In-cre-mental Coaching, Dubai (2025)

05/11/2025

Today is...National Stress Awareness Day

Despite popular opinion not all stress is bad; in fact in a lot of situations it's a good thing. After all stress is just a physiological and psychological response to perceived threats and challenges.

Stress is, in part, the reason ordinary people can achieve extraordinary feats of strength in life or death situations, and stress is what has enabled us, as a species, to survive for as long as we have.

Stress becomes an issue when the stress response stays elevated for an abnormally extended period. When this happens it can negatively impact our body's systems, including immune function, cardiovascular health, digestive processes, and cognitive performance.

To reduce chronic stress try implementing small steps to improve these aspects of life,
Movement - it doesn't have to be intense, just more than you do right now
Nourishment - fuel your body rather than just feeding your body
Rest - ensure quality sleep, starting with a regular sleep routine
Connection - you don't have to share your darkest secrets but it helps if you get some of your worries out of your own head.
Purpose - you get to choose if you enjoy life and rise to its challenges, or not. Find a reason to choose wisely.

I ticked off a number of these today when I went along to the british_dads_dubai, Breakfast with Bradders event. None of my major concerns were alleviated but I feel better able to deal with the day because I talked about some of them and connected with others rather than just sitting alone in my office.

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I'm Chris Miller. I help men, and those that support them, to navigate life's transitions - at work and beyond - so that they can create lasting positive change. If you're questioning your path or need support, let's talk. It might be the conversation that changes everything.

30/10/2025

Cigna Healthcare Study

Another week another great event, this time as part of the audience.

Thanks go to the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai (BCCD) for hosting the first look at the Cigna Healthcare International Health Study. This is a powerful piece of research that gives an annual indication as to the state and focus of health both globally and as it relates to the UAE.

The event started with CEO for Cigna MEA, Leah Cotterill, taking us through the study and highlighting some of the more salient points. Such as the fact that the UAE is bucking the global trend and is seeing an improvement in vitality and wellbeing. And across the border from workplace wellbeing to physical and financial wellbeing the UAE continues to show improvement on last year.

That said, it's not all positive with stress amongst employees and loneliness both tracking above the global average.

The government has launched a number of initiatives but it is also with companies and individuals to identify what they can do to support their employees and themselves. After all the research is overwhelming that a happier workforce is a more productive one and a happier individual is a more resilient one.

The event ended with a fascinating panel moderated by the always amazing Katy Holmes with panellists Danielle Lecomber APFS, LLB, Sandip Kumar, Esra Uzsayilir and, of course, Leah Cotterill and how the studies findings might be integrated into strategies for both businesses and individuals as well as what is already being done to improve vitality and wellbeing across all areas of life.

A great event with some great insights, thanks again to all.

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I'm Chris Miller, and I specialize in supporting men, and those closest to them, navigate the challenging transitions we all go through, both in and out of the workplace, to create the lasting, positive change they want.
If you or someone you know is questioning their own capability, feeling lost or could do with some support, get in touch today.
It may be just a conversation or it might just be the conversation that's needed 🙌

29/10/2025

The Root of Joy is Gratefulness!

Thank you to the amazing Maureen Bannerman, Sharon James - Health and Wellbeing Consultant and Educator, Katy Holmes for having the faith in me to ask me back to the 's second year.

I thought the inaugural event last year was amazing; then this year blew the roof off my expectations. The day was energy packed and full of inspirational, engaging speakers (eg the awesome Scott Armstrong).

It is a true credit to the ladies who created the event and drive it to ever greater heights alongside the incredible team who, in the background, make sure it all runs smooth.

I cannot wait to see what next year brings 🙌

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller, and I specialize in supporting men, and those closest to them, navigate the challenging transitions we all go through, both in and out of the workplace, to create the lasting, positive change they want.
If you or someone you know is questioning their own capability, feeling lost or could do with some support, get in touch today.
It may be just a conversation or it might just be the conversation that's needed 🙌

28/10/2025

Standing Amongst Giants

Last week saw me humbled and honored to be asked back to the The GCC Menopause Hub to moderate a panel with some truly inspiration figures in the wellbeing world Julie Mallon, Pamela Lilburne Opie, Doctor Shefali Verma & Dr. Elie Abirached.

Our panel addressed the importance of sleep, especially in relation to the peri-menopause & the menopause, and what strategies there are to ensure women optimize their sleep during this challenging phase of their lives.

The panel were fascinating, engaging and informative and I honestly believe we could have spent the day just discussing and exploring this fundamental topic.

Thank you again to the panel, all the delegates who attended and the steering committee for allowing me the honor of moderating this panel 🙏

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller, and I specialize in supporting men, and those closest to them, navigate the challenging transitions we all go through, both in and out of the workplace, to create the lasting, positive change they want.
If you or someone you know is questioning their own capability, feeling lost or could do with some support, get in touch today.
It may be just a conversation or it might just be the conversation that's needed 🙌

27/10/2025

Trumpet Blowing Monday 🎺

Not quite as catchy as Trumpet Tooting Tuesday (my previous attempt to start celebrating things I am proud of) but I'm already late posting this so it'll have to do.

