MARK BENNETT
At 50 he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He underwent a radical prostatectomy and vasectomy with the removal of all the tubes. The recovery left him unable to work for quite some time leaving him dept. When he was able to work again he took on an extra job in the early morning (cleaning in a supermarket) to get his dept paid off faster. He worked hard enough to pay off the overdraft and a 2 week holiday (the first in 20 years).
18 months later it was found that he has secondary cancer. The good news is that it's been found early. The bad news is that it's been found too early. The cancer is too small to be found as yet and he must wait at least 5 years before treatment can begin. He now has this uncertainty hanging over him.He refuses to let this get to him. He is worked harder than ever and trying new things. Including deep sea fishing and modeling to put him " in anew and uncomfortable situations as a means of personal growth and of boosting my confidence"
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: My unwillingness to quit. I don't like to quit at anything. If I say I'll get the job done the job will be done no matter what. If I'm asked to clean something unusual I'll figure it out. If I've got an appointment then I will be there, usually early.
HOW HAVE YOU INSPIRED OTHERS?
I show people that cancer is no reason to give up. I've been through prostate cancer and now have secondary cancer. I show people that if you keep a positive mental attitude that being a cancer patient is no reason to give up.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED:I remember a quote I once heard - when the devil whispers you're too week to withstand the storm, shout back I AM THE STORM.
At 50 he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He underwent a radical prostatectomy and vasectomy with the removal of all the tubes. The recovery left him unable to work for quite some time leaving him dept. When he was able to work again he took on an extra job in the early morning (cleaning in a supermarket) to get his dept paid off faster. He worked hard enough to pay off the overdraft and a 2 week holiday (the first in 20 years).
18 months later it was found that he has secondary cancer. The good news is that it's been found early. The bad news is that it's been found too early. The cancer is too small to be found as yet and he must wait at least 5 years before treatment can begin. He now has this uncertainty hanging over him.He refuses to let this get to him. He is worked harder than ever and trying new things. Including deep sea fishing and modeling to put him " in anew and uncomfortable situations as a means of personal growth and of boosting my confidence"
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: My unwillingness to quit. I don't like to quit at anything. If I say I'll get the job done the job will be done no matter what. If I'm asked to clean something unusual I'll figure it out. If I've got an appointment then I will be there, usually early.
HOW HAVE YOU INSPIRED OTHERS?
I show people that cancer is no reason to give up. I've been through prostate cancer and now have secondary cancer. I show people that if you keep a positive mental attitude that being a cancer patient is no reason to give up.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED:I remember a quote I once heard - when the devil whispers you're too week to withstand the storm, shout back I AM THE STORM.
RACHAEL WILLIAMS
Rachael is a full time mum and Author of the children's books, 'The adventures of superhero Dan' This is a disabled friendly book because the pages are not white so that people with eye conditions and dyslexia can read it with comfort, Dan is a superhero with Autism and the series is based on my own journey with my amazing children who happen to have Autism.
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
I genuinely feel undeserving and almost that I haven't done anything out of the norm that could be classed as an attribute, so i ask people who agreed with this nomination and this is what they had to say.
Last year my husband was away with work for 1 whole year as he is in the army, Ideveloped a phobia of going to sleep because i was scared if I died no one would find me because my children cannot speak due to their autism. Despite this, I still found the strength to be an amazing mother to my children and still found time to take time out of my busy day to help people and families who where struggling to find help for their own children who have Autism, not ever giving myself enough credit because its in my nature I've help people more than Irealise. Lifting them up and helping them get through some of the hardest days if it wasn't for me and my own experiences they wouldn't be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This made me cry because i don't feel like thats anything out of the norm, i just want to leave this world a little better than i left it knowing that when the day comes when i am not here that my children are living in a world where people are understanding of their disabilites.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE INSPIRED OTHERS
I have opened a sensory shop providing items that i used with my own childrens inverention, writing blogs on how i use them so people can gain idea to help their own children. I go to special needs schools creating writing workshops and have inspired young children and adults with autism to become a writer, giving hope to all that feel lost because if we don't have hope what do we have?
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOU FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
I am blessed to have my children and husband, oncce upon a time I operated out of fear and what life if that for anyone? Now I act on love! Everything I do is because I love my family and I love to be able to 'help' knowing i have made a difference to someones day or life even if its a message to say 'i am thinking of you today, it maybe hard but you will get through it'.
Rachael is a full time mum and Author of the children's books, 'The adventures of superhero Dan' This is a disabled friendly book because the pages are not white so that people with eye conditions and dyslexia can read it with comfort, Dan is a superhero with Autism and the series is based on my own journey with my amazing children who happen to have Autism.
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
I genuinely feel undeserving and almost that I haven't done anything out of the norm that could be classed as an attribute, so i ask people who agreed with this nomination and this is what they had to say.
Last year my husband was away with work for 1 whole year as he is in the army, Ideveloped a phobia of going to sleep because i was scared if I died no one would find me because my children cannot speak due to their autism. Despite this, I still found the strength to be an amazing mother to my children and still found time to take time out of my busy day to help people and families who where struggling to find help for their own children who have Autism, not ever giving myself enough credit because its in my nature I've help people more than Irealise. Lifting them up and helping them get through some of the hardest days if it wasn't for me and my own experiences they wouldn't be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This made me cry because i don't feel like thats anything out of the norm, i just want to leave this world a little better than i left it knowing that when the day comes when i am not here that my children are living in a world where people are understanding of their disabilites.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE INSPIRED OTHERS
I have opened a sensory shop providing items that i used with my own childrens inverention, writing blogs on how i use them so people can gain idea to help their own children. I go to special needs schools creating writing workshops and have inspired young children and adults with autism to become a writer, giving hope to all that feel lost because if we don't have hope what do we have?
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOU FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
I am blessed to have my children and husband, oncce upon a time I operated out of fear and what life if that for anyone? Now I act on love! Everything I do is because I love my family and I love to be able to 'help' knowing i have made a difference to someones day or life even if its a message to say 'i am thinking of you today, it maybe hard but you will get through it'.
WILL KILDARE, owner of the Star Swimming Academy
I have taught hundreds of people to swim and given them confidence in the water.
There are many achievements to date, but it would be very unfair not to mention being married to Claire, she is my rock, soul mate and supports me in everything I do and then there is my beautiful daughter Heidi, together they motivate and inspire me to do my utmost best! I am also very proud to have a team of fantastic and inspiring individuals that has made the Star Swimming Academy what it is today, the best Learn to Swim School in Merseyside. In a highly competitive area like a learn to swim school you need the best people around you and I can honestly say I have them, most of the team I have been with me since I started the Academy in 2005 and collectively they have created an environment for children and adults to learn to swim in a fun, safe way and progress in life with confidence. Additionally, I’m extremely proud to remain friends with all our swimmers past and present and we have many ex-students who now work within our academy, so we have taught the children to swim, given them a career and now they are teaching the next generation of students
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE?
Being a caring and calm person especially in the pool with children, more so when they have a fear of water! You need to promote and channel these attributes so that the children can become confident and enjoy the water around them first. Furthermore, I am a massive believer in making swimming lessons fun and incorporate a lot of play elements in the swimming session for children and do it in a way that children do not know they are learning. I also like to build a friendship with our adult learners, where we can have a laugh and for the lesson to be fun and relaxed.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE INSPIRED OTHERS
I have created a philosophy to bring value to our students, partners and community work. Bring energy and passion to the work we do. Be professional but fun and a little crazy; and whatever you do, do it well! Always promote and provide Child Protection and finally, have the highest integrity in all that we do. I run a business, but it’s not all about the money as what we teach children and adults is not just a leisure activity, it a way of life and one that can save lives or save their own life. When you think about it, we are born in water, we drink water, we wash in water, water is all around us but sadly water can be life threatening! So, knowing that a person can be confident in water, be aware of the risks of the water around them and have the skills to stay safe in water is inspirational in itself, especially for my team of instructors!
HOW DO YOU FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
Firstly, teaching the children and the adults under my tutelage, helps me keep focused under pressure and then if the pressure gets too much, I know that I can come home and fall into my wife’s arm, get a lovely cuddle of my daughter, that tends to relieve the pressure!
I have taught hundreds of people to swim and given them confidence in the water.
There are many achievements to date, but it would be very unfair not to mention being married to Claire, she is my rock, soul mate and supports me in everything I do and then there is my beautiful daughter Heidi, together they motivate and inspire me to do my utmost best! I am also very proud to have a team of fantastic and inspiring individuals that has made the Star Swimming Academy what it is today, the best Learn to Swim School in Merseyside. In a highly competitive area like a learn to swim school you need the best people around you and I can honestly say I have them, most of the team I have been with me since I started the Academy in 2005 and collectively they have created an environment for children and adults to learn to swim in a fun, safe way and progress in life with confidence. Additionally, I’m extremely proud to remain friends with all our swimmers past and present and we have many ex-students who now work within our academy, so we have taught the children to swim, given them a career and now they are teaching the next generation of students
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE?
