Forging New Paths
A 12 week programme designed to change unhelpful & unwanted thought patterns
Hi, I'm Steph, that's me there, for those of you who like to know who's talking!
You're probably here because you're aware that somewhere deep inside of you, something needs to change. The fact that you're here is bloody brilliant.
I'll be honest, I have an issue with most words I could write here - you know, those buzz words that have lost all power and real meaning - so I will keep this bit really easy:
This programme is honest, simple, profoundly powerful and for you.
There are some key requirements though:
You need to be willing to make space
You need to be willing to use your imagination
You need to be willing to commit to the process, the group and your buddy
You need to be ready, even if you’re scared
One of the key tools of this programme is Free Writing - it is a beautifully simple way of processing, releasing and allowing. Putting pen to paper this way gives us space to untangle thoughts without thought. It’s also an incredibly powerful tool to allow our creative brain to create the version of us we would truly like to invest in.
Everything learnt can be unlearnt.
The entire process is an infusion of all the methodologies I have picked up during my experience as a human and as an actor, my work as a director and acting coach and my training in NLP, mBraining and mindfulness.
NB You don’t need to be “good” at writing or spelling - it’s not academic at all.
I will support you, guide you and push you. I'll be with you in some form or other every day because I’m also going to be doing it with you. This is probably one of the biggest differences between this programme and others: I will be there, with the group, in some form each day, with my arms open to catch you if and when you need.
You're probably here because you're aware that somewhere deep inside of you, something needs to change. The fact that you're here is bloody brilliant.
I'll be honest, I have an issue with most words I could write here - you know, those buzz words that have lost all power and real meaning - so I will keep this bit really easy:
This programme is honest, simple, profoundly powerful and for you.
There are some key requirements though:
You need to be willing to make space
You need to be willing to use your imagination
You need to be willing to commit to the process, the group and your buddy
You need to be ready, even if you’re scared
One of the key tools of this programme is Free Writing - it is a beautifully simple way of processing, releasing and allowing. Putting pen to paper this way gives us space to untangle thoughts without thought. It’s also an incredibly powerful tool to allow our creative brain to create the version of us we would truly like to invest in.
Everything learnt can be unlearnt.
The entire process is an infusion of all the methodologies I have picked up during my experience as a human and as an actor, my work as a director and acting coach and my training in NLP, mBraining and mindfulness.
NB You don’t need to be “good” at writing or spelling - it’s not academic at all.
I will support you, guide you and push you. I'll be with you in some form or other every day because I’m also going to be doing it with you. This is probably one of the biggest differences between this programme and others: I will be there, with the group, in some form each day, with my arms open to catch you if and when you need.
"You have reminded me I'm only human.
Steered me towards the positive.
Been a constant source of support.
Encouraged lightness.
Called my bullshit.
Improved my relationship with my children,
and husband,
and others.
Brought my critic to the light.
Made the mirror less scary.
Guided my out of ̶m̶y̶ depression.
Helped me to feel worthy.
- Participant 2020
Why is this programme on this website?
A very valid question! Bodlondeb Studio & Retreat was due to be open by now but sadly COVID has slowed us down. We know it’ll happen when the time is right so in the meantime I’ve been looking at what we could extend online and this programme has been running beautifully over lockdown with actors so I thought I’d open it out a little further, to you.
This is a long page so here's section links to find things easily:
Who is Steph?
What is Free Writing?
What is the programme?
Making space to write
Isn't this therapy?
Why group?
Why the buddy system?
Applying
Who is Steph?
What is Free Writing?
What is the programme?
Making space to write
Isn't this therapy?
Why group?
Why the buddy system?
Applying
Who am I?
I am mum of two small humans, a theatre director, acting coach, certified Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner and mBIT (Multiple Brain Integration Techniques) coach and have worked and coached all over the UK and across the seas.
I run Both Feet Actor Training and am a specialist in The Meisner Technique which is a training technique designed to guide actors out of their heads and into the present moment so they can be fearless, impulsive, instinctual and honest.
