Rock Solid

Health And Wellness Director

Wellity

Proud to be working with Wellity in their global mission to deliver mental health and wellbeing training solutions for some of the world’s most respected organisations including the UK Home Office, the G7 Summit, Police Force, Nokia, Fujitsu and many more.

Associate Consultant

Rock Solid Body Transformations

Run and work at Rock Solid providing an exclusive and executive personal training service, with nutrition advise and plans along with our 12 week body transformation program.

Director

Conscious Control 

Conscious Control is a seperate business where we run a practice and deliver workshops based around the CONTROL system.

Qualifying back in 2016 as a CONTROL Practitioner we work directly with our cliens sub concious mind, which is the most powerful part of the mind to change the way you think feel and behave.

Conscious Control

We flew over to the USA to be the first to deliver ou CONTROL workshops to 22 Americans over 4 workshops. This is the first of it's kind over in the states and we're proud to be able to deliver these.

The Whole trip was vlogged and you can access these via our YouTube Channel.

www.youtube.com/rocksolid4lifetv

Workshop Presenters

BodyPower Expo

We was invited to be part of the Educators section of the BodyPower expo and speak on stage at the event helping other PT's and coaches to work on their clients mindset and not just their bodies.

Link to vlog for more info

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mebJpyp1V-c&index=23&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&t=488s

Public Speaker

HMP Prison Service

We delivered workshops to both prisoners and staff of HMP Isis as part of Mental Health Awareness Day.

We gave coping strategies and gave more information about how prisoners and staff can work together to create a better place mentally for the prisoners to live. 

We vlogged the series and what we taught the prisoners and staff

Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssQaJGNSk90&index=15&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&t=1s


Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riP6G9zRLkM&index=3&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&t=14s

Part 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c7qGCivc3o&index=25&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&t=23s

Part 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib-ZJGpWuSg&index=51&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&t=1s

Part 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EBshB_5BBs&index=58&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&t=1s

Workshops and Public Speaker

Having been diagnosed with Kidney Disease after taking Lithium for my Bi-Polar I was asked to be part of a medical study to see how kidneys deteriorate over time.

This study took 3 years and in that time I dedicated myself to this wonderful cause.

This Vlog is of my journey


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjgNGNXFxiA&t=0s&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&index=30

Candidate

Mental Health in the Workplace

We attended this event as we was asked to speak at the event arranged by Sadie Hopson for mental health in the workplace.

I was asked to talk about my time within the Police and also about my recent breakdown which was in July of 2017.

We vlogged the journey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNrA9bmxWIk&index=59&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&t=3s

ROCK SOLID BODY TRANSFORMATIONS LTD

Having created and authored a children's book, The Amazing Adventures Of The Good Food Gangwe teamed up with Shepway Sports Trust and delivered classes to 5040 children within in our local area in Kent. The classes were all about educating children about how food affects their bodies and where their food comes from. 

The theme of the class was taken from the childrens book which we now sell seperately

For the Vlog see here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJSMcxO4lVY&index=43&list=PL3Aw13IYleYhonQfBb8ff9NZSlIWPpzZ7&t=271s

School Educators

I help overachievers smash burnout and regain control of their lives 💪 Founder @ Rock Solid Health & Energised Leadership

🔥 Burnout Survivor, Health & Well-being advocate 

Ever been there? Feeling like life is burning you out, leaving you exhausted and drained? You're not alone. Many of our clients have been there too.

I specialise in helping individuals reset their health, reclaim their vitality, and embrace a fulfilling, vibrant life through our proven A.C.E Method

Most of our clients come to us when they're:

👉🏻 Deep in the throes of burnout or on the path to recovery.

They're seeking to regain control, discover effective energy management strategies, and rekindle that sense of 'normalcy.'

Our approach tackles:

👉🏻 The three stages of burnout, affecting your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
👉🏻 Our 6 pillars of health and well-being.
👉🏻 In line with our A.C.E method

It will empower you to:

🙌🏻 Master your energy, catalyzing a transformative journey to better health.
🙌🏻 Experience positive ripples in your relationships, personal life, business, and career.

Curious if it works? Browse the testimonials on my profile.

🔔 Drop me a message, and let's explore effective strategies tailored just for you.

🤩 About Me:
I'm a former Police and Counter-Terrorism Intel Officer who, after a medical retirement, ventured into the health and wellness industry with 'Rock Solid Health' in 2013.

My own battles with mental health, including a diagnosis of Bipolar and OCD in 2009, have become my greatest assets. They enable me to give back to society.

I collaborate with my husband, Barry Ash, a former Prison Officer and Physical Training Instructor in the Prison Service.

In 2017, I faced severe burnout within my own business, shaping our unwavering focus on this critical issue.

Our methods and principles at Rock Solid stem from 30+ years of nurturing our mental, emotional, and physical well-being, grounded in a practical, no-nonsense approach.

Our Achievements:
🤩 Featured on the TV Show 'It’s Your Fault I Am Fat.'
🤩 Proud Associate Consultants to Wellity Global.
🤩 Worked within Prisons, aiding staff and inmates.
🤩 Contributed to the CONTROL System in the USA.
🤩 Spoke at the UK's largest sports expo, BodyPower.
🤩 Authors of a children’s book.
🤩 Educated 5040 children in one year on food.
🤩 Published articles in magazines.

Our greatest accolades are the transformations our clients achieve and the incredible lives they lead daily—happy, healthy, meaningful, and fulfilled.

