“Knowing the things that don’t matter, gives you an immense amount of freedom to accept the things that do matter”In this episode, I chat with Sarah Sylvester, an author and community charity worker.Sarah used to work in the automotive industry; she created an armour of aggression and a back-breaking work ethic for herself which helped her become revered as an incredibly hard-working, but formidable, leader.Sarah used work, as well as a gruelling exercise regime, to not only distract, but also punish herself for the pain she felt inside. Working at this lightning speed gradually took its toll over the years, until one morning, she had a very public breakdown, to the point where she didn’t want to live anymore.This life-changing event marked the start of a gradual recovery for Sarah, and through many ups and downs, has led her to start a new career in the charity sector and write a book called Miracle Angel Baby (highly recommended!).Sarah has been incredibly brave in shining a light on the issues she faced whilst working – ones that also really resonate with me personally. A big thanks to her for sharing her story.I also hope this conversation helps those who are currently in that negative place right now. There really is another, more balanced, way to lead your life, but you have to make that first step yourself and ask for help. There’s no shame, only bravery, in that action.Other episodes you may like: #27 Conor Stone: My mental health journey #22 Rochelle Gilburn: Finding your why #21 Jordan T. Swift: If your dreams don’t scare you, what are you dreaming about? #9 Paul Ledger: Building a better relationship with our emotions #4 Marion Hart: Our negative experiences don&apos;t define usBuy Sarah’s book:Miracle Angel BabyJoin the Connections Untold community: Instagram Facebook

Connections Untold - the stories behind the faces

#30 Sarah Sylvester: Breakdown to breakthrough

“There’s nothing more joyful than sharing your blessings and helping others become successful"I speak with Dan Regalado, Vice President of Digital Platforms and Enterprise Technology, at Banfield Pet Hospital. Dan grew up in a small rural town of roughly 1,500 people around 500kms from Manilla, Philippines. Both of his parents were government workers, also owning a rice fields as a secondary income and to help their local community.After attending university in Manilla (where his accommodation wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences and he had to survive on $20 per month), Dan fulfilled a lifelong dream to move to the US.Arriving with his wife, a new-born and six bags of luggage, Dan had to work hard to get to where he is today as an accomplished company vice president, managing global teams and huge budgets. We chat about Dan’s journey and touch on how he manages work/life balance through Ironman challenges, as well as why kindness, compassion and diversity should always have a space in the workplace.Dan also places a strong emphasis on staying connected to his roots – never forgetting the small town he grew up in and some of the hardships he faced along the way.I have a huge amount of respect for Dan – having worked with him I can say first-hand just how much of a great leader he is, and listening to his story, I can 100% see why that is.Thanks for sharing your journey Dan!Other episodes you may like:#23 Robert Cleave: Lessons from cycling around the world#22 Rochelle Gilburn: Finding your why#18 Luke Wigman: Injured veteran turned endurance athlete#10 Ryan Romano: Vulnerability and developing your self-identityJoin the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebook

#29 Dan Regalado: Staying connected to your roots

“It’s so important to learn to forgive…we hold on to things so intently and it doesn’t hurt anyone but ourselves.”Tinu has an incredible story to tell. She’s one of 13 children who’s dad was a prince of Lagos in Nigeria, making her a princess. Born with scoliosis, which is a form of curvature of the spine, Tinu needed to be in UK for her treatment – and because she was in and out of hospital for most of her childhood, she moved permanently to North London, where she ended up growing up. As of about the age of 3-4, Tinu didn’t have any contact with her dad – she had tried to reach out to him, but to no avail.Fast-forward to when she was 16, she entered a writing competition at school that the BBC were running, where they wanted students to write about their life story. Tinu won that completion and it saw her flying back to Lagos with a BBC crew, to confront her dad about why he had abandoned her.We talk about what it felt like as a 16-year-old to confront her dad, and the feelings of disappointment and rejection which plagued her earlier in life and after that incident, as well as how she’s found the strength to forgive and move on. Now as a mother of three children, the conversation inevitably goes into themes of parenthood, and those, sometimes hazy, lines between forgiving someone for their actions, and feeling like we’re compromising on our own values. This is a conversation, not just about forgiveness, but about so many other things. It’s about self-belief and self-conviction, it’s about understanding that all of us, regardless of where we come from or the issues we’ve had to overcome, have the right to feel accepted and loved, and to live a life defined by our own rules and not by our pasts.Thank you so much for sharing your story, Tinu – you’re an awesome person and I’m proud to call you my friend.Other episodes you may like:#26 Theshira Pather: Keeping the legends of Africa alive#22 Rochelle Gilburn: Finding your why#17 Lex Morningstar: Introversion, sensitivity and being human#4 Marion Hart: Our negative experiences don&apos;t define usFind out more about Tinu:Tinu’s blogFollow Tinu on InstagramJoin the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebook

#28 Tinu Alikor: Forgiveness is the key to happiness

In this episode, I welcome Connor Stone back to the show (nearly a year to the day after his first appearance) to find out a little more about him and what led him to start his wellbeing blog and podcast, AMentalHealthJourney.com.It’s been awesome to see how things have progressed for him over the year since we spoke. Alongside continuing to run AMentalHealthJourney.com, he’s also set up a new business, Work Mindful, he’s started a new podcast, Mindful Minute, and his social following has grown exponentially (see below for more info).The original conversation we had was very functional as it was more around mental health resilience tips, owning to the world as it was when it was recorded. So it was great to have a more personal and open discussion with Conor about his journey with depression and anxiety, which really came to the forefront after getting a sports-injury. This led him down a path of therapy and a discovery of mindfulness and meditation, and when he found himself in a better place, he started to share his experiences…the rest is history.For me this is a conversation about having the bravery to face our demons and shining a light on past trauma in whatever guise that may be. It’s a conversation about being honest with ourselves, following our curiosity and really showing up every day to make those small incremental changes to grow and learn. I really feel  Conor is the embodiment of this and want to say a big thanks to him for being a guest again on the show and all of the work he does to help other people.Other episodes you may like:#17 Lex Morningstar: Introversion, sensitivity and being human#12 Grace Marshall: We’re all growing and learning together #11 Conor Stone: Looking after your mental health#9 Paul Ledger: Building a better relationship with our emotionsFind out more about Conor:Follow Connor on InstagramA Mental Health Journey website Information about Work Mindful Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebook

#27 Conor Stone: My mental health journey

I sit down with fellow indie podcaster, Theshira Pather, host of Legendary Africa, where she shares myths and legends from the African Continent. Theshira originally set up the show with her sister, Rashalia, but in 2020, Rashalia unfortunately took her own life after battling depression and mental health problems. Originally, Theshira cancelled the show, but through much resolve and to honour her sister’s memory, she made the brave decision to start it again and also use it as a platform to share her sister’s story. This is a conversation about connection, acceptance and bravery. It was really interesting speaking with someone at the very beginning of their career, and I was inspired by Theshira’s thirst for learning and curiosity of the world around her. I’ve called this episode ‘keeping the legends of Africa alive’ because I believe that Rashalia is one of those legends. I have so much respect for Theshira in continuing their podcast; it’s an incredible way of honouring Rashalia’s memory and really is testament to her inner strength. Thank you so much for telling yours and Rashalia’s story, Thershira, it’s an honour to be sharing it. Info about the Legendary Africa podcastListen to the Legendary Africa podcastTheshira’s tribute to Rashalia Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebook Other episodes you may like:#3 Tom and Bowden: Healing after our best friend&apos;s suicide #9 Paul Ledger: Building a better relationship with our emotions#19 Rachel Noall: Courage beyond words