A stranger once asked me “how do you teach actors how to act?” A question I’d never asked myself. I thought for a few minutes and then I said to him that I don’t train actors to “act”, really what I do is help them notice and strip back their programmed responses so they can be truly open, truthful and available to do their job. Every element of what I do on a day to day basis directly influences and infuses the rest so there’s no clear line between my work with actors, my personal coaching work and even my job as a human, a wife, a friend and a mum.
So much of what I do isn’t acting related, it’s human related which is why I began to extend my work out beyond actors. We all need to know how to look after ourselves, how to listen to ourselves (and others!), how to be ok with everything we’re full of so it can all move the way it was born to. And we all need those tools to help get us through the highs and lows of life.
When I look back, it’s not a big surprise I’ve ended up where I have - so many of us end up teaching the thing we need to learn the most.
I’ve spent so much of my life being run by a dialogue of self loathing and a sense of unworthiness with an overwhelming, deeply powerful feeling that I belonged nowhere. I have spent many years treating that with food, or a lack of, as a subconscious way to keep me safe. In my teens I was tucked away in a hospital for 4ish months, also to keep me safe. Over the course of my life I have hit points so low I’ve not wanted to wake up.
It’s hard now, comprehending where I've been and what I’ve been through because of the balance I feel inside the core of my being now. I’m absolutely still a work-in-progress, as we all are, but never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that the shouting in my head wouldn’t be there. That I could still care deeply about people without being drowned by what they might think of me. That I could sleep well. That I could still work hard without it consuming me to the point of being deliriously ill. That the trauma I’ve experienced could still be a part of me without feeling like I was dragging myself through quicksand every day.
I’ve been subconsciously working on myself for quite some time. I’ve always strived to be a better human, to find ways to strip back the bits of me I didn’t want but this time last year something huge shifted. This time last year I had an idea so I began to design this programme and in that process, without meaning to, I flicked a switch.
I run Both Feet Actor Training and am a specialist in The Meisner Technique which is a training technique designed to guide actors out of their heads and into the present moment so they can be fearless, impulsive, instinctual and honest.
A stranger once asked me “how do you teach actors how to act?” A question I’d never asked myself. I thought for a few minutes and then I said to him that I don’t train actors to “act”, really what I do is help them notice and strip back their programmed responses so they can be truly open, truthful and available to do their job. Every element of what I do on a day to day basis directly influences and infuses the rest so there’s no clear line between my work with actors, my personal coaching work and even my job as a human, a wife, a friend and a mum.
So much of what I do isn’t acting related, it’s human related which is why I began to extend my work out beyond actors. We all need to know how to look after ourselves, how to listen to ourselves (and others!), how to be ok with everything we’re full of so it can all move the way it was born to. And we all need those tools to help get us through the highs and lows of life.
When I look back, it’s not a big surprise I’ve ended up where I have - so many of us end up teaching the thing we need to learn the most.
I’ve spent so much of my life being run by a dialogue of self loathing and a sense of unworthiness with an overwhelming, deeply powerful feeling that I belonged nowhere. I have spent many years treating that with food, or a lack of, as a subconscious way to keep me safe. In my teens I was tucked away in a hospital for 4ish months, also to keep me safe. Over the course of my life I have hit points so low I’ve not wanted to wake up.
It’s hard now, comprehending where I've been and what I’ve been through because of the balance I feel inside the core of my being now. I’m absolutely still a work-in-progress, as we all are, but never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that the shouting in my head wouldn’t be there. That I could still care deeply about people without being drowned by what they might think of me. That I could sleep well. That I could still work hard without it consuming me to the point of being deliriously ill. That the trauma I’ve experienced could still be a part of me without feeling like I was dragging myself through quicksand every day.
I’ve been subconsciously working on myself for quite some time. I’ve always strived to be a better human, to find ways to strip back the bits of me I didn’t want but this time last year something huge shifted. This time last year I had an idea so I began to design this programme and in that process, without meaning to, I flicked a switch.
