Dancing in the Grey

This week I welcome Megan Henderson. Megan is co-anchor on KTLA morning news and so to talk to her about her journey with mental health and how her work has a part to play in that, was truly amazing. I was privileged enough to go live on KTLA news channel a few months back and talk with Megan about my work in the Mental Health space. We really opened up about our ‘go-to' tools when we are in our grey spaces and I hope you find this episode useful. What to expect: ⚡Megan talks about her journey into discovering meditation, she took a few courses in transcendental meditation and explains how at first she didn't utilise her new skills but following a bad break up she really picked it back up and it helped her through that difficult time⚡We discuss the power of gratitude and how it really helps shift perspective and ground you in those moments when you feel lost  ⚡Megan shares her story of working on morning TV and how it affected her mental health when she had the balance wrong between work and personal life. She worked with a coach to build a schedule and she describes the way in which this had a positive impact on her mental health⚡We talk about saying ‘no' to social events in order to honour our morning practice as we both identify that our morning practice is the thing that keeps our mental health journey the most in check Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comJoin our free Mental Health Peer to Peer Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245540857329341And if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.com I hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!! B xProduced by:https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

I can't wait to welcome you all to this episode with Juan Acosta. Juan is an internationally, award-winning recognised LGBTQ+ mental health advocate. He is also a New York Times best selling author with a book called ‘Channel Kindness', co-authored with Lady Gaga.We talk about being a mental health advocate and what it's like contributing into this space and how our lived experiences bought us both down this path. We break down mental health and define what mental health is in a simple way. Juan also tells us about his work with Lady Gaga and Unicef, I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did creating it. What to expect:⚡️We talk about holding space for emotions and the importance of developing self-awareness.⚡️We discuss the stigma around mental health. Off the back of this, Juan shares his experiences of growing up in Mexico and how he was bought up in a culture where open conversation about emotions did not take place. ⚡️Juan shares his advice for anyone feeling trapped and unable to vocalise how they are feeling.⚡️We talk about the link between mental health and sexuality from Juan's perspective. ⚡️Juan talks about getting involved in non-profits and volunteer work as a way to help him through his grey spaces.⚡️We learn what passion means to Juan and how passion has helped him find himself and keep focused.⚡️I share how my physical body has held on to past mental health pain and the way in which these feelings manifest into physical symptoms.Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comJoin our free Mental Health Peer to Peer Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245540857329341Where to find Juan:Instagram: @juanacosta_ And if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.com I hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!! B xProduced by:https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

In this episode, I speak with Julia Broglie, founder of BroglieBox who I met through my mentor, friend, and previous podcast guest Kevin Hines. I wanted to put a trigger warning in here to say that Julia talks about how her brother aged 24 died from suicide. After that moment she made it her life mission to learn about suicide and to help other people, including herself with her own mental health journey.

In this episode, I speak with Erin Ryan. Erin is a friend of mine and Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Westside in Los Angeles, she is a trailblazer and a true inspiration to me and so many others. I work with Erin at NAMI Westside and also as an ambassador for her “Free for Me” project which addresses the silence and stigma around Mental Health. Erin believes that NAMI Westside is for everyone. Education and advocacy are some of the important focuses she uses when supporting the Mental Health agenda. We talk about the fact that Mental Health is just as important as our physical health. This is a really special episode to me and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. What to expect: 

Wellness and fitness goddess Pixie joins me on today's show. Pixie Acia is an inspiring human who I met at @soulcycle years ago and quickly became my friend. Her class became a safe space for me where I not only moved my physical body but a place where I moved my mind and my soul. I loved this conversation because there were so many nuggets of wisdom that she offered in a short amount of time and I highly recommend you give it a listen. (Link in my bio) Key Takeaways ✨✨Pixie talks about the importance of not defining ourselves as any one thing. ✨Pixie bravely shares with us her time growing up and how she experienced abuse and childhood trauma and how that has affected her life. ✨Pixie reflects on the time that when she stopped exercising and having physical fitness in her life, it coincided with her experiencing depression. ✨Pixie talks about fear of abandonment. ✨Pixie shares the importance of getting grounded in nature and how it positively impacts our #mentalhealth. Where to find Pixie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purposefulpixie/Trainer at FIIT: https://www.instagram.com/fiit/Master at Soul Cycle: https://www.instagram.com/soulcycle/Teacher at The Class: https://www.instagram.com/theclass/Founder at Surf Sweat Serve: https://www.instagram.com/surfsweatserve/Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comJoin our free Mental Health Peer to Peer Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245540857329341 And if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.com I hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!! Britt xProduced by:https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