Beyond work, I'm a Crossfit enthusiast, adore Maine Coon cats, and dabble in part-time superhero antics as Wonder Woman (Check out Oursuperherolife on Instagram and TikTok). 💪😸✨"

Laura Ash

Today we complete our 8-week community programme supported by Kent Police

Over 100 women and girls have now been through these sessions with us.

And while the programme may be wrapping up, our work is not.

Because when you look at what’s happening in communities across the UK, it becomes clear that awareness, confidence, and education are still urgently needed.

Here are just a few of the recently reported incidents from the past few weeks:

→ London — A Bridgerton actress shared that she had been targeted on the street for the second time this year.

 → Birmingham — A woman tragically lost her life following an unprovoked attack in the city centre; a suspect has been charged.

→ Bolton — A man received a significant prison sentence after a violent offence against a vulnerable woman.

→ Suffolk — A woman was approached while out for an early-morning run

These things happened to real-life people who, like you and me, have lives 

They are Mothers, Daughters, Friends, Nieces, Granddaughters, Wives, Girlfriends and Colleagues 

None of this is shared to create fear or alarm

And it certainly isn’t to sensationalise.

It’s to acknowledge reality

Because it’s far too easy for these stories to fade into the background.

What we don’t talk about, we can’t change.

What we avoid, we can’t improve.

What we ignore, we can’t prevent.

Over the past 8 weeks we’ve seen something powerful:
→ Women and girls building confidence.
→ Understanding boundaries.
→ Learning about awareness.
→ Knowing their options.
→ Finding their voice.

And that’s why this work matters.

We’re not here to create fear.

We’re here to create preparedness, confidence, and community support, the things that actually make people feel safer in their everyday lives.

And yes, I hear you sa,y "This should not be needed in this day in age"

Well, we ARE in this position, and we can either keep quiet or we can educate, empower and engage Women and Girls in these conversations 

And while this programme with Kent Police is ending, our commitment to this mission absolutely isn’t.

If you run a school, workplace, organisation, community group or youth programme and want to bring this kind of education to your people my inbox is open.

Safety isn’t a headline.

 It’s a community effort. And it continues long after the news cycle moves on.

Laura 

P.S. I just want to say how incredibly proud I am of the team that has come together to make these 8 weeks possible.

The collaboration, care, and commitment behind the scenes have been exceptional and it’s a reminder that real change happens when good people come together with a shared purpose.

Burnout & Resilience Speakers & Experts Empowering Purpose-Driven Leaders Reconnect Energy & Passion | Authors of The Energy Reset | Hosts of Stress Less, Live More | Superhero Power Couple IRL Inspiring Change

A report released today revealed that men in England & Wales are significantly underreporting domestic violence incidents

With only 1 in 6 incidents resulting in charges.

And while this is a complex, sensitive issue…

The headline points to a deeper truth we see every day:

Men are conditioned not to struggle.

From a young age, many are taught to:

→ Be the strong one
→ Be the provider
→ Stay stoic
→ Never show “weakness”

So anything that carries even a hint of shame, vulnerability, or emotional difficulty gets buried.

And here’s why this matters far beyond today’s news:

This is the same reason business owners and leaders won’t admit they’re burned out.

They’ll joke about being tired.

They’ll say things like:

→ “Ha, what’s a weekend?”
→ “I could do with more energy.”
→ “Busy is good, right?”

But to actually say:
→ “I’m not coping.”
→ “I’m overwhelmed.”
→ “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.”

…feels like a threat to their identity.

Not because they’re weak, no Sir!
 
But because they were never given permission to be human.

This is the unspoken issue inside UK (and Global) businesses right now:

→  Leaders are carrying invisible pressure.
→  Burnout is rising.
→  Support is available… but silence feels safer than being seen.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve been pushing through, laughing it off, minimising it:

→ You’re not alone.
→ You’re not failing.
→ You’re not “meant” to do this on your own.

→ → → → Struggle doesn’t make you weak.

 The silence and struggling in the dark does.

Real leadership isn’t pushing through the pain.

It’s having the clarity to confront it.

What are your thoughts on this? 

Loz

P.S There are some fantastic support services out there, so you don't have to struggle with this alone

Samaritans — 24/7 emotional support: 116 123 (free from any phone) 
Shout — 24/7 free, confidential text support: text SHOUT to 85258
Men’s Advice Line — for male victims of domestic abuse: 0808 801 0327 
ManKind Initiative — charity supporting male victims of domestic abuse (offers advice, helpline, referral to services)

My dad used to say: Only idiots get bored.

He was wrong...soz Dad! 

I grew up believing boredom meant you weren’t doing enough.

And if you’re a high performer, you were probably taught the same:

→ Stay busy
→ Always be on it
→ Keep producing
→ Never slow down

But here’s what Harvard Professor Arthur C. Brooks just revealed:

→ → → →  You NEED boredom.

Without it, you lose meaning, clarity, and eventually… yourself.

Most high achievers are in fear of stillness.

Why?

Because silence forces you to hear the truth you’ve been outrunning.

That’s why so many leaders feel:
→ disconnected
→ successful but lost
→ constantly “on edge”
→ overwhelmed but empty

It's not the workload.

It’s the noise.

The constant doing.

The refusal to sit in the quiet.