I’ve lost over 3 stone (so far) which is obviously great but honestly, (and surprising to me) it’s not about that.
It turns out, the thing I needed was balance - in every part of my existence.
For the first time in my life I genuinely care enough about me to invest time and energy every day to make sure there’s balance, most of the time now I don’t even realise I’m doing it. And f*ck my life, it feels good. The best thing about it is that none of it has been hard work, it's all been so easy. There's no shouting in my head any more. No degrading, offending horribleness in there any more. There's a conversation, with compassionate listening, followed through with action.
Like I said, I am still a work-in-progress. We're constantly changing, nothing stands still. So I will be doing this with the group too, not coaching from the outside.
Every week I'll share practical tools with you, we'll reflect, talk, listen. I'm not hugely goal orientated, I'm far more interested in the process, in today, the now, but we will build some stepping stones together to hold where we'd like to go in our hearts with space to move and change as we do.
Some of you will have huge profound experiences and others of you will make so many little changes that you won’t even realise until you look back and see how different you have become.
I cannot wait to put the next group of 8 together to see where this takes us - is it time for you to be one of them?
It turns out, the thing I needed was balance - in every part of my existence.
For the first time in my life I genuinely care enough about me to invest time and energy every day to make sure there’s balance, most of the time now I don’t even realise I’m doing it. And f*ck my life, it feels good. The best thing about it is that none of it has been hard work, it's all been so easy. There's no shouting in my head any more. No degrading, offending horribleness in there any more. There's a conversation, with compassionate listening, followed through with action.
Like I said, I am still a work-in-progress. We're constantly changing, nothing stands still. So I will be doing this with the group too, not coaching from the outside.
Every week I'll share practical tools with you, we'll reflect, talk, listen. I'm not hugely goal orientated, I'm far more interested in the process, in today, the now, but we will build some stepping stones together to hold where we'd like to go in our hearts with space to move and change as we do.
Some of you will have huge profound experiences and others of you will make so many little changes that you won’t even realise until you look back and see how different you have become.
I cannot wait to put the next group of 8 together to see where this takes us - is it time for you to be one of them?
"Your guidance has helped me shape who I want to be. You created such a wonderful space filled with such honesty & warmth, you held us all in the space so effortlessly. I've never felt so at ease opening up about the things I felt so uncomfortable with, so I thank you for that.” |
"I'm finally starting to feel like me. I didn't even know who I was a few months ago. Knowing I can take up space and my voice is worth of being heard is the greatest gift. This process has meant a lot to me. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough.” |
- Participant 2020
What is Free Writing?
I don’t believe my name is Steph. It just is.
It’s not an actor’s job to believe their name is Hamlet, it’s their job to be Hamlet.
Fish don’t believe in water, they swim in it.
The job of an actor is to allow their imagination to be so powerful it changes their very being, the way they move, breathe, speak, think, hear.
I always say that every cell in our body has a story. Not only stories of our own lived experiences, but also the stories of others through books, films, series, overheard conversations, songs, photos.
Free Writing is a tool which gives us access to all of it. To our imagination. Our Subconscious. Our full selves.
The actors I coach use it to gain a deep connection with their character by exploring the character’s past or the setting of the play. For example, I don’t know what it’s like to be locked away in a bomb shelter and to live on rations, but my subconscious does - because of the books, the films, the stories.
Free writing is like deep sea diving, delving into the depths of ourselves and bringing treasure to the surface.
It’s not an actor’s job to believe their name is Hamlet, it’s their job to be Hamlet.
Fish don’t believe in water, they swim in it.
The job of an actor is to allow their imagination to be so powerful it changes their very being, the way they move, breathe, speak, think, hear.
I always say that every cell in our body has a story. Not only stories of our own lived experiences, but also the stories of others through books, films, series, overheard conversations, songs, photos.
