How to Thrive

"Nothing changes until it does. You can create change. You just have to find the hook - and keep creating ripples until they become waves."This week on the How to Thrive podcast, Claire and Helen are joined by Karen Sheriff, clinical physiotherapist and Executive Director at Project RED-D - a global initiative tackling one of the most under-recognised syndromes in high performance: Relative Energy Deficiency (RED) in dancers.Karen's background spans elite rugby, cricket and the performing arts, including eight years at the Royal Ballet School where she grew the healthcare team and built world-class multidisciplinary pathways around athlete health.It was there that she became a leading voice on RED-S - Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport - and its particular manifestation in dance, ultimately being asked by her seed funders to "change the world" by taking the work global through Project RED-D.In this episode, Karen explains what RED-S actually is - what happens to the body when it is chronically under-fuelled, why elite athletes and dancers are especially at risk, and the striking parallels with other high-pressure professions, where sleep deprivation and over-working have historically been worn as badges of honour.More about Karen:Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-sheriff-b27694b4/Find out more about Red-D: https://red-d.com/Books mentioned in the episode:Belonging by Owen Eastwood: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Belonging-Ancient-Togetherness-Owen-Eastwood/dp/1529415063With thanks to our sponsors for this episode:Lewis Silkin: https://www.lewissilkin.comLewis Silkin is a full-service law firm that works closely with organisations to help protect and enhance what matters most. Whether it's navigating an increasingly complex political and economic landscape or aligning legal strategy with broader business goals, their approach is thoughtful, commercial and deeply human.Serious expertise delivered in a way that's engaging, practical and genuinely enjoyable to work alongside.Find out more about their work at www.lewissilkin.comLawyers on Demand: https://www.lodlaw.comMany of our listeners will be all too familiar with the increasing pressure to deliver more value, operate efficiently and bring meaningful insight into their organisations, often all at once. That's exactly where Lawyers on Demand comes in.Working with in-house legal teams around the world, Lawyers on Demand provides access to world-class flexible legal talent and innovative legal operations solutions. They support teams to build legal functions that are not only efficient but truly strategic, responsive and ready for whatever comes next. And just as importantly, they're also creating opportunities for legal professionals to work in more flexible and fulfilling ways.You can find out more about their amazing work at www.lawyersondemand.comSpringbird IP: https://www.springbirdip.com/Springbird is a modern intellectual property firm supporting ambitious, fast growing businesses with trademark and design protection that's transparent, commercially focused and free from unnecessary complexity. Working on a fixed fee and subscription basis, they ensure clients always know where they stand, no clock watching and no hidden surprises.They act as an extension of your team, giving businesses the confidence and clarity to focus on creativity and innovation, giving them more time to work on the areas where they can add the greatest value. You can find out more about their work at www.springbirdip.comYour How to Thrive hosts:Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of .Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex KizenkovPodcast Production: Anthony Zahra

"Take the stress out of sleep, and you start to sleep better."This week on the How to Thrive podcast, Claire and Helen are joined by James Wilson, better known as The Sleep Geek, for a myth-busting, no-nonsense conversation about one of the most fundamental pillars of performance and wellbeing: sleep.James is a sleep expert, keynote speaker and founder of Sleep Unity, whose clients range from Premier League football clubs, to the NHS, the Department of Transport and household names like Mr Kipling and Red Bull. He's also a self-confessed poor sleeper!At a time when sleep has become yet another thing to optimise, obsess over and feel guilty about, James is on a mission to take the pressure off. He talks about the difference between sleep strugglers and sleep optimisers, why trying harder is often the worst thing you can do, and why the explosion of wearable trackers and sleep influencers may actually be making us sleep worse.Find out more about James on his website: thesleepgeek.co.ukWith thanks to our sponsors for this episode:JHB & Partners: https://jhbandpartners.com/Many of the in-house lawyers who listen will recognise Josh Blake as an expert in legal resourcing. Last year he established JHB & Partners and continues to support in-house legal teams to build, scale and optimise their legal functions.With their extensive experience in resourcing and strategic insight, Josh and his team at JHB & Partners provide a real sense of calm and reassurance, which is exactly what you need whether you're hiring or looking for a role. You can find out lots more about Josh and his team at www.jhbandpartners.com. Get in touch and don't forget to mention the podcast when you do.Summize: https://www.summize.com/Summize is an AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform, designed to break the cycle of forgotten obligations, scattered intake, and contract chaos.Meeting teams where they already work, embedding seamlessly into tools like Outlook, Teams, Slack, Salesforce, and HubSpot, Summize makes adoption simple. With self-serve contracting to reduce workload, seamless integrations to create structure, and powerful AI that supports and enhances legal expertise, Summize helps legal teams operate with confidence and clarity, freeing up that all-important capacity so that we humans can focus on the areas where we add unique value. Get in touch with them at www.summize.com - and mention the How to Thrive podcast.How to Thrive events:Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.Your How to Thrive hosts:Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of .Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex KizenkovPodcast Production: Anthony Zahra

We are absolutely delighted to welcome Alexander Bell to the How to Thrive podcast this week (no, not Alexander Graham Bell).Alexander is a keynote speaker whose expertise sit at the intersection of technology and productivity - specifically, how our relationship with technology impacts our performance, our wellbeing, and the people we care about most. Having built and sold a Google spin-out agency, he reached a turning point when his then-seven-year-old son Dexter asked for an iPhone for Christmas and turned the tables on him with a question he couldn't answer: "If they're really that bad, why are you and mummy on yours all the time?"That moment set Alexander on a mission to help professionals and parents build a healthier, more intentional relationship with the technology that dominates their lives.We cover peak performance, AI note-takers, and Alexander shares his three top tips for thriving.With thanks to our sponsors for this episode:Springbird IP: https://www.springbirdip.com/Springbird is a modern intellectual property firm supporting ambitious, fast growing businesses with trademark and design protection that's transparent, commercially focused and free from unnecessary complexity. Working on a fixed fee and subscription basis, they ensure clients always know where they stand, no clock watching and no hidden surprises.They act as an extension of your team, giving businesses the confidence and clarity to focus on creativity and innovation, giving them more time to work on the areas where they can add the greatest value. You can find out more about their work at www.springbirdip.comHow to Thrive events:Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.Your How to Thrive hosts:Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of .Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex KizenkovPodcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Our guest this week is wellbeing expert, bestselling author, keynote speaker and “doctor in happiness” - Andy Cope.Andy really does have a PhD in happiness and after spending just an hour with him, our days already felt brighter.That ripple effect is a big part of what Andy talks about, how just a few people with positive energy, giving just a few minutes of their time, can make a huge difference at work and at home.We also discuss mindfulness, the Japanese phrase "ichi-go ichi-e" (for this time only), and noticing the positives.It was also Andy who introduced us to the concept of the seven-second hug. If you’ve listened to the podcast before, you’ll almost certainly have heard us mention it!More about Andy:The Art of Brilliance https://www.artofbrilliance.co.uk/The Art of Being Brilliant https://www.artofbrilliance.co.uk/product/the-art-of-being-brilliant-book-new-edition/Spy Dog (children’s book) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spy-Dog-Andrew-Cope/dp/0141318848 With thanks to our sponsors for this episode:JHB & Partners: https://jhbandpartners.com/Many of the in-house lawyers who listen will recognise Josh Blake as an expert in legal resourcing. Last year he established JHB & Partners and continues to support in-house legal teams to build, scale and optimise their legal functions.With their extensive experience in resourcing and strategic insight, Josh and his team at JHB & Partners provide a real sense of calm and reassurance, which is exactly what you need whether you're hiring or looking for a role. You can find out lots more about Josh and his team at www.jhbandpartners.com. Get in touch and don't forget to mention the podcast when you do.Summize: https://www.summize.com/Summize is an AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform, designed to break the cycle of forgotten obligations, scattered intake, and contract chaos.Meeting teams where they already work, embedding seamlessly into tools like Outlook, Teams, Slack, Salesforce, and HubSpot, Summize makes adoption simple. With self-serve contracting to reduce workload, seamless integrations to create structure, and powerful AI that supports and enhances legal expertise, Summize helps legal teams operate with confidence and clarity, freeing up that all-important capacity so that we humans can focus on the areas where we add unique value. Get in touch with them at www.summize.com - and mention the How to Thrive podcast.How to Thrive events:Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.Your How to Thrive hosts:Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of .Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex KizenkovPodcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Welcome to season three of the How to Thrive podcast!After a break, we’re back - and we’re not wasting any time tackling the question that's probably on everyone's mind in January: how are you really feeling about the new year?We discuss the pressure we put on ourselves in January, why nature's new year doesn't really start until spring, and how we’re reframing this month as a "warm-up phase" rather than an all-guns-blazing fresh start.In this episode, we discuss human factors, why wellbeing is a wonderful ‘side-effect’ of having systems that work for people, and why reflection time should be mandatory across all professions.It’s great to be back!With thanks to our sponsors for this episode:JHB & Partners: https://jhbandpartners.com/Many of the in-house lawyers who listen will recognise Josh Blake as an expert in legal resourcing. Last year he established JHB & Partners and continues to support in-house legal teams to build, scale and optimise their legal functions.With their extensive experience in resourcing and strategic insight, Josh and his team at JHB & Partners provide a real sense of calm and reassurance, which is exactly what you need whether you're hiring or looking for a role. You can find out lots more about Josh and his team at www.jhbandpartners.com. Get in touch and don't forget to mention the podcast when you do.Summize: https://www.summize.com/Summize is an AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform, designed to break the cycle of forgotten obligations, scattered intake, and contract chaos.Meeting teams where they already work, embedding seamlessly into tools like Outlook, Teams, Slack, Salesforce, and HubSpot, Summize makes adoption simple. With self-serve contracting to reduce workload, seamless integrations to create structure, and powerful AI that supports and enhances legal expertise, Summize helps legal teams operate with confidence and clarity, freeing up that all-important capacity so that we humans can focus on the areas where we add unique value. Get in touch with them at www.summize.com - and mention the How to Thrive podcast.How to Thrive events:Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.Your How to Thrive hosts:Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of .Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex KizenkovPodcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Season two of the How to Thrive podcast is drawing to a close, so what better time to look back at some of the most memorable and impactful guests we've had on the podcast.In this episode, Claire and Helen reflect on some of the interviews they've done since September 2024 - pulling out the key learnings.Claire also reveals that she has made big progress on something she first mentioned she intended to do a few months back.The How to Thrive podcast is taking a short break for the summer but will be back with more amazing guests and conversations in September.With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners.How to Thrive events:Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.​Visit our website to find out more.Your How to Thrive hosts:Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex KizenkovPodcast Production: Anthony Zahra

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, Claire and Helen are joined by somatic and leadership performance coach (and trainee body psychotherapist) Shaun Brooking to explore the deep connection between our bodies, our emotions and our ability to lead well - in life and at work.Shaun shares his own experience of burnout, how growing up in a “harder, faster, stronger” culture shaped his body’s response to stress, and what it means to build real resilience by creating safety and resource within ourselves.He talks about how trauma lives in the body, why rest isn't always restful, and how to retrain our nervous systems for strength, connection and capacity - not just performance.Shaun also explains how simulation and "somatic reps" can help leaders prepare for challenging moments, why slowing down doesn't mean stepping back, and why thriving starts with listening to what your body is really trying to say.More about Shaun:Shaun Brooking CoachingBe Fully HumanWith thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners.How to Thrive events:Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.​Visit our website to find out more.Your How to Thrive hosts:Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex KizenkovPodcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Civility saves lives - you've heard it on the podcast before but in this episode, we meet the man behind the phrase.Chris Turner is an Emergency Medicine Consultant with the NHS and the Co-Founder of Civility Saves Live, a group of healthcare workers who share the evidence base behind why the best teams respect and value each other, and why this leads to the best outcomes for both staff and patients.He speaks to Claire and Helen about the monumental events in his life and career that led to him thinking deeply about incivility, and the impact it can have on people's performance.Chris also talks about why we need to invite people from diverse backgrounds to fill our pool of wisdom, and why saying sorry is a super power.More about Chris:Civility Saves LivesTED Talk - When rudeness in teams turns deadlyFurther reading:Chrstine PorathWith thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners.How to Thrive events:Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.​Visit our website to find out more.Your How to Thrive hosts:Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex KizenkovPodcast Production: Anthony Zahra