McHugh Corner

In this episode I speak with Will Copestake - an award winning adventurer.

This man is nothing other than an absolute machine. He’s explored the outdoors like no one else I know, both over seas and in Scotland, with his biggest adventure so far being solo circumnavigating Scotland by sea kayak, cycling and walking for an entire year climbing 282 munro mountains, mostly in winter.

He experienced huge highs but even lower lows, and talks about how these trips took a massive tole on his mental health facing the likes of loneliness, extreme weather conditions and dealing with sleep paralysis.

He also shared the feelings of accomplishment and pride after pushing himself to the limit, realising that he is capable of anything he sets out to do, all the while taking in the beautiful world we live in and knowing that he found his true joy in life - being outdoors.

This is such an interesting and inspiring conversation and I implore you to go check out @willcopestake on Instagram which will give you a taste of the insane footage that he captured on his journeys, showing what life was really like for him.

Enjoy!

On this episode I speak with Una Healy all about her incredible journey through life so far.

We talk all about how she starting out as a singer/songwriter in her teens busking around bars in Ireland and handing out her CD at the end of the night, to being a member of the biggest UK girl group 'The Saturdays' from 2007- 2014 and all of the other experiences in her life such as being a mentor on the Voice, singing at the Eurovision and becoming a solo Country music artist.

I question her all about that vast life changes, her experiences being in the band and what it was like touring before social media blew up. I asked why The Saturdays decided to go on a break, and how it felt going from being in a group for so many years back to her own identity and continuing with her solo career.

I find out about different ups and downs in her life, including trolls online and periods of anxiety that she has had to deal with due to different circumstances, as well as what her proudest moments in life have been.

As a MASSIVE fangirl of The Saturdays this was a dream interview for me, and it was an absolute pleasure. It felt like a fun, down to earth chat about life, with so many laughs and I learned so much about Una through it.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did recording it!

In this brand new season of McHugh corner I am kicking off with the beautiful Jennie Longdon, talking to me all about what it is like to live with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D).

I’ve always been fascinated to find out what its really like to live with O.C.D because I think as a mental diagnosis it is one that is not always fully appreciated or taken seriously.

Jennie explains what it's truly like to live in this world, telling me all about her challenges on a day to day basis, and exactly how she has overcome the stages in her life where her O.C.D became out of control.

Jennie is fellow radio presenter and podcast host who you can grab on Instagram @jennielongdonradio if you ever have any questions about O.C.D, or if you feel like what is being spoken about relates to you and you want to know more. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!

In this episode I speak with Grace Nicoll about one of the most difficult and personal struggles in her life - her eating disorder.

Up until this point Grace has been extremely private about this, and recently found the strength within herself to talk to me openly about it on this podcast.

This is something that she has struggled with for over a decade, sometimes managing her eating disorder, but at certain stages in her life, having it completely take over her day to day.

This is an incredibly open and vulnerable conversation, and Grace is so brave for being honest with me about it and her experiences.

A disclaimer that neither Grace of myself are medical professionals, she speaks purely on her own experiences, and if you find this conversation might be a trigger, this might not be the right listen for you. This was very eye opening, shocking and moving conversation, and I hope you find it to be as well.


I have linked a few resources if you are personally struggling, or if you need help with a friend or family member who is >

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com

https://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk

https://www.mind.org.uk

In this episode I speak with Ruari Fairbairns, one of the founders and brains behind 'One Year No Beer'.

'OYNB' is a programme where you ditch the booze for an entire year, and Ruari tells me all about the magic in this. Whether it be improved mood, better health, more energy or a cure for anxiety, the list is endless.

This conversation was truly inspiring, and what I love about Ruari is that he doesn’t demonise alcohol and pressurise the idea of never touching a drop again in your life, he purely talks about how we can all change our relationship with alcohol, live to our full potential, and feel the best we’ve ever felt in our lives.

'OYNB' has over 100,000 members in 90 countries, it is a life changing programme and after my curiosity peaked in this podcast, I’ve just signed myself up for 28 days, and maybe you will as well after this conversation, hope you enjoy!

In this episode I speak with Sean Timlin about one of the most shocking things that has ever happened to him in his life.

Sean was associated with a truly horrendous news article purely because of the fact that he shared the same name as the perpetrator. The reporter for the article under 'The Digger' publication didn't correctly research the criminal in order to get the correct photograph - and instead took Sean's Facebook picture.

This is one of the most unbelievable and awful stories to hear, but at the same time one of the most heart warming and emotional ones about friends, family, loved ones and community coming together in a time where something terrible was happening to an innocent wonderful young man - and not standing for it.

Please review and rate my podcast on any streaming service you use, enjoy!

In this episode I speak with Holly Anthony and Amber Dawson all about the mysterious world of Contraception.

We talk all about our experiences - the good, bad and ugly. We talk about mental health, physical health and what they don't disclose to you as a women growing up through puberty.

This was such an interesting podcast to record and something all three of us have wanted to speak about for so long due to the fact there's so little information and research out there.

For any of the information I quoted in this episode I referenced from the podcast, 'The Chalene Show - This is your brain on Birth Control with Dr. Sarah Hill' which I would fully recommend checking out as well if you would like more information.

Enjoy!

On this Episode I have the incredible Indie McCue chatting with me. Indie is a Trans man in Scotland and in this episode we talk all about his experience transitioning, all about his life and dealing with equality and inequality. He educates me all about Non Binary pronouns, the gender spectrum, the gender recognition act and so much more. I fully appreciated and enjoyed this open and honest conversation, I learned so much and I hope you do too, enjoy!

In this Episode I talk with Mark McGuire, an incredible man who ran 30 Marathons in 30 days in memory of his best friend Ben Forsyth.

Ben tragically passed away in 2018 due to an underlying heart condition, and Mark decided to raise awareness for the charity C.R.Y by putting himself out of his comfort zone and running an unbelievable 786 miles whilst raising over £23,000. This is a story of resilience, love, hope, emotion and the utmost brain power and strength to make it through. I got chills listening to Mark's story and believe he is a true inspiration to all of us. Enjoy!

Feel free to make donations to his page here - https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=MarkMcGuire9&pageUrl=1

In this Episode I speak with my best friend Danny Henderson all about the concept of happiness. We ponder what it means to be happy, before and during the pandemic. We discuss mental health, particularly steering towards how men can open up, and ultimately what we have both learned throughout the pandemic about our lives. Enjoy!