Episode Summary:
What do you hold onto when everything falls apart?
Craig's story: From Bell's palsy at 15 to his partner's terminal cancer diagnosis, plus the Acer tree that became his anchor through it all.
Listen if you:
42 minutes about resilience, anchors, and choosing kindness when life gets brutal.
Key Takeaways:
Difficult experiences can become sources of perspective - Bell's palsy at 15 taught Craig "it's not that bad" and "it'll be over eventually"
Finding your anchors matters - Whether it's an Acer tree for weeding, music in the front room, or running in the rain
Joy lives in small moments - Overheard conversations, watching team members grow, a son eating pizza for the first time
Being kind and helping others is what matters most - Using your struggles to help others through theirs
Everything happens for a reason - Finding peace with uncertainty and not always knowing what comes next
Quotable Moments:
"I've always been able, since then I think, been able to look at life and go, two things, it's not that bad. And I know it'll be over eventually."
"There's an Acer tree in our garden that probably saved me... I actually do enjoy it, but don't tell Jenny I enjoy it because it needs doing this weekend."
"Being nice to people matters, being kind matters, and trying to help people matters to me, because I know the things that I've struggled on."
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Reflective Rebels Podcast
00:47 - Embracing Creativity and Music
13:09 - Turning point: Bell's Palsy
20:42 - Life Changes: Moving to the Lake District
23:55 - Life in Burnley: A Personal Reflection
27:54 - Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
31:57 - Appreciating the small things
33:44 - Coping with Challenges: Under the Acer tree
36:07 - Facing Uncertainty with Hope
47:12 - Thank you for listening
Mentioned in This Episode:
Support & Resources
If Craig's story has brought up difficult feelings or you're facing similar challenges, support is available:
If This Resonates...
Are you looking for your own anchors when life feels uncertain?
Craig's story reminds us that resilience isn't about having all the answers - it's about finding the small things that ground us, being kind to others, and trusting that we'll get through whatever comes next.
Join our email community for more honest stories about finding strength in difficulty and joy in unexpected places.
And if you're navigating your own challenging time - whether it's work, business, relationships, or life transitions - I'd love to explore how coaching can help you. Sometimes we all need support to see what we can't see ourselves. Email me ben@reflectiverebels.co.uk