Free Writing is a tool which gives us access to all of it. To our imagination. Our Subconscious. Our full selves.
The actors I coach use it to gain a deep connection with their character by exploring the character’s past or the setting of the play. For example, I don’t know what it’s like to be locked away in a bomb shelter and to live on rations, but my subconscious does - because of the books, the films, the stories.
Free writing is like deep sea diving, delving into the depths of ourselves and bringing treasure to the surface.
The benefits of Free WritingAside from the way we’ll use Free Writing, just by doing it regularly there are a load of knock on benefits including and not limited to…
Practicing how to let go, release control, jump in, break the rules, care less (in a good way!), be impulsive. It helps us to learn about ourselves, discover the resources we have, to expand our own imaginations, to nudge ourselves, to bring things to the conscious mind, to connect with ourselves deeply. |
"Just do it. Take this leap because, if you're considering it, you're already part-way there. If there's a seed of a thought in you that feels that something in you wants to change, that's enough. You're going to face things about yourself that you've dressed up and disguised or hidden away, but you are not what you think. You're not.”
- Advice from a previous participant 2020
What is the programme?
In a nutshell: We’ll use daily free writing to create, nurture and embed new memories and new neurological pathways whilst learning to stop feeding the unhelpful thought patterns and programmed behaviours. Very similar to looking after a garden.
What does the Programme look like and what would I be committing to?
What does the Programme look like and what would I be committing to?
- Weekly group Zoom meeting - Either Saturdays 9am or Monday evenings 6.30 (approx. 2.5-3hours)
- Maximum of 8 people
- A space to be fully honest and open
- We’ll reflect on our learnings from the previous week and prepare for the coming week to ensure we stay connected with where you are and where you are going.
- We’ll explore different tools together for you to implement on your own
- WhatsApp group to share successes - no need to respond, just a space to dump
- Daily free writing coupled with mindfulness (2 times a day: 1 empowerment, 1 new memory)
- Buddy system
Making Space to Write
Whilst we will have lots of mechanisms in place, you will be the one in charge of you. You will need time to...
I will guide and coach you through the process of trusting yourself, of empowering yourself, connecting to and listening to you head, heart and gut so your free writing starting points are specific to your journey and rich with possibilities.
- establish a starting point from my guidance
- set a timer for 4 minutes
- breathe and give yourself a chance to open
- And to write
I will guide and coach you through the process of trusting yourself, of empowering yourself, connecting to and listening to you head, heart and gut so your free writing starting points are specific to your journey and rich with possibilities.
Isn't this Therapy?
Nope. I am not a therapist, I am a coach.
I’ll be working with your present and where you want to go and not focussing on your past. It’s likely your past has already had a lot of attention, be it in your head and/or in a therapist's room. This tends to give your past more power than it needs. I am not here to undermine your story, you are you because of your past and we certainly won't be shoving it under the carpet either - but it is time to take the reigns and determine where we go from here.
I’ll be working with your present and where you want to go and not focussing on your past. It’s likely your past has already had a lot of attention, be it in your head and/or in a therapist's room. This tends to give your past more power than it needs. I am not here to undermine your story, you are you because of your past and we certainly won't be shoving it under the carpet either - but it is time to take the reigns and determine where we go from here.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your efforts not on fighting the old but on building the new.” ~ Socrates
Why Group?
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Almost everything I do is in a group format because firstly, people are inspirational if you let them be and secondly listening to others gives us the space to reflect on ourselves. The more we listen, the better we get at listening. The more we reflect, the deeper and speedier our learning and changing.
I'm also very collaborative, I don't believe I have all the answers. Sure I have a wealth of tools to share with you but we are better together and nine heads are definitely better than one!
Almost everything I do is in a group format because firstly, people are inspirational if you let them be and secondly listening to others gives us the space to reflect on ourselves. The more we listen, the better we get at listening. The more we reflect, the deeper and speedier our learning and changing.