Brooks calls boredom 

"The gateway to meaning the moment your brain finally switches into the mode that handles identity, purpose, and self-awareness"

And most people avoid it at all costs.

But here’s the irony:

→ → → →  The faster you go, the further you drift from yourself.

The silence you avoid is the space you actually need.

So ask yourself:

When was the last time you let yourself be bored?

Not scrolling.

Not consuming.

Just you.

What do you think? Does being bored = lazy? or do you think it's a good thing?

Loz

P.S This is us at Salt Lake City Airport on an 8hr layover sleeping on the floor. Is there anything MORE boring than a long layover in an airport? 
----
Helping high performers stop burning out and start living again.

When a client asked me to “shout at him”… I said no.

He was raised in a military family.

Structure. Orders. Discipline

But only when someone else enforced it.

So when we started working together, he asked me:

“Can you shout at me? Push me? Tell me what to do so I’ll actually follow through?”

And I refused.

Not because he wasn’t capable.

But because he was.

If your discipline only works when someone else is watching

It’s not discipline → it’s dependency.

This man is highly successful.

A leader. A decision-maker. A powerhouse in his industry.

But his default wiring was:

→ Wait for orders
→ Wait for pressure
→ Wait for permission

→ THEN take action

This is what you call someone who is 

→ Externally driven.
→ Externally motivated.
→ Externally disciplined.

And at the same time…

He craved freedom 

Yet everything about his behaviour kept him in a system where someone else decided the tempo.

So instead of shouting at him, we helped him do something far more powerful:

→ Build internal discipline.
→ Internal authority.
→ Internal clarity.

Because the most dangerous trap for high performers isn’t lack of motivation…

It’s outsourcing their power.

Here’s what actually changed him:

→  Building habits that were initiated by him, not imposed on him
→ Reclaiming decision-making from a place of identity, not instruction
→  Learning that freedom comes from self-leadership, not external force

And the breakthrough?
→  He wanted to trust himself.
→  He wanted to be the authority in his own life.
→  He realised he didn’t want someone shouting at him.

This shift from external discipline to internal leadership changed everything.

Loz

“We spend every moment together so being apart was the hardest part for me.”

Most people know what happened to us recently, with Baz being admitted for emergency surgery 

(Which we just found out was life-threatening due to the severity of the infection)

But what we haven’t really spoken about is what it taught us.

Not about health.

Not about hospitals.

But about leadership… resilience… and the moments that strip everything back to what really matters.

When life hits you with something you didn’t plan for, you can't rely on strategies or frameworks.

You fall back on your truths, your mindset, your ability to stay present, and the people who hold you up.

In the latest episode of our Stress Less, Live More podcast, Baz and I share our real-time debrief on the things that grounded us when everything suddenly stopped.

Here are 3 insights leaders often don’t learn until life forces them to slow down:

1. Presence is Power
When the future feels uncertain, the only thing you can lead is the next breath, the next five minutes, the next step.

2. Surrender is not Weakness
There are moments you can’t control.
Your strength comes from how you respond not how tightly you grip.

3. Gratitude creates clarity
Even in stressful moments, there are small anchors that keep you grounded.
Often they’re the things we’re too busy to notice.

If you’re navigating a heavy season, or you’re the “strong one” everyone relies on, I think this conversation will speak to you.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Stress Less, Live More:

"When the Strong One Needs Help – Our Real-Time Debrief"

What’s one thing that helps you stay grounded when life gets unpredictable?

Loz (and Baz)

P.S Huge shout out to our video and podcast guru's Ben and Rachael who filmed this epic video on our VIP Content Day! (I think they have an offer on ATM check it out)

Someone left a nasty comment on one of our YouTube videos last week.

I blocked it, moved on…But for a split second?

It made me question myself.

Not because of what they said 

But because judgement hits the part of you that still wants to be understood.

And that’s what makes leadership so tough at times.

You can be strong, mission-driven, values-led…

and still feel that sting of:

→ “What if they’re right?”
→ “What if I’m annoying someone?”
→ “What if I’m getting this wrong?”

And then slowly… quietly…the doubt creeps in.

You see doubt is what makes you 
→ Post less.
→ Share less.
→ Lead less.
→ Show up less.

And before you notice it…

You are playing small again.

But here’s the truth I came back to and maybe you need it today too:

→→→ People will always have opinions.

And opinions don’t make you wrong.

Ricky Gervais said something along the lines of:

“Just because someone is offended doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong.”

And he’s right.

Most criticism is about projection.

Most negative comments are not rooted in truth.

They’re rooted in someone else’s pain.

And a quick glance of something they have seen online

Through THEIR lens of reality 

And that is your moment.

Your cue and your gentle reminder to:

✨ Come back to your message.
✨ Come back to your mission.
✨ Come back to who you are when you are not filtering yourself through other people’s opinions.

Because the world doesn’t need more leaders who shrink.

It needs leaders who stay lit EVEN when someone tries to dim them.

So if you’ve ever pulled back because of judgement or fear of being “too much”…

You are not alone.

You are needed

→→ Keep showing up.
→→→ Keep speaking up.
→→→→ Keep leading.

Someone out there is waiting for the exact thing you scared yourself out of posting.

What’s one thing you’ve held back from sharing because you feared judgement?

Loz 

--

Helping leaders get clarity so they can shine their light in the world!

Most people don’t set goals… they inherit them.

And that’s the real problem.

I saw this firsthand in our Clarity Beyond Your Business workshop this week.