#26 Theshira Pather: Keeping the legends of Africa alive

I chat with entrepreneur and author, Marek Zmysłowski about his Hollywoodesque story of becoming listed on Interpol’s Most Wanted and how he overcame corruption to get himself removed. Marek was born in a post-communist Poland with a real drive and determination to set his own course. His ambition saw him fall into sales, where he ended up making and losing lots of money. However, an opportunity presented itself to start working in Nigeria – and being a natural risk-taker, Marek took a leap of faith.You’ll hear how everything went well for several years – but then things started to go downhill after a disagreement with his business partner, to the point where, as he attempted to board a flight, Polish customs agents put him in custody. He later found out that he&apos;d been placed on Interpol&apos;s Most Wanted and the rest is history.We also dip a little into Marek’s past and find out that he was bullied at school (and how he’s used this to drive his ambition), accusations of white saviourism, alongside how he now connects himself to a wider purpose through the MaYa Foundation, which he founded alongside his partner. I’ve dropped some information about the awesome work the Foundation is doing below, as well as a link to his website where you can get more details about Marek and his book, Chasing Black Unicorns.This is a conversation about standing up for what we believe in, realising and holding onto our personal values, being comfortable taking risks and stepping out of our comfort zones, and also not being afraid to challenge the status quo and live a life that we want to lead – not a life that others expect us to.A big thank you to Marek for sharing his story with us and being so open in the interview!Find out more about Marek:www.ChasingBlackUnicorns.comFind out about the MaYa Foundation:https://marekzmyslowski.com/maya-foundation/Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebookOther episodes you may like:#21 Jordan T. Swift: If your dreams don’t scare you, what are you dreaming about?#6 Sue Fish: Challenging inequality, managing stress and finding fulfilment#4 Marion Hart: Our negative experiences don&apos;t define us#1 Sid Sottung: Addiction, recovery and transformation

#25 Marek Zmysłowski: Overcoming corruption to be removed from Interpol's Most Wanted

In this episode I chat with the amazing Maxi Leigh, founder of an incredible charity called Support for Survivors (S4S). S4S focuses on supporting survivors of child abuse. As many of you will know, this is a cause very close to my heart, and because of that it was both thought-provoking and emotion-stirring, but in all the right ways. Maxi had a really difficult upbringing; suffering from sexual abuse for many years. We talk about how the abuse she suffered resulted in a drug and alcohol dependency from her mid-teens onwards, in particular, drugs became a major part of her life to numb the pain from her past. Alongside this, Maxi suffered from psychosis, suicidal thoughts – as well as anorexia and body dysmorphia. She also suffered from a mental breakdown later in life. Her recovery started when she opened-up to other survivors; finally gaining clarity that she wasn’t alone and that others had been through similar trauma. After many years of recovery, and though her own experiences, Maxi decided to set up S4S eight years ago. It’s a charity that many survivors now depend on nationally in the UK and has resulted in a whole range of awards and accolades not just for the charity, but for Maxi personally as well.  This is a conversation about resilience, the power of community, finding your voice, bravery – and ultimately not letting the pain of our pasts control and define our future.  I want to say a massive thank you to Maxi for this conversation – I felt really privileged to have had it and to now be sharing it with you. DISCLAIMER: This conversation contains themes of child abuse and addiction. If you are affected by these topics, please know that you’re not alone and you don’t need to suffer in silence. Alongside S4S, I’ve listed a few other resources below.Need help?Support for SurvivorsMind – help for those suffering with mental help problemsSamaritans – telephone support for anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicideShout – text support for anyone suffering from a range of issues from anxiety and depression to suicidal thoughtsNHS recommended support servicesJoin the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebookOther episodes you may like:#8 Gemma Boxall: Overcoming my friend’s murder#4 Marion Hart: Our negative experiences don&apos;t define us#1 Sid Sottung: Addiction, recovery and transformation 

