Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 43: All Good Things Come to an End Date broadcast: 7th October 2025   In this episode Ann shares how, after a stressful year following the death of her mother, she has made the difficult decision to make this episode of the podcast the last. She talks about her realisation of time passing, how you can never get it back and urges us all to be more mindful of that and most of all to make sure we all make time for our own self care and introduces the idea of creating our own self care bundles. And finally send her love to you all and gratitude for the over 40 women who gave their time to appear on the show   Please stay in touch either through joining my group or through any of the other links on LinkTree below: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 42: Journey to Becoming an Environ-mentor Date broadcast: 23rd September 2025   In this episode we hear how Lyn’s passion for the environment began as a teenager but grew into the business she now has as a result of having children and her concerns about their future. Listening to this will give you some great tips but also how she can help you live a more sustainable life. Her book recommendation is “Wilding” by Isabella Tree, the story of one of the first rewilding projects before it became a thing. I could say more but, honestly, the best thing you can do is listen to this and discover how one woman is making a significant difference in the world in a very gentle, non judgmental way Lyn set up ECO for ALL with the sole purpose of supporting anyone who would like to live more sustainably but is stuck on the next steps. She is passionate about making eco-friendly living as easy and affordable as possible so created her RAMP up your Sustainability program to share Realistic, Affordable, Manageable and Practical ways we can make small changes to everyday habits.As a working mum of 2 busy kids, Lyn is acutely aware that reducing the overwhelm around this important subject is vital so her program is a supportive and flexible space to learn how to do your bit. Having been conscious of how her family lives for many years, Lyn is able to advise on trusted brands, recycling tips and how being more eco-friendly has positive impact on our health. Lyn also runs educational workshops for purpose led businesses - she shares eco-lifestyle tips for employees to make around the home - leaving them feeling more empowered and aligned with the companies ethos. It's also an important way of reducing eco-anxiety and will create a healthier home by reducing toxins so will actively benefit the wellbeing of their employees.   You can connect with Lyn here: https://eco-for-all.co.uk/services/#group https://eco-for-all.co.uk/corporate/     To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Episode 41: Journey to Becoming a Coach for Bakers Date broadcast: 9th September 2025   In this episode Jenny shares how she became a 6 figure baker including how she came to make a cake for Charles’ and Camilla’s first wedding anniversary and then had a change of direction when she decided to become a coach but specifically to help bakers build great businesses and get paid their worth. She is about to launch her membership group on Facebook, Sweet as Success.   Her two key learnings from her journey were the importance of having a mentor and coach in your life and saying yes to opportunities and then figuring it out which I am a great subscriber to.   As for books she chose four: “Let Them” by Mel Robbins, “Rise, Sister, Rice by Rebecca Campbell, “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and “Infinite Receiving” by Sue Ashworth   After 25 years in the cake industry, making a royal cake, winning awards, and even popping up on TV, Jenny built and sold her six-figure cake business and trained as a coach. Now, she’s on a mission: to help cake makers build confident, profitable businesses (without losing their sanity or love for baking). Jenny’s not your average coach. She's your biggest cheerleader, business BFF, and the one who makes growing your business actually fun. With her proven strategies and real talk, she supports and empowers bakers around the world. Her membership, Sweet As Success Club, is the go-to place for bakers to level up their business knowledge and technical skills, all while being part of a no-drama, cheer-each-other-on kind of community.   You can connect with Jenny here:   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Episode 40: Journey to Becoming a Natural Beauty Consultant and Entrepreneur Date broadcast: 26th August 2025   I met Esther via Woman Who, a networking group and so much more for women and I’ve heard her speak. I’ve always found her totally inspirational and so I was delighted when she accepted my invitation to come on my podcast. I wanted to know how a Mum of 5 and owner of at least 3 businesses and a podcast host could do it all. And, when we spoke she had just come in from her allotment! She shares how she came to found her beauty brand Deroiste Natural Beauty and it’s a personal story like so many.    Her two key learnings from her journey were that help comes from where it’s least expected and the need to build resilience. And her book? “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It can help us all by encouraging us to build habits that serve us for life. It’s a great read and I would recommend it too   And her final piece of advice was to live life on your terms and Esther certainly is.   