When you’ve worked in a job for a long time, it’s very easy to get complacent. Having worked in radio for ten years now and on our breakfast show for almost eight, it’s easy to forget that discussing your private life daily with half a million people, waking up at 4.30am and interviewing celebrities isn’t actually the norm.
So it was particularly refreshing when I talked at the ‘Inspired Women in Business’ event with Vision Consultants in Nottingham. Having discussed my life and how I got into my career and what the job entailed, it reminded me of how it all began and how grateful I am that I still get to do the job I always wanted to do growing up. The job I had no idea I’d even be capable of. I was also delighted to discover that everyone seemed genuinely interested in what I was saying. There was certainly an imposter moment right before I spoke where I wondered why on earth anyone would be interested in my life and what I’ve done?! Luckily I managed to hook them in with the 4.30am daily start which people always seem to enjoy and make me feel like a superhero with ‘How on EARTH do you do that’? Umm, well sadly I don’t have a choice as they won’t let me start at 9am…I mean, no I AM a superhero! Also my tales of how to blag through those blank moments on air when under pressure seemed to go down well although I may have revealed a little too much. If you were there-seriously, please don’t tell my boss…
I do slightly regret the question of ‘who empowered you as a teenager’ and only being able to think of ‘The Spice Girls’. But when I think about it, they really did. I was 14 and they were dominating the world with, lets be honest, a minimal amount of talent and maximum amount of balls, whilst looking like the girls next door. Plus I was 14 and all I wanted to do was become Trixie Firecracker, wear platform trainers and zig-a-zig-ah. Marketing ploy or not, Girlpower was imprinted on my mind.
It was fascinating listening to Suzanne Shaw and Camilla Dallerups rise to fame and the graft and sacrifice that people don’t see that goes with it. Plus the drive and ambition that has led them to totally different paths in life. Due to my speaking commitments I never got a chance to see Susan Hallam and Sharon Roberts speak, but judging by the feedback I heard they provided invaluable advice, plus only a ten minute chat with either will make you motivated and ready to conquer!
So thank you to everyone who attended, not only for not throwing rotten tomatoes but the day also totally inspired and motivated me. Here was a room full of women who had set up on their own, taken the bold decision to make that risk and create their own success story. Maybe we could form our own modern day Spice Girls? Bagsy the platform trainers!
If you’d like me to speak at your event please call Vision directly on 0115 9418242
Whenever there is a chance to praise our wonderful NHS and emergency services, we should.
This morning I woke up and drove to work in a bit of a grump. The cause? I was tired. My hair had gone into one of those weird, unmanageable partings and I’d driven off and forgotten the nectarines I’d specially bought for breakfast at work. OH FOR GOODNESS SAKE. Tough times I’m sure you’ll agree.
Then a little bit of perspective slapped me (quite rightly) round the face when I received that potentially heart stopping call-my brother and his family had been in an accident. Before I go any further-they are all absolutely fine and walked away unscathed. But they were incredibly lucky. Seeing the pic of the car on it’s roof facing the oncoming traffic was a shocker. And it’s highlighted a couple of very important things.
First, that our emergency services are WONDERFUL. The first thing my brother did was praise the East Midlands police, paramedics and staff at the Leicester Royal Infirmary who looked after them. Until you need them, you forget that they do this, day in, day out, probably without half the praise they deserve.
Also, it was one of those stark reminders that things could change in an instant. Hard to remember when you’re soooo busy and grumbling about your forgotten nectarines. I’m certainly feeling a great deal of relief and a new found appreciation of everything this evening.
I posted a note on Facebook earlier and an NHS worker commented on how low moral was at the moment within the NHS, so please, if you know anyone who works in any of the services, do let them know that a great deal of people, myself and my family included are very much in awe and appreciation of what you do.
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Last month I also attended the first ‘Sound Women’ festival. For those who aren’t aware, Sound Women are a networking group for women working in audio and radio, who are working towards building on opportunities for women. So, ladies if you’re reading this and working in, or want to work in the industry then get involved!
There were so many incredibly inspiring talks which blew me away. The ones that really resonated and left me feeling blinded by awe were first of all Gerry Jackson of SW Radio Africa. Gerry was sacked from her station and forced out of Zimbabwe by Robert Mugabe for her outspoken views against his government. So she set up a station in the UK to continue broadcasting, allowing South Africans to call in and have a voice. Her bravery and determination was staggering. It was hard not to feel that your life is oh so trivial in comparison. I’ll never complain about running out of teabags again.
Eve Pollard OBE, former editor of The Sunday Mirror and Sunday Express and often referred to as ‘The First Lady of Fleet Street’ conducted a hilarious but fascinating talk on her journey to the top. The adversity she faced simply for being female in a male dominated industry was a frightening reminder of how dreadful the gender divide used to be and how we still have a very long way to go. Her matter of fact advice that ‘women have to work harder’ will reluctantly remain firmly in mind.
