On The Sofa With Rouge

Episode 3 of this podcast series with the Infinity Group offers a fascinating conversation with Dr. Karl Alvarez a Gibraltarian GP with a passion for Occupational Health, helping bridge the gap between employee well-being and workplace productivity. His involvement with the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses (GFSB) and role as a sponsored athlete with the Infinity Group highlights his dedication to both professional and personal growth.As an endurance athlete, Dr. Alvarez has faced some of the toughest foot races globally, showcasing remarkable resilience and determination. His 2023 Guinness World Record for continuous vertical waves with battle ropes further emphasizes his commitment to pushing limits. This episode promises an engaging and motivational discussion, touching on health, fitness, mentorship, and maintaining a positive mindset in all areas of life. This podcast is proudly sponsored by the Infinity Group.

Welcome to our series of podcasts, brought to you by On the Sofa with Rouge and the Specialist Medical Clinic / GibMed International Hospital. Situated at the heart of the community, these installations offer specialized and bespoke care to patients.In episode 3 Rouge sits down with Toni Valarino Sanderson, Head of the Radiology Department at Gibmed Hospital. Toni shares insights into the state-of-the-art equipment available at their new facility, highlighting how this advanced technology is enhancing healthcare for the community. With quick access to MRIs, scans, and other diagnostic tools, patients are benefiting from faster diagnoses and improved care. She also discusses how the radiology department collaborates with the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA), ensuring that more people have access to high-quality medical imaging. Tune in to learn more about the cutting-edge facilities at Gibmed Hospital in this engaging and informative episode, kindly sponsored by the Specialist Medical Clinic and Gibmed Hospital.

Lee Whitwell’s journey from Gibraltar to becoming a world-renowned Senior Pro pickleball player is nothing short of inspiring. She initially excelled in tennis, seeing it as a pathway to new opportunities, which led her to the USA. There, a friend's suggestion to try pickleball opened doors to an entirely new level of athletic success, ultimately leading her to claim the title of the #1 ranked female Senior Pro Pickleball player.Lee’s life now revolves around more than just competition; she's dedicated to building and fostering pickleball communities worldwide and has recently started a pickleball community in her homeland, Gibraltar. Besides her athletic prowess, Lee is a seasoned corporate leadership consultant and event coordinator, bringing people together on and off the court. Known for her humor and wit, she often brings laughter to those around her—a bit of a comedian, indeed!To hear more about her journey, what she’s currently working on, and how life is treating her, catch her on this engaging podcast episode, sponsored by Infinity Aesthetics Gibraltar.

What a privilege to interview Professor Elena Seaone, a linguistics expert from La Universidad de Vigo. Her research on World Englishes led her to explore Gibraltar English, a lesser-studied variety with distinctive phonological and grammatical features. During her time in Gibraltar, she discovered its rich multilingual culture, characterized by the use of Yanito, as well as its vibrant local literature and unique cultural identity.However, she has also observed that Yanito is at risk of extinction, as its transmission from parents to children has diminished over time. She greatly admires the efforts of those working to raise awareness within Gibraltarian society about this alarming shift toward monolingualism, and strives to support their cause.One of the ways she has contributed is by providing a platform for Gibraltarians to express their thoughts on language in the book Gibraltarians and Their Languages – 22 Linguistic Biographies, which she co-edited with M.G. Sanchez, Lucía Loureiro, and Cristina Suárez. The book, published by the University of Vigo Press, will be launched this week in Gibraltar.

On the Sofa this week, we have two seriously loyal Gibraltarians who are insanely creative and just a little bit eccentric: Alex Menez and Stefano Blanca, the dynamic duo behind Blanca y Menez.Join us as they shed light on how they met, what inspires them, and what's next for their artistic journey. These two aren't just fun and quirky; they bring art, joy, and color into our lives in the most unexpected ways. Don't miss this lively conversation! This podcast is sponsored by The Paint Shop.

Facial aesthetics is the latest trend for enhancing your appearance in just a short amount of time, helping you look and feel younger. At Infinity Aesthetics, located on the stunning Ocean Village Promenade, more and more people are dropping in to get their beauty fix. But what exactly is the secret behind this surge in youthful, vibrant looks?Today, Rouge speaks to Amy Mesilio Peralta, Dental Therapist at Infinity Aesthetics, who shares insights on the rise of these treatments and why she believes everyone deserves a little self-care. Get ready for an eye-opening conversation covering everything you've ever wanted to know about the newest cosmetic procedures available at Infinity Aesthetics.This podcast is proudly sponsored by the Infinity Group.

In "Six Windows," a dance production taking place at Inces Hall this week, Jade Federico Marzan, a seasoned dancer and instructor, showcases her passion for dance alongside her wife, Mel. This event is a collaboration with Dramatist Personae & GibSams, emphasizing mental health and community support through the arts.Jade, a mentor and role model, has devoted her life to dance, inspiring her students with her dedication and creativity. Together with Mel, she is cultivating a dance community that values diversity, unique styles, and innovative ideas. They encourage their dancers to embrace differences and express themselves fully.This week Rouge chats to Jade and Mel who shared insights into what this production represents for them. They talked about how "Six Windows" is not just a dance performance but a ‘support group’ a reflection of their commitment to fostering an inclusive and creative environment. Through their work, they hope to inspire others to be confident in their individuality and to explore new creative possibilities. This production is a testament to their belief in the power of dance to bring people together, to support each other and to express the richness of being part of this dance group that goes beyond dancing.

Introducing Joshua Harold Neal Downey. The creator, writer and host of the “JD Dragon Disability Rights Podcast”, the show where he explores how disability and diversity are connected.Josh was born three months prematurely and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia) at the age of two.He love’s Gibraltar’s history and culture and by virtue having the honour to appear on the “On the Sofa with Rouge” podcast Gibraltar helped make my dreams come true!Please check out his website for more information:https://podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/the-jd-dragon-disability-rights-podcast-exploring-how/id1493666442