On this episode Kat is joined by Jovan who shares his journey with habits, what led him to suffer from panic attacks and the number one thing he swears by that has made him better at work and at home. KEY TAKEAWAYS Two years ago, I had a moment with my mental health where I got stuck inside my own head. I was new to a role, and I wasn’t getting assessed like I had been, they were small things, but in my head, I’d been quite successful at everything that I’d done, so when I started hitting barriers it was alien to me. I starting having panic attacks and got to a point where I needed to take time off. It’s really important not to hold yourself to too many rigid rules because things change and adapt and we need to change and adapt with them, and if you don’t that’s where you can get problems. In 2018 I weighed 22 stone, I was coaching football with my kids and work was fine but I was starting to develop health issues – underactive thyroid, diabetes, liver disease and sleep apnoea – I thought “this isn’t me”, I’m quite a sporty person but I’d lost balance in my life. That was a switching point where I needed to get my head in the game again. Guys on the ground doing the work in the construction industry are more likely to eat anything on their lunch because they’re burning the calories, and I can understand that. People who work behind the desk need to think about what they’re eating more and take time to plan the preparation of their food. That said, there are more coffee shops and gyms and fewer pubs now and the attitude to health and exercise is much better in youngsters that it was for us growing up, they’re clearly paying attention to it. BEST MOMENTS “For a number of years, mental health wasn’t a term I’d heard in the construction industry, it wasn’t talked about at all until the last 10 years, and it’s great that it has.” “You can only control the controllables.” “We all know how to control habits but, until you’re bothered enough and care enough for yourself, you don’t try to control it.” “I want to be there for my kids when they’re older and not balloon, get less health, have problems and have a heart attack.” ABOUT THE GUEST Jovan Marcetic, Regional Director at PSR Solutions, has worked in recruitment since 2000 and his passion has always been people. Specialising in the recruitment of freelance professionals within the Construction Industry he has built many long-term business relationships as well as amassing a large candidate base."I am extremely passionate about the work I do; I enjoy the pressure it brings, and I love the Construction Industry and the people working in it. I am keen to pass on my knowledge whilst also continuing to expand my own experiences with additional learning through reading and listening to a variety of related podcasts and audiobooks. Helping to make a positive difference in people's lives is a fundamental driver for me."LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Kat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed. The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship and career. She suffered a severe breakdown and lost everything. In the middle of this she got headhunted for her first CEO role. She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit, and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself. She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe. LinkedIn Instagram