Esther Roche is a mum of five, entrepreneur, and founder of Deroiste Natural Beauty, an award-winning inclusive skincare brand inspired by her family’s struggles with sensitive skin. She also leads South West Dental Nurse Training, with over 20 years in dental-related roles. As host of The Mum CEO Podcast and a mentor, Esther shares her journey of resilience, motherhood, and building purpose-led businesses that empower others to thrive.   You can connect with Esther here: To connect with Esther:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/esther-roche-9729ba91Mentoring: Esther Roche Consulting - https://www.deroistenaturalbeauty.com/deroiste-s-a/esther-roche-consulting/Website Deroiste Natural Beauty: https://www.deroistenaturalbeauty.com/shop/   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 12th August 2025 I was intrigued by Debbie’s journey which started the moment a teacher told her she would never be any good at maths. She takes us through how a life of work and bringing up two children alone prevented her grieving for her Dad. Finding herself on a retreat in the middle of Wales was the turning point for her and from there she developed herself into the Midlife Mystic Mentor.   She shared two powerful learnings:- “Your voice is sacred and powerful, trust it” “Worth is not granted, it’s claimed”   There were three book recommendations:- “Excuse me – your life is waiting” – Lynn Grabhorn “The Four Agreements” – Don Miguel Ruiz “The Celestine Prophecy” – James Redfield   Debbie is a Midlife Mystic Mentor guiding women through the sacred threshold of midlife, I help you awaken your intuition, reclaim your voice, and embody your spiritual power. Through deep mentorship, ritual, and soul connection, I support your transformation from who you’ve been into who you truly are. This is your time to rise - wild, wise, and fully expressed.   You can get Debbie’s freebie here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGkyzaxMno/ihUxYkwHzY8OwXsNOX-qRw/view?utm_content=DAGkyzaxMno&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h799545346c       And you can follow her here: Insta and tiktok - @midlifemysticmentor   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 38: Journey THROUGH Academia Date broadcast: 29th July 2025   I met Sandra some years ago through a networking group and we have had many fascinating conversations. And time goes by and I was intrigued to learn her current work around grief and how it relates to women’s experiences in the workplace. I’m not even going to try and write notes about what she said, all I would say is listen because grief impacts every single one of us.   Her book recommendations were “The Grieving Brain” by Mary-Frances O’Connor and “The Long Run” by Stacey d’Erasmo.   As for her tip? If you feel there is something you want to do, it doesn’t matter about your age or anything else, just go and do it   Sandra Hunter is an empowerment coach, educator, and founder of empowerHER. With 19+ years in academia, she champions cross-generational, intercultural leadership for women. Her work blends story-healing, mentorship, and strategic coaching to develop confidence, inclusion, and professional transformation—helping women lead with clarity, purpose, and power. You can find out more about Sandra and her work here: https://www.empowerhertorise.com/ And the link to her events: https://www.griefhouse.org/event-details/art-as-release-grounding-in-the-senses   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 37: Journey from Cuckoo Clock to Content Alchemy Date broadcast: 15th July 2025   Cath and I both received awards at the same event and I was struck by the amazing colourful dress she was wearing! We got to know each other and noiw she’s on my podcast talking about her business. This is someone who at the age of 3 wanted to be a cuckoo clock! She soon knew she wanted to be a writer but was told by her careers teacher that she would not be able to make money at writing. And that is exactly what she is doing .. she makes money in her business writing for others and also writes fiction in her spare time.   Her tips were to never be too busy for opportunities. It was saying yes to an opportunity that she nearly said she was too busy for that started her off building her business. And secondly know the value of your time. Her books: “Indistractable” by Nir Eyal and “getting Things Done the Art of Stress Free Productivity” by David Allen   Cate founded Creative Words in 2017, having spent over 20 years as a management consulting, specialising in change management, communications and people engagement.   She describes what she does as ‘Content Alchemy’ – creating content gold by transforming what people have to offer. She is a writer, trainer, coach and consultant to her clients, helping them express themselves in a way that truly expresses who they are.   She works with businesses of all sizes, creating content ranging from leaflets and short profiles, through to books and online membership services and everything in between.   She is proud to say she is a crazy-cat lady – though it is the cat, Lola, who is the crazy one. You’ll often find Lola video-bombing zoom sessions and walking across the keyboard.   You can find out more about Cate and her work here: Website: https://www.creativewords.cc/- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-words-content-alchemy/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDBbiQFzrolr_s3h0waRcoQ(Edited)   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 36: Journey from Corporate Sales to Sports Massage Therapy Date broadcast: 1st July 2025   I met Nikki on an online networking group and, like so many people, knew she would have a good story. She shares how she damaged her back whilst in her corporate sales role and became aware how poor the support in her workplace and the workplace generally was back then. So she decided to go it alone, learnt sports massage therapy, which she delivers in people’s homes and works with employers on their health and wellbeing programmes.   