It's Good To Walk: Recent Episodes
Ed Jackson
Join Ed Jackson as he chats to guests about resilience, determination and their journeys through adversity.
"We take so much from the people around us - from their stories, actions and experiences. Over this series I’ll be chatting to people that inspire me. Not just about what they’ve done, but about who they are and what makes them tick. I’ll be lifting the lid to uncover some gems of wisdom and advice for us all, at the same time as trying to answer questions of my own!"
Dr Niall McCann is National Park Rescue’s Conservation Director, a National Geographic Explorer and a seasoned adventurer who has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, skied across Greenland and cycled over the Himalayas. He is also an award-winning wildlife TV presenter with shows on PBS, Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. As a part of his role with National Park Rescue, Niall lobbies the UK Government to ensure that conservation and the environment are placed at the heart of the UK’s foreign policy. Niall is also a Trustee of the Royal Geographical Society and the Wallacea Trust, and is an active member of the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team.
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As you can see Niall is a busy guy doing some incredible things but as i discovered that bio doesn't even scratch the surface. A true life of adventure has led Niall all over the globe doing things most of us could only dream of but little did he know one of his biggest adventures would start closer to home following a life changing accident in the Brecon Beacons.
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There is so much in this conversation and I’m sure you’ll agree by the end that Niall is some man for one man.
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We talk about:
Exploration
Bonding through challenge
Your origin story
Staying curious
Facing fears
Illegal Poaching
Conservation & much more.
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I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did because its changed the game for me a bit.
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Resources
Niall
Twitter: @NiallPMcCann
https://niallmccann.com/
https://www.nationalparkrescue.org/
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Ed & M2M
www.edjackson8.com
insta: @edjackson8
Walk the coast: https://www.millimetres2mountains.org/explore/walk-the-coast-2021/
M2M - https://www.millimetres2mountains.org/
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I'm always looking for more inspirational guests, if you have anyone in mind I would love to hear from you! Just drop me a message on social media @edjackson8, thanks!
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Thank you to our sponsor the Coaching Academy
The Coaching Academy are the world's largest life coach training provider and do an absolutely amazing job, teaching everyday people to make a difference to the lives of others - every day.
So if you've ever thought about helping people achieve their goals, gain greater clarity in their life or help them build confidence and resilience, a full or part time career working from home as a Life Coach may well be for you.
Check out The Coaching Academy’s free webinars, they run every week and can help you find out if Life-Coaching is for you
Find out more at tcacoach.com
Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ultra-endurance athlete, international motivational speaker, author and mental health activist.
Alex knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity, having experienced the two biggest consecutive disasters in Mount Everest history, including the 2015 Nepal earthquake which trapped him on the mountain for two days. In July 2017 he became the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK county tops and won the Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year.
Having suffered with mental health challenges since a teenager, he co-founded Mind Over Mountains, a mental health charity to help others restore mental well-being naturally through outdoor experiences. So we share a lot in common in that regard.
I was really looking forward to chatting to Alex not just because of our shared beliefs in the restorative powers of the outdoors but because he’s not your conventional action man. He’s had to overcome a lot to become the person he is today and by doing that has proven that you have the power to re write your own story.
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We cover:
Victim mindset
Overcoming adversity
Earthquakes on Everest
Challenging yourself
The power of the outdoors
Outdoors as an antidepressant
Eating disorders & much more
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Resources:
Insta - @alexstaniforth_
Charity - https://mindovermountains.org.uk/
Support:
https://www.orri-uk.com/
https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/
https://stamma.org/get-support
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Eds socials: @edjackson8
https://www.millimetres2mountains.org/
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Thanks to our sponsors the coaching academy for their continued support. The coaching academy are the largest trainers of life coaches in the world and do a fantastic job helping people find a new path in one of the most rewarding careers you can imagine.
If you think it sounds like something you may want to explore further you can visit TCA coach.com for more information.
I'm lucky to have a lot of inspirational women in my life, and this weeks guest is certainly one of those!
Carly Wilford is a DJ, Producer and all round fascinating human being. As soon as I met her less than two years ago I knew that there was more to her than meets the eye. Which is impressive considering she has bright green hair. But I wasn’t wrong. I’m not sure I’ve met a more hard working, do’er in my life. She’s also incredibly generous, and as well as her own successful career she’s constantly thinking of ways to help others, both through her work and mental health platform A:Live.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Carly, rising up in a male dominated industry and facing her own battles along away. But her determination and giant heart has got her to a position where she’s looked up to by thousands, including myself. I know Carly well but there was still a lot I wanted to find out about the green goddess so was really looking forward to this one…
We talk about...