The moment I asked everyone to think about 2026, they did what most high performers do:

They went straight to business goals.

Revenue. Growth. Output.

Because that’s what we’ve been conditioned to do.

But here’s the truth most people never question:

They’re not your goals.

They’re the goals you think you’re supposed to set.

The ones that look good on paper.

The ones that match your industry.

The ones you’d be praised for hitting…

…but not necessarily the ones that would make your life you feel any better.

And that’s why traditional goal-setting fails.

It never asks the real question:

“Who do you need to be next year?”

So instead of setting goals, we had everyone choose words to embody for 2026.

So that your INTENTION comes from the energy and power of these words

THAT is when the penny dropped for them

We had some amazing and powerful words created like:

Courage.
Stability.
Daring.
Expansion.
Boundless.
Release.
Trust.
Fun.

Not metrics.

Not milestones.

But energy.

Because when your intention is aligned, your decisions change.

Your boundaries change.

Your focus sharpens.

Your leadership strengthens.

Your business follows.

Clarity creates alignment.

Alignment creates momentum.

Momentum creates results.

Most people jump straight to results and skip the only part that actually moves their life forward.

So, as you think about 2026…

Don’t start with your business.

Start with you.

Loz

Why leaders are exhausted in Q4 (and it's not workload)

Leaders aren’t burning out from workload.

They’re burning out from confusion.

Because when clarity stops,

The pressure hits 

Every.
Single.
Time.

I saw it three times last week.

→ Smart leaders.
→ Strong teams.
→ High standards.

But completely overwhelmed…

Not because they’re incapable

But because they’re unclear on what actually matters right now.

And the questions running through their heads sound like this:

→ “Do I push a sales sprint or protect my team?”
→ “What deserves my focus growth or stability?”
→ “Should I plan 2026 now or finish 2025 strong?”
→ "What is so and so on socials doing now, maybe I'll copy that!"

Here’s what happens when clarity goes missing:

→ Your energy scatters
→ Your goals lose shape
→ Every task feels urgent
→ Decision fatigue skyrockets
→ And you start questioning yourself instead of the strategy

The issue is a lack of direction

And clarity helps with that

How do you get clarity?

Your not going to like it....but here we go!

Just think back, though 

Before you experienced any clarity, followed by the idea of the powerful new strategy you built

Came surrender.

That moment where you stop forcing

And the moment you stopped pushing so hard

And you got honest about what actually matters.

If you just surrendered today 

And found that complete clarity

What’s ONE thing you would do today?

Loz 

PS: This ↑ is exactly what we build inside the Energised Leadership Pathway Program to empower them to level up, create more impact and live a life aligned again

Everyone’s talking about tomorrow’s Budget.

And I get it uncertainty makes a lot of people tighten up.

But here’s the truth, no one’s saying:

You can’t define your business

by what happens on one day.

Or in one month.

Or even in one quarter.

My beautiful and wise friend Sally once reminded me of something I’ll never forget:

You can’t judge success by a snapshot.

You have to zoom out and see the whole picture.

Because when things feel uncertain,

It's easy to panic.

To spiral.

To make rushed decisions from fear, not clarity.

But here’s what I want you to remember 

Especially right now:

You always have control over:
 • How you show up
 • The standards you keep
 • The energy you lead with
 • The clarity you return to
 • The long-term game you’re building

And you can’t measure long-term success

With short-term emotion.

The leaders who thrive in uncertain seasons

 Are the ones who zoom out before they react.

They make decisions from clarity, not chaos.

Direction, not noise.

Budgets change.

Markets shift.

Cycles come and go.

But aligned leadership?

That’s your constant.

So before tomorrow arrives, ask yourself:

What vision am I holding, and what would I decide today if I weren’t afraid?

Loz 💜💚

P.S This is me and Sally laughing as we always do when we are together

Burnout is tearing families apart.

A recent study found that 73% of founders spend less time with their friends and family after starting their business.

And if you’re a high performer… you’ll understand exactly why.

Because the pressure to always be on
 → always be visible
 → always be selling
 → always be “available”…

…it starts to erode the very relationships you built this business for.

You’re in the room with your family,

But not really in the room.

Your mind is on the next client.

Your phone is in your hand.

Your to-do list is still running your life.

And over time, this disconnection chips away at your identity, your energy,
and your relationships.

But here’s the truth high performers forget:
🔥 Success doesn’t have to cost you everything.
🔥 Your business doesn’t need to be built on sacrifice.
🔥 You can be successful and present.

That’s exactly what we help our clients do inside Energised Leadership Pathway:

Reconnect with their purpose, their people, and their life without slowing down their ambition.

If you feel like business is pulling you away from the people you love…

You are not alone.

And you don’t have to keep doing it this way.

Want support?

I am just a DM away

Loz

Starting earlier won’t make you more successful.

Starting aligned will.

The highest performers I mentor?

They’re waking up later, not earlier.

Through my own burnout journey, I learned this

My pressure wasn’t coming from my business.

It was coming from my own expectations.

Based on others’ definition of “success.”

Not mine.

Once I got clear on that this is how it changed mine

AND changes my clients mornings:

 • You stop rushing
 • You stop comparing
 • Your thinking gets sharper
 • You work from YOUR OWN rhythm, not guilt
 • You protect your energy before you spend it

You don’t improve performance by forcing productivity.

You improve by aligning who you are

with how you work best.

