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All-Spark Hypnotherapy, 49 Hoadswood Road, Hastings (2026)

25/11/2025

What’s Been Good?
I feel like I’m repeating myself from a month ago: after a period of being completely derailed by a horrendous bad back, I’m… back at my desk again. Though much delayed from expectation as life decided to throw in a few extra curveballs after that (thinking we were losing Vimto, my 19 year old doggo, as well as another health issue), which meant my social media basically fell into a coma.
So here we go.
Let’s try again.
I’m back.

What’s encouraging, though, is that earlier this year I finally proved to myself that I can maintain a regular posting schedule. For the first time ever, I was consistent—5 or more posts every week across this page and for four and a half months. Even September, with all its chaos, saw 20 posts.

So no promises—just a goal:
3 or more posts this week, and 3 or more next week.
Small, attainable, doable.

And that’s important. Lofty goals may sound inspiring, but they’re far more likely to overwhelm the brain. When we set big goals and fail, the primitive brain fires up—stress, guilt, avoidance. Serotonin dips and motivation tanks.

But small goals? Achievable ones? Each success gives us a little serotonin lift—a “well done” from the brain—which strengthens confidence, consistency, and resilience. Tiny wins compound. We build momentum, not pressure. This is how habits return, and how they stick.

To help me stay on track, I’ve sat Polar Star on my keyboard as an accountability buddy. Guess tomorrow I’d better do a “Where’s Polar Star?” post to show him supervising.

And the picture for this post? Absolutely nothing to do with any of the above. It’s just a few cool things I’ve managed despite the health nonsense:
🎬 Watching Act Two of the Wicked movie
📚 Returning to Stephen King with the 50th anniversary edition of Carrie (which I first read back in ’79!)
🏒 Watching the Sabres finally break out of their recent funk

So yes—What’s Been Good is simply being here, at my desk, trying again.

30/10/2025

What’s Been Good?
Over the years I’ve had a very on-again/off-again relationship with wrestling. As a kid I went to live shows all the time… then “grew out of it”… returning in my mid-20s as the Monday Night Wars (WWF vs WCW) rekindled the spark. Then life changed, work changed, and wrestling slipped away again.

In 2009 I discovered Chikara Wrestling, a little promotion from Pennsylvania, and it reminded me of everything I loved as a kid: fun, colourful, pantomime-style characters, comedy mixed with genuine skill, good guys vs bad guys, totally family friendly, ridiculousness cranked to the max.

From there I dipped into the UK scene between 2011 and 2018, but then I stopped going to live shows and shifted to US indies on IWTV, especially Uncharted Territory until January 6th 2022, when Beyond launched Wrestling Open.

Wrestling Open built new stars, mixed them with established talent, and focused on narrative without turning into a soap opera. The wrestling-to-story ratio is spot on.
And from a mental-health perspective, this actually matters: regular, enjoyable routines give the brain predictability and comfort. Knowing that every week I can sit down, unwind, and enjoy something familiar releases serotonin and lowers stress. Following long-term stories and characters also activates the brain’s reward system - those little dopamine hits that come from progress, payoffs, and “what happens next? Plus I get to boo and from home

So What’s Been Good?
Tonight, Wrestling Open reaches its 200th show.
For a small company, that’s huge. Even more impressive: they’ve run two weekly shows (adding Wrestling Open Rhode Island) for the last 30 weeks.

Since October 2nd I’ve been playing catch-up, 59 episodes in 29 days. Now I have just one episode left, perfectly timed for tonight’s #200

So congratulations to Beyond Wrestling… and to me, for finally being up to date and able to watch like a normal fan. Just a few hours a week, without a marathon!

22/10/2025

What’s Been Good?
Do you ever get those days when you just want comfort food—but without spending hours in the kitchen?

Despite loving the creativity of cooking, tonight I didn’t have the brainpower to whip up anything complicated. I’d been a bit stressed earlier in the day, worrying about our young rescue dog, Rufus, going to the vet for the first time since joining the family.

