How To Be An Icon

Strength in the Storm - Two diagnoses, One Unbreakable Spirit: The Story of Becca Barnes

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, I sit down with Becca Barnes, a remarkable woman whose life was forever changed by two devastating diagnoses — first, her son’s rare genetic disorder, and later, her own battle with breast cancer.
Becca opens up with raw honesty about the moments that shattered her world and the journey that followed — one filled with fear, resilience, faith, and a love that refused to break. She shares how these challenges reshaped her outlook on life, deepened her compassion, and taught her to find beauty in even the hardest seasons.
With heartfelt honesty and wisdom and moments of quiet reflection, Becca reminds us that while we cannot always choose what happens to us, we can choose how we respond — and that true strength is often born in the darkest storms.
This is a conversation about facing the unthinkable, finding purpose in pain, and discovering just how strong we can be when life gives us no other choice.
Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about motherhood, courage, healing, and the incredible power of the human spirit.
Resources: 
https://www.littlediscoverers.co.uk/
https://smith-magenis.org/
https://www.big-c.co.uk/
https://coppafeel.org/
You can connect with Becca on Instagram @beccabarness
 

Catfished: Loving a Lie – The Ashley Scot Hawkins Story

** WARNING: SUICIDAL REFERENCES
Ashley Scot Hawkins thought he had found something real—a transatlantic connection with a woman in America who had a genuine profile and all the signs of authenticity. But beneath the surface of their online romance was a carefully orchestrated lie. The woman existed—but her intentions didn’t.
Manipulating Ashley’s empathy with fabricated stories of illness and hardship, she gained his trust—and ultimately, his financial support. What followed was a harsh awakening that left Ashley not only out of pocket, but emotionally broken. The experience took a heavy toll on his mental health, sparking a battle with anxiety, self-doubt, and isolation.
Now, Ashley is stepping forward to share the truth behind the manipulation, the financial betrayal, and the psychological scars left in the wake of it all. His story is a cautionary tale about trust in the digital age, but also one of resilience, recovery, and reclaiming dignity after being deceived by someone who knew exactly what they were doing.
To get in touch with Ashley you can find him on Facebook - Ashley Scot Hawkins - or Instagram @ashes.toyotas
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org

Silenced No More: Amy Wright's PMDD Story of Strength and Self Healing

Amy Wright is a passionate advocate for women’s health and a voice for those suffering in silence with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). After years of battling debilitating symptoms—ranging from extreme mood swings to physical symptoms —Amy was repeatedly dismissed and misdiagnosed by medical professionals. Despite being told it was “just PMS,” she knew something wasn’t right.
For half of every month, Amy didn’t even recognise herself—something would switch inside her, altering her thoughts, emotions, and sense of self in ways that felt terrifying and isolating. 
Gaslit by GPs, Amy refused to be ignored any longer and took matters into her own hands. Her journey toward a diagnosis was filled with frustration, resilience, and eventually empowerment. In this episode, Amy opens up about the moment she found the strength to speak up, challenge the system, and demand real answers. She shares how a holistic approach to healing—focusing on nutrition, lifestyle changes, and emotional wellbeing—ultimately offered her more relief and balance than the pills doctors had once hastily prescribed.
Amy’s story is one of courage, self-advocacy, and hope—a must-listen for anyone navigating complex health challenges and seeking validation, support, and a more empowered path to healing.
For support and help around PMDD visit www.iapmd.org/
If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges visit: https://giveusashout.org/
If you'd like to connect with Amy, you can find her on Instagram @amziox

Part 2 with Stacey Beecham: Soul Purpose, Universal Guidance & The Power of Receiving

In this powerful continuation of our conversation with Psychic Mentor and Energy Alchemist Stacey Beecham, we dive even deeper into the mysteries of the universe and the soul’s journey.
Have you ever wondered if your fate is written in the stars or if you're the author of your own destiny? Do the people you meet come into your life for a reason—or a lesson? Stacey helps us unpack these spiritual questions, offering insight into discovering your soul’s purpose, what happens if you don’t fulfil it in this lifetime, and how to tune into the signs around you.
We explore the art of receiving—not just in spiritual practice, but in your daily routine—and how it opens the door to abundance in every area of life. From dreams and intuitive nudges to questioning your job, your relationships, or even your entire path, Stacey shares how these moments may hold deeper messages from the universe.
If you’re still searching for meaning, craving clarity, or feeling lost on your journey, this episode will leave you with guidance, grounding, and a powerful message from Stacey that might just be exactly what your soul needs to hear.
 
