A New Way of Being, London (2025)

13/01/2025

‘The desire to seek that which is unobtainable (purely ‘positive’), and the desire to avoid that which is unavoidable (‘negative’), is a major source of human suffering’

One of my podcast guests shared this quote with me - paraphrasing the Buddha (not that he was there to hear him say it)

The point is: You can’t have good without bad, up without down, left without right. You can’t split the unsplittable!

Waiting for life to finally stabilise at ‘just up’ is a recipe for becoming the sort of person who repeatedly mutters ‘typical’ under your breath.

What’s the most spectacularly pointless thing you’ve ever resisted, only to realise you were fighting a losing battle? (I got cross with a self-service checkout this weekend who wrongly and annoyingly insisted I hadn’t put the cheese in the bagging area)

11/12/2024

Want to tap into the unconscious like Einstein?

Your unconscious is WAY more powerful than your conscious mind. Think about it: 99.9% of the processes in your body run without any input from ‘you’ (thankfully).

And it is that intelligent unconscious that is the source of true creativity.

Einstein was well aware of this fact. He loved sailing and would spend hours lying on his drifting boat in silence. It was during those moments that many of his world-changing ideas emerged.

Most people avoid silence like the plague. They reach for the phone, listen to music, read the news - basically anything to avoid the void.

But the void is where the REAL gold is. When we get out of the way, magic is free to emerge 💫

Want to learn how to get out of your own way and let your quiet unconscious produce marvels? Check out my FREE online course, Banish Burnout & Find Flow.

It’s only available for a short time, so if you are ready to take the first step, tap the link in my bio to join now

10/12/2024

Do you have a podcast idea? Over six years ago - 2231 days to be precise - I launched mine on the BBC, announcing it live from on the London Eye on the Today programme on Radio 4 (see pic)

It was called Don’t Tell Me The Score, because I wanted to explore sport as a metaphor for life without talking about results, tactics, or the score.

I’ve since recorded over 350 interviews (see some of my guest pics below - from Caitlyn Jenner to Gary Lineker and beyond), written a Bloomsbury book (Champion Thinking) based on some key the themes from the podcast, and took personal ownership of it.

I have since rebranded my podcast as A New Way of Being, broadening it beyond sport in the process, and it has led to friendships with guests and listeners alike, and opportunities I never would have envisaged - including speaking opportunities from Governments, brands and renowned team here and in the US.

What hasn’t changed is what I love: sitting down and deeply connecting with people to have meaningful conversations that I know can and do change people’s lives. That’s where I find my flow.

Podcasting today looks very different from 2018. But my approach hasn’t shifted: I treat everyone the same, whether they’re a global celebrity or someone few have heard of. Status is irrelevant - on and off mic.

Beyond my own podcast, I’ve also helped others launch theirs. Whether it’s hosting, consulting, or advising on creative direction, I enjoy helping people make something they’re proud of that impacts in ways they couldn’t have envisaged.

One example: I worked with one of the world’s biggest brands P&G on a mental health podcast for their employees. Here’s what they said:

“Simon went above and beyond to deliver an 8-part series that will resonate with our employees, helping them build resilience and thrive. From topics and experts to interviews and creative formats, Simon was simply outstanding.”

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast - whether for yourself or your organisation - we’d be happy to chat. I’ve learned a huge amount over the past six years, and I know we offer a unique proposition in a growing and important space.

09/12/2024

We live in a world obsessed with self-improvement, but what if the whole idea is a recipe for dissatisfaction?

I’m not suggesting that we can’t look after our health, be more kind and focused etc, but self-improvement STARTS with the premise that you’re not enough as you are - and so you need to ‘fix yourself’.

Therefore, self-improvement has dissatisfaction at its very core: if you need to be better in future, that means NOW you must be deficient and somehow lacking.

Imagine for a second you tried to introduce a baby or toddler to the idea of self-improvement. It would be meaningless. They just are who they are - without agenda or apology.

It’s like asking a toddler to ‘be present’. It would be absurd - as presence is their nature!

And guess what, the same is true of all of us: but as we age we get lost in mental stories about being deficient, about regrets about the past and worries about the future – which is how the whole charade starts.

As for ‘being present’ - shut your eyes for one moment. Can you stop being aware of the sounds, sensation and thoughts that arise? Of course not. See - you are presence!