I'd love to know what influences YOUR mornings?

YOU or OTHERS?

Loz 

P.S Ok I admit I am forced to sit a little longer, this is Salem my cat who loves to sit on my lap in the morning while I journal

20 minutes into Simon Cowell’s new Netflix show I had to pause it.

Because often, business looks better than it feels.

We’re so used to seeing the finished version of success:

→ The sold-out shows
→ The “high converting” launches
→  The polished keynotes
→ The six-figure courses
→ The smiles on stage

And then… reality sneaks in.

In the show, Simon talks openly about a marketing campaign that didn’t land.

Sure, traffic came into the website, and the numbers looked "okay" on the surface

BUT the converstion were not where near good enough. 

They appeared like they were genuinely worried it might fail.

And this is Simon Cowell people! 

What happened next is the part most people never see.
↑ They didn’t quit.
↑  They didn’t blame the audience.
↑ They didn’t spiral into “maybe this isn’t meant for us.”

↑ They went back to work.
↑ They changed the copy.
↑  They refined the message.
↑  They listened more closely to the audience.
↑  They adjusted together.

And NONE of this was glamorous, or instagramable, but it was what was needed 

And here’s why this hit me so hard…

I’ve been having the same conversation with business owners a lot lately.

It usually sounds like this:

“I don’t get it…everyone else looks like they’re flying, and I’m exhausted.”

→ They’re doing the work.
→ They’re showing up.
→ They’re investing everything they have into their business.

But behind the scenes?

They feel behind, disconnected and asking themselves

Is this even working for me anymore?

Because all they ever see is the smoke and mirrors of business ownership:
→ Big launches
→ Confident stages
→ Perfectly packaged success
→ Smiles, wins, momentum

And very little of:

↓ The campaigns that didn’t land
↓ The copy that had to be rewritten
↓ They moments of “is this even working?”

Here’s the reality check most business owners need:

If you’re feeling exhausted and lost, it’s rarely because you’re incapable.

It’s because you’ve been measuring your behind-the-scenes against someone else’s highlight reel.

Yeah, read that one again ↑

That comparison pulls you away from your mission.

And when you lose connection to why you started, everything feels heavier.

Most of the clients we work with don’t need more strategy.

They need less noise… and more reconnection.

Because clarity doesn’t come from looking outward.

It comes from remembering who you are, who you serve, and what actually matters.

Have you seen the show yet? If so I'd love to hear your thoughts on that episode

Loz

PS. By no means am I a marketing guru. I will leave that to the experts

This isn’t advice, just an observation from the show and from working with business owners who come to us exhausted and lost in both their life and their business. They have just forgotten their mission by listening to too many external voices.

Men’s emotional health is front-page this week in the UK 

And it should be front-of-business, too.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this

Loz

View newsletter: Take 5 and ReCharge ☕️

And Why It Matters for Your Business This week, the UK government announced a national summit on the challenges facing men and boys with a major focus

Open article: Why Men’s Emotional Health Is Suddenly Front-Page News by Laura Ash • 3 min read

Why Men’s Emotional Health Is Suddenly Front-Page News

Christmas Day (and Boxing Day) is one of the only times of the year where it feels socially acceptable to stop.

No emails.
No launches.
No “quick check-ins.”

For business owners, that can feel like a rare moment of permission:

→ permission not to be online
→ permission not to respond
→ permission not to perform

→ → → But permission only works if you actually take it.

So here’s our invitation:

→ Put the phone down for Christmas Day.
→  Be properly present.

Because let’s be honest, everyone’s feeds will look the same:

→ Presents.
→ Christmas jumpers.
→ Smiles for the camera.

What actually lasts are the moments you don’t post.

→ The conversations.
→ The laughter.
→ The memories you’re fully there for.

Work will still be there.

This moment won’t.

What boundary are you giving yourself permission to hold this Christmas?

Loz 

PS 🎧 We go deeper into this conversation in the latest episode of the Stress Less, Live More podcast:
 
“The Perfectly Imperfect Christmas: Why Messy Is Magical.”

Just search Stress Less, Live More wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks to Ben and Rachael for helping us to produce this podcast and of course to my wonderful co-host Barry (Baz), wearing his Xmas Jumper that I forgot to pack

Corina Goetz 💫

Star-CaT Ltd

Star-CaT helps international companies and professionals to succeed in the Gulf region. 
We have been trusted advisors to many HNW clients from the Gulf and we now teach others how to build these relationships. (plus we respect the privacy of those clients)
Our Services include:
🌙 Strategy and Advisory 
🌙 Training and Mentoring
🌙 MasterClasses and online Resources at www.star-cat.co.uk
🌙 Speaking on various topics related to Customer Service and the Gulf

Founder and CEO

CMEC

Part of their Advisory Board
https://cmec.org.uk/discover-cmec/people

Board Member

Saudi International Premier Group

Senior Strategic Adviser

Destination Made Digital

Co-Founder

Mayfair Collective

The Mayfair Collective is a network of and for professionals dealing with HNWI and UHNWI.
https://www.mayfaircollective.co.uk/

Ambassador

Yalla! Magazine

Columnist

Corinthia Hotels International

Member of the pre-opening team, building Corinthia London into a brand name that the Middle East recognise for 5 star luxury.

Head of Middle Eastern and Diplomatic Sales

Les Ambassadeurs Casino

Sales & Marketing, PR to reach new clientele, creating partnerships and organising high value events.