To connect with Stacey, you can find her on Instagram @staceybeecham_psychicmentor
You can also reach her @aora.movement or follow her on TikTok and Facebook @staceybeecham
 

Part 1: Unlocking the Psychic Within: Stacey Beecham on Intuition, Energy & Spiritual Growth

In this powerful and enlightening episode, we’re joined by Stacey Beecham—a renowned Psychic Mentor, Energy Alchemist, and Master Strategist for the Elite. Stacey shares the moment she first discovered her psychic abilities and takes us on a journey through past lives, intuitive awakening, and what it really means to open your spiritual channel.
We dive deep into how anyone can reconnect with their psychic gifts—even if they’ve been shut down for years—and explore how tapping into your intuition can shift your entire life. Stacey also opens up about her scariest paranormal encounter, and how she learned to protect herself from negative energies and unwanted spiritual interference.
We discuss manifestation, the Law of Attraction, and how spiritual work can support deep healing—especially when traditional therapy falls short. Stacey also speaks candidly about the fear of judgment, the path to self-acceptance, and how embracing her spiritual truth transformed her.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in repeating negative patterns, this episode offers soulful insight into how to break free and reclaim your power. Whether you’re new to spirituality or already on your journey, Stacey’s wisdom and energy will leave you inspired to trust your own inner guidance.
 
Tune in next week for Part 2. You won't want to miss it.
 
If you would like to get in touch with Stacey, find her on Instagram @staceybeecham_psychicmentor or @aora.movement
Find her also on TikTok and Facebook @staceybeecham 

The Death of a Life You Knew - Lee Howes on Divorce, Grief and Becoming Whole Again

**Trigger Warning: References of suicide.
In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Lee Howes opens up about the layered grief of divorce—the death of a marriage, the shattering of family life, and the identity crisis that follows. He shares the pain of losing his grandfather—his mentor, his best friend, and the man who guided him through life with wisdom and love.
Lee speaks candidly about the resistance he felt toward therapy, the fear of being truly seen, and the silence that often surrounds men’s emotional pain. He explores how difficult it is to reach out, even to those closest to us, and the courage it takes to lean into vulnerability instead of running from it.
But this conversation is also about hope. Lee recounts the message he received from his grandfather that became the turning point—the call that made him stop merely surviving and start truly living again.
This is an episode for anyone who has experienced loss, who struggles to open up, or who needs a reminder that it's never too late to reclaim your life.
For anyone experiencing mental health challenges you can find help and support through the link below.
https://www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/norfolk/
If you would like to connect with Lee you can find him on Instagram @leearthurhowes

The Weight of Comparison - Tom Graves on Disability and Inner Strength

Tom Graves is an athlete and everyday icon who has never let cerebral palsy define the limits of his life. From an early age, Tom pushed past the assumptions placed on him—not to prove anyone wrong, but to prove to himself that he could live fully, move freely, and embrace the challenges that came his way.
A passionate sports enthusiast, Tom has found strength, purpose, and identity through physical activity. But like so many of us, he’s also wrestled with the quiet pressures of comparison, especially in a world shaped by unrealistic standards and social media perfection.
In this episode, Tom opens up about the mental weight of constantly measuring yourself against others, the anxiety of social media and the quiet power of accepting who you are—even when the world tries to suggest otherwise.
Tom's story is one of grit, grace, and growth—reminding us that true strength comes not from being like everyone else, but from becoming deeply connected with who you already are.
If you'd like to get in touch with Tom, you can find him on Instagram: @graves_t10 
For support, more information or to donate, go to scope.org.uk or cerebalpalsy.org.uk
 