Last week saw the second The GCC Menopause Hub Summit and I was incredibly honored and grateful to Sharon James - Health and Wellbeing Consultant and Educator, Maureen Bannerman, Katy Holmes and the rest of the Steering Committee to be asked back to help MC, moderate and participate in what has already become one of the most anticipated, influential and inspirational events in the yearly calendar.

Thank you to all the panelists, organizers, moderators and most importantly the attendees for making this year even better than last year and setting the event up for an even bigger and better third year ❤️

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller, and I specialize in supporting men, and those closest to them, navigate the challenging transitions we all go through, both in and out of the workplace, to create the lasting, positive change they want.
If you or someone you know is questioning their own capability, feeling lost or could do with some support, get in touch today.
It may be just a conversation or it might just be the conversation that's needed 🙌

14/10/2025

Chris Miller's Simple, Not Easy

Gratitude

I was incredibly fortunate recently to be invited to be one of the presenters at the inaugural Leadership Sanctuary and share the stage with the amazing Laura Everest, Helen McGuire and Shaimaa Ibrahim, Assoc. CIPD.

My contribution was on the topic of optimising leadership performance through nutrition and hydration and, although I am a little biased, it was well received by the audience of inspirational leaders.

Building a business isn't easy for anyone but the challenge can be alleviated if you provide value and connect with people who see your value, even if sometimes you can't see it for yourself.

Thank you to everyone who attended and for the wonderful feedback; I look forward to seeing you all again soon 🙏

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller. I help men, and those that support them, to navigate life's transitions - at work and beyond - so that they can create lasting positive change. If you're questioning your path or need support, let's talk. It might be the conversation that changes everything.

09/10/2025

Chris Miller's Simple, Not Easy

World Mental Health Day - Friday 10th October 2025

To celebrate this year's World Mental Health Day, I thought it'd be interesting to have a look at what mental health is and how we can improve it.

Mental health is very different to mental illness. After all, we all have mental health. It is just our emotional and psychological state at any given point. So it's a spectrum. Sometimes it's better, sometimes not so much, and it fluctuates through the days, the weeks, the months, and the years. And that's perfectly normal.

The important thing is to focus on those things that help improve our mental health. Those things that give us energy and joy, make us feel useful, or give us a sense of purpose. As opposed to those things that drain our energy, make us feel overwhelmed or overly stressed.

So this World Mental Health Day, why not try one or two of these?

Firstly, do something for yourself that brings you joy.

Secondly, check in with others around you and make sure they're doing okay.
It's well known that we get almost as much from helping others as they do from the help that we provide.

Third, get outside. Get in the fresh air and get some sun on your skin where possible. And while you're there, try number four, which is about being active. It doesn't have to be too intense. You can go for a walk or a bike ride, just something that gets you moving.

And finally, why not try grabbing a coffee or a tea with someone that you care about? And talk, it doesn't have to be anything heavy, unless there's heavy stuff going on in your life at the moment and, by opening up about it, it eases the burden for you.

Life is challenging and stressful and wishing it wasn't only creates more stress. So this World Mental Health Day, focus on improving your own mental health so that you can help those that you care about improve theirs. Thanks.

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller. I help men, and those that support them, to navigate life's transitions - at work and beyond - so that they can create lasting positive change. If you're questioning your path or need support, let's talk. It might be the conversation that changes everything.

07/10/2025

Chris Miller's Simple, Not Easy

A Little of What You Love ❤️

Feeling burnt out because work isn't your passion?

Here's the game-changer most people miss.

We think we need to love our job to be happy, but that's backwards.

Life isn't about constant happiness - it's about tipping the scales between what drains you and what restores you.

The magic happens when you stop waiting for 'someday' and start making space for what lights you up right now.

Here's how to do it:

1️⃣ - Notice what makes you lose track of time.
When hours feel like minutes, that's your mind saying 'this is where I belong.'

2️⃣ - Micro-dose your passion.
Can't paint all weekend? Try 15 minutes after dinner. Small, consistent doses beat sporadic binges.

3️⃣ - Track your energy, not just time.
Your stress-relievers should feel like plugging into a charger. Energy matters more than enjoyment alone.

4️⃣ - Reframe scarcity thinking. Instead of 'I wish I could act full-time,' try 'I'm grateful I get to perform at all.'

Finally - Create non-negotiable boundaries.
Treat your passion time like an important meeting with yourself."

Even 30 minutes of what you love signals to your brain that this matters.

What fills your cup outside of work?

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller. I help men, and those that support them, to navigate life's transitions - at work and beyond - so that they can create lasting positive change. If you're questioning your path or need support, let's talk. It might be the conversation that changes everything.

02/10/2025

Chris Miller's Simple, Not Easy - The Best Way To Lose Weight

Want to know how I lost 7kg in 3 months without obsessing over the scale every day?

After enjoying summer 2024 a little too much, I had to face the mirror. But here's what I learned: the path to real change is never a straight line. It's messy, full of plateaus and setbacks. Most people fail because they focus on daily drama instead of long-term trends."