Change
Leaps of faith
Persistence
Altruism
Death
Forgiveness
The impact the pandemic has had on the Music Industry and much more.
She’s a five star human and I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did.
Social: @carlywilford
Carlys website: https://carlywilford.com/
a.live: https://www.aliveandstill.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0kDLD7hkKb5cLyEMMi8iFN
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Thanks to our sponsors The Coaching Academy for their continued support. The Coaching Academy are the largest trainers of life coaches in the world and do a fantastic job helping people find a new path in one of the most rewarding careers you can imagine.
If you think it sounds like something you may want to explore further you can visit tcacoach.com for more information.
Imagine waking up one day with no legs… Well thats exactly what happened to 17 year old Racing Driver Billy Monger following a horrific crash that threatened to put an end to more than just his blossoming career behind the wheel.
After making contact with an unsighted, stationary car at over 120mph during a British F4 race at Donington Park circuit, Billy was left with life-changing injuries and received amputations to both legs. Despite the huge personal challenges that lay ahead, Billy wasted no time in setting out his goal to return to motor racing in the future. Fuelled by an outpouring of support from the motorsport industry and the wider public, Billy embarked on his remarkable journey to a different future that at the young age of 21 has already seen him achieve some incredible things.
Not only is Billy racing again but he’s challenging himself in many other ways including recently taking on an adapted ironman for comic relief raising over £3million and inspiring millions more. In this chat I wanted to dig a little deeper and find out about the Billy behind the youthful inspiration and smiling face. How do you deal with a life changing experience at such a young age when the world is watching? Well I can tell you now, what I found was far from disappointing!
We talk about:
The power of positivity
What inspiration isn’t
Being your own person
Reality
Getting uncomfortable
& much more!
Thanks as always for listening, have a great week and if you have any questions following the chat please feel free to drop it in the comments on insta or fb: @edjackson8
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Thanks to our sponsors the coaching academy for their continued support. The coaching academy are the largest trainers of life coaches in the world and do a fantastic job helping people find a new path in one of the most rewarding careers you can imagine.
If you think it sounds like something you may want to explore further you can visit TCA coach.com for more information.
When the things you celebrate in life go from winning Olympic gold medals to just being able to put your pants on it’s fair to say things have changed a fair bit.
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Pete Reed OBE is one of Britains greatest ever Olympians and one of the best rowers the world has ever seen. Three consecutive Olympic gold medals at Beijing, London and Rio highlight a glittering career spanning 16 years. Genetically though it’s not that surprising seeing as Pete is 6ft 6 and has the worlds largest recorded lung capacity at 11.68 litres. It’s not just a rowing boat where Pete has excelled either he also has an engineering degree from Oxford and is an active officer in the Royal Navy. Yep he’s one of those people who can do it all. And you’re going to hate me when I tell you he’s also a bloody lovely, humble bloke too!
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Everything in life just seems to go the right way for some people, that is until it doesn’t…
On the 7th September 2019 Pete suffered a spinal stroke that would take him from being one of the most physically capable men to ever walk this planet to being told he may never walk again. Less than two years later Pete is still throwing all of his experience and determination at his recovery and I have no doubt that whatever his injury allows him to recover he will.
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It was a real privilege to speak to Pete, I took a huge amount away from our conversation and also it was great to end on a high with an exciting announcement!
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We talk about:
Determination
Discipline
Transitioning
Support networks
Perspective
Reality
& so much more.
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Enjoy!
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Follow Pete
Instagram: @petereed
Twitter: @PeteReed
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A big thank you to our sponsors the coaching academy.
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The Coaching Academy are the world's largest life coach training provider and do an absolutely amazing job, teaching every day people to make a difference to the lives of others …..every day.
I attended The Coaching Academy’s training myself and experienced first hand the power of life coaching. Because of this, I am happy to recommend them. Especially as my wife Lois trained as a life coach with the academy.
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For more information head to www.tcacoach.com
Owen O'Kane is a Psychotherapist, Former NHS Clinical Lead and Sunday Times Best Selling Author. His books Ten to Zen and Ten Times Happier have sold translation rights in 15 languages and as well as running a private practice in London he is also a mental health speaker, columnist and regular contributor to press and media.