The key learnings for her were to “back yourself” .. we should all do more of that in all walks of life .. be prepared to get out of your comfort zone and just ask! I love all of those and she recommends 2 business books: Daniel Priestly’s “Key person of Influence” and Donald Miller’s “How to Build a Story Brand”. She also shares her personal care strategies .. breath work, meditation and sound baths so listen in!   Nikki Roy is the Founding Director of Body Mechanics, a company that helps people to enjoy active, pain free lives. There are three parts to Body Mechanics - Mobile Home Massage, Employee Health and Wellbeing and a new service launching later this year - watch this space! After swapping a corporate sales career for sports massage therapy following a back injury in 2011, Nikki carved out a new path, one that now sees her working with individuals to improve their wellbeing, as well as with businesses to incorporate health and wellbeing as part of their business strategy.  In short, Nikki is a biz owner. Cat mum. Loves travel, red wine and finding the humour. Fighting to tame the frizz. On a new journey of connection and discovery.    You can find out more about Nikki and her work here: Body Mechanics Home Massage https://homemassage.bodymechanics.co.uk   Body Mechanics Employee Health and Wellbeing https://www.bodymechanics.co.uk   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 35: Journey from Biochemist to Clinical Hypnotherapy Date broadcast: Tuesday 17th June 2025   I  met Linda some time ago and was always fascinated by her journey from biochemist to hypnotherapy and I also love how so much of her story mirrors my own. She shares how she came to be doing hypnotherapy and the difference it’s making in the lives of so many people and I think it will resonate with many of you.   Her fascination with all things healing started by her listening to that little spark that many of us are aware of and ignore. She knew there was something else for her. So her tip is to not ignore that spark, we only get one life and each of us has our own individual purpose, and there is so much fulfilment in realising that purpose. Go for it!   And her books? Fiction was Margaret Atwood’s particularly “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Oryx and Crake” which will add to my holiday reading and Dr David Hamilton particularly “The Joy of Actually Giving a F…k”   Linda’s bio: 'As a clinical hypnotherapist, Linda loves being a catalyst for positive change for individuals, helping them to move towards thriving as how they want to be.  Linda works with adults, children and young people and is also a Senior Lecturer in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy at CPHT Manchester.  A Biochemist and a Quality professional with a career in the Pharmaceutical Industry for over 30 years Linda wanted  to be helping people directly.   Having a fascination for science and especially how our brains work, the transition to the client focused profession of hypnotherapy with its basis in neuroscience was a natural fit!’   You can find out more about Linda and her work here: Website          www.coda-hypnotherapy.co.uk   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling     Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Episode 34: Journey to Business Award Strategist Date broadcast: Tuesday 3rd June 2025   It’s not often I speak to someone with such an unusual business. There’s plenty of business awards out there but not many people who can help you with the process and actually winning. Emma, mother of two children, aged 7 and 9, shares how she chose the world of self employment to give her flexibility around raising them. It has taken her a few years to create this business which she launched last year. The book she recommended was “Maybe I don’t belong here” by David Harewood. And her advice? If an opportunity comes your aware assess it first but, if the only thing that stands in your way is fear, go for it, because these are usually the best!   Emma Hewitt is a Business Awards Adviser,  working with small business owners to build award strategies to boost  visibility, credibility and opportunities.She helps clients to reflect and recognise their achievements, find awards that meet their business goals and write award-winning entries.Emma has been self-employed for 9 years, as a franchisee, then supporting small businesses on a freelance basis (including running an annual business award for 5 years). Combined with a background in higher education, she has almost 20 years experience of managing, assessing and advising on university scholarships and business awards.   To find out more about Emma’s work here: https://welcome.emmahewitt.co.uk/home   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Episode 33: Journey from Therapy to Therapist and Queen of Happiness Date broadcast: 20th May 2025   In this episode we hear how Jo experienced therapy following the death of her biological father. It had such a profound impact on her life she trained in therapy herself and then found the Happiness Club to help as many people as possible grow in mental and emotional resilience. This is a business that she has franchised. We discuss our experience of self employment and growing businesses and also the importance of experiencing contrasting emotions ie you can’t experience joy without pain, love without hate. Listen out for her analogy of the buffet table. And the book recommendation this episode was “Living Untethered” by Michael A Singer   Jo’s bio: Jo Robinson-Howarth is an advanced hypnotherapist and mindfulness practitioner who runs The Happiness Club, an app based support service for mental and emotional wellbeing. She is mum to two beautiful teenage daughters, one gorgeous cat and one very naughty dog. She lives in Merseyside but hails from Somerset originally.   