Here are the three strategies that made all the difference for me:

First - The weekly view rule.

I weighed myself daily but focused on the overall trajectory, not daily fluctuations. This smoothed out the noise and kept me sane.

Second - The 80/20 consistency standard.

I gave myself permission to be human by aiming for 80% success, NOT perfection. This let me make real progress without the all-or-nothing trap.

Third - Celebrate the wins.

I celebrated showing up - hitting the gym, logging meals, getting sleep - just as much as the scale victories. This kept motivation high during tough times.

Success isn't flawless ex*****on.
It's showing up consistently and trusting the process even when progress feels invisible.

Be Consistent, Be Patient and Be Compassionate with yourself.

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller. I help men, and those that support them, to navigate life's transitions - at work and beyond - so that they can create lasting positive change. If you're questioning your path or need support, let's talk. It might be the conversation that changes everything.

30/09/2025

Chris Miller's Simple, Not Easy

"Learn to reduce stress & overwhelm by surfing emotional waves”

Today I want to talk about Learning Which Waves To Surf. Now I’m not talking about actual surfing, rather learning which emotions to surf and which ones to sit out.� �Quite often the difference between feeling (and even being) successful or not comes down to mastering this skill.

The problem is that most of us get swept away by emotions that don't serve us. Frustration, stress, overwhelm - they control our reactions at work.

But here's what top performers know: you can't control what happens to you, but you can always choose how you respond. Practice this and you’ll see a quantum shift in how you feel about your own success as well as how others treat you.

Here are some strategies I practice to help me ensure I am surfing those emotional waves rather than being smashed around in the surf:

First - master the pre-meeting pause. Three deep breaths before any challenging conversation resets your state and prevents reactive responses.

Second - schedule mindful transitions. Between meetings, take 30 seconds to ask 'What am I carrying from the last interaction?' This stops emotional spillover.

Third - reframe your triggers. Instead of 'This client is impossible,' try 'I'm feeling frustrated by this communication challenge.' Blame becomes self-awareness.

Fourth - choose your battles. Not every workplace frustration deserves your mental energy. Address what impacts performance, let minor irritations pass.

Remember, the most successful professionals aren't stress-free - they've just learned to navigate their emotions to benefit themselves and everyone around them.

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller. I help men, and those that support them, to navigate life's transitions - at work and beyond - so that they can create lasting positive change. If you're questioning your path or need support, let's talk. It might be the conversation that changes everything.

25/09/2025

Welcome to - Chris Miller’s Simple, Not Easy!

🔬 Using Science To Help Manifest The Life You Want 🙌

Want to know the scientific reason why you keep getting what you don't want in life?

I used to always wonder 'Why am I always broke?' until I learned I was literally programming my brain to keep me that way.

There's a pencil-width bundle of nerves in your brainstem called the Reticular Activating System - it's like a bouncer for your consciousness, filtering what you notice.

But here's the game-changer: Your RAS prioritizes what you tell it is important. Focus on problems, it finds problems. Focus on opportunities, it spots them everywhere.

So here are three ways to reprogramme it:

1️⃣ - Set crystal-clear intentions. Create a vivid mental movie of your goal with sounds and details. Your RAS will filter reality to match this blueprint.

2️⃣ - Practice strategic gratitude. Each day write down three specific things you are grateful for. You're literally programming your attention filter.

3️⃣ - Use the 'if-then' method. When you catch yourself focusing on problems, ask 'What opportunity does this create?' This leverages your brain's goal coordination system.

Your brain is already manifesting your reality - it's just manifesting whatever you focus on. So what will you programme yours to find?

__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller. I help men, and those that support them, to navigate life's transitions - at work and beyond - so that they can create lasting positive change. If you're questioning your path or need support, let's talk. It might be the conversation that changes everything.

24/09/2025

Chris Miller's Simple, Not Easy - Expectation vs Reality

I had a game changing realisation when it was pointed out to me that a lot of my frustration and disappointment could be attributed to spending too much time wishing things were different and not enough time taking the steps to make them different.

This is the difference between expectation and reality.

It’s like when somebody messes up at work and you focus on the fact that it shouldn’t have happened and not on what now needs to be done to “fix” it.

Wishing for things to be different just makes you focus on what went wrong - and often that just creates more disappointment and frustration.

Instead here are some strategies that I practice to help make sure I am focused on what is actually happening and what impact I can have, rather than what I hope for.

1 - Accept the current reality and not what you wish were the case. We need to know our start point if we want to change our position.
2 - If things go wrong, focus on what needs to get done to fix it.
3 - Understand that you can't change other people, but you can change your perspective and how you react to what other people do.
And finally - remember that people have their own priorities. The reality is that they're not thinking about your needs as much as you are.

Stop wishing things were different. Accept where you are right now and what needs to get done to turn your expectations into your reality, then start taking action.

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__________________________________________________
I'm Chris Miller. I help men, and those that support them, to navigate life's transitions - at work and beyond - so that they can create lasting positive change. If you're questioning your path or need support, let's talk. It might be the conversation that changes everything.

In-cre-mental Coaching

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