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Owens professional credentials in the mental health space are second to none but it’s his personal journey that fascinates me. From growing up in one of the most dangerous parts of Belfast during the peak of the troubles to struggling with his own sexuality in a time and place where it wasn’t tolerated, the adversity Owen has faced growing up has undoubtably played a big part in shaping him into the remarkable human he is today.
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When I started this podcast I was hoping that as well as talking to some incredible people I would be be able to answer some of my own personal questions. Since my accident I have been on a bit of a spiritual journey, some of which makes sense to me and some of which I’m still trying to work out. Well Owen really helped me unravel a few of those questions on a scientific level as well as offering up so much more useful advice.
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We talk about:
Resilience,
Kindness,
Trauma,
Meditation,
How to be happier,
As well as some really funny stories including one about a group of catholic priests and a sunbed. I know, it sounds like the start of a joke but it actually isn’t.
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He’s a great guy and I was really lucky to have him on, enjoy.
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Resources:
Owens website - https://www.owenokane.com/
Owens books - https://newsite.owenokane.com/the-books/
Follow Owen:
Instagram & Twitter - @owenokaneten
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Thank you to our sponsor the Coaching Academy
The Coaching Academy are the world's largest life coach training provider and do an absolutely amazing job, teaching everyday people to make a difference to the lives of others - every day.
So if you've ever thought about helping people achieve their goals, gain greater clarity in their life or help them build confidence and resilience, a full or part time career working from home as a Life Coach may well be for you.
Check out The Coaching Academy’s free webinars, they run every week and can help you find out if Life-Coaching is for you
Find out more at tcacoach.com
Aaron Baker was a professional motocross athlete when he sustained a career ending spinal cord injury. He fractured his cervical vertebrae 4,5,6 rendering him a quadriplegic and was given the prognosis of “one in a million” chance of just being able to feed himself again.
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When it comes to people overcoming the odds, look no further than this man. The fact that he is still alive is a miracle but then you consider what he’s gone on to do since his accident and you would be forgiven for thinking that it’s just all an elaborate story made up to feature on Netflix. Well funnily enough his award winning and very real story ‘Coming to my senses’ is actually on Netflix but he’s been making waves from long before then.
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Aaron and I are actually both ambassadors for Wings For Life who are the charity arm of Red Bull and fund spinal cord injury research. He has been an inspiration to me since my accident so to finally sit down and have this conversation with him was really cool. Aaron not only has a lot of experience with resilience but he’s become a student of mind and body resulting in someone we can all learn a huge amount from. He’s cool, calm and highly insightful…everything I hoped for and so much more.
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We talk about:
Change
Finding peace
Acceptance
Enjoyable pain
& much more.
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Hope you enjoy and as always thank you for listening...
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Resources:
WFL - https://www.wingsforlife.com/en/
Coming to my senses - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ZhAfn1cMw
Arrons website - http://imaaronbaker.com/
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Follow Aaron:
Insta - @imaaronbaker
Twitter - @ImAaronBaker
Thank you to our sponsor the Coaching Academy
The Coaching Academy are the world's largest life coach training provider and do an absolutely amazing job, teaching everyday people to make a difference to the lives of others - every day.
So if you've ever thought about helping people achieve their goals, gain greater clarity in their life or help them build confidence and resilience, a full or part time career working from home as a Life Coach may well be for you.
Check out The Coaching Academy’s free webinars, they run every week and can help you find out if Life-Coaching is for you
Find out more at tcacoach.com
Serena is the England netball co-captain and widely regarded as one of the best team sports athletes in the world. Despite all that she has achieved she remains one of the most humble people you’re ever likely to meet, and as you’ll hear - she’s also straight talking, honest and incredibly wise for her age.
Serena’s approach to life and some of the decisions she’s made along the way probably aren’t typical of someone who has reached the pinnacle of their sport - but that's what makes her so fascinating. She does it her way and it works.
We cover:
Being the underdog
Staying uncomfortable
Keeping balance
Purpose
Perspective
& much more.
Enjoy!
Follow Serena:
Twitter: @serenabob
Insta: @serenabob
Resources:
Buddhism for beginners | Gabriel Shaw
Half of a yellow sun | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Thank you to our sponsor the Coaching Academy
The Coaching Academy are the world's largest life coach training provider and do an absolutely amazing job, teaching everyday people to make a difference to the lives of others - every day.