Being a caring and calm person especially in the pool with children, more so when they have a fear of water! You need to promote and channel these attributes so that the children can become confident and enjoy the water around them first. Furthermore, I am a massive believer in making swimming lessons fun and incorporate a lot of play elements in the swimming session for children and do it in a way that children do not know they are learning. I also like to build a friendship with our adult learners, where we can have a laugh and for the lesson to be fun and relaxed.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE INSPIRED OTHERS
I have created a philosophy to bring value to our students, partners and community work. Bring energy and passion to the work we do. Be professional but fun and a little crazy; and whatever you do, do it well! Always promote and provide Child Protection and finally, have the highest integrity in all that we do. I run a business, but it’s not all about the money as what we teach children and adults is not just a leisure activity, it a way of life and one that can save lives or save their own life. When you think about it, we are born in water, we drink water, we wash in water, water is all around us but sadly water can be life threatening! So, knowing that a person can be confident in water, be aware of the risks of the water around them and have the skills to stay safe in water is inspirational in itself, especially for my team of instructors!
HOW DO YOU FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
Firstly, teaching the children and the adults under my tutelage, helps me keep focused under pressure and then if the pressure gets too much, I know that I can come home and fall into my wife’s arm, get a lovely cuddle of my daughter, that tends to relieve the pressure!
KATE NORMAN
Kate is the owner of The Goddess Emporium which is an advocate for ethical beauty. Her salon is the only fully vegan & cruelty free salon in Merseyside. Not only is she passionate about ethical beauty but promotes an eco friendly approach to everything used in the salon. Kate works closely with the red box project helping eradicate period poverty in local schools and regularly raises awareness for mental health in the local community sponsoring sobs (survivors of bereavement through suicide) and raising money for calm mental health charity. Her work is selfless and inspiring and I couldn’t think of anyone else that deserves it more. She has changed my life with her postive vibe approach in everything that she does. She has been described as "An absolute earth angel."
Kate is the owner of The Goddess Emporium which is an advocate for ethical beauty. Her salon is the only fully vegan & cruelty free salon in Merseyside. Not only is she passionate about ethical beauty but promotes an eco friendly approach to everything used in the salon. Kate works closely with the red box project helping eradicate period poverty in local schools and regularly raises awareness for mental health in the local community sponsoring sobs (survivors of bereavement through suicide) and raising money for calm mental health charity. Her work is selfless and inspiring and I couldn’t think of anyone else that deserves it more. She has changed my life with her postive vibe approach in everything that she does. She has been described as "An absolute earth angel."
JENNIE MCGOWAN
She is a personal trainer, fitness Instructor, spiritualist and single mum of two beautiful girls.
Four years ago she was a very different person mentally and physically, stuck in a very toxic marriage, a dead end job, with no confidence.. She was anti social wouldn't speak to anybody without feeling like she was been judged. She was isolated and struggled to make friends.
Then something in her changed. She had enough and wanted to change.Firstly she left her marriage of 15 years. She has been with her husband since she was 17 and always been financially dependent on him.
The first year was very bad emotionally, she sunk into a deep depression. Then once again she told herself; "enough. I can do this."
Jennie always loved dance and was in college studying it until the age of 18 but her life went down a different path. She found a' ZUMBA class she loved.
"I started the class standing at the back, would not speak to anybody. For weeks and weeks but eventually I'd been going regularly and the instructor was so friendly and she noticed my talent and had me dancing up in the front of the class with her! My confidence was growing and I was losing weight and get fitter too!!"
Jennie was addicted! She started a small job teaching children fitness in varies nursery schools across Liverpool and then started teaching zumba to the very class she used to stand at the back of the class in. My instructor had left and handed over her classes to me.
She then helped me gain my personal training qualification which lead me on to teach other concepts such as clubbercise, aquafit , metafit, as well as personal training clients.
Jennie tried to launch her business in 2015 but failed, Determined not to give up, she went into employment into the gyms never giving up on her dream
Now she is a successful independent instructor and PT. SheLauching classes in the community, expanding my concepts again teaching to varies groups of people such as children, adults with additional needs and over 50s.most recently getting ready to launch jenergy fitness.
She says, "I absolutely love my job..I never see it as work. I want to help people from all walks of life, no judgement just love and hopefully give them the confidence to live a happier and healthy life 😊
My greatest attribute is my grit and determination to not give up
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: I came into this Industry to help woman feel strong confident and to believe in themselves as I have.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED?: I always look at how far I have come, the people I am helping. I meditate alot, read self help books, listen to motivational speakers. Stay away from negativity.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED:Always know my WHY to help women become the bestest versions to truly love themsleves from the inside out. "
She is a personal trainer, fitness Instructor, spiritualist and single mum of two beautiful girls.
Four years ago she was a very different person mentally and physically, stuck in a very toxic marriage, a dead end job, with no confidence.. She was anti social wouldn't speak to anybody without feeling like she was been judged. She was isolated and struggled to make friends.
Then something in her changed. She had enough and wanted to change.Firstly she left her marriage of 15 years. She has been with her husband since she was 17 and always been financially dependent on him.
The first year was very bad emotionally, she sunk into a deep depression. Then once again she told herself; "enough. I can do this."
Jennie always loved dance and was in college studying it until the age of 18 but her life went down a different path. She found a' ZUMBA class she loved.
"I started the class standing at the back, would not speak to anybody. For weeks and weeks but eventually I'd been going regularly and the instructor was so friendly and she noticed my talent and had me dancing up in the front of the class with her! My confidence was growing and I was losing weight and get fitter too!!"
Jennie was addicted! She started a small job teaching children fitness in varies nursery schools across Liverpool and then started teaching zumba to the very class she used to stand at the back of the class in. My instructor had left and handed over her classes to me.
She then helped me gain my personal training qualification which lead me on to teach other concepts such as clubbercise, aquafit , metafit, as well as personal training clients.
Jennie tried to launch her business in 2015 but failed, Determined not to give up, she went into employment into the gyms never giving up on her dream
Now she is a successful independent instructor and PT. SheLauching classes in the community, expanding my concepts again teaching to varies groups of people such as children, adults with additional needs and over 50s.most recently getting ready to launch jenergy fitness.
She says, "I absolutely love my job..I never see it as work. I want to help people from all walks of life, no judgement just love and hopefully give them the confidence to live a happier and healthy life 😊
My greatest attribute is my grit and determination to not give up
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: I came into this Industry to help woman feel strong confident and to believe in themselves as I have.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED?: I always look at how far I have come, the people I am helping. I meditate alot, read self help books, listen to motivational speakers. Stay away from negativity.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED:Always know my WHY to help women become the bestest versions to truly love themsleves from the inside out. "
CLAIRE SIMMO, Radio & TV presenter, event host
The last 6 years have certainly been trying. In the space of 6 months I lost my job, marriage, home, had to declare myself bankrupt and come to the realisation that I was to raise 2 children single handedly . At no point did I let this defeat me .. I never took a day off work or discussed it with anyone .. it was only when I posted 12 months after it happened about how I couldn’t believe in the space of a year how things had changed that people even knew anything had happened. Behind the glamorous photographs of events and perfect family life it is a different story sometimes. My mum has pulmonary fibrosis and I had to move in with her and the kids almost 3 years ago for what we thought would Be a short term Until she recovered but we now know this is incurable. Since her infection in October she now needs oxygen 24 hours a day and the only time she leaves the house is via ambulance to go the hospital . Financially it is crippling trying to bring up 2 teenage children with very little help from their father meaning some days I can work 20 hour days sometimes surviving on 3 hours sleep and often sleeping downstairs on the settee when mum has a bad day and is scared to be on her own with trouble breathing. I have my phone on 24 hours a day should she need anything during the evening . However I spent most of my life in hospital with major surgery on my hips up until th age of 8 and my parents fought to have me at home which is why now I will make sure I can do anything to make mums life more enjoyable . It makes me sad to think that mum who used to come to everything with me being by far the most glamorous person in any room Can no longer come out . There’s a terrible amount of guilt involved leaving the house and my Brother Pete is amazing without Him I couldn’t do anything ! Yo Juggle getting up at 4.30 every morning and 3 trips a week from Ainsdale to holly lodge for my Daughter Melodie dancing , plus football with my son Michael and often working in the evening hosting events is not always easy but I like to think that anything is possible and it’s almost a daily Challenge .. but I remain positive as long as I know the people around me are as happy as they can be !,
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: I treat people like I expect to be treated myself! I try and make time for everyone I possibly can and I think to take a moment to call or text or stop and chat to someone can often mean more than you know
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE PEOPLE?I have a good work ethic and always try and see the positive in any situation. I never post about negative issues on social media and always try so hard to focus on the good in everything .. .often accused of living in a Disney world .. but it’s a world I’d rather be in.
