JPF First Aid

In episode 12 of the JPF First Aid Podcast, John Fogarty hosts breathwork expert Carmel Hughes, who discusses the importance of breathwork for mental and physical well-being. Carmel explains how our breath patterns change with stress and lifestyle, often creating unhealthy habits. She shares techniques to reconnect with functional breathing to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance emotional health. Carmel also leads a simple breath exercise, encouraging listeners to tailor breathwork practices to their needs. Finally, she emphasises the value of consistent practice and introduces her upcoming online course on breathwork and stress management.Key TakeawaysBreathwork aids in managing stress and emotions by consciously adjusting breath to send calming signals through the nervous system.Recognising negative thought habits allows for better mental control, impacting emotions, behaviours, and physical health.Regular, adaptable breathwork tailored to individual needs fosters sustainable mental and physical well-being.Key moments“Our thoughts control our emotions, and our emotions control our behaviour. So if we’re aware of all this...being aware that this is happening...we can actually interrupt this thinking style.” “Meet yourself where you are and give yourself what you need. And from minute to minute, that is simply going to change for every single one of us.” “Control the controllables...and when you start the awareness, be kind and gentle to yourself, and don’t beat yourself up...because we are now learning another new skill, and until we’ve learned something, it simply isn’t automatic.” About the guestCarmel Hughes is a dedicated Breathwork and Mindset Facilitator who empowers individuals to harness the power of breath and mindset for enhanced well-being, reduced stress, and improved performance. Her approach combines insights from neuroscience, positive psychology, and mindfulness, helping clients build sustainable wellness routines. In her personalised sessions, Carmel guides clients in integrating lasting techniques into daily life, fostering resilience and mental clarity. She also collaborates with organisations to create wellness programs that reduce anxiety, promote psychosocial safety, and elevate workplace engagement. Known for her friendly, accessible style, Carmel tailors wellness frameworks that nurture thriving, positive work cultures.About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/

In this episode of the JPF Podcast, host John Fogarty speaks to Mo Bury who runs Momentum Training. They offer neurodiversity in the workplace training, transformative coaching, and insights into behaviour and culture change, as well as conference speaking.Mo Bury highlights how neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism, often face unique challenges in the workplace and recruitment. Key TakeawaysAutistic people tend to struggle with idioms, metaphors, and social conventions like hierarchy, making it harder for them to navigate traditional corporate settings.Sensory overwhelm and "masking" to fit in socially can also be exhausting. Mo advocates for simple, cost-free adjustments, such as creating quiet spaces, allowing flexibility with social interactions, and offering advanced notice of changes.Reasonable accommodations not only help neurodivergent individuals thrive but can also benefit the entire workforce, improving productivity and reducing anxiety.Key moments“Neurodivergent individuals often have incredible strengths that can be game-changers in the workplace.""It's not about fixing neurodiversity; it's about creating environments where everyone can thrive.""The key is understanding that flexibility and support are essential to unlock hidden potential.""Neurodivergent talent brings fresh perspectives that drive innovation and problem-solving."About the guestWhen Mo first learned about neurodiversity, she was convinced that she was neurotypical. The more Mo learned, the more she recognised it in herself and had a lot of, "oh that makes sense" moments. She joined the ADHD UK Facebook group and she says it was like she'd suddenly found a group of people just like her, with the same frustrations and challenges. At 59 Mo says she doesn't feel the need for medication so is in no rush (private diagnosis costs a lot) and is happy to continue learning how she can work with her brain to help it be healthier and function better whilst she waits on the NHS list for a diagnosis, which will be about 2 years. Mo has gone through her whole life not knowing that her brain likes to do things differently to other people and she has beaten herself up for all the silly things that it didn't do so well. When she became "aware" everything changed. Mo put systems in place to help support what her brain doesn't like doing and stopped being mean to herself when it messes up occasionally. The Thrive Neurodiversity & Mental Health Neurodiversity training Mo delivers in one global organisation is helping other people become aware of just how easy it is to make the world a better place for those brains that don't fit into the majority box, so everyone can be at their best at work.About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/

