Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

I grew up in the countryside, an hour outside London, UK. The village was on the River Thames and we spent our childhood rowing and swimming in the river. Decades later I now once again live on the river and own a little rowing boat which we use to take us over to our allotment where we attempt (not always successfully) to grow vegetables.

What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?

I wish I’d trusted in my ability to paint and write stories, and believe that I would be successful living my passions.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

I help people to tell their stories, share their messages, and create a positive impact by guesting on podcasts. It is important for them to understand that, whilst they are telling ‘their’ story, the purpose is to serve the listeners. That’s how you gain fans and bring followers into your world.

Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?

I was living in Lockerbie, Scotland when the jumbo jet Pan Am 103 was blown up in the sky above us. Then my cousin died a couple of years later. Then I directed a series on Terminal illness for National TV, followed by a feature documentary on soldiers with PTSD. That was when I realized the emotional impact of all these experiences. I ended up drawing and writing the book Brave New Girl – How to Be Fearless and the self-help book FEAR LESS, starting a podcast about finding courage called Brave New Girl, and most recently about to publish Dare to Share – a guide to telling your story and create impact and connection through the power of podcast guesting.

What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?

When we were doing the Death series one of the episodes was about a woman with severe and life-changing Chrones’ Disease who was no longer able to obtain the medication she needed. When the film aired people started sending in money for her. We set up a trust fund and she ended up having enough donations that she could have her medication for life. That showed me the power of creativity to make a big difference in people’s lives. That became my mission statement.

What is your morning routine?

As soon as I wake up, usually between 5:30 am and 6 am I start writing (I stay in bed to do this). It might be a blog or a pitch document or my latest book or a screenplay. But I don’t get out of bed until I have written for about 2 hours. Then I get up and either record a podcast episode or answer emails or edit or do a painting depending on what day it is. The hardest part of my day is usually done by lunchtime.

What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?

Most definitely writing on waking. It stops me from worrying about the day ahead and gets my creative juices flowing right away.

What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?

Work intensively in the morning, do more relaxing things in the afternoon, then pick up on any emails, etc. early evening before switching off from the day.

What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?

Feel The Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers. It was pretty much the first self-help book I read in my twenties and set me on the road to continuous personal development. Fear was never far away but I learned not to let it stop me.

Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?

“Be the Change You Wish to See” by Mahatma Gandhi. I try not to judge, blame or complain, but instead do what I can to make a positive impact.