When you really start to see this, firstly by getting some space from your thoughts and realising they are a) not facts and b) not you – you can regain the wholeness of your infancy – by recognising that it never actually went anywhere.

Then you can let go of the whole flawed idea of self-improvement - which comes as a bloody relief. The result? Less stress, more awe, more ease and flow, and even, ironically , growth – but without the shame and strain.

My new free mini-course ‘Banish Burnout and Find Flow’ has this recognition built in. So if you feel stressed, lonely, lacking or in any way dissatisfied with life and yourself, please check it out. Freedom awaits! Link in bio

06/12/2024

It’s my birthday today 🎂and I got a ‘dumb phone’. The response from family and friends has ranged from bemusement to confusion and even jealousy. And yes, it does have WhatsApp.

To be clear, I’m not getting rid of my smartphone. I plan to use it like a work computer: just at certain times of the working day. The rest of the time I’ll have my new Nokia - which means no social media, no scrolling and no news. The plan is it will mean 👆 presence and attention 🧘🏻

The evidence is clear: smartphone usage is making people more anxious, overwhelmed and stressed and less communicative, connected (in the true sense) and creative. So, I want to do my bit to show there can be a new way of being.

Speaking of which, today I’m launching my FREE ‘Beat Burnout and Find Flow’ mini-course.

Over the course of 12 days, those who sign up will receive simple but powerful tools and insights in bitesize chunks (I know how busy we all are!) which will help you:

- transform stress
- experience ease, flow and peace
- tap into your true, unlimited potential

All in just a couple of minutes a day. My birthday gift to you (for a limited time only) 🎁

Link is in my linktree ✌️

29/11/2024

It’s been such a pleasure getting back to recording podcasts in person, having built a studio at home. Recording online is great in many respects: being able to talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime 🎧

But I value connection over everything. And being with someone and listening to them face to face is magical, particularly when you go deep. It is an expression of love 💫

My guest who visited this week is someone I have looked forward to speaking to for so long. I love his way of being in the world, his profound insights and experiences, and the loving difference he is making in the world on a big and important scale. The episode will drop in a few weeks. And the bonus for visitors? They get to try our home ferments - kombucha/kefir/sauerkraut 😋

And just to add, we have a gap to be able to record a podcast series for the production arm of Mundie Media. Previous clients include P&G, Greenhouse Sports and Qbtech ADHD. We do full idea development, hosting or guidance on how to present - right the way through to editing and delivery. In a crowded marketplace, our offering is unique. And everyone needs to be a creator these days. Get in touch if you would like to hear why and find out more 🎙️

20/09/2024

Discover how embracing your shadow and understanding the judgments we place on others can help reduce psychological suffering. What we resist in others often reflects what we need to heal within ourselves. 👥

Link in stories and bio 🎧

Today’s bitesize ANWOB episode is a sneak peek from one of my all-time favourite conversations, with the full episode dropping on Monday. I highly recommend tuning in—it’s packed with powerful insights and wisdom that will leave you feeling instantly lighter.

16/09/2024

We all want to experience flow, when we feel and perform our best.

When everything feels effortless.

When the greater intelligence of the unconscious mind takes over, and we are free of the focus on ‘me’, ‘my’ and ‘mine’ - the continual ‘self-referential narrative’ in our heads - when we talk to ourselves about ourselves all day long - that causes suffering on the inside and conflict on the outside.

‘What do they think of ME?’
‘My tribe is better than their tribe’
‘That job should have been mine’

But you can’t just decide, now I’m going to get into flow. Because ‘the decider’ is the one blocking flow in the first place.

But you can create the conditions in which it may appear. How?

Firstly, recognise that flow follows focus.

If we jump from one task to the next and back again, while replying to e-mails and whatsapps and checking how many likes our latest post has, it isn’t going to happen.

And that’s why I love what my friend Robin Caine MBE - Fighter Pilot and Head of UK Military Flying - had to say about the subject.