Helen Fawkes, a BBC news and former foreign correspondent told her overwhelmingly inspiring yet heartbreaking journey with cancer and how it urged her to pursue the career path she’d never got round to following. Helen ended her talk with the news that the cancer had returned. It was a devastating blow after hearing such a heroic battle. You suddenly realised she’s already achieved more in her lifetime than most can daydream about.
They were just several of many brilliant speakers on the day, along with invaluable advice and a twenty strong all girl dancing choir to top off the days events! Looking forward to next year!
As I sit here in my garden in this deliciously searing heat, I’ve had a delightfully chilled out weekend of pottering, sunbathing and most importantly shaping my nieces and nephews future by teaching them Poddy 1, 2, 3. So, I’ve finally had a chance to blog about the last month or so which has been extremely hectic but incredibly exciting. Here’s a few highlights…
Graeme Swann Testimonial
First up, Sam and I hosted Graeme Swanns testimonial evening at Colwick Hall in Nottingham. My vast knowledge of cricket was spared as Graeme, Stuart Broad, James Anderson and the highly entertaining Joe Root sparked off each other in a Q & A.
Plus Sam finally got to kiss Swanny. Cute.
Sony Radio Awards
A week later we were at the Grosvenor Hotel for the prestigious Sony Awards. I’m sure you’ve heard me harp on about them enough, but if not here’s a conclusive account of the evening which I wrote for the wonderful team at Sound Women… My Sony blog
And here’s a few pics I discovered on my phone the next day…
Pre awards obligatory outfit selfie. Obvs.
Dress: Urban Outfitters. Shoes: Ted Baker. Jewellery: Stella and Dot
Flirting with Dermy
Gawping at Robbie
Chris Evans, with son Noah who introduced Robbie on stage. He’s gonna be popular at school…
Yooou beaaauuuty!
Monaco Grand Prix
A week later I was lucky enough to attend the Monaco Grand Prix for the first time. Having grown up in a household where Formula One was practically religion, it had always been the one sporting event I was desperate to attend. And it didn’t disappoint. Everything you expect; the glamour, yachts, champagne, celebrities and excitement are in abundance. With all that in mind I still managed to pack my entire weekends outfits into HAND LUGGAGE. I’m still proud. *Round of applause*.
The weekend started as surreal as expected when I stepped on board my Easyjet flight to Nice and Princess Beatrice was sat a few seats ahead of me. I wondered how many Royals travelled on budget airlines? Do they have to pay extra when their luggage is overweight? Do they automatically get to queue in speedy boarding? I can’t quite imagine Liz and Phil ordering a ham and cheese panini and a mini tub of Pringles.
Highlights were being unable to reach our spot for the track as the road was closed so having to endure what can only be described as a death defying boat ride through the choppiest waves I’ve ever known in order to reach the marina. It was one of those thrilling moments you enjoy more afterwards when you realise you’re still alive.
The Red Bull party overlooking Monaco was unreal. Especially when I got chatting to Felix Baumgartner, the man who skydived from the Earths stratosphere. At least I hope I was having a conversation with him and not just bombarding him with questions. But the man skydived practically from SPACE.
The noise and the buzz when the race started was something else. I decided I wouldn’t mind being a millionaire…
…with the power to rock you, blow your mind so you gotta get into! Sorry…got carried away. It’s just that recently I got pretty excited that we filmed with 5ive, a band I’d grown up loving, been to see live and stared longingly at posters of Jay.
A few weeks ago the producers from ITV2’s ‘The Big Re-Union’ got in touch to get us involved with the tv show by presenting tickets to an unsuspecting super 5ive fan and hand deliver them with the boys themselves. Despite the fact my favourite, Jay, hadn’t rejoined them for the Re-Union, THANKS A LOT JAY (selfish), I was still rather excited. Sometimes the 14 year old in you just never goes away. I suppose I should just be thankful I don’t still dress like her.
We arrived in secret to meet the boys at the superfans workplace where she was sat in, what I imagine was a very tedious conference. All conferences are aren’t they? The funny thing about meeting the boys was that they were exactly how I imagined they were when I was 14. They were bouncing about, wrestling, unruly, dressed in Topshop, pinching Haribo sweets from the bowls, just as you used to see them on Live and Kicking. Which, when you realise they must all be in their late thirties now was kind of…strange. But kind of cute. If they had become middle aged they certainly weren’t gonna show it. But then I guess you can’t perform ‘Slam Dunk Da Funk’ and ‘If Ya Gettin down’ if you’re backstage discussing your love of a good Rioja, or whether you prefer a fixed rate or tracker mortgage (obligatory middle aged chat).
Bursting into the conference with the boys was hilarious. Our superfan, Alexa seemed pretty confused and it did later dawn on me how weird that would be if it happened while you were at work. I think we all imagined an inconsolable hysteria, then we remembered she is no longer a teenager!
Check out the surprise here and see it in full on ITV2’s ‘The Big Re-Union‘ later this year…
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