The last 6 years have certainly been trying. In the space of 6 months I lost my job, marriage, home, had to declare myself bankrupt and come to the realisation that I was to raise 2 children single handedly . At no point did I let this defeat me .. I never took a day off work or discussed it with anyone .. it was only when I posted 12 months after it happened about how I couldn’t believe in the space of a year how things had changed that people even knew anything had happened. Behind the glamorous photographs of events and perfect family life it is a different story sometimes. My mum has pulmonary fibrosis and I had to move in with her and the kids almost 3 years ago for what we thought would Be a short term Until she recovered but we now know this is incurable. Since her infection in October she now needs oxygen 24 hours a day and the only time she leaves the house is via ambulance to go the hospital . Financially it is crippling trying to bring up 2 teenage children with very little help from their father meaning some days I can work 20 hour days sometimes surviving on 3 hours sleep and often sleeping downstairs on the settee when mum has a bad day and is scared to be on her own with trouble breathing. I have my phone on 24 hours a day should she need anything during the evening . However I spent most of my life in hospital with major surgery on my hips up until th age of 8 and my parents fought to have me at home which is why now I will make sure I can do anything to make mums life more enjoyable . It makes me sad to think that mum who used to come to everything with me being by far the most glamorous person in any room Can no longer come out . There’s a terrible amount of guilt involved leaving the house and my Brother Pete is amazing without Him I couldn’t do anything ! Yo Juggle getting up at 4.30 every morning and 3 trips a week from Ainsdale to holly lodge for my Daughter Melodie dancing , plus football with my son Michael and often working in the evening hosting events is not always easy but I like to think that anything is possible and it’s almost a daily Challenge .. but I remain positive as long as I know the people around me are as happy as they can be !,
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: I treat people like I expect to be treated myself! I try and make time for everyone I possibly can and I think to take a moment to call or text or stop and chat to someone can often mean more than you know
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE PEOPLE?I have a good work ethic and always try and see the positive in any situation. I never post about negative issues on social media and always try so hard to focus on the good in everything .. .often accused of living in a Disney world .. but it’s a world I’d rather be in.
RACH LOVE, Entrepreneur
I started my business up just over 4 years ago. After having some serious health issues and many operations. I knew after my last major operation that I would struggle to go back to my full time job which was working in a behaviour unit for primary school children. I always loved scented wax and one day I decided to have a little play around and made up my first wax melt. I gave them to friends to try and they encouraged me to start selling them, so I set myself up a facebook group and started to sell them, they orders started coming in much quicker than I could have imagined and Within 12 weeks of selling my first scented wax melt I was able to give up my job. Every year I put more and more into my business, working long hours and making the best products around. I built up my customer base and they kept on coming back. My customers always say how I’ve made their lives so much happier and that my wax helps them so much as it makes them feel so good when they melt it.
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE?
I have so much passion for what I do and I believe in myself too. I know I connect so well with my customers and followers and this makes a huge difference as everyone see’s the real me.
HOW HAVE YOU INSPIRED OTHERS? By showing others that anything is possible. If you have a dream and put your mind to it you can achieve anything. I had so many jobs growing up and it was only in my 40’s that I made a chance and became a successful business woman. If I can do it anyone can.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE? work daily on my mindset. It’s one of the most important things that I say to everyone is that if your mindsets on point then you can deal with anything. I’ve learnt how to use the tools my mindset coach provides and every day I use these. It means you can deal with any obstacles that may come in your way so much better.
I started my business up just over 4 years ago. After having some serious health issues and many operations. I knew after my last major operation that I would struggle to go back to my full time job which was working in a behaviour unit for primary school children. I always loved scented wax and one day I decided to have a little play around and made up my first wax melt. I gave them to friends to try and they encouraged me to start selling them, so I set myself up a facebook group and started to sell them, they orders started coming in much quicker than I could have imagined and Within 12 weeks of selling my first scented wax melt I was able to give up my job. Every year I put more and more into my business, working long hours and making the best products around. I built up my customer base and they kept on coming back. My customers always say how I’ve made their lives so much happier and that my wax helps them so much as it makes them feel so good when they melt it.
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE?
I have so much passion for what I do and I believe in myself too. I know I connect so well with my customers and followers and this makes a huge difference as everyone see’s the real me.
HOW HAVE YOU INSPIRED OTHERS? By showing others that anything is possible. If you have a dream and put your mind to it you can achieve anything. I had so many jobs growing up and it was only in my 40’s that I made a chance and became a successful business woman. If I can do it anyone can.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE? work daily on my mindset. It’s one of the most important things that I say to everyone is that if your mindsets on point then you can deal with anything. I’ve learnt how to use the tools my mindset coach provides and every day I use these. It means you can deal with any obstacles that may come in your way so much better.
TORRON-LEE DEWAR, Founder of the ADU charity and author
The ADU Charity specialise in targeting knife crime, ASB, self harming and depression through early intervention services in the arts. Since establishing, we have engaged with 1000's of people from a multitude of backgrounds and ages. ADU is a charity that prides itself of being unique and striving to transform lives is one of our key values.
The founder Torron-Lee Dewar BCAa has projected expressive innovation through his artistry both nationally and internationally. Recently written, "Creativity is Everything" is Torron-Lee's new book which focuses on psychological wellbeing based on real life experiences in becoming open minded to deflect the chaos of modern day society whilst converting negativity into meaningful, fearless energy. These passages were developed in the hope of motivating others to take control of their lives regardless of current circumstances.
At a time where knife crime is at an all time high in our city, we truly understand the importance of being consistent. Nothing ever happens overnight which is why we push to give 110% at all times. Despite facing various setbacks throughout the years whether it be financially, resourcefully or other, we always turn up rain or shine to open the doors to those who rely on our services... those who depend on artistic, motivational energy to get them through. Ultimately, we strive to build more good role models to outweigh the current bad ones by transforming the anti-social / negative mindsets held by individuals.
The ADU Charity specialise in targeting knife crime, ASB, self harming and depression through early intervention services in the arts. Since establishing, we have engaged with 1000's of people from a multitude of backgrounds and ages. ADU is a charity that prides itself of being unique and striving to transform lives is one of our key values.
The founder Torron-Lee Dewar BCAa has projected expressive innovation through his artistry both nationally and internationally. Recently written, "Creativity is Everything" is Torron-Lee's new book which focuses on psychological wellbeing based on real life experiences in becoming open minded to deflect the chaos of modern day society whilst converting negativity into meaningful, fearless energy. These passages were developed in the hope of motivating others to take control of their lives regardless of current circumstances.
At a time where knife crime is at an all time high in our city, we truly understand the importance of being consistent. Nothing ever happens overnight which is why we push to give 110% at all times. Despite facing various setbacks throughout the years whether it be financially, resourcefully or other, we always turn up rain or shine to open the doors to those who rely on our services... those who depend on artistic, motivational energy to get them through. Ultimately, we strive to build more good role models to outweigh the current bad ones by transforming the anti-social / negative mindsets held by individuals.
JENNIFER FLETCHER, made up artist
From my early teams I suffered with depression and anxiety. My best friend was killed in a hit and run which I witnessed at 16 and this took along time for me to move forward from and at 18 i tryed to take my life twice.
I found help in the Princess Trust at this time and this helped me to find my focus again and so I then went to college. During this time I fell in to a relationship, I miscarried twice and then lost another baby which ment I couldnt then have children. I then sunk into a further depression and didn't leave the house for almost 3 years.
Until I got help from an amazing counsellor, I then found other focuses and wanted to use all my experience to help others that had been through similar. So I decided to train as a counsellor myself
After six years counselling in many fields I left this to do other things I love, so i became an MUA which I have a great passion for and now work in bridal. During this time I went into another relationship this was toxic and violent and I went right back to we're I started becoming depressed. At this time I also developed ME, this ment I had to give up work and I felt like I had nothing to live for again
I didn't want to give up so I left the relationship and I went back for counselling myself and I built myself up again. 3 years on I I have learnt to manage my ME and I work at my pace, I have goals, I change the way I think to mange my depression. I use meditation to relax my body so I am not in pain, I have just also started tia chi which I love and I have a partner that supports me.
I just want this nomination to show that when at rock bottom, you can still have dreams and goals but you may have to get their a different way and adapt for you. I don't want what I have experience to be a negative but somthing that I use as my strength, it's helped others. So to me it was all worth it.
I now look forward to so much and carnt believe some of the things I am getting to do. I have built my business up and I am now looking at teaching others to become makeup artists.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE? My strength and sheer determination not to give up on my goals.
HOW DO YOU INPIRE OTHERS?
By doing what I do I hope I show people that I can recover from the worst of events and that their happiness anything they want is achievable with the right help, and that asking for help is OK.
how do you stay focused? I use all my holistic therapies and my relaxation to ground me and then I have a clear mind to get the job done. I don't over load myself, and I do what's manageable for me.
From my early teams I suffered with depression and anxiety. My best friend was killed in a hit and run which I witnessed at 16 and this took along time for me to move forward from and at 18 i tryed to take my life twice.
I found help in the Princess Trust at this time and this helped me to find my focus again and so I then went to college. During this time I fell in to a relationship, I miscarried twice and then lost another baby which ment I couldnt then have children. I then sunk into a further depression and didn't leave the house for almost 3 years.
Until I got help from an amazing counsellor, I then found other focuses and wanted to use all my experience to help others that had been through similar. So I decided to train as a counsellor myself
After six years counselling in many fields I left this to do other things I love, so i became an MUA which I have a great passion for and now work in bridal. During this time I went into another relationship this was toxic and violent and I went right back to we're I started becoming depressed. At this time I also developed ME, this ment I had to give up work and I felt like I had nothing to live for again
I didn't want to give up so I left the relationship and I went back for counselling myself and I built myself up again. 3 years on I I have learnt to manage my ME and I work at my pace, I have goals, I change the way I think to mange my depression. I use meditation to relax my body so I am not in pain, I have just also started tia chi which I love and I have a partner that supports me.