John Fogarty discusses the importance of CPR, emphasising that it stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and is crucial for keeping blood and oxygen circulating to vital organs. He explains the "chain of survival," starting with early recognition and calling for help, followed by CPR, defibrillation, and post-resuscitation care. John notes that confidence in performing CPR is low, with only 51% of people feeling prepared. Carrie Bacciocchi joins the episode to highlight the real-world impact of CPR training, reinforcing the need for consistent education. CPR, combined with defibrillation, significantly improves survival chances in emergencies.Key TakeawaysCPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is vital for maintaining blood flow and oxygen to vital organs, improving a casualty's chances of survival.Early recognition, calling for help, starting CPR, and using a defibrillator are crucial steps in the "chain of survival" to improve outcomes for cardiac arrest victims.Performing CPR can be both physically exhausting and emotionally intense, with adrenaline playing a key role during emergencies, followed by a need for post-event support.Key momentsJohn: “If (you take) anything from this podcast, please go out and learn those all important life saving skills”.John: “if we can get an early defibrillation involved, which is step three of that chain of survival, that then helps to restart the heart, where it then looks at analysing the heart rhythm and see whether that is in a shockable rhythm to then restart that heart”.Carrie: “Unfortunately, we did have to go to defib, so I was talked through by the person on the other end of the phone while we waited for the ambulance to arrive”.Carrie: So something very simple that could have been looked after quickly and dealt with went on to life saving actions needing to be taken.About the guestCarrie Bacciocchi is self-employed with a background in education, she supports children who struggle with attending school. After discovering Utility Warehouse in 2014, where she saved on bills, she found an opportunity to earn residual income by helping others save money.About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/

On this episode of JPF First Aid, we speak to Mandy Gutsell of Know Limits Ltd. Mandy discusses the impact of menopause on women and addresses the issues around the stigma of menopause in both men and women. Mandy stresses that although it can be a difficult process to go through, it’s a time of natural change and that you are never alone in what you’re going through. In this episode, we discuss a lot of the challenges posed by menopause, and steps you can take to help cope, and Mandy provides some tips and tricks to make people more comfortable in both the workplace and everyday life to those going through the menopause.Key TakeawaysMenopause is a time of natural change. It's not like you wake up one day and suddenly there's this dramatic change, it tends to happen over a period of time and Mandy addresses some of the signs and symptoms of it.Mandy believes that there’s a stigma around menopause, particularly in Western culture. We dive into some of the reasons as to why this may be, and how we can help to tackle that stigma.More can be done in the workplace to help people going through the menopause and create a more comfortable environment for them. This can even be little things such as having dialogue with them and taking on board their needs.Key moments“I remember being aware of these changes and thinking to myself, well, I don't know. Do I speak to somebody about that? Am I just, almost getting into my head about it too much? What will people say? I felt quite embarrassed by it.”“We're also in a culture which, to some extent, is great, where there's a lot of information out there, and that's a good thing, so we can find out a lot more things. But equally, the amount of information you can get can also be quite conflicting sometimes.”“It shouldn't be something whereby a person is made to feel there's something wrong with them or that, they're somehow, being made to feel that they're being a burden or embarrassed.”About the guestMandy Gutsell is the founder of Know Limits Ltd and has been helping individuals and organisations since 1991. There are four main services to the business - Coaching, Therapy, Supervision and Training/Consultancy. The key thread running through the four services is the underlying focus on mental health. At Know Limits they believe in encouraging NO limits and placing no limitations on the mind however they are firm believers in boundaries and KNOWing your own limits, hence their philosophy: Know your Limits, whilst having No Limits.Mandy delivers a range of courses with the Training Service. This includes Mental Health First Aid England courses for staff in workplaces to qualify as Mental Health First Aiders. Mandy's expertise is in care, education, health, emergency frontline services, HR and Health and Safety leads. She supports the people who support others to try and reduce the risk of burnout.Connect with Mandy: https://www.knowlimitscoach.com/About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/

