I was so pleased to chat with Claire Winter this week on Creating Active Lives as if you've been following me at all you will know two of my main passions are walking and writing. Claire is a word Creatrix, a storyteller,...

Sarah (00:01.238): Welcome to Creating Active Lives! Claire Jones is back to discuss healthy holiday habits. We're all about ditching diets, especially during Christmas. In January, we'll tackle getting back on track....

“Join us on this journey as we uncover the barriers hindering accessibility and the crucial steps needed to make fitness a welcoming space for everyone.”

“Sarah Park, known as the Disability Diva, shares her journey of gracefully navigating life with a lifelong disability and her commitment to amplifying the voices of disabled individuals.”

“One of the focal points in the conversation revolves around the difference between accessibility and inclusivity. While physical accessibility is crucial, Sarah Park emphasizes the need for a shift in attitude and customer service.”

“Sarah Bolitho raises a critical point: despite 24% of the UK population having a disability, a staggering 43% of disabled individuals remain inactive, doubling the percentage of their able-bodied counterparts.”

“Collaboration with disability groups, consultation exercises, and actively seeking feedback emerge as crucial steps in fostering a genuinely inclusive fitness environment.”

“The series advocates for more initiatives like ‘Get Fit for Wheelchair Basketball’ and ‘Get Fit for Wheelchair Rugby’ to bridge this gap, making sports more accessible to a broader audience.”

“Sarah Bolitho underscores a prevalent issue – the reactive nature of businesses towards inclusivity. The series advocates for a proactive approach, urging fitness centres to anticipate the needs of disabled individuals.”

“Positive experiences and proactive inclusivity efforts can create a ripple effect, attracting more individuals to participate in fitness activities.”

“The blog encourages fitness facilities to take the lead in promoting inclusivity, challenging misconceptions, and actively working towards making fitness a welcoming space for all.”

“Sarah Park urges businesses to be proactive, seek advice, and engage in ongoing communication with diverse communities. The key is to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and included.”

“It’s exercise in disguise because they’re having so much fun.”
“We need to make the distinction between strength training and bodybuilding. Strength training is a healthy thing to do and it’s not necessarily gonna turn you into the next incredible Hulk or anything like that.”

“It’s quite enjoyable to see that penny drop on them and say, ‘Oh, yeah, OK, I can do this. I can manage that.’ It’s a nice, easy thing that you can do to improve patients’ lives.” – Lisa Anne O’Donnell

“The media can be guilty of focusing on extreme stories. What we’re really aiming for is for you to just feel a little bit better.” – Lisa Anne O’Donnell

“Start where your client is, start where people are, start where you are. If you can do five minutes, do five minutes. All the guidelines are what you’re aiming for, not where you’re starting from.” – Sarah

“5k Your Way is all about encouraging those with a cancer diagnosis to join a parkrun. It’s a timed route, so you can actually see your times improve if that motivates you.” – Lisa Anne O’Donnell

“For most people, it’s about living an independent life, doing the things they’ve always done, and making small sustainable changes that are important.” – Sarah

“If somebody told you the shop was three miles away, you’d be taking the car. It’s still a fair way. Encourage them to think about it as a wonderful achievement.” – Lisa Anne O’Donnell

“It’s not necessarily to do more, but to have the energy, strength, and endurance to keep doing what they’re doing, whatever level that’s at.” – Sarah

“Exercise, activity, movement is safe during and after cancer treatments. It helps you cope with side effects and provides a sense of normalcy during abnormal times.” – Sarah

“Move as much as you can within your own limitations and if you are free on the last Saturday of each month, then come and join us.” – Lisa Anne O’Donnell