I'm also very collaborative, I don't believe I have all the answers. Sure I have a wealth of tools to share with you but we are better together and nine heads are definitely better than one!
We’re just more courageous, compassionate and creative together, aren’t we?
Let’s share the journey
Let’s learn from and be guided by each other
Let’s hold each other accountable
Let’s have each other’s backs
Let’s share the journey
Let’s learn from and be guided by each other
Let’s hold each other accountable
Let’s have each other’s backs
Why the Buddy System?
A buddy will check in with you each day, no coaching, no therapising (!) and no need or pressure for deep and meaningfuls. They’re there simply as a reminder to do your daily writing and that you are not alone: They will have your back, and you will have theirs. Checking in with them, will also begin to programme your brain to check in with yourself.
I will have a close eye on it to ensure no one is taking on a role that they shouldn’t be ie assuming the role of a coach or shouldering someone else’s journey.
I will have a close eye on it to ensure no one is taking on a role that they shouldn’t be ie assuming the role of a coach or shouldering someone else’s journey.
What will we be doing and how will it help me?
We’ll establish your starting point: what do you want, and need, to change? What programmed responses are in your way? Then we’ll move with the need as it changes. There will be a whole host of associated patterns and behaviours which we’ll address and change using free writing and by diving into your head, heart and gut.
What if I don’t know what I’m doing in a month or 2-3 months time?
We don’t know. We never know. What I do know is that we put change off, don’t we? Always a reason why not now. So it’s up to you to figure out if making these changes are important enough to you to make space for the process.
"I had no idea what I would feel like after these weeks, & I don't think I could have ever pictured the parts of me that Steph has encouraged me to nourish and nurture. Steph has allowed me to leave guilt and judgement behind and accountability and generosity have replaced it. And my buddy has allowed me to really bring kindness into the every day, they've shown me so much kindness I can't help but feel it too. I'm still the same person, but now I've come home to myself. I'm home.
- Participant 2020
The Application Process - if you're ready, this is what happens next
⤷ 1. Attend the Introduction to Free Writing course (if you haven't worked with me on it before)
⤷ 2. Send in application for the 12 week programme
⤷ 3. Potentially have a Zoom chat with me
⤷ 4. Start the programme (If allocated a place) - due to start week of the 25th January
⤷ 2. Send in application for the 12 week programme
⤷ 3. Potentially have a Zoom chat with me
⤷ 4. Start the programme (If allocated a place) - due to start week of the 25th January
⤷ 1. Introduction to Free Writing course - 2hr
January 22nd @ 6-8pm, £15
You'll be refunded the £15 if you end up selected to be on the programme
BOOK HERE
We need to meet each other, to get a feel for each other and for the free writing. You absolutely need to know if my energy fits with yours, to check I’m your cup of tea - successful coaching is based on trust after all.
This course will also give you the foundations of the free writing tool, so whether you choose to sign up for the 12 week programme you'll have a tool for life.
All True Knowing Is In The Doing
NB if you've worked with me on free writing before, you do not need to attend this unless you want to!
This course will also give you the foundations of the free writing tool, so whether you choose to sign up for the 12 week programme you'll have a tool for life.
All True Knowing Is In The Doing
NB if you've worked with me on free writing before, you do not need to attend this unless you want to!
⤷ 2. Send in your application for the
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⤷ 4. When does it start?In the application process you can show your preference to a Saturday morning 9am or a Monday evening 6.30pm.
The plan is to start the programme the week of the 25th January for 12 weeks. Cost£708 (£59/week) if paid in installments
£660 (£55/week) if paid upfront Minus the £15 from the Introduction to Free Writing course on the 22nd January. This includes a 1hour 1:1 with me at any point during the 12 weeks for that extra bit of guidance or support. Still unsure?Read a few testimonials from previous participants HERE
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Find UsBodlondeb Studio & Retreat
Dinmael, Corwen, LL21 0NY |
"Community is much more than belonging to something;
it’s about doing something together which makes belonging matter"
~ Brian Solis