I just want this nomination to show that when at rock bottom, you can still have dreams and goals but you may have to get their a different way and adapt for you. I don't want what I have experience to be a negative but somthing that I use as my strength, it's helped others. So to me it was all worth it.
I now look forward to so much and carnt believe some of the things I am getting to do. I have built my business up and I am now looking at teaching others to become makeup artists.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE? My strength and sheer determination not to give up on my goals.
HOW DO YOU INPIRE OTHERS?
By doing what I do I hope I show people that I can recover from the worst of events and that their happiness anything they want is achievable with the right help, and that asking for help is OK.
how do you stay focused? I use all my holistic therapies and my relaxation to ground me and then I have a clear mind to get the job done. I don't over load myself, and I do what's manageable for me.
CHRISTINE COOPER SMITH, Rehabilitation Co-Therapist (Brain Injuries).
I have worked for the NHS for 35 years , I am also mum of 4.. My youngest son was recently voted Young Sportsman of the Year by the Liverpool Echo, he is a champion swimmer along with his sister and is only 15 years old. He needs to train 6 days week and most mornings I have to get up at 4.30am to be at the pool for 5am for training around before school and work.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE?: Time management plus Integrity & honesty .
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS? I Work in partnership with my husband. I encourage individuals to believe in themselves, regardless of age, gender or culture. I encourage individuals to believe they are No.1.... I let individuals know that a mistake is NOT a failure - it's a stepping stone to becoming greater. I always ensure to be there regardless of other commitments, time or weather. When being a marshall at swimming competitions, I always give swimmers a hug and encourage them to relax, do the best they can and just enjoy themselves. Encourage swimmers that their hard training and listening to their coaches, continues to develop the talent that God has given them.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE? By believing and knowing that my family support me - regardless. Knowing that what I want to achieve can be achieved - regardless of any hurdles. Knowing that tomorrow is another day. Circumstances and situations will prepare me for greater achievements. Knowing that as a role model, I am here for a reason - not just by chance. Oprah's quote: "doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment."
I have worked for the NHS for 35 years , I am also mum of 4.. My youngest son was recently voted Young Sportsman of the Year by the Liverpool Echo, he is a champion swimmer along with his sister and is only 15 years old. He needs to train 6 days week and most mornings I have to get up at 4.30am to be at the pool for 5am for training around before school and work.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE?: Time management plus Integrity & honesty .
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS? I Work in partnership with my husband. I encourage individuals to believe in themselves, regardless of age, gender or culture. I encourage individuals to believe they are No.1.... I let individuals know that a mistake is NOT a failure - it's a stepping stone to becoming greater. I always ensure to be there regardless of other commitments, time or weather. When being a marshall at swimming competitions, I always give swimmers a hug and encourage them to relax, do the best they can and just enjoy themselves. Encourage swimmers that their hard training and listening to their coaches, continues to develop the talent that God has given them.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE? By believing and knowing that my family support me - regardless. Knowing that what I want to achieve can be achieved - regardless of any hurdles. Knowing that tomorrow is another day. Circumstances and situations will prepare me for greater achievements. Knowing that as a role model, I am here for a reason - not just by chance. Oprah's quote: "doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment."
NATALIE WHITE, master baker
I trained as a Master Baker and trained Chef. I met Terry 13 years ago on a dating site. We both knew that we were meant for each other and moved down to London 2 months after we met. Terry helped me get help with my mental health condition. We married in June 2007. Then in July 2011.I was granted life saving weight loss surgery as I became morbidly obese due to my ongoing mental health condition. I lost over 20 stone and was able to enjoy life again. By going out walking and eventually cycling which I enjoyed a great deal.
Unfortunately about 3 years ago I had a cycling accident which over a period of 6-9 months got progressively worse. After consultation with a Spinal Consultant I was told that I had a severe curvature of my spine which is inoperable. I still get out daily for a walk with Terry but I am no longer able to cycle.
MY GREATEST ATTRIBUTE:
I don’t let my physical and mental conditions get in the way of my daily life.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS? I don’t really know . All I can say is that I always speak the truth and will always listen to others that may have the same problems as me and offer what advice I can.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED? When I feel under pressure I get by with help of my husband Terry. Without him I’m not sure how I would be able to focus day by day. We are a team.
I trained as a Master Baker and trained Chef. I met Terry 13 years ago on a dating site. We both knew that we were meant for each other and moved down to London 2 months after we met. Terry helped me get help with my mental health condition. We married in June 2007. Then in July 2011.I was granted life saving weight loss surgery as I became morbidly obese due to my ongoing mental health condition. I lost over 20 stone and was able to enjoy life again. By going out walking and eventually cycling which I enjoyed a great deal.
Unfortunately about 3 years ago I had a cycling accident which over a period of 6-9 months got progressively worse. After consultation with a Spinal Consultant I was told that I had a severe curvature of my spine which is inoperable. I still get out daily for a walk with Terry but I am no longer able to cycle.
MY GREATEST ATTRIBUTE:
I don’t let my physical and mental conditions get in the way of my daily life.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS? I don’t really know . All I can say is that I always speak the truth and will always listen to others that may have the same problems as me and offer what advice I can.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED? When I feel under pressure I get by with help of my husband Terry. Without him I’m not sure how I would be able to focus day by day. We are a team.
SAMIRAH AL-RUBAI, 31,actress and model who struggled with life when her mum died when she was 19 years old but found inner peace ad happiness through her strength
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE? My mother's knowledge.... I was given the opportunity to know myself also to believe in myself but mainly to know my self worth. I feel her teaching me this created a lot of strength in me for myself . I've had this system in me that has kept me together and encouraged me to carry on regardless of any doubts or hurdles. Somehow my mother convinced me that i was enough and it wasn't with just words it was from who she truly was how she shared her life with the upbringing of mine to encourage me to know myself enough to be responsible for my happiness which meant i could sit content with myself knowing who i am and not search or expect it from other's as it's no one's responsibility to make me feel a certain way it's inevitably down to me. My mother allowed me to think freely without judgement but would listen to my questions or even challenge me by asking me to go away and think about why or what something meant to me. To then come back and reflect and liaise with her truly fulfilled me in my character as a person growing up in this world. It was most inspiring because of how she came from a bad upbringing dragged up and abused neglected and beaten... all of what she eventually opened upto to me and shared with me where powerful moments of transference between mother and daughter and my heart learnt her pain but was creating my inner strength which is truly why i believe i am as powerful with transferring my insights or self belief on other's because i can only go there if it's real or true which means something to me so if i see it in another i will get them to see believe and feel it too. I was seriously so lucky to have a mum who kept it real and inspired me as she was a unique example of behaviour
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS
This is my underlining mission in life my most greatest feelings are moments when I've been there for a friend in big pinnacle moments in their life where it's at braking point is usually when one comes or turns to me i empower the people that are the least likely to have the strength self belief or confidence in doing something big that needs or can be done by them doing something. If i love you and know you i will do my all to inspire you to be the real you as that is who i believe in and i know can do anything i am lucky to say I've transferred this advice by being able to truly see people and speak the truth..
WHAT KEEPS YOU FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE? i channel myself to my inner self my gut my real self and ask what do i really want ...then with some nerves and some adrenaline i say exactly what i feel ...then i always hope for the best as i never expect anything .....or i play a particular song to set my mood or txt the perfect friend in that moment...or i just look up or sometimes eyes closed head down and in my head i go please mum give me a break i need this or i really want this to go well.... i guess i am in my own way asking for her luck guidance magic anything mum empowered is a mindset of thinking in a focused manner.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE? My mother's knowledge.... I was given the opportunity to know myself also to believe in myself but mainly to know my self worth. I feel her teaching me this created a lot of strength in me for myself . I've had this system in me that has kept me together and encouraged me to carry on regardless of any doubts or hurdles. Somehow my mother convinced me that i was enough and it wasn't with just words it was from who she truly was how she shared her life with the upbringing of mine to encourage me to know myself enough to be responsible for my happiness which meant i could sit content with myself knowing who i am and not search or expect it from other's as it's no one's responsibility to make me feel a certain way it's inevitably down to me. My mother allowed me to think freely without judgement but would listen to my questions or even challenge me by asking me to go away and think about why or what something meant to me. To then come back and reflect and liaise with her truly fulfilled me in my character as a person growing up in this world. It was most inspiring because of how she came from a bad upbringing dragged up and abused neglected and beaten... all of what she eventually opened upto to me and shared with me where powerful moments of transference between mother and daughter and my heart learnt her pain but was creating my inner strength which is truly why i believe i am as powerful with transferring my insights or self belief on other's because i can only go there if it's real or true which means something to me so if i see it in another i will get them to see believe and feel it too. I was seriously so lucky to have a mum who kept it real and inspired me as she was a unique example of behaviour
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS
This is my underlining mission in life my most greatest feelings are moments when I've been there for a friend in big pinnacle moments in their life where it's at braking point is usually when one comes or turns to me i empower the people that are the least likely to have the strength self belief or confidence in doing something big that needs or can be done by them doing something. If i love you and know you i will do my all to inspire you to be the real you as that is who i believe in and i know can do anything i am lucky to say I've transferred this advice by being able to truly see people and speak the truth..
