraudio.co.uk/]

Are you suffering from meeting overload? I’m exploring the world of meetings - specifically, the challenges and strategies behind making them truly matter. We've all experienced the frustration of unproductive meetings that seem to dominate our schedules. Hybrid meetings, in particular, can drain our mental energy as we navigate the complexities of blending in-person and online participants. That's why I’ll be discussing how to create more effective, intentional meetings whether they’re fully in-person or entirely online. Throughout this episode, we'll explore key frameworks to ensure every meeting you hold has a clear purpose, defined outcomes, a structured agenda, and the right participants. We'll also tackle common pitfalls like meeting overload, lack of follow-up, and the crucial role of leadership in modeling excellent facilitation skills. If you're ready to reclaim your time and transform your meeting culture, don’t miss this episode.  Here are the Highlights: 04:29 Rethink meetings for genuine connection and effectiveness. 08:21 People passively accept calendar invites without thought. 11:20 Rethink and improve meeting culture for productivity. 14:04 Use agendas with questions for better outcomes. 17:55 Control diary; attend necessary meetings only. 22:03 Conclude meetings by recording agreed actions visibly. 26:43 Information, conflict resolution, time management, emotional intelligence. 28:43 Clarify decision-making process to avoid chaos. 31:46 It’s better for the whole meeting to be in person or online. If you must go hybrid you need to be on point and have a creative agenda. Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.  Passionate about learning and growth, she is dedicated to delivering results, drawing from her own experiences of overcoming corporate burnout, overwhelm, and a lack of direction. She turned this all around, and created a way forward that brought the balance that she needed to thrive no matter what life threw at her. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.  Find out more about Jo here: https://jocowlin.com/ [https://jocowlin.com/] Connect with Jo:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ [https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/ Produced by winteraudio.co.uk [https://winteraudio.co.uk/]

Lyndsey Oliver is an expert in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I), and my very dear friend. She joined me to talk about the intricate and essential concept of allyship. Whether you're navigating the complexities of maternity transitions, grappling with societal biases, or seeking to amplify marginalised voices in your workplace, this episode is full of wisdom to help you lead with purpose and compassion. Don't miss this powerful conversation that redefines what it means to be an ally in today's diverse world. Here are the Highlights: 02:05 How marriage, motherhood and work cultures led Lyndsey to start a business. 07:53 Learning: Examine personal, societal, and organisational beliefs. 14:19 Championing allyship for diverse workplace adjustments. 21:44 Educate yourself, ask questions, and start discussions. 32:13 Privilege influences conversations in organisational hierarchies. 38:30 Authentic representation requires inclusive, not tokenistic, hiring. 44:19 Take ownership: Learn, unlearn, understand, and grow. 47:24 Admiration: David Attenborough's insights on biodiversity. Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.  Passionate about learning and growth, she is dedicated to delivering results, drawing from her own experiences of overcoming corporate burnout, overwhelm, and a lack of direction. She turned this all around, and created a way forward that brought the balance that she needed to thrive no matter what life threw at her. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.  Find out more about Jo here: https://jocowlin.com/ [https://jocowlin.com/] Connect with Jo:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ [https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/ About Lyndsey Oliver Lyndsey is driven by a purpose: to develop and transform organisations, workplaces, and leaders toward a more consciously inclusive future. Currently serving as Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) at BaxterStorey, she leads the charge in defining and executing an ED&I strategy, ambition and delivering the 1-, 3-, and 5-year action plans. The ambition? To set the standard and be recognised for having the most inclusive culture in hospitality.   Throughout her career, Lyndsey has made a significant impact across various industries and businesses, working as an ED&I consultant (well, Chief MsChief Maker to be precise), program director, coach, and facilitator. She began her journey in IT at Diageo, where she spent 14 formative years. Her career path reflects the unique value of a “squiggly” career, proving that non-linear journeys can lead to the most enriching and impactful experiences. Connect with Lyndsey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsey-oliver/ Produced by winteraudio.co.uk [https://winteraudio.co.uk/]