Given his difficult start in life, I was worried the new environment might overwhelm him. But I needn’t have. He was a total star, managing to stay calm, friendly, and he didn’t even flinch when he had his injection. 🐾

Still, the concern for his mindset definitely affected mine. So when it came to dinner, I went for maximum taste with minimum effort:
🍗 Cumin & Tamarind Chicken
🍚 Jeera Rice
🥕 Smoked Paprika Fried Veg

Simple, quick, and unbelievably satisfying. Jeera rice, in particular, is one of my ultimate comfort foods. The subtle flavour of the rice with those pops of toasted cumin seed is pure joy. And the chicken? Easy as it gets: plain yogurt, tamarind paste, tomato purée, cumin, salt, paprika—mix, marinate 20 minutes, pop in the air fryer. Done.

Taking the thought out of what to make gave me a chance to unwind, enjoy the meal, and reflect on how proud I am of Rufus for how far he’s come already.

So yes, this dinner might not win awards for originality, but it definitely earns its place as What’s Been Good.

What about you? What’s your go-to dish when you want big flavour, minimal effort? 👇

21/10/2025

Where’s Polar Star? 🐻‍❄️🍽️🧼

Today we find Polar Star… getting in the way (again), this time, while I’m doing the washing-up. He’s perched on the draining rack, chattering away while I scrub plates and rinse mugs.

Now, anyone who’s been in a therapy session with me knows that washing-up is one of my favourite things. Odd? Maybe. But hear me out.

In my sessions, we usually move through four parts:
✨ What’s Been Good?
🧠 Brain Revision
💭 The Miracle Question
😌 Followed by a lovely period of trance.

This final section isn’t just for relaxation, it’s where the real brain magic happens. Why? Because when we’re not actively focused on a task, our brain engages the Default Mode Network (DMN). This is the brain’s self-reflection and problem-solving system—it comes alive when we daydream, reflect, or slip into autopilot.

And here’s the kicker:
🌀 You go into trance multiple times a day.
Every time you do something familiar, like walking the dog, brushing your teeth, or yes, washing-up, you give your brain space to wander and get to work behind the scenes.

So I make a point of asking myself The Miracle Question right before I plunge my hands into hot, soapy water. Not because I expect to solve everything with my conscious brain (which is… honestly, a bit pants at that), but because once the DMN kicks in, my subconscious starts doing what it does best: quietly, powerfully problem-solving.

That said, today’s trance time wasn’t quite as effective… because Polar Star would not stop talking 🙄
But hey, even if I didn’t hit that perfect meditative groove, sometimes it’s just nice to have company, even if that company is a nosy little bear who thinks he’s helping.

20/10/2025

What’s Been Good?
Yep, just a picture of me, smiling. 😊

Happy to be back at my desk on a Monday without pain after a rough patch with my back.
Refreshed after a wonderful break in the New Forest (as mentioned in my single post last week, Kirsten and I had a much-needed recharge).
And happy because:
a) I had a brilliant day out at my best friend’s stag do yesterday. Shuffleboard, good company, and Squid Games (no fatalities, thankfully).
b) I’m sitting here, pain-free, ready to write this, and then dive into some video editing from our recent Pathfinder sessions.

It might not sound like much, but here’s why it’s good: not too long ago, I’d have been beating myself up about missing a few days of posting. Which is funny, considering how infrequently I used to post at all.

Before my back gave out, I’d been on a streak, making daily, weekday posts, often eight or more a week, since June. This little break was the first real gap in that rhythm. But now, instead of guilt, I just feel… fine.

That’s the benefit of operating from the rational (or intellectual) brain rather than the primitive brain. When we’re rational, we recognise that setbacks don’t equal failure, they’re just circumstances. The rational brain deals in facts and balance, while the primitive brain deals in threat and blame. By staying calm and logical, we lower cortisol, increase serotonin, and keep perspective.

So no guilt for me this week, just gratitude for progress, recovery, and a desk chair that no longer feels like torture.

In fact, the only thing I feel guilty about is not finding a better photo. 😄

15/10/2025

🧠 What day is it?
Bit of an odd one today, as I’m writing about a day that’s already been and gone, World Mental Health Day, which took place last Friday, on the 10th of October.

World Mental Health Day (WMHDAY) began back in 1992 as an initiative from the World Federation for Mental Health, led by Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter. The goal? To promote global mental health advocacy and education, with a new theme each year focusing on a different aspect of mental wellbeing.