WHAT KEEPS YOU FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE? i channel myself to my inner self my gut my real self and ask what do i really want ...then with some nerves and some adrenaline i say exactly what i feel ...then i always hope for the best as i never expect anything .....or i play a particular song to set my mood or txt the perfect friend in that moment...or i just look up or sometimes eyes closed head down and in my head i go please mum give me a break i need this or i really want this to go well.... i guess i am in my own way asking for her luck guidance magic anything mum empowered is a mindset of thinking in a focused manner.
ASHLEY GREGGANS, 27 owner of Elegance Aesthetics and Pin Ups Hair Salon
An entrepreneur who is a fine example of hard work and determination with visualisation. She worked 3 jobs to financer her dream of becoming a qualified aesthetics practitioner; working 9-5 as a dental nurse, then working in her own hair and beauty salon and topping up her wages at the weekend working in a pub. She uses her beauty clinic to host campaigns promoting confidence and last Christmas age away her 2 days of Christmas camping offering 12 worthy women a free beauty pamper. She also launched Blue Monday
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: Passion, I believe if you find a job you love you will never work a day in your life,I have a strong desire to make people feel good about themselves. A confident person is not afraid to be them self, My passion drives me every day to help people achieve this.
I left school with low grades, I never let this hold me back, my work ethic has helped me to achieve every goal I have set myself, often juggling 3 jobs and courses at a time to be able to fund my business,
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE PEOPLE? I do not let anybody tell me I can not do something, or I can not have something, where there is a will there is a way. I believe I inspire young people in our community, that you can achieve anything you want without limitations if you work hard enough and are willing to make sacrifices, many people fall at the first hurdle in business, you have to get up every time brush yourself down, learn from the lesson and move on, always focused on the end goal, I hope I would inspire young people to have that leap of faith if and believe if i can do it so can they !
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE?
Business is pressure, pressure to succeed, pressure to be the best you can be, pressure to meet the financial demands, when ever I feel under pressure I focus on the rewards, the rewards outweigh the pressures, when times have been really stressful and I feel overwhelmed I trust in the universe, I know it will pass, I take time out for myself, remind myself how far I have come, and be grateful for all my beautiful clients, my beautiful work place, I look back and see just how far I have come, and then I am grateful for the pressure, for without it, I would not have my business
An entrepreneur who is a fine example of hard work and determination with visualisation. She worked 3 jobs to financer her dream of becoming a qualified aesthetics practitioner; working 9-5 as a dental nurse, then working in her own hair and beauty salon and topping up her wages at the weekend working in a pub. She uses her beauty clinic to host campaigns promoting confidence and last Christmas age away her 2 days of Christmas camping offering 12 worthy women a free beauty pamper. She also launched Blue Monday
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: Passion, I believe if you find a job you love you will never work a day in your life,I have a strong desire to make people feel good about themselves. A confident person is not afraid to be them self, My passion drives me every day to help people achieve this.
I left school with low grades, I never let this hold me back, my work ethic has helped me to achieve every goal I have set myself, often juggling 3 jobs and courses at a time to be able to fund my business,
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE PEOPLE? I do not let anybody tell me I can not do something, or I can not have something, where there is a will there is a way. I believe I inspire young people in our community, that you can achieve anything you want without limitations if you work hard enough and are willing to make sacrifices, many people fall at the first hurdle in business, you have to get up every time brush yourself down, learn from the lesson and move on, always focused on the end goal, I hope I would inspire young people to have that leap of faith if and believe if i can do it so can they !
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE?
Business is pressure, pressure to succeed, pressure to be the best you can be, pressure to meet the financial demands, when ever I feel under pressure I focus on the rewards, the rewards outweigh the pressures, when times have been really stressful and I feel overwhelmed I trust in the universe, I know it will pass, I take time out for myself, remind myself how far I have come, and be grateful for all my beautiful clients, my beautiful work place, I look back and see just how far I have come, and then I am grateful for the pressure, for without it, I would not have my business
OLIVER JUDE, 15 yr old autistic fashion designer
Oliver Jude Clothing was set up in January 2019, aiming to bring positivity to the world! I was diagnosed with autism in August 2016, most children who have been diagnosed would be nervous as this would get their mind ticking over about how their life could change. I was delighted to be diagnosed as I knew all the trouble, I was going through trying to get support and now I knew that I 100% would be able to get all the support that I need.
After my diagnosis reached my first secondary school, we quickly realised that I was not receiving the support that I needed to succeed at that school. Unfortunately, my first secondary school excluded me every day for roughly 3-7 months. This was unacceptable as only for one month I received off site education.
After fighting for what was right, we gained more and more support from outside agencies who were completely on my side, fighting for what was right after all the discrimination I went through.
I then managed transferred with the help from St Helens Council to Rainford High which was the best decision I could ever make at my age. At Rainford I received 25 hours full time support from the amazing support staff in the Special Educational Needs Department.
Rainford was more understanding about my Autism and would give me as many strategies and advice as possible to keep me focused in class and to keep my brain in gear rather than getting distracted with the crowds.
Throughout all the time I went through exclusions, off site education, exclusion units and multiple negative meetings, I built up a story and created a mood board to set myself a goal to lead up to.
My ONE goal was to start a business. This has always been my number one goal in life, I have always wanted to own a successful business helping others.
Oliver Jude Clothing then became part of my life. I wanted to promote positivity and share it all around the world. I then struggled to find manufacturers and people who would help me. I was really struggling to get my business off the ground and get the word out there.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE? MY smile. A smile means so much to one person. You can smile at a homeless person and give them comfort because then they know that actually that person that has just smiled at them in a non verbal way, cares about them. A Smile is a non verbal way of giving someone comfort which is the main thing when staying positive.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS?
My business is to inspire others to promote positivity and stay positive throughout everyday life. I have many friends that congratulate me on a daily basis. Many people that follow me or speak to me say thank you for all the positivity that I push into the world. It is important to keep positive on a daily basis otherwise what else can you do, your mood, mind, brain focus will crash without positivity and organisation.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE?When I am under a lot of pressure I think of one thing, positivity, this keeps my mind at ease and all of the people that I am helping daily to keep a cool head and to stay positive.
Oliver Jude Clothing was set up in January 2019, aiming to bring positivity to the world! I was diagnosed with autism in August 2016, most children who have been diagnosed would be nervous as this would get their mind ticking over about how their life could change. I was delighted to be diagnosed as I knew all the trouble, I was going through trying to get support and now I knew that I 100% would be able to get all the support that I need.
After my diagnosis reached my first secondary school, we quickly realised that I was not receiving the support that I needed to succeed at that school. Unfortunately, my first secondary school excluded me every day for roughly 3-7 months. This was unacceptable as only for one month I received off site education.
After fighting for what was right, we gained more and more support from outside agencies who were completely on my side, fighting for what was right after all the discrimination I went through.
I then managed transferred with the help from St Helens Council to Rainford High which was the best decision I could ever make at my age. At Rainford I received 25 hours full time support from the amazing support staff in the Special Educational Needs Department.
Rainford was more understanding about my Autism and would give me as many strategies and advice as possible to keep me focused in class and to keep my brain in gear rather than getting distracted with the crowds.
Throughout all the time I went through exclusions, off site education, exclusion units and multiple negative meetings, I built up a story and created a mood board to set myself a goal to lead up to.
My ONE goal was to start a business. This has always been my number one goal in life, I have always wanted to own a successful business helping others.
Oliver Jude Clothing then became part of my life. I wanted to promote positivity and share it all around the world. I then struggled to find manufacturers and people who would help me. I was really struggling to get my business off the ground and get the word out there.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE? MY smile. A smile means so much to one person. You can smile at a homeless person and give them comfort because then they know that actually that person that has just smiled at them in a non verbal way, cares about them. A Smile is a non verbal way of giving someone comfort which is the main thing when staying positive.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS?
My business is to inspire others to promote positivity and stay positive throughout everyday life. I have many friends that congratulate me on a daily basis. Many people that follow me or speak to me say thank you for all the positivity that I push into the world. It is important to keep positive on a daily basis otherwise what else can you do, your mood, mind, brain focus will crash without positivity and organisation.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE?When I am under a lot of pressure I think of one thing, positivity, this keeps my mind at ease and all of the people that I am helping daily to keep a cool head and to stay positive.