VIP Relations Manager

InterContinental London Park Lane

Creation of VIP department, building and nurturing new VIP clients, training and mentoring of staff.

Assistant Front Office Manager

The Dorchester

Looking after diplomatic and VVIP visits, managed and trained a team of 30 staff.

Front Desk Manager

Middle East Strategist | Keynote Speaker | Simple steps how to decode the Middle East | Consulting | Training and Online Resources at star-cat.co.uk |

😳 First time in the Middle East, specifically the Gulf (don't know what to wear, how to behave and feel quite overwhelmed?)
😳 Your Marketing Strategy for Saudi, Qatar and the UAE doesn't work like it used to?
😳 Competition is higher than ever?

Then keep reading.

I know how challenging it can be to navigate cultural nuances, and I am here to guide you on this journey to success.

Building strong relationships in the Middle East is key to driving not only sales but also sustainable growth - but you need to know the right channels and differences. 

Here is what some of my clients said after working with me:
💬  For a good number of years we had been working with clients in the GCC market, but this had only ever felt like an ad-hoc exercise. We knew that the opportunity was considerably greater than that which we were seeing, but also knew it was going to take a specialist with local knowledge to genuinely support any pro-active sales.
The team's confidence has grown so much since working with Corina. From the formalised training delivered seamlessly for the whole company to the day to day check-ins and support, the team have been given the tools and insights to manage GCC clients and opportunities effectively like never before.

💬 "Building relationships was always a challenge for us, but Corina’s expertise showed us how to adapt our approach. Our growth in the region has been remarkable!"

Investing in your ability to foster better relationships will lead to more business, enhanced pipelines, and ultimately, growth. 

WHAT I OFFER: 
↗️ Online Resources at www.star-cat.co.uk/shop
↗️  VIP Days at £12,500 plus VAT
↗️ Cultural Advisory and Consultancy
↗️ Strategy for Sales and Marketing for the Gulf (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman etc)
↗️ Group training focused on Cultural insights and Etiquette
↗️ Speaking on: Doing business in Saudi/the Gulf as a Westerner, Unique Insights into the Gulf market, Entrepreneurship etc

In my free time, I love to: 
🩵 cold water swim
🤝 support organisations that help people in Hospitality (I support Under One Sky and The Burnt Chef Project) as well as help underprivileged kids (together with The Elena Baltacha Foundation)

If you are ready to make a bigger impact and foster better connections in the Middle East and watch your business flourish, send me a DM or email: support@star-cat.co.uk. 

If you want to get started with a simple step, sign up to the Middle East Insights here:
https://star-cat.uk/newsletter-page-8920

Founder

Star-CaT helps companies and professionals to succeed in the Gulf region. We have been trusted advisors to many HNW clients from the Gulf and we now teach others how to build these relationships.
Our Services include:
🌙 Training 
🌙 Advisory
🌙 Middle East Membership for ongoing support (for companies and individuals) 
🌙 Speaking
🌙 Online Resources
www.star-cat.co.uk

If you want to understand the Gulf, start by understanding Friday.

If you have ever spent a Friday there — you will know what I mean when I say: the air feels different.

The rush of the week slows down.
The cities move to a softer rhythm.
And 
time — for once — feels abundant.

🕌 Friday in the Gulf is not just a weekend. (yes I know in the UAE it has changed but Friday still has a slower pace)

It is presence.
It is prayer.
It is pause.

While the rest of the world sees Friday as the finish line, the Gulf sees it as the reset.

Families gather for lunch.
Friends meet over qahwa and dates.

Even business leaders step back — not to disconnect, but to reconnect — with faith, with family, with purpose.

So this is why today we take a deeper look at what this means. You can read the new edition of the Middle East Sunday Pages here:
https://lnkd.in/euwrazAC

And when you start to understand that rhythm, you do not just adapt to the Gulf.

You start to belong here.

Corina Goetz

Middle East & Saudi Etiquette & Business Specialist | Senior Strategic Adviser | Board Member | Keynote Speaker

The most impressive CEO I met this week did something shocking: 
- he asked for advice.

Not because he lacked experience.
Not because he was unsure of his abilities.
 
But 
because he wanted to give himself the best possible chance of succeeding in a region that rewards preparation over assumptions.

This is what real leadership looks like.

A man who has run global teams, led billion-dollar projects, lived on several continents — 
and still said to me:
“Teach me how to get this right. I do not want to walk in with Western assumptions.”

This is humility.

And in the Gulf, humility is not weakness.

It is strategy.

Because the people who thrive here are not always the loudest in the room.

They are the ones who know when to listen, when to adapt, and when to ask for guidance.

I admire leaders like him — the ones who understand that experience is an asset,
but 
cultural intelligence is a multiplier.

And when you choose to invest in that?

- Doors open.
- Relationships deepen.
- Opportunities expand in ways no report or market entry plan can predict.

This is exactly the mindset that succeeds in the Middle East.

👏 Humility is power.
👏 Preparation is respect.
👏 And those who combine both build legacies here.

Want to start in your own time? You can get my course here: https://lnkd.in/dwCCKmAw

Some things you cannot teach a child in a classroom.

You can only teach them by letting them live.

