What if slowing down gave you the space to discover who you really are?

For Laura, the Covid lockdown became an unexpected opportunity to pause, reflect and reconnect with her creativity. What started as an art class soon grew into a passion that inspired her to apply for a Fine Art degree. Today, she's taking another leap of faith—selling the family home and moving to London to immerse herself in the creative community.

In this inspiring conversation, Laura shares how connecting with nature, trusting her instincts and embracing uncertainty has transformed both her art and her life.

We talk about:

• 🎨 How lockdown created the space to rediscover creativity
• 🌿 Why mindful walks in nature are the starting point for every painting
• 👀 How her artwork captures a feeling, a moment and a personal perception of the landscape
• 💭 The importance of slowing down enough to really notice the world around us
• ✨ Why trusting the process and following your instincts can lead you exactly where you're meant to be
• 🏙️ The courage it takes to sell the family home and move to London to pursue a life surrounded by fellow artists

Laura's story is a beautiful reminder that we don't always need to have everything mapped out. Sometimes, by embracing change, trusting ourselves and staying open to possibility, life unfolds in ways we could never have planned.

If you've ever felt the pull to try something new, reconnect with nature, or follow a dream that won't leave you alone, this episode is for you.

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If Laura's story resonated with you, we'd love you to subscribe, leave us a review and share this episode with someone who might be standing at a crossroads in their own life.

If you've been wondering whether it's time for a change, perhaps this conversation is the gentle reminder you needed that small steps can lead to a completely different future.

Thanks for listening!

Every episode is designed to help you become 1% happier and healthier, one small step at a time.

A big thank you to Pixabay for providing our intro and outro music, "Inspirational Background" by AudioCoffee.

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Create Your Badass List

When was the last time you stopped and really recognised how far you’ve come?

In this episode, we’re talking about creating your own Badass List — a powerful reminder of everything you’ve overcome, achieved, survived, and handled, even when life felt hard.

So many women focus on what they haven’t done, instead of celebrating the strength, resilience, courage, and everyday wins they already have. Your Badass List is proof that you are far more capable than your inner critic wants you to believe.

This episode is your reminder to stop downplaying yourself and start owning the incredible things you’ve already done.

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A big thank you to Pixabay for providing our intro and outro music, “Inspirational Background” by AudioCoffee.

Ann & Sally

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October 2026 marks the first ever Urostomy Awareness Month, and in this episode of Real Women, Real Stories, Julie joins us to help break the stigma, start conversations and raise awareness of what it means to live with a urostomy.

Julie was just four years old when doctors discovered she didn't have a bladder and she had life-changing stoma surgery in 1975.

But having a urostomy has certainly never defined what Julie can do.

Inspired by—and determined to keep up with—her older brother, Julie threw herself into sport from an early age. She attended mainstream school, joined in with swimming lessons and developed an attitude to life that has seen her continually challenge expectations.

Today, Julie is a qualified Pilates instructor who happily takes on multiple classes at her local gym. She's cycled coast to coast from Whitehaven to Tynemouth, run marathons and continues to lead an incredibly active life.

In this uplifting conversation, we talk about:

• 💜 Growing up with a urostomy from the age of four
• 🗣️ Why Urostomy Awareness Month matters and the importance of breaking the stigma
• 🏊 Being encouraged to participate rather than being treated differently
• 💪 The role sport and movement have played throughout Julie's life
• 🚴 Taking on the Whitehaven-to-Tynemouth coast-to-coast cycling challenge
• 🏃‍♀️ Running marathons and refusing to put limits on what's possible
• 🧘‍♀️ Becoming a Pilates instructor and continuing to embrace an active lifestyle
• 🍫 Julie's wonderfully simple 1% happier and healthier habits: start every morning with a glass of water and enjoy a little piece of chocolate every evening!

Julie's story is a wonderful reminder that our circumstances don't have to determine the size of our lives.

By sharing her story during the first Urostomy Awareness Month, Julie hopes to increase understanding, challenge misconceptions and show what's possible when we focus on what we can do rather than what we can't.

If Julie's story inspires you, please share this episode. You might just help someone living with a urostomy feel a little less alone—and help more people understand life with a stoma.

If you're looking for practical ways to improve your wellbeing, this episode is packed with simple, evidence-based advice that you can start putting into practice today.

Every episode is designed to help you become 1% happier and healthier, one small step at a time.

A big thank you to Pixabay for providing our intro and outro music, "Inspirational Background" by AudioCoffee.