On this episode of JPF First Aid, we speak to Mo Bury about neurodiversity in the workplace. Mo runs Momentum Training who offer neurodiversity in the workplace training, transformative coaching, and insights into behaviour and culture change, as well as conference speaking.Mo talks us through some of the statistics and obstacles people with neurological disorders face in the workplace. Mo offers insights and tips for employers as to how we can make our workspace more comfortable for those with neurological disorders, and steps as to how we can support people.Key TakeawaysPeople with neurological disorders are less likely to speak about it to employers due to fear of being looked down upon.Those with neurological disorders can be key assets to the workplace as they can spot things that other people may miss.We still have a long way to go as a society to be inclusive for those with neurological disorders, including adapting the workplace to make it a more comfortable environment.Key moments“At the ripe old age of 50 something, I became aware that my brain worked a bit differently, and realised that I wasn't just disorganised and untidy. And why did I have to have everything out where I could see it? I realised that my brain worked differently.”“Whether somebody's got a physical disability or a mental one, whether they are suffering short term or long term, whether they're menopausal, tired, bereaved, stressed, it doesn't matter. Any good employer will sit down and go, okay, how can I help you do your job in a way that works for you?”“Nobody's trying to be somebody they're not. They can just be themselves and that is a lovely idea. That's a world I'd like to live in.”About the guestWhen Mo first learned about neurodiversity, she was convinced that she was neurotypical. The more Mo learned, the more she recognised it in herself and had a lot of, "oh that makes sense" moments. She joined the ADHD UK Facebook group and she says it was like she'd suddenly found a group of people just like her, with the same frustrations and challenges. At 59 Mo says she doesn't feel the need for medication so is in no rush (private diagnosis costs a lot) and is happy to continue learning how she can work with her brain to help it be healthier and function better whilst she waits on the NHS list for a diagnosis, which will be about 2 years. Mo has gone through her whole life not knowing that her brain likes to do things differently to other people and she has beaten herself up for all the silly things that it didn't do so well. When she became "aware" everything changed. Mo put systems in place to help support what her brain doesn't like doing and stopped being mean to herself when it messes up occasionally. The Thrive Neurodiversity & Mental Health Neurodiversity training Mo delivers in one global organisation is helping other people become aware of just how easy it is to make the world a better place for those brains that don't fit into the majority box, so everyone can be at their best at work.About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in the workplace and educational environments. John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. Find out more at https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/

On this episode of JPF First Aid, we speak to Jessica Radford who is the author and creator of the Animal Advisor series.Jessica was in a job where she was unhappy. After handing in her notice, she was out of work for several months but after seeing a squirrel struggling in her garden it opened up a whole new career. Jessica began her Animal Advisor series and journey as an author, and hasn’t looked back since.Key TakeawaysJessica explains how her books not only help to promote good mental health in children, but also those slightly older or those buying the books for children.You can have money and be in a comfortable position, but the most valuable thing is your mental wellbeing and how you are feeling.As well as writing the books, Jessica also does a lot of work to help a number of different charities, which she discusses in this podcast.Key moments“I felt that I had no right to feel unhappy because I was so lucky to have what I had and I thought that I had it all but in truth, I wasn’t living a very fulfilling life.”“I feel as if I’ve got so much to say now and I’ve tried to cover as many issues as I can with my books. I’ve written nine stories in the series so far and I have loads more ideas.”“It’s getting people thinking more about mental health and I know there’s a lot more awareness these days but there is still a lot of stigma around it, and I wanted to help normalise talking about mental health.”About the guestJessica always had a love of books and reading from a very early age. She attempted to write a few stories when she was a child and after losing touch with writing for a while, sat down at her laptop a few years ago and her first story, ‘The Squirrel Who Couldn’t Balance’ just ‘happened’. Since then, the stories just seemed to have flowed and Jessica’s love of writing has returned with a vengeance. Jessica loves spending time with her family, walking, visiting the theatre, and has a great love of music and dance. Of course, she loves to read too and personally, enjoys reading a wide variety of books, particularly historical fiction (especially anything about the Tudors or World War 2 era), crime and thriller novels plus, as a child, she was always drawn to animal stories. About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in the workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/