Talking Mental Podcast

In the fourth episode of the lululemon is Talking Mental Podcast Series, we talk about how we can use our mental strength to enhance performance. Too often with Mental Health, we focus on getting back to a 'zero' state or 'back to normal', but why can't we strive to get our minds into the positive and perform beyond 'normal'? Well today we sit down with Hong Kong Olympic Swimmer Camille Cheng and Sports Psychologist Karen Lo to talk openly about how the mind is our biggest tool when it comes to performance. Tune in to get a front row seat into what an Olympic Athlete goes through on a daily basis as well as how they've had to adapt during Covid 19. 

In the third episode of the lululemon is Talking Mental podcast series, we are talking about 'Overcoming Challenges & Uncertainties' and we couldn't think of a better guest than Lai Chi Wai to bring light to this topic. Lai Chi Wai is a four time Asian Rock Climbing Champion and was once ranked number 8 in the world. However, in 2011, Lai Chi Wai's life got flipped upside-down. He was involved in a serious traffic accident that left him paraplegic. We learn about how he overcame these mental and physical challenges to where 5 years later, he climbed up Lion Rock in a wheelchair! Since then he has become the first Chinese athlete to be nominated for the Laureus World's Best Sporting Moment. Tune in to see how we can put life into perspective and how we should never give up.

In the second episode of the lululemon is Talking Mental podcast series, we talk about the very important topic of 'Learning to Love Yourself'. We are extremely honoured to be sharing this topic with two incredible women who are shining stars of the Hong Kong entertainment industry, Singers Joyce Cheng and Lesley Chiang. These ladies openly discuss everything from how they were born in the public eye to how they've been constantly battling body positivity whilst as sharing their own Mental Health struggles. The energy from these ladies will be oozing in this episode, so strap in and hear how these women have now learnt to love themselves.

In the first episode of the lululemon is Talking Mental podcast series, we delve into 'Mental Health 101'. Discussing topics including spotting the red flags to understanding why self awareness is key to prevention, as well as sharing a personal recovery story. Take a seat and listen to episode 1 of this 4 part series featuring Psychiatrist Dr. Jackie Fu and our very own Assistant Store Manager at the lululemon IFC store, Cherry Cheng. 

What’s going on!? When will this madness end? Why have I become this jittery hand-washing, food-hoarding, news-obsessed recluse? Will someone please explain? The world has become a weird, weird place. Aaron sits down with Gira, a Mental Health Counsellor and author of one of the most sensible pieces of writing on Covid-19 to date. A breath of fresh air in the blizzard of tiresome memes and terrifying news reports. Smart, non-nonsense Gira is a rare and reassuring voice of reason. Kill the fear. Stop the spiral. Focus on the facts and only the facts. It’s all about putting things into perspective. Stay safe, stay calm. Peace out. ABOUT GIRA Gira started working as a Mental Health Counsellor at OT&P in October 2014. She graduated in 1999 from Leeds University Medical School, UK, and is a qualified, registered psychiatrist in the UK but not registered in Hong Kong. During 10 years of training in psychiatry, she gained experience in Adult Psychiatry, Old Age Psychiatry, Perinatal Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Liaison Psychiatry and Psychotherapies. She acquired her MRCPsych in 2005. Some of Gira's special interests are anxiety, stress, depression and perinatal mental health.

This episode, step back and take a look at the bigger picture as urban planning takes on a whole new meaning. Aaron is joined by JT Singh, a brand-place architect and multi award-winning media artist, to better understand the effect of our surroundings on our state of mind. Macro or micro scale, we're talking everything from the cities we live in to the contents of your pocket. Safe to say, distractions are everywhere, all the time. Listen in as they discuss space and time efficiency and how it affects our productivity and stress levels. How on earth... or rather where on earth... can we find the mind space to function as the best versions of ourselves? Be prepared to have your mind blown.