In this episode of 'Dancing in the Grey', I'm joined by Rachael Blumberg, founder of PLATE FIT, an incredible chain of fitness studios throughout LA that transforms the body through the power of vibration. Rachael is an amazing storyteller. She explains her journey from a young athlete to opening her own fitness studio. Boldly, Rachael joined a male water polo team as a young girl, giving her scholarship opportunities to multiple schools. Identifying that female water polo teams were few and far between, Rachael set up her own team. After graduating college, Rachael found herself in a job she was good at, but felt a lack of passion towards. Finally, she discovered an abandoned vibrating stretching plate in a gym, which sparked a huge idea.  Key points:-       Trusting the uncertainty of the future to bring clarity and using self-reassurance affirmations to calm anxious feelings.-       Receiving rejection within business and the resilience that this is needed to withstand these knockbacks.-       Building an environment which breeds acceptance as a core value with ever-important diversity in fitness.-       Rachael reflects on the complicated twists and turns of her life which required her to surrender to and to trust the process which ultimately led her to success.-       Rachael discusses her ‘non-negotiables' to cope with her depression such as meditation, wellness, supportive peers and diet.-       How Rachael discovered using her breathwork to move huge amounts of energy to the point that she fell out of her chair, bringing an understanding of the huge possibilities that shifting energy brings.-       Although Rachael avoids caffeine, I couldn't let her go without discussing her favourite decaf coffee… of course.Where to find Rachael:Instagram: @rachaelblumbergchiprutWebsite: https://platefit.co/  Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comJoin our free Mental Health Peer to Peer Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245540857329341 And if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.com I hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!! Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

In this episode of 'Dancing in the Grey', I'm joined by my dear friend Taylor Camille Smith.Taylor Camille is an international producer, writer and director whose work spans from narrative to documentary, branded content and podcasting. She tells stories that empower; approaching her work intentionally to capture our diverse expression and inspire global audiences to acknowledge their social responsibility and tap into their power to promote change.Key points:Taylor tells us that going through bereavement can teach us something, even though its hard, we can learn something to help usTaylor explains that self-belief and setting goals is important to achievementIt is very valuable to communicate your needsTaylor believes that learning how to manage your feelings is necessary for self growthShe reassures us that however 'sticky' things are, they are not foreverShe believes that it is important to know what we want and to say 'no' is lovingWe must learn to respect and receive 'no' from othersTaylor feels that finding comfort in doing things by yourself is an important stepWe must view self-care as an important part of self-awarenessWe must empower ourselves and others by our actions Where to find Taylor: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tayllure/Website: taylorcamille.comBeyond Our Cells Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-our-cells/id1481777550Well+Good Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-well-good-podcast/id1557769801Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

In this episode, I am joined by Manoj Dias, meditation teacher and co-founder of Open a social space for meditation and movement. Manoj describes himself as a bold, young father who has transformed his life through mindfulness. Manoj pulls on ancient traditions such as meditation and combines them with modern-day mindful practices.Key points:The frightening but grounding experience as a young father that comes with the responsibility of having a dependent child.Manoj developed an addiction to prescription medication along with an eating disorder during a time where he was experiencing stress. Manoj's mental health journey really developed when he experienced a serious panic attack at work. Feeling like he was going to die, Manoj sought professional help, where he began to address his internal battles.Manoj eventually found himself at a Buddhist meditation studio and began to recognize his intrusive and self-destructive thoughts. After more practice, Manoj finally got asked to teach. We talk a lot about how it can be easy to take anxious feelings personally and how Manoj's pain intensified through being absorbed in this mentality.Together, we discuss the transformative nature of meditation, one of my favorite positive coping strategies. Meditation has the ability to assist us to become friends with ourselves, instead of our worst critic, allowing us to address trauma positively. And of course… we talk coffee.Promo code details:Promo code: DANCINGINTHEGREYLink to claim: https://go.o-p-e-n.com/DANCINGINTHEGREYMessaging: Enter "DANCINGINTHEGREY" when you sign up for 30 days free with Open. Your ritual starts now.About Open:Open is a mindfulness studio designing a new way to practice wellbeing, together. We draw upon the best of traditions and technologies, old and new, blending music, sound, breath, movement, and visuals to ground in your senses and bring you to the here and now.Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