To find out more about Jo’s work here: www.thehappinessclub.co.uk   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 06/05/2025 Episode 32: Journey from Music to Writing   In this episode we hear how German born Susanne developed her love of reading and story telling as a child and is now a full time writer. She is also a musician and wanted to be an opera singer but that was not to be. She married an American serviceman and now lives in Washington State in the North West of the US, writing, she’s a foodie and loves to explore the local countryside   Susanne Bacon is a bi-lingual, German-American author, journalist, and columnist with plenty of experience as an event creator, organizer, and manager as well as a business consultant, translator, and public speaker, singer, museum docent, sales associate, and craft instructor. All of these colorful chapters in her life and a very positive, hope-inspired attitude influence her topics and her style of writing. Susanne Bacon was born in Stuttgart, Germany, She learned her ropes as a writer, first as a freelance journalist with a daily paper in her hometown, then with a trade magazine for which she would end up as the editor-in-chief for over a decade. During this time, she published two books of poetry and short stories in her German mother tongue. Susanne emigrated to the U.S. in 2010, where she has been living with her husband in the South Puget Sound region in Washington State ever since. In 2015, Susanne Bacon edited and translated her first, originally German novel, “Islands in the Storm”, a historical novel about the German occupation of the British Channel Islands in WW II. Immediately after its publication, she wrote and published her first American novel, “Delicate Dreams”, which would become the first in a series that she hadn’t even planned on. Her Suburban Times column “Home from Home”, comparing her former German life to her American experiences, turned into another book with the same title. In 2021, Susanne created an off-spin from her Wycliff series, a romantic mystery based on the character of a military spouse, while also writing some dystopian and alternate historical short stories. All in all, since 2015, Susanne Bacon has published 15 novels – the 16th is in the workings –, one book of short fiction, and two books of non-fiction; they can be found on Amazon in English and in German.   To connect with Susanne and buy her books: https://susannebaconauthor.com/ https://www.facebook.com/susannebaconauthor   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 22.04.2025 Episode 31: Journey from Midwifery to Relationship Coaching   In this episode we hear how Naomi moved from her career in midwifery to becoming a relationship coach, in part because of her own relationship breakdown and her love of helping others. We talk quite a lot about our relationships with ourselves and how we have the power and choice to change that which I turn can enhance our relationships. She is now in business with her life partner, Martin and we hear how their business has evolved Naomi is a relationship coach who helps individuals and couples navigate the complexities of love and connection. With years of experience, Naomi, alongside her partner Martin, guides clients towards deeper self understanding, improved connection, and healthier relationships. Whether you're seeking to heal from past hurts, build stronger bonds with your partner, or simply cultivate more fulfilling connections in your life, Naomi offers compassionate support and practical tools to help you achieve your relationship goals.   To connect with Naomi: www.just1to11itcoaching.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/share/18Q9KfDAjG/?mibextid=wwXIfr   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast 08/04/2025 Episode 30: Journey to becoming a Bereavement, Grief & Loss Specialist   I’m always amazed how things happen in people’s lives and lead to incredible transformations. In this episode bereavement, grief & loss specialist and author, Sharon Rosenbloom, powerfully describes how her emotions after the tragic death of her husband, Simon, aged 41. She describes how it has helped her find her true purpose in life to help others navigate their own bereavement journeys. She also describes how she healed herself from a chocolate addiction and, through that learning helps others recover too. Finally she is a very proud author of “Widowed with Kids” Sharon sadly lost her husband 22 years ago now when she was 39 and Simon was 41.Theyhad 2 young children of 5 and 7. Their 5 year old, now 28, has complex special needs. He has autism, dyspraxia, ADHD, learning difficulties , speech impairments and has a developmental age of about 6 or 7. Life was obviously challenging for Sharon with Oliver before Simon died When she saw Sophie, her daughter, climb into bed with Simon after he died, she just broke down and thought why me. However she can now see that losing Simon has been a gift so she can support others who are grieving. She is a psychotherapeutic counsellor specialising in bereavement grief and loss, a hypnotherapist, a life coach, a naturopath and author of “Widowed with Kids”. She was also a chocoholic and feed every emotion she felt with chocolate. Her naive brain thought addictions were drugs and alcohol but she discovered that sugar is a bigger addiction. You can live without drugs and alcohol but you can't live without food. When we went into the pandemic Sharon said she would rather die than give up chocolate. Everyone was queuing at the supermarket for toilet paper and pasta. she queued for over 2 hours one day for chocolate   She describes both of these experiences in much more detail in the podcast.   