Aaron and Rick suck it up and bare all in front of a live audience at 2019 Hong Kong Podfest. Aaron is joined on stage at the Fringe Club by straight-talking Dr Rick Smith, a Teen Mental Health Specialist and pioneering researcher and advocate for self-compassion as a tool for managing school-related stress. What follows is a frank discussion about the significance of our teen years and prevention being the best medicine. Without getting too soppy, the guys go on to discuss the importance of being kind to yourself, just as you would be to friends. In a world where we often second guess ourselves and how we come across to others, Rick reminds us that it’s best to be our own BFF. Visit www.self-compassion.org and give yourself a pat on the back... ABOUT RICK: A teen Mental Health Specialist and a pioneering researcher & advocate for self-compassion, Rick works with adolescents, parents and schools to ensure a healthy frame of mind from early on in life.

Adolescent and Family Psychologist John Shannahan joins Aaron to nerd out on the gaming industry and the psychology behind it. Turns out, just as with many sources of fun, it has its pros and cons. A source of escapism and focus, online gaming can be a great distraction - but at what cost to everyday life and mental hygiene? Is it a viable coping mechanism against irrational thoughts, anxiety and the onset of panic attacks? How much game time is too much game time? Registered Child Psychologist John also delves in to the effect of e-gaming on younger players and the effects on their social skills and family dynamics. How do you bridge that gap with young adults? Turns out that sometimes if you can't beat them, it's best to join them.

Organising our day doesn't come naturally to everyone - whether you're an organised neat-freak like Monica or float through life as a Phoebe, our Organisational Expert and experienced Life Coach Christina Giaquinto has a few interesting tips on how to get your mind sorted for the week ahead. Lists, colour coding and clever apps galore - Christina helps Aaron navigate his way through some easy step by step excersises that might eventually become part of your daily routines. Pens at the ready! It's time to take note.

It's time for pillow talk! The average human spends about a third of their lives asleep. Something that occupies such a significant part of our lives has to be important, yet a huge number of us struggle with just getting some shut-eye that can signal sleep disorders and other physical and mental effects of poor sleep. Kate, a sleep expert, joins Aaron on this episode to discuss how sleep (or lack of it) can cause and aggravate mental health problems, why people suffer from fragmented sleep, and some strategies for overcoming these issues. Aaron and Kate also discuss some common beliefs and bad habits people have around sleep, and how to overcome them.

The second episode of TALKING MENTAL Series 1 follows Hannah and Aaron as they talk garlic, vampires and scary movies. Exploring anxiety and panic disorder from a medical perspective, we learn how sufferers are formally diagnosed and some helpful steps to follow towards the end goal of a cure. Hannah shares some of the common models used to understand panic disorder, and some of what goes on in the therapy room when someone comes in to seek treatment for anxiety or panic attacks (Hint: It’s not about lying on the psychologist’s couch and talking about your mother!). Dr. Sugarman also has some recommendations for people who don’t have access to psychological treatment options on self-help methods they can employ to aid their recovery. ABOUT HANNAH Dr Hannah Sugarman is a UK-trained Clinical Psychologist who has worked in mental health for number of years, with a special interest in the link between physical and mental health. She is experienced in working with a range of difficulties including low mood, stress and a range of problems linked to anxiety. She is passionate about challenging the stigmas that can arise in relation to mental health issues, and regularly collaborates with charitable initiatives aimed at reducing stigma around mental health and improving access to mental health care for those who need it most.  

What is anxiety? How do I know if I'm having a panic attack? What can I do about it? Poppy Jaman, CEO of City Mental Health Alliance leads the charge in the global conversation on mental health. In this episode, Poppy joins Aaron to talk about what it means to have anxiety and panic disorder. Together, they attempt to uncover some of the root causes of his experiences and talk through coping mechanisms and techniques that can help alleviate the stress and emotional turmoil of panic attacks. Their conversation leads to a discussion on society's stigmas against mental health issues - particularly for men speaking out. This episode also covers some of Poppy's suggestions on how to best tackle the issue and figure out a cure… with a little help from family and friends.