In this powerful and deeply human conversation, I sit down with Charlotte Ricca, performance psychologist, former journalist, sea swimmer, horse rider, and passionate advocate for emotional literacy, to explore what success really means when life feels overwhelming.
This episode goes far beyond high performance.
Charlotte shares candidly about:
This is an honest conversation about:
✨ mental health
✨ parenting
✨ redefining success
✨ suicide prevention
✨ emotional resilience
✨ values, purpose, and presence
If you’ve ever felt pressure to “hold it together”, to perform, or to keep going when things feel heavy — this episode will land.
00:00 – Introduction
02:30 – “Are you alright… really?” and showing up authentically
07:00 – Finding glimmers: joy, nature, sea swimming & presence
11:00 – Alcohol, identity & changing coping mechanisms
18:30 – Masking discomfort vs sitting with emotions
22:30 – Why confidence follows action (not the other way around)
27:00 – Anxiety, fear & reframing pressure as privilege
32:00 – Emotional literacy, parenting & allowing children to feel
39:00 – Guilt, self-care & choosing yourself without shame
45:00 – Identity beyond roles: parent, athlete, professional
52:00 – Success, money & redefining what “enough” really means
59:00 – Career pivots, purpose & living without regret
1:05:00 – Overwhelm, burnout & taking one small step at a time
1:12:00 – Depression, hope & why feelings always pass
1:18:00 – Suicide prevention: asking the hard questions
1:26:00 – Teaching kids emotional regulation & resilience
1:34:00 – Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation
1:41:00 – Living in alignment with your values
1:56:00 – Advice to younger self
2:04:00 – Final question: choosing connection over being right
You don’t need to fix everything.
You don’t need to feel “on” all the time.
Sometimes, staying alive, staying present, and taking one small step is success.
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Charlotte Ricca
Website: https://kindabrilliant.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlottericca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-ricca/
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk
Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk
Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com
🎬 PRODUCED BY:
H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/
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