In this episode, I am joined by Brit Bronson she is a mental health activist, entrepreneur, and creative. She is the Founder and CEO of spaceMVMNT, a community for mental and emotional wellness that inspires others to do good and feel good. The Space Movement Mind Series is a free peer-led support group, where I personally have spoken and shared my story. Key points: Brit Bronson's misdiagnosis and the grey space this created, followed by her correct diagnosis and the mixed feelings that came with this.  Within her recovery journey after being correctly diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder and PTSD, Brit worried about what her life would look like after being diagnosed. She questioned how she would tell her friends if she would ever get a boyfriend and felt incredibly uncertain about the future.  How accepting her own diagnosis was her most freeing and empowering moment to date. How we can all choose our words carefully to impact communities more positively.  Brit explains that bipolar 1 disorder is a chemical imbalance in the brain and together, we discuss what this means for her everyday life.  Brit's appreciation for life and passion for helping others and how this helps her to suppress intrusive thoughts. September is suicide prevention month so we discuss how we can ask and support our peers through difficult discussions. 

In this episode, I am joined by Ashley Roberts, a creative, member of The Pussycat Dolls and presenter of the Heart Breakfast Show, a major UK radio station. Ashley and I are dear friends and really bonded over sparking conversations about mental health during our time at Soul Cycle together. Key points: What ‘Dancing In The Grey' means to us and how Ashley's life, following her music career and before embarking in radio, was consistently in ‘the grey' due to ongoing uncertainty. How Ashley used her hidden resilience to challenge the universe by saying ‘yes' to opportunities during transformation periods of her life. Trying new things such as hobbies and Ashley's open personality which, allowed her to find herself and passion once again.  Ashley's coping strategies such as moving, exercise, podcasts, and relying on friends who are great listeners. Ending your day by integrating your evening or morning with positive habits such as reading affirmations or poems. Ashley was praying for support and direction when a radio opportunity was presented to her. She took the leap of faith despite uncertainty and doubt, now loves her job.Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

In this episode, I am joined by Molly Countermine, Doctor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State's University Park campus. Dr. Countermine delivered an emotionally moving TEDxPSU talk in March 2021, during which she describes going on a journey of personal growth after experiencing some unexpected obstacles in life, learning that it's okay to not always be happy. She discusses how our brains aren't wired for constant positivity and how we can live a fulfilling life through mindfulness. In her talk, she redefines what it means to be happy and how we can achieve this sought-after state. Key points:Molly's ‘breakthrough moment' was during her time sustaining 3 jobs, being a mom, teacher, and musician, and the burnout she experiencedEmbracing anxiety and making it bigger by seeing it as a moment of expansionHow Molly felt imposter syndrome due to being in a role model position whilst suffering from anxious feelings herselfHow sharing stories of our mental health can reduce the gap between mental health recognition and diagnosisThe importance of sleep and how Molly overlooked this during her teaching and mom yearsWhere to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/  

‘If things don't go my way, it's not a setback it's a setup for what's to come…'. In this episode, I am joined by Chef Lovely, TV host of Lovely Bites. I met Chef Lovely in Bloomingdale's 9 years ago and we instantly connected. Lovely struggled with the difficulties of being in the public eye and began to doubt herself after doors were shut in her face.  Key points:Understanding that some people are not ready for what you are willing to bring to the tableTraining your brain to look at life's obstacles as a positive instead of instantly going to the opposite spaceChoosing how you are consciously reacting to negativity to better your personal wellbeing. Opting for productivity, moving away from unconstructive thoughts, and how making this choice can open new doors for yourselfSimple acts which show grace to othersSaying no to serve your highest good and setting boundariesPracticing gratitude and utilizing this on a grey day to uplift yourself Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/  

Founder of Krost New York, the clothing brand that raises awareness for social causes, joins me to discuss his journey with mental health. We talk about Sammy's affiliation with March for Our Lives and other social causes and how he helps to break down the barrier to entry.  Key points: Changing mentality to help yourself cope with stressUnderstanding how our feelings serve us in a greater capacitySammy's 10 minutes daily ritual to building faithThe misconception of self-care rituals and normalizing them to be viewed as check-insThe meaning of Support Your Friends Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/ 