Unworthy of Love – Alex Devereux on Self-Doubt, Relationships & Fear of Failure

What happens when you don’t believe you deserve love? Alex Devereux opens up candidly about how his deep-rooted feelings of unworthiness led to the breakdown of his relationships, leaving him stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage and heartbreak.
We also explore his chronic fear of failure and how it affected his professional life, keeping him from taking risks and truly believing in his own potential. But beyond the struggles, Alex shares the lessons he’s learned about self-worth, setting boundaries, and what a healthy relationship actually looks like.
In this powerful and honest conversation, we discuss:
How feeling unworthy of love can sabotage relationships.
The negative impact of always giving without expecting anything in return.
Why healthy boundaries are essential and how to set them.
What a healthy relationship truly looks like—and how to break free from toxic cycles.
Overcoming the fear of failure and learning to show up fully in life and love.
Alex’s story is a reminder that putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, unhealthy relationship patterns, or fear of failure, this episode will give you the insight and inspiration to start putting yourself first and how believing in ability is necessary in order to follow your dreams and do what you love. Passionate about personal development and developing others, Alex is full of wisdom and intelligence who you'll want to listen to and learn from on repeat. An episode you won't want to miss. 
You can find Alex on LinkedIn: Alex Devereux or through his website: ajdevereux.com
Useful links:
https://www.relate.org.uk/
 

Letting Go & Living for Yourself – Annie Blake on Self-Worth & Breaking Free from People-Pleasing

What happens when the people you trust the most betray, abandon, or deceive you? For Annie Blake, repeated heartbreak and betrayal left her questioning her own worth—wondering why she was never “good enough.” This led her down a path of people-pleasing, self-doubt, and anxiety, as she prioritized making others happy while completely losing herself in the process. We talk about relationship anxiety, particularly anxious attachment and how past experiences of betrayal can affect present relationships with partners. 
In this deeply honest and emotional conversation, Annie shares:
How betrayal and abandonment shattered her self-esteem.
Why people-pleasing became a survival mechanism—and how it led to panic attacks and anxiety.
How ignoring her true purpose led to suicidal thoughts and the wake-up call that changed everything.
The journey to letting go of the need to please others and finally learning to say NO without guilt.
Annie’s story is a powerful lesson in self-worth, boundaries, and the courage it takes to live for yourself. If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing yourself to make others happy, this episode is a must-listen. It’s time to stop seeking approval and start living life on your own terms.
 
If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or struggling emotionally, here are some links to organisations you can reach out to: Please reach out to someone. You're never alone. 
If you would like to connect with Annie, you can find her on Instagram @activewithanniee or @annie_marie_blake
Useful links:
https://www.mind.org.uk
https://www.samaritans.org
https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
 
 
 
 

No Fear, No Regrets – Matt Addis on Life After a Brain Tumour Diagnosis

What would you do if you found out your health would only get worse with time? Matt Addis was in his early twenties, working a regular job in a call centre, when he received a life-changing diagnosis—a brain tumour that would gradually take his hearing. Having struggled with ear issues since childhood, he knew something was wrong, but nothing could have prepared him for what came next.
In this candid and brutally honest conversation, Matt shares how his diagnosis flipped his perspective on life. Instead of giving in to fear or self-pity, he adopted a "fuck it, just do it" attitude, refusing to let the future steal his present. We talk about:
How he first realized something was wrong and the shocking diagnosis that followed.
Coming to terms with gradual hearing loss and how he navigates the uncertainty of the future.
The mindset shift that helped him embrace life with zero fear and zero regrets.
Why so many of us hold back from truly living—and how to stop waiting for the "right time."
Matt’s story isn’t about tragedy—it’s about freedom. His laid-back, no-nonsense approach to life will leave you questioning your own fears and inspiring you to stop hesitating and start living. Because, as Matt knows all too well, you never know what’s around the corner.
If you would like to connect with Matt, you can find him on Instagram @mattaddispt or on Facebook: Matt Addis
Useful Links: 
West Norfolk Deaf Association: http://www.wnda.org.uk