Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling

Episode 29: Journey to the Unlikely Guru

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Episode 29: Journey to the Unlikely Guru
Date broadcast: 25th March 2025
 
This is my story from leaving the NHS through burnout and my journey through self employment, saying yes to opportunities and not letting age being an obstacle.
Ann Girling, also known as the Unlikely Guru, is on a mission to empower women with the knowledge they need and inspire them to action so that they can become healthier and more happier versions of themselves. She does this through her Arbonne business, recommending products and a business opportunity that have been key to her own personal transformation from 50 year old burnt out health visitor to 75 year old business woman loving life
 
She worked in the NHS for 30 years and left feeling totally disillusioned and burnt out. Since then her work has been varied and she did train as a coach with the Coaches Training Institute and set up a business On The Threshold working with women who were looking for change after experiencing a significant life event. At that time she also wrote her first book “Journey to Chocolate” in which she shares her life experiences and the research around them with coaching exercises for the reader.
 
She started her Arbonne business in 2011 after the birth of her grandson, Jacob, to create the income to be able to visit her family in the States. And this year she is launching her own podcast Tales of Transformation and is starting work on her second book. In addition she is growing her Facebook group The Unlikely Guru where she is growing a community of women who want to live better for longer and her goal this year is to grow it to 2000 members
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Episode 28: Journey to becoming a Life & Therapuetic Coach

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Episode 28: Journey to becoming a Life & Therapuetic Coach
Date broadcast: 11th March 2025
 
In this episode we hear about Naomi’s decision to leave her corporate role in Human Resources because of ill health. She suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome and it was through her diagnosis and recovery that led her to want to help her clients on their wellness journey. She also talks about how she uses enneagram, a personality profiling tool in her work and how that has helped her personally. All I can say is listen to what she has to say, what she’s learnt and her tips for all of us who might want change in their lives
 
Naomi Dake is a Wellbeing, Leadership and Organisation Development Specialist and enjoys partnering with teams and organisations in improving their overall culture and leadership capability and effectiveness.
 
Naomi is also a qualified and experienced Life and Therapeutic Coach who supports people to develop or change areas of their life and/or wellbeing. She does this through creating a warm, friendly, safe and accepting space, to enable individual clients to explore and enact sustainable shifts, which lead to a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life for them.
 
In support of both her leadership and coaching practice, Naomi works as an accredited Enneagram (personality profiling) and Strengthscope (strengths profiling) practitioner, which she uses when appropriate with people and teams, as insightful tools to facilitate greater self-discovery and growth, through a positive, strengths-based approach to development.
 
Naomi’s professional career began in HR around 25 years ago and she has since worked across a breadth of industries and sectors, including two market leading consultancy firms, before moving into running her own business full time.
 
She lives in Cheshire with her husband and much-loved ginger cat, enjoying the balance of rural village life!
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To connect with Naomi:
Website: https://lifeunlymmited.co.uk/
Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-dake-3a0ba549
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Episode 27: Journey to becoming the TropicPianistGamer

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Episode 27: Journey to becoming the TropicPianistGamer
Date broadcast: 25th February 2025
 
In this episode we hear how Jen overcame a lifetime of crippling anxiety to be able to play her piano in public. She documents her journey in her best selling book “Tales of an Anxiety Warrior. She also describes how her love of gaming led to bullying at work and how she decided enough was enough and so her three businesses were brought together in her TropicPianistGamer brand. It was a fascinating call
 
Jen is known as the Tropic Pianist Gamer, a multi-passionate creative, best selling author and podcaster. She lives on Anglesey with her husband and her Neurodiverse 7 year old. She’d been suffering with anxiety since the age of 13, but was only diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder at 27. After discovering there was a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of lockdown, she was able to grow, becoming a best selling author and established podcaster, but most notably, an alternative piano tutor that makes a difference. Her mission is to make music accessible to all!
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To connect with Jen:
Website: https://tropicpianistgamer.co.uk
Book: https://amzn.to/3PH7RAM
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NlQqp8e9sKZLQfbkYFwiN
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

Episode 26: Journey from Pharmacist to CEO

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Episode 26: Journey from Pharmacist to CEO
Date broadcast: 11th February 2025
 
In this episode for a start you’ll hear Ann stuck for words! Gulshen shares her journey from being a pharmacist to the founder & CEO of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organisation. As a pharmacist particularly as a 5’0” petite woman and experiencing various assaults she decided to find out about self defence classes and found Krav Maga. Finding that there were no women only classes in her area she trained to become an instructor, she set up her business, teaches instructors and, as her legacy, she wants every community globally to have an instructor. She believes that this way women will be empowered to keep themselves safe rather than waiting for others to do it for them
Gulshen a mum of two boys from Solihull West Midlands, is the founder and CEO of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organization. With a passion for empowering women, she has now dedicated her career to equipping women globally with life-saving, easy-to-learn self-defence skills. Her own experience of violence whilst working as a pharmacist sent her searching for a way to keep herself safe. As a petite 5’0” woman she began to learn Krav Maga thirteen years ago and instantly knew this could change other women’s lives too. She worked relentlessly to qualify as an instructor and seven years later Strike Back was born. Under her leadership, Strike Back has become a global force for empowerment, helping women protect themselves from violence and threats of violence instilling confidence, resilience, and safety in women and girls worldwide.
 
To connect with Gulshen:
 www.facebook.com/strikebackselfdefence 
www.instagram.com/strikebackdefence www.strikebackselfdefence.com
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. 

Episode 25: Journey to Human Design

Tales of Transformation with Ann Grilling
Episode 25: Journey to Human Design
Date broadcast: 28th January 2025
 
In this episode we hear about Jacqueline’s rollercoaster of many years and then how she found herself listening to her intuition which led her to start making choices, starting with deciding to go to a different park with her children and leaving her first husband. She describes how she was drawn to Quantum Human Design which, as she says, is now “her thing” and how she decided to use the Tinder Dating App to have some fun and ended up finding her soulmate and life partner, Bruce
Jacqueline Kent is a Glass half-full kinda girl and resilient survivor of real life curveballs, spanning 3 challenging decades. Her real life rollercoaster from the age of 16, from teen pregnancy to depression, bereavement, diagnosis of her son’s disability – and that was just the first few years, in 2018 she published her memoirs, Onward and Upward. It was at this point she began to realise how much power there was in the story of her transformative journey. Her life skills acquired during that time blend with her passion for Quantum Human Design. She uses this to inspire female creatives & manifesting generators to stop shrinking and start shining. Winning an award in May 2024 ‘for being herself’, and a twice published author, she’s excited to share some of her story with you today
 
To connect with Jacqueline:
Get your free chart https://jacquelinekent.co.uk/free-human-design-chart
jacquelinekent.co.uk
 
Free facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jkcfreegroup
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. 

Episode 24: Journey to Becoming Creator of a Global Movement

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Episode 24: Journey to Becoming Creator of a Global Movement
Date broadcast: 14th January 2025
 
I wanted to write that Wendy is a Disruptor because that’s what she is! She is challenging stereotypes of older women, in particular older female business owners and has instigated a global movement, Refirement, to challenge this and to recognise how much this group of women contribute to economies around the world.. we could have talked for way longer than we did! And we did have time to hear about her other love, crime writing.
 
Wendy has more than 30 years experience working with women business owners in all sectors helping them create business strategy that achieves growth and success.   
She helps mature women become more agile in business and less risk averse, learning how to turn their talents into a commercial advantage. 
 
“My purpose in life is simple: to see older female business owners everywhere flourish so we are recognised as making a significant contribution to the engine house of our economy. Age is a number and it should not limit our aspirations, contribution or ambitions.”
 
She recently founded the Refirement UK movement which is dedicated to redefining retirement for women in the 21st Century, challenging negative stereotypes and freeing women to live their lives with purpose and continue to make a contribution.
Wendy has published 5 business books and numerous articles translating business theory into business practice. She holds a master’s degree in education and professional development, a range of professional qualifications and is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management.
 
Wendy is also an author of espionage novels and publishes the Daniel Grant ‘Secrets” series under the pseudonym of Wendy Charlton.
 
To connect with Wendy:
 
Wendy Garcarz 07973 780054
www.wendygarcarz.com
www.refirement.uk
wendy@wendygarcarz.com
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3q5rBjx
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/2ZYNaHV
mailto:wendy@wendygarcarz.com
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. 

Episode 23: Journey to Becoming a Solicitor & Author

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Date broadcast: 31st December 
Episode 23: Journey to Becoming a Solicitor & Author
 
There’s so much in this episode we talk about .. how Estella balances being a family law solicitor, being the mother of 4 year old twins, being a children’s author and having lots of fun in her VW camper van.
 