ANTHONY PROCTOR, marketing mancher, Unity Theatre
I’m an arts marketer, actor and educator based in Liverpool. I witnessed the power of cultural events and how they can revitalise a city during Liverpool’s historic Capital of Culture year in 2008. I was inspired by this event to pursue a career in the arts with the aim of making a positive impact on communities. My varied career has had one common theme - people. I’m very lucky that in all of the areas I work, I have a very fixed focus on people and the ambition and opportunity to make life a little bit better for people. Be that entertaining with a production I have directed, or through my acting talents, be it through marketing a brilliant new show to audiences or through teaching new skills to students with immense potential. I’ve had the pleasure of working for such organisations as the Liverpool Empire, ACC Liverpool Echo Arena, Bill Elms Associates, Sense of Sound Singers, Farmageddon, and now I’m the Marketing and Customer Experience Manager at Unity Theatre where I lead the team who put our audiences first. I support local theatre company Kitchen Sink Live - a theatre movement providing an open accessible platform, empowering people to tell their real stories while challenging current perceptions. This new company runs youth theatre and changes lives of its participants. In addition to my work at Unity, I am a singing teacher at LIPA 4:19, a director on the board of Culture Warrington and am currently working with the LCR Pride Foundation, the organisation who delivers Pride in Liverpool (formerly Liverpool Pride)
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: Empathy. If you truly care about people and can see things from other points of view, you can overcome any obstacle.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE PEOPLE?I treat my students like real people. They are held to very high professional standards and I give them the freedom to follow their own paths. This achieves great results. In my marketing life, I aim to inspire my team through my actions. I champion them and they're a brilliant team.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE?
I share the load. I talk to my mentors and peers. Most importantly I keep an eye on my objective. If you stay focused on what you want to achieve, then the pressure becomes just part of the journey to success.
I’m an arts marketer, actor and educator based in Liverpool. I witnessed the power of cultural events and how they can revitalise a city during Liverpool’s historic Capital of Culture year in 2008. I was inspired by this event to pursue a career in the arts with the aim of making a positive impact on communities. My varied career has had one common theme - people. I’m very lucky that in all of the areas I work, I have a very fixed focus on people and the ambition and opportunity to make life a little bit better for people. Be that entertaining with a production I have directed, or through my acting talents, be it through marketing a brilliant new show to audiences or through teaching new skills to students with immense potential. I’ve had the pleasure of working for such organisations as the Liverpool Empire, ACC Liverpool Echo Arena, Bill Elms Associates, Sense of Sound Singers, Farmageddon, and now I’m the Marketing and Customer Experience Manager at Unity Theatre where I lead the team who put our audiences first. I support local theatre company Kitchen Sink Live - a theatre movement providing an open accessible platform, empowering people to tell their real stories while challenging current perceptions. This new company runs youth theatre and changes lives of its participants. In addition to my work at Unity, I am a singing teacher at LIPA 4:19, a director on the board of Culture Warrington and am currently working with the LCR Pride Foundation, the organisation who delivers Pride in Liverpool (formerly Liverpool Pride)
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: Empathy. If you truly care about people and can see things from other points of view, you can overcome any obstacle.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE PEOPLE?I treat my students like real people. They are held to very high professional standards and I give them the freedom to follow their own paths. This achieves great results. In my marketing life, I aim to inspire my team through my actions. I champion them and they're a brilliant team.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE?
I share the load. I talk to my mentors and peers. Most importantly I keep an eye on my objective. If you stay focused on what you want to achieve, then the pressure becomes just part of the journey to success.
SAMANTHA FOLEY, wellbeing coach, reiki master, yoga instructor
My journey began when i was 18 months i could see a little boy playing my room , i would scream and point at the curtains which my mum thought i was scared off, we moved house and thats when i met the angels, the american indian and the lady who had passed in the house. i would stay up all night and play with my new friends. luckily no one thought i was mad and i didnt get locked up. i could see peoples auras and being empathic i can feel how they feel. in my teenage years i was called weird , i was happy about this because i never fitted in anywhere.i went to church i loved sunday school i loved all the stories , i could see the saints in the church , again people would like and say i was away with the fairies, this didnt upset i was happy in my own energy because i knew my Angels were real, Then in 1996 when i miscarried whilst in university i was heartbroken at 20 years i was looking forward to becoming a mum,I thought i had done something wrong so i abandoned the church and my faith. i felt lost, a friend suggested to have some reiki i felt the divine energy and it felt good. no one can explain why we miscarry -its not meant to be, well i fell into such a depression, dark place i felt a failure, because i felt that beautiful energy and then i felt it go. By starting reiki healing and yoga it helped cope with my loss and, i l begin to forgive myself i left university and started as a runner in the design dept on Hollyoaks then i went on to be a script supervisor. My interests in holistic healing took over and i would help everybody and anyone body i could or who wanted healing. well being is the birth right of everyone on this planet and losing my first baby made me face my loss , experience grief and make me stronger. i took this attitude to my clients , being deaf i use my other senses and especially my intuition with my clients. i went on to have my daughter who is fit and healthy. i also miscarried twice more. Then my marriage broke down and became increasingly violent which was another heartbreak having gone through the miscarriages.Being a healer you are torn from wanting to help and facing the reality of they don't want your help.Being a human in a violent marriage can damage you forever and strip you of your self worth. When faced with the choice do you save your own life or leave your daughter with no parents because one will be dead and the other in prison seems like a no brainer but to do that is freedom. i chose freedom. i chose empowerment. i cant change the past, i dont stress about the future i stay gratefully in the now and i teach this through all my avenues i have learnt -mindfulness, meditation,angelic reiki, yoga,-to find the positive in all the negatives we each experience.
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: Kindness. i do not judge anybody.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS With care and positivity for others through truth, honesty and love
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
Be in the here and now , breathe and focus. this will then help you gain the control you need to make the best decisions for your wellbeing. being aware by practising mindfulness and meditation helps calm the mind and ground you.
My journey began when i was 18 months i could see a little boy playing my room , i would scream and point at the curtains which my mum thought i was scared off, we moved house and thats when i met the angels, the american indian and the lady who had passed in the house. i would stay up all night and play with my new friends. luckily no one thought i was mad and i didnt get locked up. i could see peoples auras and being empathic i can feel how they feel. in my teenage years i was called weird , i was happy about this because i never fitted in anywhere.i went to church i loved sunday school i loved all the stories , i could see the saints in the church , again people would like and say i was away with the fairies, this didnt upset i was happy in my own energy because i knew my Angels were real, Then in 1996 when i miscarried whilst in university i was heartbroken at 20 years i was looking forward to becoming a mum,I thought i had done something wrong so i abandoned the church and my faith. i felt lost, a friend suggested to have some reiki i felt the divine energy and it felt good. no one can explain why we miscarry -its not meant to be, well i fell into such a depression, dark place i felt a failure, because i felt that beautiful energy and then i felt it go. By starting reiki healing and yoga it helped cope with my loss and, i l begin to forgive myself i left university and started as a runner in the design dept on Hollyoaks then i went on to be a script supervisor. My interests in holistic healing took over and i would help everybody and anyone body i could or who wanted healing. well being is the birth right of everyone on this planet and losing my first baby made me face my loss , experience grief and make me stronger. i took this attitude to my clients , being deaf i use my other senses and especially my intuition with my clients. i went on to have my daughter who is fit and healthy. i also miscarried twice more. Then my marriage broke down and became increasingly violent which was another heartbreak having gone through the miscarriages.Being a healer you are torn from wanting to help and facing the reality of they don't want your help.Being a human in a violent marriage can damage you forever and strip you of your self worth. When faced with the choice do you save your own life or leave your daughter with no parents because one will be dead and the other in prison seems like a no brainer but to do that is freedom. i chose freedom. i chose empowerment. i cant change the past, i dont stress about the future i stay gratefully in the now and i teach this through all my avenues i have learnt -mindfulness, meditation,angelic reiki, yoga,-to find the positive in all the negatives we each experience.
GREATEST ATTRIBUTE: Kindness. i do not judge anybody.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS With care and positivity for others through truth, honesty and love
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
Be in the here and now , breathe and focus. this will then help you gain the control you need to make the best decisions for your wellbeing. being aware by practising mindfulness and meditation helps calm the mind and ground you.
GOLDIE CHEUNG
Goldie was born in Hong Kong in 1963. She has been married nearly 30 years and has spent the last 22 years in the UK. In Hong Kong Goldie worked in retail, managing a shop specialising in high quality antiques and curios, as well as a flower department in the Hong Kong Hyatt Hotel; but she has always had a great interest in exercise, Chinese dance and music, which she has studied, and went on to teach dance exercise at a University in Hong Kong. Her life changed dramatically when she was temporarily paralysed from the waist down in a sports accident. Upon regaining full mobility she suffered from chronic back pain and, not wanting to rely on medication, decided to take charge of her own life and study Tai Chi and Chi Kung as a way of taking back control of her body. She has been pain free now for many years and she attributes this to her study and practice of Tai Chi and Chi Kung. Through these efforts she went on to become a British Tai Chi Champion.
Goldie also has a great interest and qualifications in other Holistic disciplines, and has worked for the Home Office as an interpreter.
Goldie has taught tai chi, dance and belly dance at various clubs and venues in the North West, and has conducted workshops in educational establishments and other organisations such as HSBC.
Goldie has TV and movie experience in the UK, having appeared on TV in Hong Kong as the winner of the European division of the TVB International programme “Minutes to Fame”, as well as a number of well known television programmes in the UK; and has also worked in the film “Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise”directed by Danny Boyle. But most of all she is known for her participation in X Factor 2011 where she was selected for the live finals.
