Blank Canvas Podcast

She Always Knew She'd Do It. It Just Took 11 Years to Pull the Trigger ! Laura Spence

Laura Spence is a family lawyer. Divorce, finances, private children matters. She spent years working her way up through big firms including international corporate practices. And the whole time, in the back of her mind, there was always this idea. Then one day, going through old emails, she found one she'd sent 11 years earlier at university. It was to the first person she'd ever worked for, asking for advice on owning her own firm one day. He'd replied. She'd pinned it to the top of her inbox and forgotten about it. That was the moment she knew it was time. In this episode, I talk to Laura about leaving the corporate world behind and opening Hilton Spence, her own family law firm on the Wirral. She talks about the self-doubt that comes with going it alone, spotting a gap in the market that nobody else was filling, and why she believes the people going through divorce deserve something more personal than a corporate conveyor belt. It's an honest, funny, and really grounding conversation about backing yourself when the timing feels terrifying. Topics covered: Why Laura always knew she'd run her own firm one day The 11-year-old email that finally pushed her to act The difference between corporate law and what she wanted to offer Finding a gap in the Wirral market and going for it Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the internal critic Why she doesn't see other firms as competition What 13-year-old Laura would think of her now

She Competed in Miss World and Flew the World. This Is What She Did Next.

Before Victoria ended up working reception at a law firm, she had already lived about five different lives. She competed in Miss World. She started her flying career on tiny six seater planes in the Isle of Man. Spent three years with Japan Airlines on long haul routes. Then British Airways. Then she went self employed and ran her own detox clinic. Taught yoga. Went deep into spiritual wellness and used it to heal herself. And then one freezing cold day on the allotment she decided she had had enough of digging potato trenches in the British weather, walked in and applied for the warm job instead. Victoria is one of the most uplifting guests I have had on the podcast. This is not a heavy episode. No rock bottom, no breakdown. Just a woman who has said yes to life at every single turn and has the stories to prove it. Grab a coffee. You are going to love this one. Topics covered: Competing in Miss World and what that experience was really like Starting out on six seater planes and working up to Japan Airlines and BA Running her own detox clinic and the reality of self employment Yoga, spiritual wellness, and healing yourself from the inside out Why she believes if you want to do something you should just go and do it The mindset that has carried her through every chapter

Self-Doubt, Career Pivots, and Why Your Dream Doesn't Have an Expiry Date With Sarah Nolan

Sarah Nolan spent 22 years as a lawyer. She fought her way in. Hand-delivering CVs around town, teaching herself to type, studying at night school while working full time. Nobody made it easy for her. A careers advisor told her law was not really for kids like her. She did it anyway. Then at 40, she walked away from it all. In this episode, Natalie talks to Sarah about what it really takes to change direction. The self-doubt. The self-sabotage. The nights where you're convinced it's all falling apart, and the mornings where somehow you keep going. Sarah now coaches professional women including lawyers, executives, and business owners on health, fitness, sleep, and actually taking care of themselves. It's a brilliant conversation about belief, permission, and what happens when you stop chasing the career you thought you were supposed to want. If you've ever felt stuck, told yourself it's too late, or wondered whether you're allowed to start again, this episode is going to hit differently. Topics covered: Growing up in a deprived area and being told your dreams aren't for you How Sarah got into law the unconventional way through sheer stubbornness What it felt like to walk away from a 22-year career Coaching professional women through burnout and self-neglect Self-doubt and self-sabotage and how to use them as fuel Why chasing the money will always catch up with you Instagram @sarahnolanfitness

From Toxic Environment to Total Transformation - Zoe Morris's Story

Zoe Morris had it all together on the outside. Retail director. Leader. The person everyone leaned on. But behind closed doors, she was stuck in a toxic relationship for nearly a decade, battling an underactive thyroid, and quietly disappearing under the weight of it all. There were days she couldn't get out of bed. Days she stared at four walls wondering what the point was. But there was always something. A tiny flicker that never fully went out. In this episode, Natalie sits down with Zoe for one of the most candid conversations on the podcast. Zoe opens up about life in fight-or-flight mode, what it feels like to carry everyone else's world on your shoulders while yours is falling apart, and the moment a chance encounter on a beach changed the direction of her life completely. She's now the fittest, happiest, and healthiest she's ever been. This is the story of how she got there. If you're in the middle of something dark right now, this one's for you. Topics covered: Living in a toxic relationship and what it does to your body Underactive thyroid and the link between chronic stress and illness What rock bottom actually feels like, and why it doesn't look the same for everyone The power of that one tiny inner knowing that keeps you going How Zoe rebuilt through fitness, nutrition, and spiritual wellness Her big vision for the future including a farm, retreats, and rescue animals. You can find Zoe on Instagram @wirral_nutrition