ResetU: The Podcast

Welcome to ResetUWhat happens when simply getting through the day isn't enough anymore?In this episode of ResetU, Andy Rhodes and Nathan Gardner are joined by Damien Isherwood and Helen Barnett for a powerful conversation about trauma, recovery, resilience, and finding purpose after difficult experiences in policing and the blue light community.The conversation explores the work of the Curtis Palmer Programme, a peer-led approach that combines education, breath work, physical challenge, nature, and giving back to help people rebuild confidence and resilience.Helen shares her deeply personal journey as a former Met Police firearms officer, including being stabbed, caught up in IRA explosions, shot on duty, and ultimately medically discharged from policing. She speaks honestly about PTSD, leaving the job, years of silence, and how finding a way to contribute again became an important part of her recovery.Damien shares how his own military background, expeditions, and experiences supporting others led him to develop the Curtis Palmer Programme, built around the belief that meaningful recovery requires more than short-term fixes.For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/Curtis Palmer Programme: https://curtispalmerprogram.org/This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

Welcome to ResetUWhat happens when you've become so good at coping that you no longer realise you're struggling?Joining Andy and Nathan in the studio today are Hannah Bailey and former professional racing driver Tom Gaymor to explore the hidden impact of fatigue, moral injury, identity loss, and the culture of "just getting on with it."Drawing on experiences from policing, elite sport, and personal recovery, this conversation goes beyond trauma to uncover why so many frontline professionals reach breaking point before asking for help. Together, they discuss why trusted spaces, meaningful connection, and small daily habits can make all the difference in moving from simply surviving to truly thriving.This is an episode about hope, honesty, and discovering that asking for help isn't the end of your strength, it's often where it begins.For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/Hannah Bailey: https://www.bluelightwellbeing.uk/Tom Gaymor: https://www.instagram.com/tomgaymor/This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

Welcome to ResetUWhat if one of the most effective tools for healing trauma wasn't found in a therapy room, but in a field with a horse?In this episode of ResetU, Any and Nathan are joined by Chris Kay, Senior Research Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University's Veterans & Families Institute for Military Social Research (VFI), and Ele Milwright, whose pioneering work in equine-assisted therapies is helping transform mental health support for military personnel, veterans, police officers, and emergency service workers, including programmes with the Household Cavalry.Together, they explore how horses can help people regulate emotions, rebuild trust, and recover from trauma. Blending cutting-edge research with real-world experience, Chris and Ele explain why equine-assisted interventions are gaining recognition as a powerful complement to traditional mental health support.For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/Warrior Equine: https://warriorequine.co.uk/Dr. Chris Kay: https://www.aru.ac.uk/people/chris-kayThis podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

Welcome to ResetUIn this episode Andy and Nathan are joined by Chief Inspector Rebecca Kempster, Deputy Chair of the Met Police’s Menopause Advisory Group, and women’s health scientist Verity Fotheringham, founder of Hysteron, to talk openly about menopause and perimenopause.Rebecca shares her personal journey through perimenopause, the challenges she faced both physically and mentally, and how a lack of awareness and support in the workplace initially left her feeling isolated. She explains how connecting with other women in the Met Police and sharing lived experiences became invaluable, highlighting the importance of support networks and education.Verity brings the science perspective, explaining the hormonal changes women experience during perimenopause and menopause, and why symptoms, ranging from anxiety, brain fog, and sleep disruption to physical changes, are often misunderstood or overlooked. She emphasises the individuality of experiences, the limitations of current testing and healthcare support, and the need for tailored approaches including HRT, lifestyle adjustments, and workplace flexibility.The discussion covers the challenges of navigating menopause in high-pressure jobs like policing, where rigid policies and lack of flexible working options can exacerbate the impact. Rebecca and Verity stress the importance of open conversations between women and line managers, practical adjustments in the workplace, and creating policies that recognize the wide variety of symptoms and experiences.They also talk about mental health, the role of therapy versus hormone-driven symptoms, and the misconceptions surrounding menopause as a “one-size-fits-all” experience. The episode closes with both guests sharing their personal reset practices, from yoga, sea swimming, and social connection to the mindful use of technology to help maintain balance and well-being.This episode blends lived experience with scientific insight to give listeners a deeper understanding of menopause, perimenopause, and how workplaces can better support women through this life stage.For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:Hysteron: https://www.hysteron.co.uk/Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