When he’s flying a fighter jet - the amount of information coming in is mind-boggling. So he needs to first create a ‘bubble’ that allows him to make sure that he is not going to be pulled from pillar to post and enter the cockpit distracted ✈

Rob is a fantastic bloke, a long time supporter of the podcast - and has the most fascinating job of anyone I know (at least in my opinion). And he is threatening to take me up in a fighter jet 😱

So worth listening to what he has to say about the bubble, the unconscious, intuition and much more besides. And as he says at the end - if you focus on three things during the conversation, and review them afterwards, two WILL stick.

Link in stories

02/09/2024

Thinking is useful… up to a point. But true creativity comes from a place beyond thought.

Embrace stillness.

28/08/2024

A few pics to mark what has been a fantastic trip. Love . Great times.
Thanks 🙏🇺🇸

13/07/2024

“Being Olympic champion doesn’t change me as a person: I’m still Eve!”

Despite winning gold in 2022, is one of the most down to earth, humble and ‘normal’ people I’ve ever had the joy to spend time with. She’s also a talented golfer, athlete and bagpiper extraordinaire - but it hasn’t gone to her head - not always the case amongst elite athletes! She’s still ‘just Eve’ - funny, warm, kind and one of the friendliest athletes I’ve spent time with. A role-model for sure.

Eve is my guest on A New Way of Being, link in the comments and on my bio page 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧🥇

02/04/2024

Thrilled to have been asked to speak on behalf of - a wonderful organisation making such an impact in the world. I’ll be sharing the recognition and understanding that has had such a profound impact on my life - drawing on examples from the interviews I have been fortunate enough to host over the last six plus years.

In essence it’s about how to recognise that we are all ‘enough’, and then expressing that in our life. Too many of us seek to become ‘enough’ through success, approval, attainment and accumulation. That is destined to fail, so it’s all about doing a 180.

Previous speakers include Dalai Lama, Ruby Wax, Mo Gawdat, Laurie Santos, Andy Puddicombe, Gretchen Rubin, BJ Fogg, Kristin Neff, Rick Hanson, Angela Duckworth, Marty Seligman, Dan Goleman, Lori Gottlieb, Rangan Chatterjee, Matthieu Ricard, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jay Shetty, Sian Williams, Oliver Burkeman and Arianna Huffington. Esteemed company indeed.

Come join us, link in comments

16/02/2024

Delighted with the response to my book launch.

As someone messaged me only this morning, “Started reading your book on the tube. F**k me it’s good”

Not my words! But might be just the nudge you need to dive in ❤️🙏💫

Have you read it? Are you going to? Intrigued by what flow teaches us about our essential identity? Let me know 👇

12/02/2024

“Do you know what my secret is? I don’t mind what happens!” - Jiddu Krishnamurti

Acceptance is the key to a life well lived. When we resist how things are, we suffer. Wisdom lies in accepting and responding, not resisting and reacting.

However, there is some confusion as to ‘how you do’ acceptance (particularly self-acceptance). The paradox is it is not something you do with your mind, it’s something you STOP doing. This took me a long time to learn, and we discuss this crucial distinction in this episode.

When you are triggered and feel insecure or angry, rather than resisting it and demanding the world doesn’t brush up against your inner wounds, realise it’s an opportunity to recognise where you are currently not free internally. Being triggered becomes a welcome opportunity for acceptance and growth.

This is such an important subject and one we discuss in today’s 3rd episode of ‘Success Evangelism - and a new way of being’ on The Life Lessons Podcast. Self-acceptance and recognising we are enough NOW is key to this new way of being, rather than having to achieve success to become enough some time in the future.

Join me, my co-host (and wife) Alex, Jonny Wilkinson, Lucy Gossage and no -dual philosopher Rupert Spira for this one 😊💫

Link in comments

31/01/2024

Acceptance isn’t something you do with your mind, it’s something you stop doing. Specifically - resisting. Resistance is something thoughts (the ‘thinking mind’) do (eg. ‘I don’t like X’).

Awareness (the ‘aware mind’ in my book) is inherently accepting. It has no capacity to resist anything, hence why people refer to it as emptiness. That’s where true acceptance is.

26/01/2024

Thanks HELLO! magazine, it was a pleasure to contribute to this 💫

23/01/2024

Very grateful for the fantastic reviews of Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself in the Mail & the Express. The coverage and feedback has been hugely positive, which I am so pleased about. Have you started reading my book, and what do you think? Let me know 👇🙏

A New Way of Being