Hey everyone! Put your headphones in, go for a walk, or sit in a place of peace and listen to me as I talk through how we can make micro changes in our communities by practicing advocacy. I talk you through some ideas of how we can make a difference and care for each other. Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

Join myself and Louise Troen on this episode of Dancing In The Grey. Not only is Louise my rock and best friend but she is also vice president of international marketing at the leading mental health and mindfulness app, HeadSpace. Together we discuss the challenging and beautiful grey spaces in Louise's life. Louise talks through her positive coping strategies such as running and practicing gratitude whilst mentioning how she made spirituality more practical and manageable, despite being skeptical. Key points:The limiting ways that exist to articulate our mental healthResources to help you identify unclear emotions such as The Feelings WheelThe difficulty in pairing professional life with private life emotions and the notion that these can coexistHow we can make mindfulness practices manageable within our busy livesAnd of course…we discuss our daily coffeesWhere to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

Join me on the fourth episode of Dancing In The Grey with special guest Jennifer Marshall, fellow mental health advocate. Jenn sought out stories from others when she felt alone within her trauma and pain. She started to write an anonymous blog to help others who were struggling. A year and a half into her passion project, Jenn was offered to become a paid writer, spurring her to open up publicly, with her name. Flooded with thank you emails, Jenn made the decision to turn her growing blog into a show, raising $10,000 in just 31 days. Despite her success in mental health advocacy, Jenn struggled to prioritize her mental health throughout her life.  Key points:-       Coping with bipolar whilst under pressure to perform.-       Dealing with postpartum psychosis. -       How Jenn went from 4 hospitalizations within 5 years to building overall wellness and becoming strong in her recovery.-       Why mental health advocacy is so essential to young people searching for online help.-       Coming to terms with the understanding that recovery is not linear. There is no shame in the time it takes to understand your mental health. I hope you find value in this episode and if you think someone needs to hear it, please leave a review and pass along the message. It's my mission to see everyone prioritizing their daily mental hygiene. Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

Join me on this special journey that shines a light on the importance of prioritizing mental health. Depression and anxiety are on the rise, heightened by the pressures from the global pandemic we are all craving human connection. We are hard-wired for connection with others, which means many of us are left longing for it.Put your headphones in, go for a walk, or sit in a place of peace and listen to me as I talk through choice and how we can view both good and bad situations as learning opportunities, teachable moments of expansion. Where to find me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetbritt/Website: https://meetbritt.com/

In this episode with suicide survivor, Kevin Hines, I dive into Kevin's remarkable story. Kevin was born into poverty and faced severe adversity within his childhood. Following being diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder, at 19 years old Kevin planned to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. The moment Kevin let go, he felt instant regret. Fast forward to 2021 and Kevin still sometimes faces the same thoughts but he now knows how to control them. To help himself and others, Kevin created a '10 step guide to better your brain health'. As Kevin describes, ‘Suicide is never the answer. It is the problem'. Key points:- The remarkable story of how a seal saved Kevin's life the day he attempted to commit suicide- Why suicidal thoughts do not need to become actions- How to become self-aware enough to save yourself- Why suffering is an optionI hope you find value in this episode and if you think someone needs to hear it, please leave a review and pass along the message. It's my mission to see everyone prioritizing their daily mental hygiene. Where to find me:Instagram: @meetbritt @dancinginthegreyWebsite: https://meetbritt.com/TEDx: www.tedxlakemanalapan.comAnd if you want to get in touch directly with me you can reach me at britt@meetbritt.comI hope you are all GETTING YOUR COFFEE GETTING YOUR DAY!!Britt xProduced by: https://www.oceanaudioproductions.co.uk/

Hosted by mental health keynote speaker Britt Turpack, Dancing In the Grey is a podcast that shines a light on the importance of prioritizing our mental well-being. The mindful takeaways aim to plant seeds of inspiration that listeners can refer back to in times of hardship. Through the power of storytelling, the podcast discusses the 'grey' areas of our lives that can feel lonely and isolating. Because when we dance confidently in the grey, the colors of life show up so much brighter.