Welcome to ResetUIn this episode, Andy Rhodes and Nathan Gardner sit down with Ali Booker and Pete Flint to explore the real-world impact of nutrition, habits, and wellbeing on frontline professionals. They dive into the challenges of shift work, operational policing, and emergency response, a world where stress is constant, meals are often missed, and ultra-processed convenience foods can quietly undermine performance, mood, and health.The conversation highlights the power of preparation and habit stacking. Ali and Pete discuss how pre-making meals, organizing snacks, and having simple go-to options can prevent the “I need to eat now” moments, helping to maintain stable energy and focus. They dig into how poor diet, sugar spikes, and dehydration can affect split-second decision-making, whether it’s during a blue-light call or firearms training. The discussion makes it clear that nutrition isn’t just a personal choice, it’s a public safety priority.Practical strategies are a key focus. From milk as a portable whole-food option to timing hydration correctly and experimenting with low- or zero-alcohol alternatives, listeners are given realistic, accessible ways to fuel their bodies and support recovery. Ali explains the importance of linking nutritional choices to performance outcomes, while Pete emphasizes creating meals that are not only nutritious but also tasty, satisfying, and quick to prepare. They challenge the idea that healthy food has to be complicated, showing how small, consistent changes can make a huge difference over time.On a more personal note, Ali shares how outdoor activities like hiking and climbing have become his mental reset, especially after experiencing personal loss. Pete reflects on family-focused outdoor activities and growing his own ingredients, turning everyday meals into both a hobby and a way to maintain health and wellbeing.From KFC and sugary vending machines to mountain climbing and Carolina Reapers, this episode blends science, lived experience, and practical advice. The takeaway is clear: supporting frontline workers’ wellbeing isn’t about perfect habits or expensive interventions. It’s about small, achievable actions, empowering choices, and food that actually fuels the body, helping people perform better, recover faster, and sustain compassion under pressure.For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:Ali Booker: https://www.instagram.com/the_frontline_rd/?hl=en-gbPete Flint: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-flint-b09601173/Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

Welcome to ResetUIn this episode, Andy Rhodes and Nathan Gardner are joined by Kerry McMahon White, Managing Director of Police Mutual, to explore one of the most overlooked, yet deeply influential, aspects of wellbeing in policing: financial stress.With a long-standing connection to policing and nearly a decade leading Police Mutual, Kerry brings a unique perspective shaped by data, lived experience, and close relationships with officers, staff, and their families. Founded by the police, for the police almost 160 years ago, Police Mutual continues to support the policing community through financial education, insurance, healthcare and reinvestment back into the service.Together, Andy, Nathan and Kerry unpack the scale of the issue, sharing stark but vital insights. Over 33,000 police personnel are living with less than £125 a month in discretionary income, while more than 85,000 individuals are identified as struggling with basic financial understanding. These pressures, often hidden due to stigma, are shown to be closely linked to fatigue, mental health challenges, absenteeism, and overall wellbeing.The conversation explores why money remains such a taboo subject in policing, from fears around vetting and corruption risk, to cultural expectations of resilience and self-sacrifice. Kerry explains how early financial education, accessible tools, and private, judgement-free support can prevent small problems escalating into crisis. Andy and Nathan reflect on how financial strain often sits quietly behind sleep disruption, relationship stress, burnout and declining health.The episode also widens out to look at modern pressures: instant spending, social media influence, rising living costs, and the changing expectations of new recruits who value balance and quality of life more than ever before. Kerry shares how Police Mutual delivers financial education across forces, supports health screening and healthcare access, and reinvests profits back into policing, all with the aim of prevention rather than cure.As the conversation draws to a close, the focus turns to leadership and culture. Kerry offers a clear message to senior decision-makers: financial wellbeing must be lived and breathed, not treated as a tick-box exercise. Supporting officers from day one, normalising conversations about money, and recognising financial health as a core pillar of wellbeing can make a real, measurable difference.For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:Police Mutual: https://www.policemutual.co.uk/Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

Welcome to ResetUIn this episode, In this episode Andy and Nathan explore the life-changing impact of nature-based therapy for emergency service personnel and why stepping outside could be one of the most effective ways to support mental wellbeing.Joined by Dr Fazaleet Duran from Birmingham University, and Ian Boyd, CEO of Mind Over Mountains, this conversation dives into the connection between nature, movement, mindfulness, and recovery, especially for those working in high-pressure environments. From trauma-informed approaches to building resilience through outdoor experiences, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and practical takeaways.For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:Mind Over Mountains: https://mindovermountains.org.uk/Dr Fazaleet Duran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fazeelat-duran-phd-cpsychol-fhea-8545b029/Ian Boyd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrianboyd/Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

Welcome to ResetUIn this episode, Andy Rhodes and Nathan Gardner are joined by James Mallows, serving police officer and co-founder of Operation Surfwell, an innovative wellbeing programme using surfing and blue space therapy to support emergency service workers experiencing trauma, stress, and burnout.James shares his journey through over 20 years of policing across rural and urban environments, and how a devastating assault on a colleague became the catalyst for creating something radically different. Frustrated by traditional interventions that weren’t helping officers recover or return to work, James and his colleague Sam began asking a simple question: what actually helps us reset after the toughest days?The answer came not in a boardroom, but sitting on surfboards off the coast of North Devon. From that moment, Surfwell was born.Throughout the conversation, James explains how Surfwell goes far beyond “just taking people surfing.” Built on action-centred therapy and underpinned by academic research, the programme creates a psychologically safe, carefully structured environment where participants are supported by instructors who understand the realities of emergency service life. By combining cold water immersion, peer connection, learning a new skill, and trust-based relationships, Surfwell helps unlock conversations that many participants didn’t realise they were ready to have.This episode is a powerful exploration of resilience, innovation, and what happens when we rethink how we care for the people who spend their lives caring for others.For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:Surfwell: https://www.surfwell.co.uk/Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/