You Look Happier

In this episode, Rich Prendegast opens up about his addiction to alcohol and cocaine, the impact it had on his family and the road to recovery.Rich shares how close he came to homelessness, how his behaviour pushed away the people closest to him, and the moment his dad broke down and told him he wanted to enjoy the last few years of his life without worrying about him.Even after hearing that, Rich still wasn't ready to stop.He talks honestly about relapse, family, shame, the consequences of addiction and what finally helped him turn things around.Recovery isn't a straight road.

What started as one of the hardest moments of Taylor’s life eventually became the beginning of something that would give him a voice, confidence and a place to be completely himself.Taylor, host of The Waffle Shop Podcast, opens up about the devastating phone call that changed everything: his mum’s back surgery had gone wrong, she was on life support, and suddenly he was facing the possibility that she might not survive. At the same time, he found himself having to step up, fight for his mum and look after his little sister.But something unexpected came from that experience. Taylor began speaking openly about how he was feeling, finding confidence in sharing his story and eventually creating The Waffle Shop Podcast.In this episode, we talk about family, fear, responsibility, finding your voice, and how sometimes the moments that break us can also shape the person we become.This is the story behind the waffle. 🧇❤️

In this episode, Ellie is joined by Jordanna AKA TINKS!Jordanna opens up about growing up in Coventry, losing the man she loved, becoming a mum, and navigating life while her child’s dad is still in prison.Tinks talks openly about Coventry, what she believes is failing the people who live there, the changes she wants to see, and why she’s determined to use her voice to fight for the community that raised her.She has been through pain, and now uses it to motivate her. She wants a better community for her daughter to grow up in, and she is not going to stop until she gets there.

In this weeks episode, Ellie is joined by Joe Fulton - Founder of 'Get Fruity' A Coventry lad, dad and entrepreneur, Joe joins me to talk about growing up with the belief that he couldn’t learn...and how he eventually decided to teach himself. He felt that if he got things wrong he would be punished, so he masked 'the fear of trying' but turning to humour and misbehaving in school as a distraction. Now the founder of Get Fruity, Joe opens up about the experiences that made him realise he wanted more from his life, some of the bad decisions he made, and how he started to pick up books to educate himself. This is the story of the man behind the brand, a really likeable guy and it was a pleasure to sit down with him.

This week on the You Look Happier Podcast, Ellie sits down with Dean, an Army veteran and dad who shares his raw and powerful journey of living alongside Bipolar Disorder.After being sectioned under the Mental Health Act, attempting suicide twice, and experiencing the intense highs of hypermania alongside crippling depressive episodes, Dean opens up about the battles inside his head.We talk about what bipolar really feels like, the reality of being sectioned, the impact mental illness had on his family, and how finally receiving a diagnosis helped him begin to understand himself.⚠️ Content warning: This episode contains discussions around suicide, bipolar disorder, mental illness and being sectioned under the Mental Health Act. If these topics may be distressing, please listen with care.Dean's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dean_online_performance_coach/Bipolar UK: https://www.bipolaruk.org/

In this powerful episode of You Look Happier, Karl Orman shares his incredible journey from addiction, homelessness, and broken relationships to three years of sobriety and a life he never thought was possible for him.Karl speaks openly about the devastating impact addiction had on every area of his life, he is open, raw and honest about some of the rock-bottom moments that forced him to confront the reality of his situation, and the turning point that led him to rehab (https://www.thedynamoproject.co.uk/). He reflects on the challenges of recovery, rebuilding trust with loved ones, and learning how to become the man he always knew he could be.This is a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about resilience, redemption, and the life-changing power of recovery. Whether you have experienced addiction yourself, supported someone through it, or simply love hearing stories of transformation, Karl's journey is a reminder that no matter how far you've fallen, change is always possible.Content warning: This episode contains discussions around addiction, homelessness, and mental health that some listeners may find upsetting.

This week on the You Look Happier Podcast, I’m joined by Ria Burgoine, founder of Mamas Mindfulness. 🤍Ria runs a range of luxury parenting groups, including stay and play sessions, baby massage, music and movement classes, and supportive spaces for mums to connect and feel less alone in motherhood.In this honest and inspiring conversation, Ria shares her experience of being diagnosed with both ADHD and autism at the age of 40. We talk about what led her to seek a diagnosis, how it has helped her better understand herself, the challenges she faces day-to-day, and how ADHD and autism impact her life, relationships, parenting, and business.Ria also opens up about the medication she has been prescribed, her experience of navigating treatment, and what life looks like now with a greater understanding of how her brain works.Links:https://www.instagram.com/mamasmindfulness/https://www.problemshared.net/

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, illness, and the emotional impact of a life-changing diagnosis.At just 31 years old, Niamh's world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with cancer. As a mum to two young children, she suddenly found herself facing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, losing her hair, and navigating the uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis no one ever expects to hear.In this powerful and emotional episode of You Look Happier, Niamh shares the reality of life during treatment, the fears she faced, the impact cancer had on her family, and how she found the strength to keep moving forward during the darkest moments of her life.Niamh's honesty and determination will inspire anyone facing their own challenges and remind us all of the importance of appreciating the life we have.Links:https://breastcancernow.org -  The UK's leading breast cancer charity, funding research and providing support services, helplines, groups, and information for patients and families.https://coppafeel.org – A breast cancer awareness charity focused on encouraging people, especially younger adults, to check their chests regularly and spot symptoms early.