143: Mental Health, Self-Kindness + Learning from Failure with Shareefa J (Couragemakers X CALM Special)

The Couragemakers Podcast | Encouragement, Inspiration & Rebel Rousing for Mission Driven Doers, Makers & Shakers |

Hello Couragemakers!

It's good to be back! This week I've got a special episode for you as I've teamed up with the mental health charity CALM and CALM ambassador Shareefa J to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. We're diving into all things mental health, self-kindness and how courage is courageous.

Shareefa J is a London based presenter and plus size model. She is at the forefront of promoting body/race diversity and mental health awareness within fashion and advertising. She’s an ambassador for the mental health charity CALM. Alongside this Shareefa runs a non profit organisation called @shine4diversity where she creates short documentaries and photographic campaigns to highlight the importance of racial inclusion within advertising. Her last campaign was featured in Marie Claire & Buzzfeed.

If you struggle with your mental health, and find it hard to talk about, if you ever feel alone or like you’re a burden and if you simply need a dose of self-kindness, this is the episode for you.

Heads up that in this episode we do briefly discuss suicide, so if you need to skip this episode, please do. Look after you first.

About Shareefa J

Shareefa J is a London based presenter and plus size model. She is at the forefront of promoting body/race diversity and mental health awareness within fashion and advertising. Shareefa is an ambassador for the mental health charity CALM and actively advocates for them by getting involved in fundraising and media projects.

Alongside this Shareefa runs a not- for- profit organisation called @shine4diversity in which she creates short documentaries and photographic campaigns to highlight the importance of racial inclusion within advertising Her last campaign was featured in Marie Claire & Buzzfeed. Shareefa recently graced the cover of Womens Running magazine for the annual London Marathon edition and she continues to promote a positive message for women within the fitness space.

Instagram | CALM

Things we talked about

• Shareefa’s experience with mental health

• How sharing your mental health struggles isn’t a sign of weakness

• What failure has taught Shareefa and what we can learn from it

• Being kinder to yourself and intentions instead of goals

• Shareefa’s work as a CALM ambassador

Resources

• CALM Collectives

• CALM Webchat

• Contact CALM: 0800 58 58 58

About Meg & That Hummingbird Life

The Daily Pep! Podcast and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.

I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.

When I'm not recording episodes, I can be found working 1:1 with my fabulous coaching clients and playing with my adorable but silly puppy Merlin.