Goldie has always wanted to set a good example to others wanting to feel good and to look good whatever their age. Like most people her wish is to remain healthy and fit, to be confident and to maintain a youthful appearance. And so through her knowledge and experience she developed her “Chijuvenation” and “Face U Love” regimens. Chi is the universal ‘energy’, and by harnessing it alongside other holistic measures we can help rejuvenate ourselves. Goldie’s regimens are simple to follow, use non-strenuous techniques and everyone can enjoy them throughout the day.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
An ability to spread happiness around.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS
With confidence and feel-good energy
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE?
meditation and mindfulness
Goldie was born in Hong Kong in 1963. She has been married nearly 30 years and has spent the last 22 years in the UK. In Hong Kong Goldie worked in retail, managing a shop specialising in high quality antiques and curios, as well as a flower department in the Hong Kong Hyatt Hotel; but she has always had a great interest in exercise, Chinese dance and music, which she has studied, and went on to teach dance exercise at a University in Hong Kong. Her life changed dramatically when she was temporarily paralysed from the waist down in a sports accident. Upon regaining full mobility she suffered from chronic back pain and, not wanting to rely on medication, decided to take charge of her own life and study Tai Chi and Chi Kung as a way of taking back control of her body. She has been pain free now for many years and she attributes this to her study and practice of Tai Chi and Chi Kung. Through these efforts she went on to become a British Tai Chi Champion.
Goldie also has a great interest and qualifications in other Holistic disciplines, and has worked for the Home Office as an interpreter.
Goldie has taught tai chi, dance and belly dance at various clubs and venues in the North West, and has conducted workshops in educational establishments and other organisations such as HSBC.
Goldie has TV and movie experience in the UK, having appeared on TV in Hong Kong as the winner of the European division of the TVB International programme “Minutes to Fame”, as well as a number of well known television programmes in the UK; and has also worked in the film “Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise”directed by Danny Boyle. But most of all she is known for her participation in X Factor 2011 where she was selected for the live finals.
Goldie has always wanted to set a good example to others wanting to feel good and to look good whatever their age. Like most people her wish is to remain healthy and fit, to be confident and to maintain a youthful appearance. And so through her knowledge and experience she developed her “Chijuvenation” and “Face U Love” regimens. Chi is the universal ‘energy’, and by harnessing it alongside other holistic measures we can help rejuvenate ourselves. Goldie’s regimens are simple to follow, use non-strenuous techniques and everyone can enjoy them throughout the day.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
An ability to spread happiness around.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS
With confidence and feel-good energy
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE?
meditation and mindfulness
JO LE'FEBOUR, mindful coach and domestic abuse survivor
Prior to my marriage I was a happy go lucky woman living a free life in London. I then made an error in judgement and married a narcisstic man in the year 2000. He was a charmer, a song writer and very handsome. But soon our marriage turned into a sham. He was a bully, very manipulative, a drunk and very violent but to the outside world he still came across as charming. We had two beautiful children and I was desperately trying to improve our relationship for their sake. However, it became unbearable and so I plucked up the courage to tell him that I wanted to leave. He dragged me into the bathroom, smashed my head into the mirror and tried to drown me in the bath. I fought and fought to survive as I didn't want the children to wake up to find out that daddy had killed mummy. Luckily, my little boy was disturbed by the noise and it brought my ex to his senses and he went to attend to Noah. The violence was escalating and I knew that one day he would kill me in one of his rages. Obviously there is more to the story but only a few days later my dad had a horrible accident and died only a few months later. It was the turning point for me. It was the catalyst I needed to change everything as I realised that we only had one life and that I was not living mine. So I got help from the women's refuge, and filled for a divorce. It was the scariest time in my life as I was always looking over my shoulder expecting to be attacked by him.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
My bounceability - whatever is thrown at me I get back up and bounce back. If it wasn't for my violent, abusive marriage I wouldn't be who I am today. I see that it was a lesson that I needed at that time and nudged me into the right direction of doing the work that I love to do today which is to support women to rebuild after a divorce. My goal is to help them to release the past, rewire their thinking so that they can fly free from any limititations
HOW TO DO INSPIRE OTHERS
By walking my talk and reshaping my life since my own divorce. I had lost all of my confidence due to the years and years of abuse but now due to working on self development I am living a free life on my own terms.
HOW TO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
I keep myself aligned with my bigger vision, believing in my own abilities plus looking for the positive in every situation
Prior to my marriage I was a happy go lucky woman living a free life in London. I then made an error in judgement and married a narcisstic man in the year 2000. He was a charmer, a song writer and very handsome. But soon our marriage turned into a sham. He was a bully, very manipulative, a drunk and very violent but to the outside world he still came across as charming. We had two beautiful children and I was desperately trying to improve our relationship for their sake. However, it became unbearable and so I plucked up the courage to tell him that I wanted to leave. He dragged me into the bathroom, smashed my head into the mirror and tried to drown me in the bath. I fought and fought to survive as I didn't want the children to wake up to find out that daddy had killed mummy. Luckily, my little boy was disturbed by the noise and it brought my ex to his senses and he went to attend to Noah. The violence was escalating and I knew that one day he would kill me in one of his rages. Obviously there is more to the story but only a few days later my dad had a horrible accident and died only a few months later. It was the turning point for me. It was the catalyst I needed to change everything as I realised that we only had one life and that I was not living mine. So I got help from the women's refuge, and filled for a divorce. It was the scariest time in my life as I was always looking over my shoulder expecting to be attacked by him.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
My bounceability - whatever is thrown at me I get back up and bounce back. If it wasn't for my violent, abusive marriage I wouldn't be who I am today. I see that it was a lesson that I needed at that time and nudged me into the right direction of doing the work that I love to do today which is to support women to rebuild after a divorce. My goal is to help them to release the past, rewire their thinking so that they can fly free from any limititations
HOW TO DO INSPIRE OTHERS
By walking my talk and reshaping my life since my own divorce. I had lost all of my confidence due to the years and years of abuse but now due to working on self development I am living a free life on my own terms.
HOW TO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
I keep myself aligned with my bigger vision, believing in my own abilities plus looking for the positive in every situation
RICHARD GAIR, fashion designer, artist and double organ transplant survivor
I came through a very difficult time with my kidney and pancreas transplant and almost died. I have struggled with my mental mental health and had some very dark times but I am staying positive when the whole world seemed to be against me.
Everyone told me I will never make it, but I launched my business GoGairy Hand Painted Leathers last year and against all odds I employ some incredibly talented artists who are all struggling in their own way. The fact that so much creative talent is literally going to waste is a crime. I would like to see more of these wonderful creative minds doing what they love to do and, in the process, earn a living and make the world a more beautiful place. I’ve tried to start the ball rolling in a small way and hope to be part of something bigger. I have daily health problems, I have a broken foot that needs fusing and I am awaiting an operation, I am also awaiting an operation to remove a hernia the size of a football from my abdomen. I take a daily cocktail of over 30 pills just to regulate my organs and stay alive but I am not pain free. I just get on with it
HOW DO YOU INSIDE OTHERS? It breaks my heart when I hear that kids are leaving creative courses from college and university, only to find work in a dead end low paid job. I believe this is the foundation for many creative people suffering from problems with their mental health. By our very nature, creatives are sensitive to negativity and if symptoms are noticed, action needs to be taken. I’m no expert but I have gone through this and still do. I have close friends in the creative industry that suffer greatly with depression and debilitating mental health issues.I feel so much can be done to help and support these incredible individuals.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE?
Remaining positive and being grateful. It’s been very difficult to be patient when you are told you have a life-threatening illness. That was the cherry on top of the illnesses, the depression and caring for my dad and dealing with his depression and his self-medication. I look after and care for my disabled uncle with learning disabilities.
I try to look at the good things that could happen in the future rather than dwell on the crap that’s going on right now. It can be quite difficult. I locked myself away for over twenty years, not physically but into my own world. I was given a new hope and the chance of a new start after my life saving transplant.
A special thank you to the perfect human being and his family who donated his kidney and pancreas after his death so that I could carry on. Much of this new life and venture is for him!
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED?
The gratitude I have for the help and support I have received and continue to receive is like a drug. Knowing that people really do care is a beautiful feeling. After going through twenty something years of thinking nobody cared or loved me and that people even hated me for no reason, this new feeling is so empowering and gives me the drive to do the same for others and help people in pain realize that they are not alone, even when all the evidence around them supports the opposite.
Difficult and sometimes nearly impossible but if you can somehow muster the strength which is in us all, you can accomplish almost anything!
I came through a very difficult time with my kidney and pancreas transplant and almost died. I have struggled with my mental mental health and had some very dark times but I am staying positive when the whole world seemed to be against me.
Everyone told me I will never make it, but I launched my business GoGairy Hand Painted Leathers last year and against all odds I employ some incredibly talented artists who are all struggling in their own way. The fact that so much creative talent is literally going to waste is a crime. I would like to see more of these wonderful creative minds doing what they love to do and, in the process, earn a living and make the world a more beautiful place. I’ve tried to start the ball rolling in a small way and hope to be part of something bigger. I have daily health problems, I have a broken foot that needs fusing and I am awaiting an operation, I am also awaiting an operation to remove a hernia the size of a football from my abdomen. I take a daily cocktail of over 30 pills just to regulate my organs and stay alive but I am not pain free. I just get on with it
HOW DO YOU INSIDE OTHERS? It breaks my heart when I hear that kids are leaving creative courses from college and university, only to find work in a dead end low paid job. I believe this is the foundation for many creative people suffering from problems with their mental health. By our very nature, creatives are sensitive to negativity and if symptoms are noticed, action needs to be taken. I’m no expert but I have gone through this and still do. I have close friends in the creative industry that suffer greatly with depression and debilitating mental health issues.I feel so much can be done to help and support these incredible individuals.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE?