So if you've ever thought about helping people achieve their goals, gain greater clarity in their life or help them build confidence and resilience, a full or part time career working from home as a Life Coach may well be for you.
Check out The Coaching Academy’s free webinars, they run every week and can help you find out if Life-Coaching is for you
Find out more at tcacoach.com
Jonny Benjamin MBE is an award-winning mental health campaigner, film producer, public speaker, and writer.
At the age of 20 he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar, which lead to a now infamous moment on Waterloo Bridge in 2008.
In 2014 his social media campaign to FindMike, the stranger that saved him from committing suicide went viral and got the whole world talking about mental health. Since then Jonny has become a figurehead in the mental health space, producing and presenting documentaries, writing books, establishing programmes and more recently a charity called Beyond who are committed to making a difference for the mental health of young people up and down the UK.
I was really keen to chat to Jonny not just about his amazing journey but about the ever increasing challenges that modern day living poses on our mental health, not to mention what’s been happening the last year with Corona virus. I’m sure we have all felt the stresses and strains in one way or another and I certainly know people who have struggled quite badly. Jonny helps explain the reasons behind that and what we can all do to help ourselves and others.
Not only that it was fascinating speaking to someone with schizophrenia and bipolar, conditions which still have a lot of stigma around them. Even though Jonny still suffers with them you will tell he’s a completely normal bloke and he’s doing a huge amount in dispelling the stigma just by who he is, and of course helping educate people.
We talk about:
The difference small acts of kindness can make
Suicide
The magnifying affect of big cities
The power of showing vulnerability
Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did, and If you are effected by any of the topics covered in this episode you can find some useful resources below. ✌️
Jonnys handles:
https://jonnybenjamin.co.uk/
Insta: @mrjonnybenjamin
Twitter: @MrJonnyBenjamin
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-stranger-on-the-bridge
Support resources:
https://www.wearehumen.org/
https://www.samaritans.org/
https://giveusashout.org/
Thank you to our sponsor the Coaching Academy
The Coaching Academy are the world's largest life coach training provider and do an absolutely amazing job, teaching everyday people to make a difference to the lives of others - every day.
So if you've ever thought about helping people achieve their goals, gain greater clarity in their life or help them build confidence and resilience, a full or part time career working from home as a Life Coach may well be for you.
Check out The Coaching Academy’s free webinars, they run every week and can help you find out if Life-Coaching is for you
Find out more at tcacoach.com
In terms of resilience you need look no further than this man. I first met David Smith through a computer screen whilst I was in intensive care. I had had no movement or sensation in over a week and to be honest I was starting to give up hope that was until I saw Dave‘s video. Not only is Dave a two times world champion, Paralympic Gold medallist, MBE and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet - he’s all of that in the face of staggering adversity.
Dave is living with an inoperable tumour on his spinal-cord which has grown back to paralyse him not once, not twice - but four separate times. Unimaginable. But here's the amazing thing. Every time he’s knocked back to square one he fights back, not just to independence but to world class levels of sport. Sure, every time he's a little more impaired, a bit more damaged and he has to live with all of the elements that go along with a spinal cord injury - but most of all he has to live with knowing that that tumour could come back and paralyse him again at any moment. I can’t even imagine being in that position but the way he deals with it is nothing short of incredible.
We talk about:
Dark humour
Gratitude
Hope
Science - AI
Facing death & much more.
He’s a great bloke, really intelligent and really insightful - and I now consider myself very lucky to be able to call him a friend. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Walk: Greyfield Wood - Timsbury - Somerset
Handles:
www.davidsmithathlete.com
Insta: @davidsmithmbe
Twitter: @DavidSmithMBE
Link to video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRNRU6OH_go
Thank you to our sponsor the Coaching Academy
The Coaching Academy are the world's largest life coach training provider and do an absolutely amazing job, teaching everyday people to make a difference to the lives of others - every day.
So if you've ever thought about helping people achieve their goals, gain greater clarity in their life or help them build confidence and resilience, a full or part time career working from home as a Life Coach may well be for you.
Check out The Coaching Academy’s free webinars, they run every week and can help you find out if Life-Coaching is for you
Find out more at tcacoach.com
What does series 1 of It's Good To Walk have in store? In 2 minutes and 52 seconds you'll know....