Thriving not Surviving

Keywords Obesity, depression, bariatric surgery, gastric band, gastric bypass, metabolic surgery, eating disorders, addiction transfer, sobriety parallels, mental health, body image, keeping weight off, Kio Method, transformation, resilienceSummary In this episode of Thriving Not Surviving, host Helen Valentino speaks with actress, podcaster and weight-loss mentor Mel Harris about her extraordinary journey from severe obesity, depression and eating disorders to lasting transformation. Mel shares how childhood low self-esteem, people pleasing and isolation led to compulsive eating, bulimia and a suicide attempt in her 20s. After years of trying every diet and therapy, she chose bariatric surgery — first a gastric band that later failed, and then a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass — and ultimately lost almost 15 stone. But the real work, she says, was not just losing the weight, it was learning how to keep it off for life. Mel talks about the grief of being “the fat friend,” working as an actress only getting bigger-body roles, the moment she couldn’t play with her nephews and finally asked for help, and how she now supports others through her Kio (Keep It Off) Method. This conversation also explores the parallels between food addiction and alcohol recovery, the lack of long-term support after surgery, and why relapse into old patterns is normal — but not inevitable.Takeaways • Obesity is often rooted in early low self-worth, people pleasing and not feeling “good enough.” • Depression and disordered eating frequently go hand in hand. • Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool, but it is not a magic fix — aftercare matters. • A failed or slipped gastric band can be converted to a gastric bypass. • Weight-loss surgery patients often experience addiction transfer (e.g. to alcohol). • The “honeymoon period” after surgery ends — that’s when most people need support. • Keeping weight off requires conscious habits, self-talk and awareness of trigger foods. • 76% of people who lose a large amount of weight regain it without long-term strategies. • Mel created the Kio Method (Keep It Off) to help people maintain results for life. • We are all works in progress — long-term mental health support is valid.Sound Bites“I was just two pounds short of 25 stone and I couldn’t even play with my nephews — that was   my catalyst.”"The surgery helped me lose the weight. The mindset helped me keep it off.”"People think the hard bit is losing it — it isn’t. The hard bit is keeping it off.”“I heard myself say, ‘Go back to bed with a packet of biscuits’ — and I chose not to.”“Obesity is now classed as a disease because at a certain point your body can’t do it alone.” “I don’t want people to go through what I went through — that’s why I created the Kio Method.”Connect with MelKIO Method - https://kiomethod.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kiomethod/?viewAsMember=true Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiomethodInstagram: KiomethodYouTube: KIO- Keep it Off - YouTubeTikTok URL: https://www.tiktok.com/@kiomethodPodcast: KIO Keep it off ! Connect with HelenWebsite: www.inspiredhealing.co.ukIG: helens_inspired_healingLinkedIn: Helen on LinkedInFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk

Keywords meditation, spirituality, sobriety, personal growth, mental health, mindfulness, healing, transformationSummary In this conversation, Georgia Laurence shares her profound journey with meditation and spirituality, emphasizing their critical roles in her life and sobriety. She reflects on how meditation has been a life-saving practice and how spirituality has supported her sober journey.Takeaways · Meditation has been the practice that has saved my life.· I would not be here if I hadn't found meditation.· It was just complete alignment and fluke that I found it.· If I didn't have spirituality, I probably wouldn't be sober.· These spiritual practices are essential on my sober journey.Sound Bites· "I would not be here if I hadn't found meditation."· "Meditation has been the practice that has saved my life."· "It was just complete alignment and fluke that I found it."Connect with GeorgiaInstagram: @enchantedminds_Facebook: Enchanted MindsWebsite: Enchanted MindsYouTube: Enchanted MindsConnect with HelenWebsite: InspiredHealing.co.ukIG: helens_inspired_healingLinkedIn: Helen on LinkedInFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨 Cover art: Dave ChampagneFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk

 Keywords thriving, surviving, personal growth, spirituality, intuitive decision-making, healing, dragons, ancestral patterns, corporate challenges, playfulnessSummary In this episode of Thriving Not Surviving, host Helen Valentino speaks with Emily Janda about her transformative journey from surviving to thriving. Emily shares her childhood experiences, the impact of ancestral patterns, and her challenges in the corporate world. She discusses a near-death experience that led to a spiritual awakening and her unique work with dragons in healing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intuitive decision-making, embracing playfulness, and finding joy in the present moment.Takeaways · Emily's journey illustrates the power of transformation.· Childhood experiences shape our adult lives.· Ancestral patterns can influence our sense of self.· Corporate environments can challenge personal authenticity.· Near-death experiences can lead to profound insights.· Dragons symbolize strength and guidance in healing.· Intuition is a valuable tool in decision-making.· Embracing playfulness can enhance our lives.· Life's challenges often lead to personal growth.· Finding joy in the present moment is essential.Connect with EmilieMy website: https://emiliejanda.com/Quantum Therapy session / Ancestral healing at the DNA level: https://emiliejanda.com/quantum-therapy/Embodying your Cosmic Blueprint / Energy Alchemy series: https://emiliejanda.com/energy-alchemist/Dragon Initiation: https://emiliejanda.com/dragon-initiation/MerKaBah Activation: https://emiliejanda.com/activations-initiations/merkaba-activation/Sovereign Divine Feminine Embodiment: https://emiliejanda.com/divine-feminine-activation/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantum.therapy.akena/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IpaAlAkenaFree Guided meditations for Sovereignty on YouTube.The scientist mentioned was Nassim Haramein.Connect with HelenWebsite: InspiredHealing.co.ukIG: helens_inspired_healingLinkedIn: Helen on LinkedInFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨 Cover art: Dave ChampagneFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk

Keywords: infertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, IVF, medical consent, abortion pill, adoption, childhood trauma, special-needs parenting, alcoholism, sobriety, Kundalini yoga, Amma (the hugging saint), Gabor Maté, Compassionate Inquiry, self-trust, forgiveness, resilience, thrivingSummary: In this deeply moving episode, Denise Sohandev shares a decade-long journey from infertility and repeated pregnancy loss to adoption, medical trauma, and the slow rebuild into a meaningful, sober life. After being told one fallopian tube was blocked, Denise experienced multiple miscarriages, a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, and two rounds of IVF (including a brief triplet pregnancy). In a rushed clinical encounter she was given an abortion pill without informed consent, a breaking point that catalysed her decision to reclaim agency and listen to her body’s signals. Denise and her husband adopted a 15-month-old son carrying early trauma; the realities of special-needs parenting collided with her work as a yoga teacher and coach, and alcohol became her coping tool. A chance trip to India in 2017, a life-affirming darshan with Amma, and the support of a new friend became the pivot: Denise chose sobriety (3 July 2017) and later trained in Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry, which helped her soften self-judgement, process childhood patterns, and move from victimhood to responsibility and compassion. Today she supports others through body-based healing, reminding us that thriving isn’t perfection—it’s tools, support, and the courage to trust your own inner knowing.Takeaways:1.Your body knows—learn to recognise and trust its signals.2.Informed consent matters; slow down rushed medical decisions.3.Grief needs space; bypassing feelings delays healing.4.Parenting a traumatised child is a marathon—build a village of support.5.Alcohol “works” until it doesn’t; one decision can start a new chapter.6.Spiritual experiences can catalyse change, but daily practices sustain it.7.Compassionate Inquiry reframes blame into understanding and choice.8.Naming the inner critic helps you loosen its grip.9. Forgiveness frees you first—let go so you don’t carry the prison with you.10. Thriving ≠ constant bliss; it’s having tools, community, and self-trust.11. Agency is reclaimed one boundary at a time—especially with authority figures.12. Nothing was wasted: every step can become part of your medicine for others.ResourcesGabor Mate – Compassionate enquiry Connect with DeniseEmail - connect@denisesohandev.comWebsite denisesohandev.comIG - Denise.sohandevConnect with HelenWebsite: InspiredHealing.co.ukIG: helens_inspired_healingLinkedIn: Helen on LinkedInFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨 Cover art: Dave ChampagneFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk

Keywords mental health, personal growth, resilience, memory loss, therapy, COVID-19, public speaking, purpose, burnout, recoveryIn this episode of Thriving Not Surviving, host Helen Valentino sits down with Gareth James-Ryan, who opens up about his profound journey of rebuilding life after a serious accident, memory loss, and mental health struggles. What began as a period of confusion and disconnection evolved into a story of resilience, self-discovery, and purpose.Gareth shares his experiences of navigating through the fog of confusion, seeking help & how therapy, self-reflection during COVID-19, and an openness to serendipity helped him navigate burnout and find new meaning through public speaking and helping others. His story is a powerful reminder that even when we lose our way, healing and clarity are possible — and thriving can emerge from the most unexpected places.Takeaways: • Gareth’s journey began with a life-changing accident • COVID-19 created space for self-reflection and healing • Memory loss revealed deeper emotional and mental health challenges • Therapy was key to unpacking and processing his experiences • Recognizing burnout is vital for long-term wellbeing • Purpose and passion can be rediscovered after breakdown • Embracing change allows growth and transformation • Public speaking became a way to inspire others • Serendipity often guides us toward unexpected opportunities • Self-care and support are essential to recoverySound bites: • “I had to find out who I was.” • “I had a full mental breakdown.” • “I was so lost and confused.”Resources:Jay Shetty Connect with Gareth Gareth James-Ryan | LinkedInGareth JR | Step Zero (@gareth.jr) | TikTokConnect with HelenWebsite: InspiredHealing.co.ukIG: helens_inspired_healingLinkedIn: Helen on LinkedInFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨 Cover art: Dave ChampagneFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk

Keywords loneliness, community, mental health, chatty benches, support, connection, personal development, thriving, inspiration, storytellingSummary In this episode of Thriving Not Surviving, host Helen Valentino speaks with Aliya Musa about her transformative journey from personal loss to creating a community initiative called Hello Benches. After experiencing the death of her mother and the unravelling of her marriage, Aliya found purpose in addressing loneliness through the concept of chatty benches—designated spaces for people to sit and engage in conversation. The discussion highlights the importance of community support, human connection, and the ripple effect of kindness in combating loneliness. Aliya shares her vision for expanding the Hello Benches initiative across the UK, emphasizing the need for policies that promote mental health awareness and community engagement.Takeaways · Aliya Musa's journey illustrates the power of community support.· Chatty benches serve as a tool to combat loneliness.· Loneliness affects people of all ages, not just the elderly.· The Hello Bench initiative aims to create spaces for conversation.· The importance of human connection has been magnified post-COVID.· Aliya's story shows how personal struggles can lead to positive change.· The concept of Hello Benches can inspire similar initiatives worldwide.Resourceshttps://www.chasingthestigma.co.uk/ https://hubofhope.co.uk/Professor Dixon ChibandaConnect with Aliyalinkedin.com/in/aliya-musa-ab209050www.hellobench.org.ukIG:@hellobenchConnect with HelenWebsite:www.InspiredHealing.co.ukIG: helens_inspired_healingLinkedIn: Helen on LinkedInFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨 Cover art: Dave ChampagneFor full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk