Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Date broadcast: 21.04.2026
Episode 4: Cath Downes
 
In this episode Ann’s guest is Cath Downes, Mindfulness Teacher.  We talk about how Cath left teaching, which she loved, particularly because she recognised the low level stress she was living with. She learnt how calm came to her from being in the present moment and trained to become a mindfulness teacher. She gives suggestions of how we can implement mindfulness practices into the tiniest of pockets of time in her day. And she shares a mindfulness practice on the call.
 
After 18 years in teaching, Cath reached a point many people can relate to—feeling constantly busy, yet disconnected from the life happening around her. Balancing a demanding career with family life, she realised she had been physically present but often mentally elsewhere, caught in the ongoing juggle of responsibilities. That realisation led her to mindfulness. By developing a simple daily practice and making small, intentional changes, she began to reconnect with herself and the present moment. The impact was so significant that she felt called to share what she had learned with others. Now a qualified mindfulness teacher and certified meditation leader, Cath works with individuals who want to reduce stress, gain clarity, and feel more calm and content in their everyday lives. Her approach is practical and personal, focusing on small, sustainable shifts rather than adding more to already full schedules. Through personalised offers like “Micro Mindfulness,” she helps clients build gentle, effective practices into their daily routines—whether that’s breathwork, movement, journaling, or mindful moments woven into everyday habits. She believes that lasting change comes from simple, consistent awareness—helping people slow down, tune in, and feel more present in their lives.
 
You can connect with Cath here:-
             Website link: www.findyourcalm.org.uk (being updated tomorrow!)
             Email: cath@findyourcalm.org.uk   
          
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit
https://unlikelyguru.uk
And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide
 
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Date broadcast: 07.04.2026
Episode 3: All about Ann’s Transformation Framework of Selfcare
 
In this episode Ann shares how, having experienced her own personal transformation, she wanted to pay it forward to others. She describes how she developed her Transformation Framework, her take on selfcare, health and wellbeing. As she shares each aspect, she gives one tip. And at the end she just says if all you do is one thing then that is enough because it’s one step forward. In future episodes she and her guests will go into these topics in more detail
             
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit
https://unlikelyguru.uk
And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide
 
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Date broadcast: 24.03.2026
Episode 2: Jo Raghvani Business Coach & Property Investor
 
In this episode Ann’s guest is Jo Ragvhani Business Coach and Property Investor.  She talks about how she left her corporate career in which she worked long hours and partied long hours for the sake of her health. She entered the world of property investing but found herself, like many other female business owners moving from one hamster wheel to another. She describes how over the years her ongoing personal development has helped her manage herself through the roller coaster ride of building a business and the emotional turmoil of a marriage breakdown. She recommends two books in particular: “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers and ’13 Things that Succesful People Don’t Do” by Amy Morin. This journey has led her to where she is now and has just launched her business as The Couples Business Coach working with couples running a business together whether they be actual couples, two friends, two family members etc. Finally she finishes sharing her strategies to manage her selfcare, health and wellbeing.
 
Jo’s Bio: Jo is a fabulous aunt to 5 gorgeous nieces and nephews, a big Formula 1 fan, a shoe lover and a devourer of afternoon teas! She also happens to be a property investor and well respected business coach & mentor.
After 20 years as a city girl, 13 years ago Jo decided to start building a property portfolio. She jumped into the world of entrepreneurship and business ownership, and proudly wears the cloak of success and the scars that that come with it!
Her passion for coaching and mentoring others was sparked around 6 years ago, and Jo now helps both UK and internationally based investors to start and scale up their own property businesses. She brings her own very real lived experiences and health and wellbeing challenges and how she has navigated all of this to her unique coaching style
 
You can connect with Jo here:-
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couples_business_coach/
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-raghvani-thecouplesbusinesscoach/
             
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit
https://unlikelyguru.uk
And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide
 
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Date broadcast: 10.03.2026
Episode 1: Ann is Back for Season 2
 
In this episode Ann shares her excitement to be back on Season 2 of her podcast which will have greater emphasis on her new found passion for selfcare, health and wellbeing. It’s going to be a mixture of Ann sharing her knowledge after 50 years working in this space. She will also be interviewing women, some of whom have more in depth knowledge of topics than she does and also some who have their own health and wellbeing stories to share
 
In this episode Ann shares her story of experiencing stress and near burnout in the NHS, her decision to leave 8 years prior to retirement and pension and her self employment journey through working with NHS organisations, then life coaching, becoming an author, then her complete about change as she ventured into the world of network marketing, something which she knew very little about and was not part of her plan. But through that decision grew her passion for helping women thrive with their health and age well.
 
The final twist in the tail was the creation of the Unlikely Guru through which has grown a thriving Facebook community and now a recently launched self care workbook “My Transformation Workbook”. Links to both are below along with a link to her free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life
 
To connect with me and join my group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share
For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit
https://unlikelyguru.uk
And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide
 
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Episode 43: All Good Things Come to an End
Date broadcast: 7th October 2025
 
In this episode Ann shares how, after a stressful year following the death of her mother, she has made the difficult decision to make this episode of the podcast the last. She talks about her realisation of time passing, how you can never get it back and urges us all to be more mindful of that and most of all to make sure we all make time for our own self care and introduces the idea of creating our own self care bundles. And finally send her love to you all and gratitude for the over 40 women who gave their time to appear on the show
 
Please stay in touch either through joining my group or through any of the other links on LinkTree below:
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Episode 42: Journey to Becoming an Environ-mentor
Date broadcast: 23rd September 2025
 
In this episode we hear how Lyn’s passion for the environment began as a teenager but grew into the business she now has as a result of having children and her concerns about their future. Listening to this will give you some great tips but also how she can help you live a more sustainable life. Her book recommendation is “Wilding” by Isabella Tree, the story of one of the first rewilding projects before it became a thing. I could say more but, honestly, the best thing you can do is listen to this and discover how one woman is making a significant difference in the world in a very gentle, non judgmental way
Lyn set up ECO for ALL with the sole purpose of supporting anyone who would like to live more sustainably but is stuck on the next steps.
She is passionate about making eco-friendly living as easy and affordable as possible so created her RAMP up your Sustainability program to share Realistic, Affordable, Manageable and Practical ways we can make small changes to everyday habits.As a working mum of 2 busy kids, Lyn is acutely aware that reducing the overwhelm around this important subject is vital so her program is a supportive and flexible space to learn how to do your bit.
Having been conscious of how her family lives for many years, Lyn is able to advise on trusted brands, recycling tips and how being more eco-friendly has positive impact on our health.
Lyn also runs educational workshops for purpose led businesses - she shares eco-lifestyle tips for employees to make around the home - leaving them feeling more empowered and aligned with the companies ethos. It's also an important way of reducing eco-anxiety and will create a healthier home by reducing toxins so will actively benefit the wellbeing of their employees.
 
You can connect with Lyn here:
https://eco-for-all.co.uk/services/#group
https://eco-for-all.co.uk/corporate/
 
 
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Episode 41: Journey to Becoming a Coach for Bakers
Date broadcast: 9th September 2025
 
In this episode Jenny shares how she became a 6 figure baker including how she came to make a cake for Charles’ and Camilla’s first wedding anniversary and then had a change of direction when she decided to become a coach but specifically to help bakers build great businesses and get paid their worth. She is about to launch her membership group on Facebook, Sweet as Success.
 
Her two key learnings from her journey were the importance of having a mentor and coach in your life and saying yes to opportunities and then figuring it out which I am a great subscriber to.
 
As for books she chose four: “Let Them” by Mel Robbins, “Rise, Sister, Rice by Rebecca Campbell, “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and “Infinite Receiving” by Sue Ashworth
 
After 25 years in the cake industry, making a royal cake, winning awards, and even popping up on TV, Jenny built and sold her six-figure cake business and trained as a coach. Now, she’s on a mission: to help cake makers build confident, profitable businesses (without losing their sanity or love for baking). Jenny’s not your average coach. She's your biggest cheerleader, business BFF, and the one who makes growing your business actually fun. With her proven strategies and real talk, she supports and empowers bakers around the world. Her membership, Sweet As Success Club, is the go-to place for bakers to level up their business knowledge and technical skills, all while being part of a no-drama, cheer-each-other-on kind of community.
 
You can connect with Jenny here:
 
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Episode 40: Journey to Becoming a Natural Beauty Consultant and Entrepreneur
Date broadcast: 26th August 2025
 
I met Esther via Woman Who, a networking group and so much more for women and I’ve heard her speak. I’ve always found her totally inspirational and so I was delighted when she accepted my invitation to come on my podcast. I wanted to know how a Mum of 5 and owner of at least 3 businesses and a podcast host could do it all. And, when we spoke she had just come in from her allotment! She shares how she came to found her beauty brand Deroiste Natural Beauty and it’s a personal story like so many. 
 
Her two key learnings from her journey were that help comes from where it’s least expected and the need to build resilience. And her book? “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It can help us all by encouraging us to build habits that serve us for life. It’s a great read and I would recommend it too
 
And her final piece of advice was to live life on your terms and Esther certainly is.
 
Esther Roche is a mum of five, entrepreneur, and founder of Deroiste Natural Beauty, an award-winning inclusive skincare brand inspired by her family’s struggles with sensitive skin. She also leads South West Dental Nurse Training, with over 20 years in dental-related roles. As host of The Mum CEO Podcast and a mentor, Esther shares her journey of resilience, motherhood, and building purpose-led businesses that empower others to thrive.
 
You can connect with Esther here:
To connect with Esther:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/esther-roche-9729ba91Mentoring: Esther Roche Consulting - https://www.deroistenaturalbeauty.com/deroiste-s-a/esther-roche-consulting/Website Deroiste Natural Beauty: https://www.deroistenaturalbeauty.com/shop/
 
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
Date broadcast: 12th August 2025
I was intrigued by Debbie’s journey which started the moment a teacher told her she would never be any good at maths. She takes us through how a life of work and bringing up two children alone prevented her grieving for her Dad. Finding herself on a retreat in the middle of Wales was the turning point for her and from there she developed herself into the Midlife Mystic Mentor.
 
She shared two powerful learnings:-
“Your voice is sacred and powerful, trust it”
“Worth is not granted, it’s claimed”
 
There were three book recommendations:-
“Excuse me – your life is waiting” – Lynn Grabhorn
“The Four Agreements” – Don Miguel Ruiz
“The Celestine Prophecy” – James Redfield
 
Debbie is a Midlife Mystic Mentor guiding women through the sacred threshold of midlife, I help you awaken your intuition, reclaim your voice, and embody your spiritual power. Through deep mentorship, ritual, and soul connection, I support your transformation from who you’ve been into who you truly are. This is your time to rise - wild, wise, and fully expressed.
 
You can get Debbie’s freebie here:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGkyzaxMno/ihUxYkwHzY8OwXsNOX-qRw/view?utm_content=DAGkyzaxMno&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h799545346c
      And you can follow her here: Insta and tiktok - @midlifemysticmentor
 
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.

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling
 
Episode 38: Journey THROUGH Academia
Date broadcast: 29th July 2025
 
I met Sandra some years ago through a networking group and we have had many fascinating conversations. And time goes by and I was intrigued to learn her current work around grief and how it relates to women’s experiences in the workplace. I’m not even going to try and write notes about what she said, all I would say is listen because grief impacts every single one of us.
 
Her book recommendations were “The Grieving Brain” by Mary-Frances O’Connor and “The Long Run” by Stacey d’Erasmo.
 
As for her tip? If you feel there is something you want to do, it doesn’t matter about your age or anything else, just go and do it
 
Sandra Hunter is an empowerment coach, educator, and founder of empowerHER. With 19+ years in academia, she champions cross-generational, intercultural leadership for women. Her work blends story-healing, mentorship, and strategic coaching to develop confidence, inclusion, and professional transformation—helping women lead with clarity, purpose, and power.
You can find out more about Sandra and her work here:
https://www.empowerhertorise.com/
And the link to her events: https://www.griefhouse.org/event-details/art-as-release-grounding-in-the-senses
 
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.