To connect with Sharon: Website: www.sharonrosenbloom.com If you are suffering from fear and we can have a free discovery call to see how I can support you https://www.amazon.co.uk/Widowed-Kids-until-rediscover-yourself/dp/1913501108      To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Episode 29: Journey to the Unlikely Guru Date broadcast: 25th March 2025   This is my story from leaving the NHS through burnout and my journey through self employment, saying yes to opportunities and not letting age being an obstacle. Ann Girling, also known as the Unlikely Guru, is on a mission to empower women with the knowledge they need and inspire them to action so that they can become healthier and more happier versions of themselves. She does this through her Arbonne business, recommending products and a business opportunity that have been key to her own personal transformation from 50 year old burnt out health visitor to 75 year old business woman loving life   She worked in the NHS for 30 years and left feeling totally disillusioned and burnt out. Since then her work has been varied and she did train as a coach with the Coaches Training Institute and set up a business On The Threshold working with women who were looking for change after experiencing a significant life event. At that time she also wrote her first book “Journey to Chocolate” in which she shares her life experiences and the research around them with coaching exercises for the reader.   She started her Arbonne business in 2011 after the birth of her grandson, Jacob, to create the income to be able to visit her family in the States. And this year she is launching her own podcast Tales of Transformation and is starting work on her second book. In addition she is growing her Facebook group The Unlikely Guru where she is growing a community of women who want to live better for longer and her goal this year is to grow it to 2000 members   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 28: Journey to becoming a Life & Therapuetic Coach Date broadcast: 11th March 2025   In this episode we hear about Naomi’s decision to leave her corporate role in Human Resources because of ill health. She suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome and it was through her diagnosis and recovery that led her to want to help her clients on their wellness journey. She also talks about how she uses enneagram, a personality profiling tool in her work and how that has helped her personally. All I can say is listen to what she has to say, what she’s learnt and her tips for all of us who might want change in their lives   Naomi Dake is a Wellbeing, Leadership and Organisation Development Specialist and enjoys partnering with teams and organisations in improving their overall culture and leadership capability and effectiveness.   Naomi is also a qualified and experienced Life and Therapeutic Coach who supports people to develop or change areas of their life and/or wellbeing. She does this through creating a warm, friendly, safe and accepting space, to enable individual clients to explore and enact sustainable shifts, which lead to a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life for them.   In support of both her leadership and coaching practice, Naomi works as an accredited Enneagram (personality profiling) and Strengthscope (strengths profiling) practitioner, which she uses when appropriate with people and teams, as insightful tools to facilitate greater self-discovery and growth, through a positive, strengths-based approach to development.   Naomi’s professional career began in HR around 25 years ago and she has since worked across a breadth of industries and sectors, including two market leading consultancy firms, before moving into running her own business full time.   She lives in Cheshire with her husband and much-loved ginger cat, enjoying the balance of rural village life! .   To connect with Naomi: Website: https://lifeunlymmited.co.uk/ Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-dake-3a0ba549   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 27: Journey to becoming the TropicPianistGamer Date broadcast: 25th February 2025   In this episode we hear how Jen overcame a lifetime of crippling anxiety to be able to play her piano in public. She documents her journey in her best selling book “Tales of an Anxiety Warrior. She also describes how her love of gaming led to bullying at work and how she decided enough was enough and so her three businesses were brought together in her TropicPianistGamer brand. It was a fascinating call   Jen is known as the Tropic Pianist Gamer, a multi-passionate creative, best selling author and podcaster. She lives on Anglesey with her husband and her Neurodiverse 7 year old. She’d been suffering with anxiety since the age of 13, but was only diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder at 27. After discovering there was a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of lockdown, she was able to grow, becoming a best selling author and established podcaster, but most notably, an alternative piano tutor that makes a difference. Her mission is to make music accessible to all! . To connect with Jen: Website: https://tropicpianistgamer.co.uk Book: https://amzn.to/3PH7RAM Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NlQqp8e9sKZLQfbkYFwiN   