Estella Newbold-Brown is a partner and head of family law at the South London law firm, Amphlett Lissimore, and has been guiding and supporting people through their separations for over 18 years. Her specialism is divorce – the financial aspects of divorce, unmarried couples separating, and children work. 
 In 2024, Estella was an expert contributor to Sarah Wayne’s book, Sperm Not Included - the UK’s most comprehensive baby-making manual for sperm-free couples.
 Alongside her work as a family law solicitor, Estella has written three children’s books, the second one being specifically aimed towards family lawyers to provide as a resource for their clients and for parents who are separating to buy and read to their children.   ‘Isla and Quinn – The Sunflowers’ has been written from the perspective of not only a family lawyer, but also, Estella is a teenager of divorce, so understands the emotions that a child would feel.
 Estella is a mum of 4 years old twins and a proud VW Campervan owner..
 
Links for Estella’s books:
The Story of the Little Penguin https://amzn.eu/d/2aIUVzv
Isla and Quinn – The Sunflowers https://amzn.eu/d/cLBvuLt
Isla and Quinn – The Adventures with Agile Popi https://amzn.eu/d/96EQRBH
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. 

Episode 22: Journey to Becoming a Wild Woman

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Date broadcast: 17th December
Episode 22: Journey to Becoming a Wild Woman
 
In this episode we hear how Jen transformed from civil servant to setting up her business, Lakeland Wellbeing and becoming a wild woman, empowerment coach and firewalk instructor. She describes her passion for helping women step into their own power and thus change the world. She is running various retreats and is now running them globally
Empowering women to change the world, Jen is a wild woman, empowerment coach & fire walking instructor. She supports women to step fully into their own feminine power, leaving behind self doubt, limiting beliefs and anything holding them them back in life. Do you ever feel anxious, procrastinate or even worse don’t take action because of your fears and limiting beliefs, even though you feel deeply and fiercely passionate about your cause? Jen’s wild & warrior woman retreats, empowerment coaching & fire walks, support you to shine your bright & beautiful light and make the changes you want to see in your life and the world! Once you walk across fire, you feel you can do anything!
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To connect with Jen:
 
https://www.facebook.com/lakelandwellbeing/ https://www.instagram.com/lakelandwellbeing/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-grange/ 
www.facebook.com/groups/moonsistersmagic/
https://youtube.com/@moonsisters_lwb
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. 

Episode 21: Journey to Becoming a Multi-Genre Author

Tales of Transformation
With Ann Girling
 
Date broadcast: 3rd December 2024
 
In this episode we hear how Shelley’s love of books became a passion for writing from a young age. After her divorce sand becoming a holistic therapist she set herself 52 resolutions for the year and wrote a blog every week. That turned into her first book “How I Changed My Life in a Year” and now she has written 20 more books, the last due to be published or has probably been published when you hear this podcast. She also talks about how she loves to coach and mentor writer.
 
Shelley Wilson is a multi-genre author of over twenty titles and a writing mentor for women in business. She writes non-fiction self-help, young adult supernatural fiction, historical fiction, and romance. When she's not writing, Shelley can be found solo travelling in her VW camper called Snoopy.
 
To connect with Shelley: https://linktr.ee/ShelleyWilson72
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. 

Episode 20: Journey from Nurse to Grief and Sudden Loss Recovery Coach

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Episode 20: Journey from Nurse to Grief and Sudden Loss Recovery Coach
In this episode Julie shares how she left behind the nursing career she loved to become a coach and found herself working in the field of grief and sudden loss. We talk about the difference between coaching and counselling and we also talk about the importance of self care which is vital for us all but particularly working with human emotion. And, of course, books came into it as they nearly always do!
Julie is an experienced grief and sudden loss recovery coach specialising in helping people after bereavement, relationship breakdown and chronic illness. When life has changed forever. Prior to starting her coaching Julie spent 20 years in the NHS as a senior nurse and midwife, she also worked on various pioneering NHS community projects.
Since becoming a professional coach and mentor in 2006 she has developed a unique life recovery program helping many people to reach new fulfilling phases in their lives they hadn’t thought possible.
Julie is an author of popular unique personal growth gift books and is a well-known inspirational and motivational wellbeing conference speaker.
 
To connect with Julie:
Julie New - Grief Coach & Sudden Loss Recovery (@changes_forever_bereavement) • Instagram photos and videos
 Facebook
 Julie New - Grief coach & sudden loss recovery (@julienewcoach) / X
 (1) Julie New | LinkedIn
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
https://www.facebook.com/ann.girling/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anngirling/
http://facebook.com/yourunlikelyguru
 
Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.