Remaining positive and being grateful. It’s been very difficult to be patient when you are told you have a life-threatening illness. That was the cherry on top of the illnesses, the depression and caring for my dad and dealing with his depression and his self-medication. I look after and care for my disabled uncle with learning disabilities.
I try to look at the good things that could happen in the future rather than dwell on the crap that’s going on right now. It can be quite difficult. I locked myself away for over twenty years, not physically but into my own world. I was given a new hope and the chance of a new start after my life saving transplant.
A special thank you to the perfect human being and his family who donated his kidney and pancreas after his death so that I could carry on. Much of this new life and venture is for him!
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED?
The gratitude I have for the help and support I have received and continue to receive is like a drug. Knowing that people really do care is a beautiful feeling. After going through twenty something years of thinking nobody cared or loved me and that people even hated me for no reason, this new feeling is so empowering and gives me the drive to do the same for others and help people in pain realize that they are not alone, even when all the evidence around them supports the opposite.
Difficult and sometimes nearly impossible but if you can somehow muster the strength which is in us all, you can accomplish almost anything!
FRANCESCA, single mum and entrepreneur
I am 41, single mum to a 10 year old boy who is the love of my life.
My son is on the spectrum, and has a condition called pathological demand avoidance, which is very newly diagnosed and very little known even by the experts.
because of this, he had a very difficult start in school , and was excluded aged 5.
My ex-husband and I had to really fight in order to get his diagnosis, find a school that knew PDA and was willing to cater for his needs, and fight the local authority in tribunal in order for that school to be assigned to us.
All the while, I was going through a very amicable but still very sad divorce, working full-time, all of this without any help, as my family lives in Italy.
After having experienced what little support there is out there for families living with PDA, I started consulting with parents and schools in order to pass on and help them implement the right techniques. I also started the first ever italian blog and Facebook group about PDA, and in less than 3 months I was already helping over 500 families by translating publications and articles, creating infographics on the PDA techniques, and privately coaching many of them through their everyday challenges. (Www.Autismopdaitalia.com)
Fast forward to 2018, and I unexpectedly lost my job, so I decided to go freelance and start working for myself. My main focus is to help new businesses set up Right in Order to become successful, from business plans to marketing strategies, event planning, etc.
I am also a fierce backer of female founders, and I work with a network of female business owners, and absolutely thrive in mentoring women who are starting their career.
I keep my mental sanity through hot yoga, strength training, good food, few faithful friends, a special men with an endless patients who has become my new partner, and trips home to Sardinia, where the sea and the sand wash away all that bothers me.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
I smile a lot. I look at everything with a positive attitude and never give up
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU HVAE INSPIRED OTHERS
The women I've trained and mentored in my marketing career say that I always help them to identify and reach their true potential.
The families I work with say that I help them find the strength to never give up and always find new solutions for their children.
My client say my passion for their projects shines through my work.
I take great pride in all of the above.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOU FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
Pressure helps me focus in some ways, I am result driven and I never work on projects I am not passionate about, which helps.
I am 41, single mum to a 10 year old boy who is the love of my life.
My son is on the spectrum, and has a condition called pathological demand avoidance, which is very newly diagnosed and very little known even by the experts.
because of this, he had a very difficult start in school , and was excluded aged 5.
My ex-husband and I had to really fight in order to get his diagnosis, find a school that knew PDA and was willing to cater for his needs, and fight the local authority in tribunal in order for that school to be assigned to us.
All the while, I was going through a very amicable but still very sad divorce, working full-time, all of this without any help, as my family lives in Italy.
After having experienced what little support there is out there for families living with PDA, I started consulting with parents and schools in order to pass on and help them implement the right techniques. I also started the first ever italian blog and Facebook group about PDA, and in less than 3 months I was already helping over 500 families by translating publications and articles, creating infographics on the PDA techniques, and privately coaching many of them through their everyday challenges. (Www.Autismopdaitalia.com)
Fast forward to 2018, and I unexpectedly lost my job, so I decided to go freelance and start working for myself. My main focus is to help new businesses set up Right in Order to become successful, from business plans to marketing strategies, event planning, etc.
I am also a fierce backer of female founders, and I work with a network of female business owners, and absolutely thrive in mentoring women who are starting their career.
I keep my mental sanity through hot yoga, strength training, good food, few faithful friends, a special men with an endless patients who has become my new partner, and trips home to Sardinia, where the sea and the sand wash away all that bothers me.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
I smile a lot. I look at everything with a positive attitude and never give up
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU HVAE INSPIRED OTHERS
The women I've trained and mentored in my marketing career say that I always help them to identify and reach their true potential.
The families I work with say that I help them find the strength to never give up and always find new solutions for their children.
My client say my passion for their projects shines through my work.
I take great pride in all of the above.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOU FOCUSED UNDER PRESSURE
Pressure helps me focus in some ways, I am result driven and I never work on projects I am not passionate about, which helps.
ANTHONY GRICE, small business owner (FIKA coffee, 08 Travel Direct, Mersey Boxing WCBI and charity fundraiser( raising over £100,000 for local charities)
I’m blessed how my life has turned out.
I run my businesses through hard work and dedication and always remain positive no matter what the situation you find yourself in. The glass is always half full.
I try my best to make people smile and be positive about life. I regularly display quotes and daily thoughts about life on my shop messages boards to try make people smile coming to my shop or just walking past.
Spread the love and good Karma and it will repay you in the long run.
I’m not motivated by money, I’m just after a good life. The best things in life are free. The most happiest people I know don’t have much in life but they have each other and positive people in their circle of life.
WHAT IS YOUE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Having the life I have now. From growing up in Toxteth, my life wasn’t on the right track. I had many run ins with the law and a lot of my friends went to Jail to serve serious time behind the door or had been murdered. It was only a matter of time before I ended up as one of these statistics and had accepted a life of crime will be my future. I broke away from the circle and pursued a career in the RAF. This really grounded me and me taught me a lot about myself.
From then to now i am blessed to have a wife who’s supported me along my journey and believes in what I set my mind to and also 2 amazing children, which I’m also blessed that I can give a better start to life and the things I couldn’t have when I was a child.
I now have 5 businesses in which I have self funded through hard work and dedication
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE? I help change people’s lives through my charity boxing events. Along with the fundraising I’m able to give people the self confidence and belief in themselves. There is no better feeling when someone comes to me and says that I’ve saved there life for what I’ve helped them do and put them in the right path and they know where they’re heading.
I do this because am a believer in good Karma! You do good for others and good will repay you.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS? By being positive about life!
Its hard running my businesses, yet doing my fundraising events and being a family man.
I always make time for my family and taking regular trips abroad!
I love making somebody smile, laugh or be happy! This gives me the biggest kick of all!
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDR PRESSURE? By believing in the people around me!
I have worked in many pressure cooker jobs throughout my younger years, I thrive on high pressure situations.
I can remember being in school and my English teacher telling me that I will be a failure in life.What a thing to say to child but it helped make me the person I am today
I’m blessed how my life has turned out.
I run my businesses through hard work and dedication and always remain positive no matter what the situation you find yourself in. The glass is always half full.
I try my best to make people smile and be positive about life. I regularly display quotes and daily thoughts about life on my shop messages boards to try make people smile coming to my shop or just walking past.
Spread the love and good Karma and it will repay you in the long run.
I’m not motivated by money, I’m just after a good life. The best things in life are free. The most happiest people I know don’t have much in life but they have each other and positive people in their circle of life.
WHAT IS YOUE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Having the life I have now. From growing up in Toxteth, my life wasn’t on the right track. I had many run ins with the law and a lot of my friends went to Jail to serve serious time behind the door or had been murdered. It was only a matter of time before I ended up as one of these statistics and had accepted a life of crime will be my future. I broke away from the circle and pursued a career in the RAF. This really grounded me and me taught me a lot about myself.
From then to now i am blessed to have a wife who’s supported me along my journey and believes in what I set my mind to and also 2 amazing children, which I’m also blessed that I can give a better start to life and the things I couldn’t have when I was a child.
I now have 5 businesses in which I have self funded through hard work and dedication
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE? I help change people’s lives through my charity boxing events. Along with the fundraising I’m able to give people the self confidence and belief in themselves. There is no better feeling when someone comes to me and says that I’ve saved there life for what I’ve helped them do and put them in the right path and they know where they’re heading.
I do this because am a believer in good Karma! You do good for others and good will repay you.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS? By being positive about life!
Its hard running my businesses, yet doing my fundraising events and being a family man.
I always make time for my family and taking regular trips abroad!
I love making somebody smile, laugh or be happy! This gives me the biggest kick of all!
HOW DO YOU REMAIN FOCUSED UNDR PRESSURE? By believing in the people around me!
I have worked in many pressure cooker jobs throughout my younger years, I thrive on high pressure situations.
I can remember being in school and my English teacher telling me that I will be a failure in life.What a thing to say to child but it helped make me the person I am today