#24 Maxi Leigh: Supporting survivors of child abuse

I chat with Robert Cleave about his epic round-the-world 18,000-mile cycle ride he did at the age of 63 (obviously pre-Covid!) I was really excited to speak with Robert because it’s not everyday that you hear about someone retiring and then taking on such a huge physical and psychological feat that would be a challenge for anyone, regardless of their age. We hear about how the plan for his trip was a slow-burning one that he brought into fruition over many years of planning whilst he was still working. There were several set-backs in this process, which, for many people could’ve set them off-course, including the death of his parents, a complete hip replacement, as well as a cycling accident on his way home from work. But through sheer determination and patience of achieving his dream, Robert completed his ride over 18-months. We talk about how he prepared for the trip and also the fine balance of overcoming his fears and taking measured risks, as well as how the trip has impacted him personally and given him a new perspective on life and all of the things he took for granted. The trip wasn’t all for him either – as a result of it, he’s so far raised over £27,000 for charity (see below for details) and was also winner in two categories in the East Midlands Charity Awards. His story shows that we all have the capacity to change, grow and learn, regardless of where we are in our lives. A huge thanks to Robert for sharing his story with us, his incredible fundraising efforts and for bringing inspiration to the world.  Find out more about Robert:https://robertsride18000.com/Charities he supported:Cancer ResearchTraidcraft ExchangeBREAD (Berega Relief Equipment and Development Trust) Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebookOther episodes you may like:#18 Luke Wigman: Injured veteran turned endurance athlete#6 Sue Fish: Challenging inequality, managing stress and finding fulfilment#5 Greg Searle MBE: If not now, when? If not you, who?

#23 Robert Cleave: Lessons from cycling around the world

In this episode I chat with Rochelle Gilburn, a Sheffield-based entrepreneur and property investment business owner. Rochelle’s husband unfortunately passed away suddenly just over two years ago. We talk about the journey she’s been on and the amazing things she’s achieved since – not least setting up a business in a completely new industry, building a huge online community and reconnecting with martial arts, all whilst supporting her two young children. We talk about how Rochelle’s own humble upbringings, where money was a constant issue – to the point where her dad’s house was repossessed, has spurred her into creating an ethical property investment business where she connects investors with people who are at risk of losing everything to ensure both sides get the fairest deal possible. Ultimately though, this is a conversation about resilience, dealing with bereavement in a way that works for you, taking risks and getting out of your comfort zone, connecting to a higher purpose – which in Rochelle’s case is fitness and martial arts – and also realising that we create our own opportunities and often the main thing standing in our way is our own fear.  Bereavement is obviously a really sensitive topic – and I can’t thank Rochelle enough for sharing her journey with us and for the work she does to inspire other people to achieve their goals, regardless of what these are or where we’ve come from. She’s an amazing person and it was a privilege to sit down and chat with her. Find out more about Rochelle:https://sellyourhousesouthyorkshire.com/http://gilburninvestmentgroup.com/Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebookOther episodes you may like:#12 Grace Marshall: We’re all growing and learning together#10 Ryan Romano: Vulnerability and developing your self-identity#7 Brett Turner: If your world isn’t right, change your world#5 Greg Searle MBE: If not now, when? If not you, who?

#22 Rochelle Gilburn: Finding your why

Welcome to series three of the Connections Untold podcast!The first guest for season 3 is Jordan T. Swift, a Kentucky-based poet and author, who shares the journey he’s gone on in publishing his first book of poetry, One Original Thought is Worth 100 Quotes.You’ll hear of how his life as a writer hasn’t really turned out the way he planned it to, but he’s followed his curiosity and gone with his gut feeling as well as his strengths. For Jordan, poetry has always been a way for him to express himself and I love the term he uses when he says that it’s been a ‘therapy of the mind’ and helped him make sense of an often crazy world.It’s a really open and honest conversation about being true to ourselves, showing up, being brave and committing to our dreams. Themes that, at least I know, I always think about this time of year.Big thanks to Jordan for his time and sharing his story with us.P.S. Episode contains swearing.Find out more about Jordan:http://www.jordantswift.com/Instagram: @critical.thoughtBook: One Original Thought is Worth 100 quotesJoin the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebookOther episodes you may like:#19 Rachel Noall: Courage beyond words#17 Lex Morningstar: Introversion, sensitivity and being human#10 Ryan Romano: Vulnerability and developing your self-identity#7 Brett Turner: If your world isn’t right, change your world

#21 Jordan T. Swift: If your dreams don’t scare you, what are you dreaming about?