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 26: Journey from Pharmacist to CEO Date broadcast: 11th February 2025   In this episode for a start you’ll hear Ann stuck for words! Gulshen shares her journey from being a pharmacist to the founder & CEO of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organisation. As a pharmacist particularly as a 5’0” petite woman and experiencing various assaults she decided to find out about self defence classes and found Krav Maga. Finding that there were no women only classes in her area she trained to become an instructor, she set up her business, teaches instructors and, as her legacy, she wants every community globally to have an instructor. She believes that this way women will be empowered to keep themselves safe rather than waiting for others to do it for them Gulshen a mum of two boys from Solihull West Midlands, is the founder and CEO of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organization. With a passion for empowering women, she has now dedicated her career to equipping women globally with life-saving, easy-to-learn self-defence skills. Her own experience of violence whilst working as a pharmacist sent her searching for a way to keep herself safe. As a petite 5’0” woman she began to learn Krav Maga thirteen years ago and instantly knew this could change other women’s lives too. She worked relentlessly to qualify as an instructor and seven years later Strike Back was born. Under her leadership, Strike Back has become a global force for empowerment, helping women protect themselves from violence and threats of violence instilling confidence, resilience, and safety in women and girls worldwide.   To connect with Gulshen:  www.facebook.com/strikebackselfdefence  www.instagram.com/strikebackdefence www.strikebackselfdefence.com   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. 

Tales of Transformation with Ann Grilling Episode 25: Journey to Human Design Date broadcast: 28th January 2025   In this episode we hear about Jacqueline’s rollercoaster of many years and then how she found herself listening to her intuition which led her to start making choices, starting with deciding to go to a different park with her children and leaving her first husband. She describes how she was drawn to Quantum Human Design which, as she says, is now “her thing” and how she decided to use the Tinder Dating App to have some fun and ended up finding her soulmate and life partner, Bruce Jacqueline Kent is a Glass half-full kinda girl and resilient survivor of real life curveballs, spanning 3 challenging decades. Her real life rollercoaster from the age of 16, from teen pregnancy to depression, bereavement, diagnosis of her son’s disability – and that was just the first few years, in 2018 she published her memoirs, Onward and Upward. It was at this point she began to realise how much power there was in the story of her transformative journey. Her life skills acquired during that time blend with her passion for Quantum Human Design. She uses this to inspire female creatives & manifesting generators to stop shrinking and start shining. Winning an award in May 2024 ‘for being herself’, and a twice published author, she’s excited to share some of her story with you today   To connect with Jacqueline: Get your free chart https://jacquelinekent.co.uk/free-human-design-chart jacquelinekent.co.uk   Free facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jkcfreegroup   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. 

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling   Episode 24: Journey to Becoming Creator of a Global Movement Date broadcast: 14th January 2025   I wanted to write that Wendy is a Disruptor because that’s what she is! She is challenging stereotypes of older women, in particular older female business owners and has instigated a global movement, Refirement, to challenge this and to recognise how much this group of women contribute to economies around the world.. we could have talked for way longer than we did! And we did have time to hear about her other love, crime writing.   Wendy has more than 30 years experience working with women business owners in all sectors helping them create business strategy that achieves growth and success.    She helps mature women become more agile in business and less risk averse, learning how to turn their talents into a commercial advantage.    “My purpose in life is simple: to see older female business owners everywhere flourish so we are recognised as making a significant contribution to the engine house of our economy. Age is a number and it should not limit our aspirations, contribution or ambitions.”   She recently founded the Refirement UK movement which is dedicated to redefining retirement for women in the 21st Century, challenging negative stereotypes and freeing women to live their lives with purpose and continue to make a contribution. Wendy has published 5 business books and numerous articles translating business theory into business practice. She holds a master’s degree in education and professional development, a range of professional qualifications and is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management.   Wendy is also an author of espionage novels and publishes the Daniel Grant ‘Secrets” series under the pseudonym of Wendy Charlton.   To connect with Wendy:   Wendy Garcarz 07973 780054 www.wendygarcarz.com www.refirement.uk wendy@wendygarcarz.com Facebook: https://bit.ly/3q5rBjx LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/2ZYNaHV mailto:wendy@wendygarcarz.com   To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling   Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.