Last week, my son had three “firsts”:

✈️ His first solo flight - thank you Etihad
🎤 His first concert - Post Malone no less
🏎️ His first Formula 1 - in Abu Dhabi

And watching him move through each moment with a mix of nerves, excitement, courage, and wide-eyed wonder reminded me of something I deeply believe:

The best thing we can give our children is not perfection.

It is experience.

Not perfectly planned days.
Not perfectly controlled environments.
Not perfectly curated paths.

But the real world — with all its colour, noise, adventure, and possibility.

Because every new experience gives a child something no book can:
💡 Confidence
💡 Curiosity
💡 Adaptability
💡 A sense of who they are becoming

When he boarded that flight alone, he grew a little.
When he stood in that crowd at his first concert, it opened his eyes.
When he watched the F1 cars fly past, he dreamed a little bigger.

And that, to me, is the true goal of parenting — not to protect them from every uncertainty,
but 
to prepare them to step into life with excitement rather than fear.

Let them try.
Let them explore.
Let them be brave in small ways today so they can be brave in bigger ways tomorrow.

Experiences shape children.

And this week, I saw my son expand in the most beautiful way and I am proud he had to courage to do this.

Today’s post is a little different.

People often assume I have it all together — because they see the highlight reel, the travel, the clients, the projects, the events.

But the reality is far more human than that.

I struggle like everyone else.
- Plans fall apart.
- People disappoint.
- Projects don't work out
Life throws curveballs I was not ready for.

And some weeks feel heavier than others. (aka my last 3 weeks!)

But here is what I have learned — and what I keep coming back to:
Even when everything feels like it is collapsing, there is always something holding you together.

✨ Friends who worry about you and make time because they genuinely want to  be there for you - hello Jody Atkins and Geraldine Spurway

 ✨ A LinkedIn friend you finally meet in real life — who insists on paying for lunch and takes you to a special kind of therapy (more on that soon) - thank you Amal Harb - I loved meeting you

 ✨ A client who books a private room (that you didn't need) but simply because they want you to feel special and valued. 

These moments matter.
These people matter.
They are the reminders that even in the mess, there is still so much to be grateful for.

So if today feels heavy for you too, look for the small anchors.

They are there — quietly keeping you afloat.
Gratitude does not erase the struggle.
But it gives you strength to move through it.

And sometimes, that is enough. 💛

ps. thank you Olga Mudryakova MIH for the most brilliant Set Summit which gave me this incredible Rankin picture.

Dubai did it again — and the world is already arguing about it.

They just launches citywide biometric, contactless hotel check-ins.
Seamless arrivals. 
Zero paperwork. 
A glimpse into the future of travel.

Immediately, the reactions came:
🙄 “Privacy invasion!”
🙄 “It will never work.”
🙄 “This is too much.”

But here is what I think:
Will this be the final version of the product?
Probably not.

But that is NOT the point.

The point is that Dubai — and the UAE as a whole — does what every great entrepreneur understands:

Try something.
Fail fast.
Assess.
Try again.

Because progress does not come from perfection.

It comes from momentum.

And this is exactly why the UAE keeps outpacing global hubs:

👉 They do not wait for the world’s approval.
👉 They do not need every critic to agree.
👉 They test, build, refine — publicly, boldly, unapologetically.

Some ideas will succeed.
Some won’t.

And that is ok.

But the willingness to try is what keeps them ahead.

This is not just a hospitality innovation — it is a mindset lesson.

Fortune favours the builders.

And the UAE never stops building.

And this is why everyone should look at the Gulf and what is happening there. Get your Insights here: https://lnkd.in/esA2CMaN

One thing I deeply admire about the Gulf: how it cares for its elders.

In many parts of the world, ageing is treated as something to “manage,” a problem to solve, a responsibility to outsource.

But here in the Gulf, it is treated as something entirely different:
✨ an honour.
✨ a blessing.
✨ a responsibility shared by the whole community.

This sign I passed today says it beautifully:
 “Our elders, our blessings.”

And it is not just a slogan.

 You see it in everyday life:
 — families prioritising parents and grandparents
 — government initiatives that protect, support, and uplift senior citizens
 — communities where age brings status, not invisibility
 — a culture where wisdom is valued more than speed
 — where time slows down for those who walked before you

In a region that is modernising at extraordinary speed, this commitment to tradition — to dignity, respect, and care — remains unwavering.

And this is one of the greatest lessons the Gulf teaches the world:
progress means nothing if we forget the people who built the foundation.

And the Gulf never forgets that.

A reminder that culture is not just what you say — it is what you honour.

Want more Insights from the Middle East? Make sure you read our Middle East Insights: https://lnkd.in/esA2CMaN

The UAE did not rise by accident — it rose by belief, unity, and vision.

And today, the UAE celebrates far more than a date on the calendar.

It celebrates a story — one of Visionaries, Dreamers, Builders, and Believers.

🇦🇪 The UAE National Day represents something incredible: 
the moment seven emirates chose something extraordinary: 
- unity over division, 
- ambition over limitation, 
and the future over fear.

What began in 1971 as a bold regional experiment is now one of the most remarkable national transformations in the world — a country where:

✨ Innovation is a daily mindset
✨ Hospitality is a way of life
✨ Tolerance is a lived value
✨ Ambition is woven into identity
✨ And the impossible is simply the starting point

From desert landscapes to global skylines, the UAE did not rise by chance — it rose because its people and leaders believed that potential has no borders.

And as someone who works so closely with the region, I see the UAE’s greatest strength not just in its architecture or economy — but in its spirit.