This is a very special episode. Not only are we at the end of season two, but we’re also at the first year anniversary of the podcast! I don’t know about you, but it feels like the last year has flown by – I’ve been fortunate enough to speak with some truly incredible people, whose stories and inner strength has really inspired me to be the best person I can be. I really hope you’ve got something out of these conversations as well. To mark the occasion, I’m taking the hot seat in this episode and being interviewed by the amazing Sarah Hancock about what my first year podcasting has been like, as well as how my life has changed since releasing episode 0 and opening up about my difficult upbringing.I’d like to say a big thank you to Sarah for being such an awesome host and also imparting her own wisdom into the episode as well; even if you’re not particularly interested in making a big life change like Sarah and her husband did, there’s definitely something about her bravery and sense of adventure that we can all adapt to our own lives.This podcast is all about people sharing their stories and the lessons they’ve learned along the way for the benefit of others. It’s about inspiring others thorough example and letting people know that happiness and having the life you want is accessible to anyone, regardless of who you are or where you came from. Because of this, here&apos;s a big thanks to all of the people I’ve collaborated with in creating the Connections Untold over the last year. And the final thanks goes to you. Whether you’re listening for the first time today or have been with me since the beginning, I honestly can’t express how grateful I am that you’re here on this journey with me. I have no idea where the podcast will be in another year’s time – but knowing that there are people listening and gaining something from these episodes is more than enough to inspire me to continue. I have all the gratitude :-)Season three coming to you later in 2020.Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebook

#20 Ricky Weaver: My first year podcasting (end of S2 special!)

“We really can do good in the world by listening to and learning from others”I caught up with Denver-based poet, educator and all-round creative powerhouse, Rachel Noall, for this episode. What an awesome conversation!We touched on all things creativity, not allowing ourselves to be held back by fear, getting out of our comfort zones and turning our creative ideas into an income. But we also went deep on what it means to be truly happy and live a life defined by your own rules and not the rules of others – something that Rachel has had to learn through experience and trial-and-error.What’s also really obvious with Rachel is just how much she values connection with others, and it was so inspiring to hear of the different ways in which she&apos;s created a community, either through social media or through her magazine; From Whispers to Roars. In creating this community, Rachel ensures different people’s voices are heard, and she&apos;s not afraid to use her influence to give people a platform, the same people who could potentially struggle to get their foot through the door otherwise.It was an honest and refreshing conversation with someone, ultimately, who isn’t afraid to live a little differently and be her true self. Thanks for sharing your story, Rachel! Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebookUseful Info:rrnoall.comFrom Whispers to RoarsTwitter/Instagram @rrnoallOther episodes you may like:#2 Sarah Stephenson-Hunter: Not taking the easy road#7 Brett Turner: If your world isn’t right, change your world#10 Ryan Romano: TED speaker on vulnerability and developing your self-identity#13 Gemma Wilks: Staying positive and creative in lockdown#17 Lex Morningstar: Introversion, sensitivity and being human