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Connect with Julie on Instagram

Joo_m_w and fitafterfifty5

Urostomy Association

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Know Your Energy

In this episode, we’re talking about the power of understanding your own energy — because not every day is a “smash the to-do list” kind of day.

We explore how noticing your natural highs and lows can help you plan better, stop fighting yourself, and make choices that support you rather than drain you. From knowing when you’re at your best, to recognising when you need rest, this is all about working with your energy, not against it.

A simple reminder that being 1% happier and healthier starts with listening to yourself.

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Ann & Sally

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Sometimes the most honest conversations we have are the ones we have with ourselves ✨

In this episode, we explore the power of journalling and why putting your thoughts onto paper can be one of the simplest but most effective tools for improving your mental and emotional wellbeing.

We talk about how journalling can help you process emotions, reduce overwhelm, notice patterns, gain clarity and reconnect with yourself in the middle of busy everyday life.

Whether it’s writing down worries, gratitude, goals, thoughts or tiny wins, journalling creates space to pause, reflect and understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.

And the best part? There’s no right or wrong way to do it 💛

This episode is a reminder that you don’t need perfect words, a fancy notebook or hours of spare time — sometimes a few honest sentences can change the way you feel.

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A big thank you to Pixabay for providing our intro and outro music, "Inspirational Background" by AudioCoffee.

Ann & Sally

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What if one conversation could completely change the direction of your life?

After experiencing failed IVF, Michelle found herself searching for something positive to focus on. At 38, a friend suggested she train for a marathon—a simple idea that became the catalyst for an extraordinary new chapter.

She started with a half marathon, raising money for the National Autistic Society, before taking on a full marathon in support of Alfie's Brain Tumour charity. It was then that Michelle experienced a powerful realisation: helping others gave her a sense of purpose unlike anything she'd felt before.

In this uplifting episode, Michelle shares how following that feeling has led to a life built around community, kindness and making a difference.

We talk about:

• ❤️ How running became the turning point after failed IVF
• 🏃‍♀️ Why fundraising through half marathons and marathons gave her a new sense of purpose
• 💡 The lightbulb moment that inspired her to dedicate her life to helping others
• 💃 Creating a neighbourhood community during Covid with weekly themed dance sessions
• 🌳 Her role as a Parkrun Race Director and the joy of bringing people together through movement
• 💪 Leaving her previous career to become a Personal Trainer, specialising in supporting people living with cancer and Parkinson's
• 🏆 Launching her own business, Step Forward with Lewis
• 👞 Why she's become renowned for her fascinating Northampton shoe factory walking tours and her passion for sharing local history

Michelle is one of those people who leaves every person and every community a little better than she found it. Her story is a reminder that purpose often grows from the most unexpected moments, and that the smallest act of encouragement can change the course of a life.

If you're looking for inspiration to find your purpose, give back to your community or simply take that first small step, this episode is for you.

If this conversation inspired you, please subscribe, leave us a review and share it with someone who could benefit from a reminder that good health starts with small daily choices.

If you're looking for practical ways to improve your wellbeing, this episode is packed with simple, evidence-based advice that you can start putting into practice today.

Every episode is designed to help you become 1% happier and healthier, one small step at a time.

A big thank you to Pixabay for providing our intro and outro music, "Inspirational Background" by AudioCoffee.

Stay Connected with Us:

Follow us on Instagram: @happierandhealthier__

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Have questions or want to join our Facebook community, email us at hello@1percenthappierandhealthier.co.uk

Follow this link to receive our monthly news letter zfrmz.com/y2clyxhSheOWEJ9EjaS6

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Connect with Michelle Lewis

Instagram- Step Forward with Lewis

Facebook pages:

Step Forward with Lewis

Step Forward with Lewis CIC

Northampton Shoe Factory Tours

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Money worries can quietly affect every part of our wellbeing — our stress levels, confidence, relationships and even how trapped or free we feel 💛

In this episode, we talk about taking back control of your finances in a realistic, manageable way without shame, overwhelm or needing to have everything figured out overnight.

We explore why so many women avoid looking at their finances, how small steps can create a huge sense of empowerment, and practical ways to feel more organised, informed and in control of your money.

From understanding spending habits and tackling financial avoidance to creating breathing space and making intentional choices, this episode is all about reducing fear and building confidence one small step at a time.

Because financial wellbeing isn’t just about numbers in a bank account… it’s about creating freedom, options and peace of mind ✨

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A big thank you to Pixabay for providing our intro and outro music, "Inspirational Background" by AudioCoffee.

Ann & Sally

xx

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