A spirit that says:
 “We will create what others only imagine.”
 “We will lead with possibility.”
 “We will make room for everyone who believes in this vision.”

On this National Day, may the UAE continue to rise with purpose, unity, and wisdom.
 
And may we all remember the lesson this country teaches so powerfully:
🫶🏻 A nation’s greatest resource is not oil… it is belief. 🫶🏻

Happy UAE National Day 🇦🇪 or Eid Al Etihad 🇦🇪
 كل عام وأنتم بخير

Visionaries are rare. Strategists are rare. 
People who are both? 
✨ That is Francois Paul Lambert. ✨

This is why today my spotlight is on François — not only the co-founder of one of my most ambitious projects, but one of the smartest, kindest, and most extraordinary humans I know.

If you have ever wondered what the future of space, strategy, and civilisation sounds like when spoken through a human being — it sounds like him.

🚀 A career written between Earth and the stars

François doesn’t just work in the space sector.

He shapes it.
His journey didn’t begin with rockets or satellites.

It began with a life-changing accident that turned recovery into reinvention — shifting him from the cockpit to the command centre of global space governance.

In the decades that followed, he became one of the rare individuals who understands that the future of space is not just engineering — it is law, policy, vision, timing, and courage.

When people say space is the future, François quietly reminds them — the future needs rules, clarity, and people courageous enough to build them.

So what are we building?
Step forward Ascend™ – The Space Hospitality Company - a venture that merges astronaut training, research, and ultra-luxury hospitality to prepare humanity for life and work beyond Earth.

When I think about the future of the space economy — the future of civilisation beyond Earth — I know that people like François will be the ones shaping it with integrity, intelligence, and intention.

So you know what to do... go and follow him.

The future is closer because of people like you Francois Paul Lambert.

The Gulf is not slowing down — it is accelerating.

And this month's developments prove it.

From flying taxis to financial hubs outpacing New York and London, the region is not thinking incrementally.

It is thinking exponentially.

The pace of transformation is extraordinary — and so are the opportunities for those who understand how to navigate it.

Read all the Insights here ⬇️

In Today's Issue for you... Star-CaT Updates and News Dates you need News from the Gulf Stats You Should Know To Become More Skilled in the Gulf In 2 

Open article: New UAE Rules, New Routes, New Opportunities — Full Breakdown Inside by Corina Goetz • 6 min read

New UAE Rules, New Routes, New Opportunities — Full Breakdown Inside

Some places are beautiful.
And then there are places that shift something inside you.

This week at the Sheikh Zayed Museum in Abu Dhabi, one line stopped me in my tracks:
“Treat every soul as special.”

A simple sentence — but the entire spirit of the UAE lives inside it.

And as I walked through the museum, I realised something powerful:
this was NOT just a tribute to a leader.

It was a blueprint of what visionary leadership really looks like.
👏  The storytelling.
👏  The progress showcased.
👏  The ambition of a man who saw possibility long before it existed.

Sheikh Zayed did not dream small.

He did not build for himself.
He built for generations he would never meet.

And taking my son there — letting him walk through the history, the transformation, the values — felt so meaningful.

Because I wanted him to understand that vision is not about ego…
it is about responsibility, service, and leaving your corner of the world better than you found it.

This museum moved me in a way I did not expect.

Not just visually — though it is breathtaking — but emotionally.

It felt like stepping into the heartbeat of a nation that dares to imagine boldly.

I will be doing a full edition of The Middle East Sunday Pages on this visit, because there is so much more to unpack.

But for now, I will leave you with this thought for the weekend:
❤️ If you want to understand the UAE, start with Sheikh Zayed.

Start with the man who believed every soul matters.

Because that belief still shapes everything you see today.

Do not miss the full deep dive on this special place by joining the Middle East Insights: https://lnkd.in/esA2CMaN

You can learn with us anywhere even by the pool! 

Thank you Tracey Jones for your trust and your kind words.

Elevating Human performance | Mind Management Coach and Educator | Trusted Confidante within U/HNW Families, High Performing Teams and the Inner Circle | Language Alchemy Coaching™ | Key note Speaker

✈️ Arrived in Bahrain for the International Forum for the Development of University Education in Arab States in Light of Future Skills and Professions, hosted by Arabian Gulf University in partnership with UNESCO.

I’m honoured to be speaking and sharing insights into our Personal Growth Programme, focusing on how we can nurture today’s leaders for tomorrow’s world — through human connection, high standards, and equipping youth with future‑ready skills. Being able to share our data, examples of our programme and our report findings with so many wonderful testimonials is truly a privalige.

This journey feels even more meaningful as I continue learning from the brilliant Corina Goetz, a leading expert on Gulf business culture. Her insights — built on decades of hands‑on experience across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the wider GCC.  Corina’s insights are helping me truly understand the region: the nuances of relationships, the importance of cultural intelligence, and the way trust and respect form the ultimate currency of success here. I am truly understanding why I feel so connected to this part of the world. 

Grateful for the chance to deepen my understanding of the region and to share how values, trust, and connection shape true leadership. 🌍✨

Thank you so much Corina Goetz your programme has such great content. I would highly recommend anyone wanting to deepen their knowledge of the regions to sign up.

#LeadershipDevelopment #FutureSkills #HumanConnection #MiddleEast #GulfCulture #EducationTransformation #PersonalGrowth #Bahrain #UNESCO #AGU

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