I am passionate about empowering people and reminding them that getting out of their comfort zone is vital for achieving anything worthwhile.
My relatable talks are based on my debut non-fiction book ‘Life Lessons from Cold Water’. Using cold water as the lens, I look closely at profound themes, values and principles which extend far beyond getting our feet wet. These include vulnerability, loss, discomfort, identity, grit, potential, addiction, curiosity, connection, purpose, and adventure. By weaving together my personal experience of mental health, insightful encounters with inspirational individuals, and counselling theory, I am able to inspire my audience about what it means to live well. My varied portfolio of themes and principles enable me to tailor each talk to meet the specific needs of my clients. I can put myself in the shoes of my audience and identify what would resonate and be useful.
What makes me qualified to talk about these topics?
As a counsellor, I have been trained and encouraged to be congruent with those I work with – that is, displaying honesty and authenticity as a way of helping my audience do the same. There is real lived experience behind the themes I talk about in the form of my own mental health challenges and in the hundreds of hours I have invested in photographing, interviewing, and counselling a diverse range of people. There is also a highly visual element to my talks in the form of photography which makes them particularly engaging and inspiring.
My talks include:
What can cold water teach us about living well?
How adventure is a mindset, not a location.
How can writing facilitate and sustain our wellbeing?