This year’s theme was “Access to Mental Health Services in Disasters and Catastrophes.”
And disasters come in many forms. In 2020 alone, around 100 million people were affected by disaster events worldwide. In those circumstances, vulnerable groups face immense stress and hardship, with nearly a third of those affected developing significant mental health challenges.

Now, I’ll be honest, I didn’t take part in any formal WMHDAY events this year. Instead, my wife and I did something for our own mental health. We took a proper step back. No work. No emails. No business posts. Just long countryside walks with the dogs, great food, and a visit to for some much-needed book browsing — all in the calm, healing setting of the New Forest.

Sometimes, pressing that reset button is exactly what’s needed. But it also reminded me of how fortunate we are to be able to take that time. For those whose lives have been uprooted by disaster, that option doesn’t exist.

So if you’d like to support this year’s theme, or learn more about how you can help, visit 👉 wmhdofficial.com

Here’s to awareness, compassion, and doing what we can — both for ourselves, and for those who can’t take that breath of peace just yet. 💚

01/10/2025

🎃 What day is it?
Today’s What Day Is It? post is one that might leave people a little… polarised: Pumpkin Spice Day.

It’s a true marmite moment — you either love it or you hate it. I’m firmly in the “hate it” camp. The cinnamon-ginger-clove-allspice-nutmeg combo just isn’t for me.

But here’s the twist: this day still makes me happy. Why?
Because my wife loves the stuff.

Whether it’s a pumpkin spice latte, a pumpkin-spiced tea (here she is with her cool teapot and a big grin), or in cake form , like the slice she devoured at the other day. She’s all about that big, cosy taste of autumn.

So today I’m raising my cup (of plain black coffee, thank you very much) to everyone who finds joy in their favourite seasonal treat.

🍂 Here’s to the pumpkin-spice fans who are already dreaming of crisp leaves, knitted scarves, and mugs that smell like autumn.
☕ And here’s to the rest of us who’ll happily watch them enjoy it while sticking to our usual brew.

The world has enough things to be divided over. Let’s not add coffee orders to the list.

So grab whatever you love to sip and join me in celebrating the fact that someone’s happy — that’s reason enough to toast. 🥂

29/09/2025

What’s Been Good?
It feels a little odd to celebrate the very activity that, just a few days ago, left me with my back so bad I had to cancel my therapeutic gaming sessions. I couldn’t even sit for more than 15 minutes.

But here I am, back at it, playing with Rufus as he chews my arm, tugs my trousers (or my hair!), and generally behaves like the happy loonie he is.

Now, it’s not that my back is all better....far from it. The dark circles under my eyes from another restless night will testify to that. But today, at least, I have more movement. I’m at my desk writing this post, feeling a little better, and most importantly I’m appreciating what I can do, twinges and all.

Even the word “twinges” is a step forward. A few days ago it was pain shocks strong enough to buckle my legs. That shift alone is worth noticing.

Acknowledging these positives isn’t just feel-good fluff, it has real neuroscientific benefits. Each time we recognise small wins or moments of progress, we nudge up our serotonin levels. Higher serotonin helps to lift mood, increase resilience, and crucially, improves pain tolerance.

In other words, noticing what’s going right helps us cope better with what’s still challenging.

So, here’s to small wins, to being able to sit and type again, and to a playful dog who’s thrilled to have me back in action.

Now I just need to remember to move carefully when playing with my over-enthusiastic hound. He may be younger than Vimto in dog years, but I’m definitely not built like a 20-year-old anymore.

25/09/2025

Welcome to Neuroscience Now! In today’s video, we’re diving into the fascinating world of memory.
We'll look at how our brains create it, why it’s not a perfect recording, and why those childhood and teenage years often stand out so vividly. We’ll explore the difference between remembering experiences and storing knowledge, why memory matters more for continuity than for accuracy, and how every time you recall the past, you’re actually reshaping it. Most importantly, we’ll uncover how memory forms the foundation of your identity and helps shape who you are becoming.

