Welcome to the show

I had an absolute gem of a conversation with Maxine Cook, who writes under Annie Cook. This woman's journey from criminal psychologist to published author is fascinating - and her mission to help women tell their stories really resonated with me.

Key Points:

• Maxine burned out from her psychology career working with young offenders but used that rich experience to fuel her creative writing
• She's published 8 books in 2 years (yes, you read that right!) in her "Teapot Cottage" series - gentle stories about women rebuilding their lives
• Her books feature a healing cottage in the Lake District built on ley lines, where broken characters find transformation through gentle, non-violent change
• She's passionate about helping older women find their voice in a society that often overlooks them
• Writing can be therapeutic whether published or not - it's about leaving a legacy and healing yourself

Writing Process:

Maxine doesn't plan extensively - she starts with an idea and lets the characters guide the story. "I find myself running to catch up with these books because they gain their own momentum."

The ONE Thing:

Every woman has a story worth telling. The process of writing it down - even if no one else ever reads it - can be profoundly healing and creates an invaluable legacy for future generations.

Maxine's now helping other women tell their stories through her website anniecookwriter.com. Her tagline says it all: "Stories of hope and healing with the help of a little bit of magic."

What story are you waiting to tell?

Welcome to the show.

Had an amazing chat with my dear friend Will Otero from Pennsylvania - a Brooklyn boy who's become my podcasting mentor and guide. We connected a couple years back, and his journey has been nothing short of inspiring.

Will started podcasting in 2020 during the pandemic after being furloughed. What began with a $160 Amazon podcasting studio and his nephew has grown into a media empire including Stuck in My Mind Podcast, RealWise TV, and now RealWise Publishing.

Key Points

• Start imperfect, improve consistently - Will's nephew wanted to scrap their first episode, but Will insisted on releasing it to show the journey

• Put love into your craft - Whether cooking or podcasting, people can tell when you're genuinely passionate vs. just going through motions


• Relationships over monetization - Building authentic connections worldwide matters more than immediate financial returns

• Skills compound unexpectedly - Podcasting led to video editing, book publishing, and speaking opportunities

• Imposter syndrome is universal - You don't need letters after your name; real-world experience and genuine desire to help others matters

The ONE Thing

Coach thyself moment: You don't have to be miles ahead of someone to help them - just one or two steps so they can see the path. The magic happens when you put love into your craft and show up authentically.

Contact Wil:

email: wizeeljefe@stuckinmymindpodcast.com

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wil-otero-producer/

Contact Steve:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach

Welcome to the show.

It was great to be back after a break with an amazing guest - Time Management and Productivity Coach, Clare Evans

Clare's Journey 🎯

I loved hearing how Clare went from secretary to IT coder to project manager, then took voluntary redundancy at 40 to start her coaching business. Her "what now?" moment really resonated with me - that feeling of wanting something more than corporate life.

The Planning Problem 📝

Clare called me out on my biggest issue - I get so caught up in planning the perfect plan that I never actually DO anything! She says just start with 3 things you want to achieve today. That's it. No perfect system needed.

Quick Wins ⚡

• Spend 5-10 minutes each morning planning your day

• Use "action lists" instead of "to-do lists" (love this reframe!)

• Focus on 90-day goals, not 5-year dreams

• Remember: planning gets faster with practice

The Holistic Approach 🌟

Clare doesn't just focus on work productivity. She looks at your whole life - health, relationships, personal development. As guys, we try to compartmentalize, but everything connects.

Neurodiversity Insight 🧠 Many of Clare's clients have ADHD or think they might. She reminded me that we're all neurodiverse - there's no "normal" way to think or work.

The ONE Thing💡

Develop the planning habit. Take 5-10 minutes each day to plan what you want to achieve. It's about the habit, not the perfect system.

Connect with Clare:

https://clareevans.co.uk or grab her Productivity Reset on LinkedIn.

Connect with Steve:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach

Welcome to the show.

In this episode, I sit down with Eleanor Baggaley, a passionate book coach dedicated to helping aspiring authors overcome self-doubt and bring their stories to life. Eleanor shares her personal journey—how she transitioned from teacher to author and book coach, the obstacles she faced along the way, and the deep fulfilment she finds in guiding others through the writing and publishing process.

We explore the common fears that hold people back from writing, from impostor syndrome to perfectionism, and how Eleanor helps her clients break through these mental barriers. She also highlights the profound impact of writing a book—not just as a professional achievement but as a tool for personal growth, confidence, and legacy-building.

Eleanor shares success stories of authors she’s coached, demonstrating how storytelling can be a transformative process. We also discuss the evolving landscape of publishing, from traditional routes to self-publishing, and how aspiring writers can take the first step toward becoming published authors.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Writing a book isn’t just about sharing knowledge—it’s about overcoming personal limitations and stepping into your voice.

✅ The biggest roadblocks to writing are often mindset-related, but with the right support, anyone can become an author.

✅ Publishing a book can open doors to new opportunities, from business growth to personal fulfilment.

✅ Books have the power to change lives, both for the writer and the reader.

