On this episode Kat is joined by Daniel, a hairdresser and corporate and community fundraiser for Mind in Somerset, to talk about why getting your hair cut is good for your mental health. KEY TAKEAWAYS I joined Mind because I wanted to help people. Over a 25-year period as a hairdresser I’ve got really close with a lot of people, we’ve got real strong bonds. It’s not always one way either, if I’ve been struggling over the years I open up. It’s a nice space where people can say how they feel and feel comfortable with that knowing it’s not going to go any further and that they’ve got your support. Sometimes as a hairdresser you have to deal with deep conversations, if you’ve got a client who’s coming in and has lost a loved one or something like that, there’s nowhere to run or hide. It teaches you to have those conversations and really open up, it’s a real journey that you go on together. Statistically, men find it harder to talk and open up. It’s about trying to find those areas where you can reach out to men and in a way where they do feel comfortable. If that is in the role of a barber, that’s fantastic. BEST MOMENTS “Hairdressers probably have a stronger bond than most counsellors and can probably connect a lot longer.” “Sometimes taking on deep conversations day-to-day all year long for a long period of time can really affect you if you don’t look after yourself.” “Hairdressers and barbers are finally getting the credit they deserve for the role they play in society, and that’s mainly around mental health.” “If I can help anyone in any way I will, it’s a really good feeling. Being able to help somebody will always outweigh money, which doesn’t fuel me at all.” ABOUT THE GUEST Daniel James, a passionate corporate and community fundraiser for Mind In Somerset, working to support mental health initiatives and promote well-being in our community. With a background in hairdressing, I combine my love for creativity and self-care in my role as a hairdresser, enhancing my clients’ confidence and helping them look and feel their best.In addition to my work in fundraising and hairdressing, I am the proud owner of MR. SE, a hair and beard products range that I’ve developed to celebrate and support grooming for everyone. My products are designed with care, reflecting my commitment to quality and the importance of self-expression. I am deeply committed to helping people and believe in the power of meaningful conversations to transform lives. Whether I’m discussing mental health, grooming tips, or simply sharing stories with friends and clients, I find joy in connecting with others and making a positive impact. The Walk For Wellbeing Just Giving pageThe Mindful Moment Self Care boxesMind In Somerset InstagramMR. SE Haircare Instagram MR. SE Haircare Website 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