On Starting Small:
“Anything is better than nothing. Do what you can while you still can.”
“The idea is, do what you can while you still can.”
On Quitting Smoking:
“You only ever stop smoking once. All the practice runs don’t count. You only stop once and that’s forever.”
“The benefits you get when you stop [smoking] are absolutely amazing.”
On Social Support:
“Walking with other people was helpful.”
“But the social aspect took over with that, and it was quite pleasurable to go out and do that three-mile walk.”
On Overcoming Setbacks:
“I did a 5k race four days after I had the operation. But I took my time.”
“I took a backwards step… I didn’t want to pull any stitches or do anything.”
On Setting Goals:
“I want to see my six-year-old grandson’s tenth birthday.”
“I work on a day-to-day basis, but I will do everything humanly possible in my power to exercise my way out of this.”
On Advice for Others:
“If you can walk a mile and you struggle with a mile, do half a mile in the morning and half a mile in the evening.”
“It’s all about what you feel confident doing. Start with simple things because it’s a use-it-or-lose-it situation.”
On the Power of Determination:
“I’ve never done any more than a 5K race. Then last Sunday week, I went out and did the Chelmsford half marathon.”
“You have to do everything in your power to try and control [COPD].”
On COPD as a Fight for Survival:
“I am working extremely hard to keep on top of this. And if you can stabilize it, you’re doing extremely well.”
“If you can slow it down, you’re still doing well. But there are still no guarantees.”
Encouraging Others:
“If you’re contemplating stopping smoking, remember one thing: You only ever stop smoking once.”
“The body is so resilient. Just give it a chance.”
On Personal Transformation:
“I’ve got no one to blame. I did the damage. But I am working extremely hard to keep on top of this.”
“My exercise regime is for me, my family, and in particular my grandsons.”

“Understanding the Mind-Body Connection: It’s essential to recognize the intimate connection between our minds and bodies.”
“Breaking the Stigma: Seeking Support and Accountability: When it comes to mental health, seeking support and accountability is a game-changer.”
“The Role of Mindfulness in Mental Well-Being: Mindfulness plays a pivotal role in managing mental health.”
“Tuning Into Your Body and Mind: One of the challenges faced when dealing with mental health issues is distinguishing between the negative and positive voices within us.”
“Embracing the Journey to Wellness: Achieving mental wellness is not a linear process; it’s a journey filled with ups and downs.”

1. “I think sometimes people need much more fluid goals that are more to do with experience than that very rigid endpoint. Because like you say, it can be, oh, well, now what?”
• Sarah (23:10.138)
2. “And I think that’s where we’ve got it wrong is there hasn’t been enough niche kind of opportunities for people to really, to be understood. It’s… in an evidence-based manner rather than on a client-based manner, rather than just, oh, let’s see what happens.”
• Sarah (36:21.832)
3. “It’s not about segregating us. It’s about giving us safe spaces where people can finally feel comfortable training…”
• Matt Boyles (32:36.086)
4. “Get them fit, get them healthy, get them thinking about their own journeys as well.”
• Sarah (40:43.218)
5. “I think the more that we create these niche-specific, fitness training opportunities… the more that will be stopped because there will be someone for everyone…”
• Matt Boyles (32:36.086)
6. “The importance of focusing on the feelings and experiences in fitness rather than just the outcomes.”
• Host Introduction
7. “Recognizing that fitness and health are lifelong processes. Shifting from rigid endpoints to fluid, experience-oriented goals.”
• Episode Summary

“Motherhood reshapes identity; embracing the change is a testament to a woman’s strength.”

“Shared experiences create a bridge from isolation to healing in the realm of postnatal depression.”

“In the face of postnatal depression, resilience becomes a beacon guiding women towards self-discovery.”

“Courage and community empower mothers to rewrite the narrative of postnatal depression.”

“Every woman’s strength, amidst postnatal challenges, deserves acknowledgment and celebration.”

Nicole: “It’s also about working with your energy rather than against your energy and working when you are most energized.”
Sarah: “I think people with ADHD have a much more tailored thing… This is when I know I can do this.”
Nicole: “Instead of stopping, it’s pausing… It’s just pressing pause for five minutes, and then I’m going to start again tomorrow. I’m not stopping, I’m just pausing this.”
Nicole: “It’s about understanding what works for them… asking them what’s worked for them before… so you can start to tailor what you’re doing and the support you’re giving to them and what they need rather than what you’re assuming.”
Sarah: “You’re helping them with their health and their fitness, but you’re helping them with everything else as well.”