💡The ONE Thing:

Your story matters. The only thing standing between you and publishing your book is the belief that you can do it—and with the right guidance, you absolutely can.

🚀 Want to learn more? Visit https://eleanorbaggaley.com or connect with Eleanor on LinkedIn.

🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone looking to bring their creative ideas into the world!

Conenct with me:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach

Welcome to the show

In this episode of The One-to-One Thing, I reconnect with an old friend and an incredible leader, Michelle Adams, Vice President of Gordon Training International. Michelle’s been with the company—founded by her father, Dr. Thomas Gordon—for over 32 years, and she’s on a mission to spread effective communication skills around the worldc

In this insightful conversation, we explore:

✅ The core principles of the Gordon Model and how they apply to both work and family life

✅ Why true leadership is about influence, not authority

✅ How listening beyond words can transform relationships

✅ The importance of expressing needs clearly to avoid assumptions and conflict

Michelle also shares her deep love for Disneyland! - her weekly “Vitamin D” therapy that restores her joy and creativity!

💡 Main Takeaway: Effective communication isn’t about power or control. It’s about understanding needs, listening deeply, and fostering relationships where everyone feels seen and heard.

🚀 Learn more about GTI at GordonTraining.com and follow them on social media for valuable insights.

🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone looking to improve their communication and relationships—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

Connect with me:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach

Welcome to the show.

In this episode of The One-to-One Thing, I’m joined by Alex Neal, a Thrive After Divorce coach who helps newly single women rediscover who they are and build a fulfilling life after separation.

After her own difficult divorce, Alex realised she had lost herself in her marriage, focusing on her partner’s dreams and desires while neglecting her own. Through personal development, including work with Tony Robbins and Brendon Burchard, she began to rebuild her life—learning that life after divorce can be an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and choosing new labels that fit who you really are.

In this powerful conversation, we discuss:

✅ The emotional journey of deciding to leave and the grief that follows

✅ How identity can be a prison—or a path to freedom after divorce

✅ Why rediscovering yourself isn’t instant but a process of trying on new roles

✅ The importance of feeling your emotions without being consumed by them

💡 The ONE Thing: Life after divorce isn’t an end—it’s an invitation to rediscover who you are and design a life that aligns with your true self.

🚀 To connect with Alex and learn more, visit alexneal.com or find her on LinkedIn.

🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating life after separation.

Connect with me:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach

Welcome to the show

In this episode of The One-to-One Thing, I sit down with Lenn Pryor—former Silicon Valley executive turned transformational coach and author of Breaking Asphalt.

Len shares his journey from 27 years in tech to walking away from it all in search of greater purpose. He explains how a simple quote—“We are kept from success not by obstacles, but by the clearer path to lesser goals”—changed everything and led him to explore why so many high achievers feel unfulfilled despite outward success.

We dive into:

✅ The danger of chasing goals that don’t align with who we really are

✅ Why executive coaching led Len to shift towards personal transformation

✅ The powerful metaphor behind Breaking Asphalt—and how nature can teach us about resilience and alignment

✅ How to identify if your ladder is leaning against the wrong wall

✅ Practical steps to reconnect with your core self and make meaningful life changes

💡 The ONE THING: True success isn’t about climbing higher—it’s about aligning with who you were meant to be. The real challenge is not just working hard, but working on the right things.

🚀 Len’s book Breaking Asphalt is coming soon! Find out more at LennPryor.com or LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/in/lennpryor/)

🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, and let’s keep the conversation going. What’s your steeper path?

Welcome to the show.

In this episode I sit down with Stuart Lee, a former IT professional turned social entrepreneur, who is on a mission to tackle the housing crisis in the UK through his initiative, Let’s Make A Difference (Let’s MAD).

Stuart’s journey took him from a toxic corporate environment to finding purpose in helping others. After years of working in IT and supporting charities with tech services, he saw a critical problem: a lack of truly affordable housing. Many families and individuals were stuck in shelters with nowhere to move, simply because there was a shortfall between what universal credit covered and private rental costs. Through Let’s MAD, Stuart has created a unique sponsorship model where businesses and individuals can contribute directly to bridging this financial gap. The goal? To place people in the right homes, provide wraparound support, and ultimately help them become independent again.

We dive into:

✅ The realities of the housing crisis and why traditional solutions fall short

✅ How Let’s MAD works with businesses to sponsor rent top-ups and support services

✅ The power of grassroots community action and why small-scale change can have a big impact

✅ The importance of addressing social issues before they reach crisis point

Beyond housing, Stuart and his team also extend help in unexpected ways—like funding counselling for a young girl in crisis. His approach is simple: fix problems before they reach breaking point.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The housing crisis isn’t just about lack of homes—it’s about financial gaps and systemic barriers.

• Real change happens when people and businesses step up at a grassroots level.

• Sometimes, making a difference is as simple as starting a conversation.

☝🏾The ONE Thing:

Small, targeted efforts can drive meaningful change. By focusing on the gaps in the system rather than just adding more housing, Let’s MAD is creating real, sustainable solutions.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Stuart’s bold action is changing lives—and how you can be part of it.

👉 Connect with Stuart at letsmad.co.uk or on LinkedIn.