#19 Rachel Noall: Courage beyond words

Part 1 of 2 “Don’t be scared to fail at something…the more you do, the more you get out your comfort zone, the stronger you become.”Luke Wigman has an incredible story to tell. Back in 2011 whilst on a routine foot patrol in Afghanistan, he stepped on an IED bomb, which led to the eventual medical discharge from his distinguished career as an RAF Regiment Gunner.Nearly 10 years on, Luke is now a world-class endurance athlete – taking part in global events, such as the Invictus Games and the World Marathon Challenge (7 marathons, 7 continents, 7 days!), all for incredible causes to help other veterans, as he was once helped.One of the things that really stood out for me in this conversation is the opportunities that Luke has really grabbed on to though connection, and though collaborating and meeting other people. In doing so, Luke has created chances and put himself in the way of luck. It goes back to that message that Luke, and many of my other guests on the show have said time and time again, that if you want make positive changes in your lives, you have to be willing to put the time and take the necessary small changes, to get there. So whether it’s thinking about resilience, realising how lucky we are to be alive, asking for (and accepting) help when we need it, getting out of our comfort zones and not being afraid to fail - I hope you get as much out of this conversation as I did. To do full justice to Luke journey, I’ve split the episode into a part one and two, part one details Luke’s career it the military and everything leading up to his accident, eventual rehabilitation and medical discharge from the RAF. Part two, covers off everything he’s done since – including those incredible events he’s taken part in and how he’s become a world-class endurance athlete. Big thanks to Luke for sharing his story with us and for the incredible work he does to support others.Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebookUseful Info:Luke’s websiteLuke’s new challengeOther episodes you may be interested in:#4 Marion Hart: Our negative experiences don&apos;t define us#5 Greg Searle MBE: If not now, when? If not you, who?#7 Brett Turner: If your world isn’t right, change your world#9 Paul Ledger: Building a better relationship with our emotions#10 Ryan Romano: TED speaker on vulnerability and developing your self-identity

#18 (part 1) Luke Wigman: Injured veteran turned endurance athlete

“We’re all equal and we’re all unique…everyone has their own things about them that make them incredibly imperfect. That is, to me, the beauty behind humanity” Lex Morningstar runs an awesome YouTube channel where she shares her experience as an introvert and generally around the human condition.We chat about her experience in setting the channel up many years ago and how this has helped both herself and other people over time. There’s a lot in here about Lex’s own struggles with mental health, adapting to adult life, her ADHD diagnosis and post-partum depression. It’s this type of openness which progress the, slowly moving, tide behind being more open about how we’re feeling and not being afraid to ask for help when we need it. As Lex mentions, it’s often when we face these fears and demons do we truly figure out who we are, what we stand for and become ever more comfortable in our own skin. I love Lex’s mission that she has around helping people feel validated, heard and using her channel as a means to connect with others. As she mentions, for her – giving without expecting to receive anything back is enough in itself – but this can often be juxtaposed against a world which demands tangible outputs and commercial gain. This can often lead to the more ‘less productive’ emotions, like sensitivity, to be overlooked or not taken seriously, without realising how a bit more sensitivity and empathy in the world, especially during current times, could have huge, huge benefits.A big thanks to Lex for her openness and bravery, and for the amazing work she does on her channel – go check it out if you have an interest in any of the above (link below)!Join the Connections Untold community:InstagramFacebookUseful information: Lex’s YouTube channelMyers-Briggs test (this is just a link to one of many tests you can find online...give it a go just for a bit of fun if anything!)Other episodes you may be interested in:#4 Marion Hart: Our negative experiences don&apos;t define us#8 Gemma Boxall: Overcoming my friend’s murder#9 Paul Ledger: Building a better relationship with our emotions#11 Conor Stone: Looking after your mental health#12 Grace Marshall: We’re all growing and learning together 

#17 Lex Morningstar: Introversion, sensitivity and being human

Hello, I'm Ricky Weaver and welcome to the Connections Untold podcast. The premise for this podcast is simple; I talk to amazing people and share their stories. It's my belief that in sharing our stories, we have the power to learn from and be inspired by each other. You'll get to hear about a whole range of topics, from mental health, the highs and lows of running a business, addiction, what it means to be truly happy and much more.

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Connections Untold - the stories behind the faces

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