25/09/2025

Where’s Polar Star? 🐻🌶️👨‍🍳

Today, we find Polar Star in the kitchen, eyeing up the spice rack and planning what we’ll cook for dinner. He’s very focused despite it still being morning. Personally, food’s not on my mind just yet… because I’ve just polished off one of my favourite kinds of breakfasts: the leftovers brekky. 😋

There’s something satisfying about making a tasty meal from what’s already lying around. This morning's creation was born from a small pile of leftover rice, a spoonful of stir-fry veg from last night’s dumpling and fried veg dinner (also pictured!), and some sad-looking spring onions on their last legs in the larder.

Here’s how it came together:
🍳 Fried up a little tofu, then removed and tossed in chilli crisp
🥚 Made a quick 2-egg omelette, seasoned with soy
🧄 Peeled and chopped the spring onions, and lightly fried with chopped garlic
🍚 Stirred in the rice and veg, then tossed everything back together with a little more soy and some finely chopped coriander
🥘Drizzled with toasted sesame oil and served

✨ Cost? A couple of eggs and a cube of tofu.
✨ Result? Absolutely banging.

From a neuroscience perspective, meals like this give us a proper feel-good boost. Why?

🧠 Avoiding waste triggers reward pathways in the brain. It taps into that deep-rooted sense of satisfaction from making good use of resources.
🧠 Saving money activates similar pathways; when we feel we’ve made a smart, frugal choice, our brain gives us a nice hit of dopamine, reinforcing that behaviour.

It's practical, it's mindful, and it makes your breakfast feel like a win before the day’s even started.

As for Polar Star? He’s currently sniffing the turmeric and muttering something about spice balance. I think he’s convinced he’s Bear-i Oliver now. 🙄🐻

24/09/2025

🌟 What day is it?
Today we celebrate the birthday of Jim Henson, born in 1936, and though he sadly left us in 1990, his legacy continues to shape generations.

Henson was the creative genius behind the Muppets, bringing us Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and countless others who blended humour, heart, and humanity in ways no one else could. He co-created Sesame Street in 1969, forever changing children’s television by combining entertainment with education. His imagination also brought us darker, fantastical worlds like The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and later inspired the TV cult classic Farscape.

For me, though, it’s Sesame Street that resonates most. It wasn’t just a programme, it was education wrapped in joy. Beloved characters taught letters, numbers, kindness, and resilience through songs and stories that stuck long after the TV was switched off. Long past the point it had any relevance to my schooling, I still watched, because it was that good.

And beyond ABCs and 123s, Sesame Street has long been a champion of diversity, equality, and inclusion. It tackled grief, disability, race, adoption, HIV, and autism, often years before mainstream media dared to approach those subjects. In today’s increasingly polarised world, we need more of that outlook, one that says all are welcome on this street.

And of course, the celebrity sketches! Who could forget Robin Williams teaching Elmo about conflict, Julia Roberts showing what “scary” means, or Prince singing 'Starfish and Coffee'? Sesame Street made learning cool and fun for all ages.

So today, let’s celebrate the life of Jim Henson. Visionary puppeteer, storyteller, and dreamer who taught us that laughter, learning, and kindness can go hand in hand.

💚 Thank you, Jim.

22/09/2025

What’s Been Good?
This Saturday I went to Matt Haig – In Conversation at the excellent Rye Arts Festival. Until now, I only knew through How to Stop Time and The Midnight Library (my current read), but on the way over I looked up his full bibliography and was surprised to discover just how wide-ranging it is, including fiction, children’s books, and non-fiction on mental health.

The event itself was a chat between Matt and a local journalist, followed by audience questions. Much of the conversation centred on his experiences with mental health, and the books that grew from them. He spoke openly about autism, alcoholism, depression, and anxiet, and a lot of what he shared resonated deeply with me. In many ways, his story mirrors aspects of my own life, particularly as he also comes from the East Midlands.

I’d originally gone along as a way to support the Festival and simply “do something different” on a Saturday afternoon. But what I found was an open, honest, and surprisingly personal conversation on topics that connect closely to what I do now for a living.

Since then, I’ve been discussing his book Reasons to Stay Alive with others, and it’s now firmly on my TBR pile.

Sometimes the best moments come when you walk into something expecting little more than an afternoon filler—and walk away with insight, connection, and a reminder of why open conversations around mental health are so valuable.

All-Spark Hypnotherapy

25/11/2025

30/10/2025

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15/10/2025

01/10/2025

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