One life

We often coin the phrase, 'you have one life' but what does that  actually mean from a personal perspective. One life is used to emphasize the significance and preciousness of an individual's existence. You only have  one chance to live your life to the fullest and make the most of that time whilst you're living on this planet. 

Inspired by a recent film, I had to discuss 'One Life' and a few other random things thrown in for good measure. 

Enjoy. 

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Transcript

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

people, cinema, film, uk, life, podcast, talk, kids, menopause, podiatrist, thought, started, called, nicholas winton, sat, humanitarian, jewish, anthony hopkins, eat, athletics

00:00

Hey what's up my beautiful people? Well, I just got to start off this podcast and tell you how I'm feeling. I've been feeling a bit mad. I don't know what it is. I don't know if it's this weather, the rain, the dreary nurse. But I haven't been feeling fantastic. I'm going to let you know. And but one thing that did put me up today was hearing the news that if companies don't recognise some of the menopause sentences, the menopause symptoms as symptoms, and you know, they are real, they could be sued. Listen, for a woman that's been through hell and back with a menopause, for workplaces to have to really recognise this. I'm not quite sure if I'd label it as a disability. Not sure. It does make you feel like you've got something like that. But I think that might be disingenuous to some who really do have a disability. They were talking about hot flashes and brain fog, right. And there's so many women that go through this, I lived in shame, and in the closet with menopause. And you know, I'm still going through it now. And it started early, I started it 39 years old. And it it's because there's so much stigma around the menopause. And, you know, you've got to be an A woman and all this kind of stuff. And it's not that at all. And even as a result of the menopause is some of you know, I had an operation in 2023 they ended last year and that was a result of the menopause. So to hear that that did put me up but I am standing recording this now. And I'm looking out the window and is dreary as hell I've worked out which always lists me and I think we do have to find things that make us feel good when we're feeling a bit shit. And it's not eating a packet of crisps even though I do love to do that too. But it is finding something that can take us out of this dull feeling. So I want to share this episode which will be a bit short and sweet. Called one life. Now one life was inspired by me going to me going to see this biographical drama film starring the formidable Antony my fav actor, if you can see my fingers, I'm doing that quote unquote bit my favourite actor in brackets. Hopkins as a British humanitarian, who plays Sir Nicholas Winton, who rescued 669 Jewish children in German occupied Czechoslovakia just before World War Two. I've been wanting to see this film for a long time. And I thought, let me go to the cinema. On my own art, I've been seeing a podiatrist. So this was my day, just yesterday. And I thought, let me go and see it. And I love Anthony Hopkins. So for anybody who's outside of the UK, he has worn a cat he has won rather Academy Awards. Things like The Silence of the Lambs, those kinds of films, you will see he's old now he lives in Wales, in the United Kingdom, and is kind of like not recluse but he lives a really quiet life but he's still gate keeps getting these meaty roles, but you can see the age in them and you know what it makes me feel it makes me feel old, because I'm seeing him age. And now when I used to watch him all the time, and things like Silence of the Lambs and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But anyway, I wanted that day that I went to see one life and the cinema, a MIDI, this MIDI was just a just be day, as in not be day that you wash your ass in in the toilet, but just to be day, just be and I was inspired by that because a girlfriend has sent me a link to a YouTube channel about this woman that talks about just being and not following that conventional narrative in the world about you have to earn a certain amount of money etc. But I'm gonna save it cuz I'm gonna do a whole podcast episode on that because it's really, really interesting. So I wanted this just be day. And I decided I want it to be just simplistic day. And not to be tied to any of these conventions or I should be worth looking for more work because people maybe that's a little bit of my comfort at the moment that I want. Not only the sun, but I want to get some more work in and so I'm pretty disciplined. I'll wake up in the morning and get on with my stuff, but I like to be a busy bee some of the times but again, maybe I shouldn't be busy. Maybe I should be just chilling. Anyway, I had this appointment and I'm going to talk a little bit about this film because it really moved me It moved me to tears people it moved me to tears my day started off and I had this appointment with my podiatrist basil's a drama, a good drama. And I bought this film ticket the day before impulsively. And so I'm gonna go and sit in the movies and watch it. And I went to the podiatrist beforehand, because I've got a bit of under the ball of your foot, literally the ball of your foot aches, and it's because I haven't gotten a flexion in my toe. Got I tell you all about my angst, don't I? It's not on getting old. It's been there a long time, apparently. But the funny thing is, I go into see Jason, and we talk about everything apart from my feet. We talk about he's into running, he's an Audi. He's doing a PhD to be a doctor. And I'm a bit of a sappy of Phil, which is someone who gets turned on with a beautiful mind. You know, that film is a good one as well with Russell Crowe. And I sat there and talked to Jason about his studying rituals in the morning, because he said he gets up our paths for people who are past four, to read, make notes, go for a run. And then he goes off to his job, which is a podiatrist. And this is where I'm sitting now as we're having this conversation. And he said, Look, Tina, let's adapt your your foot insoles. I've got these orthotics. And so I can adapt them now said, I'll tell you what, Jason, you haven't got them in you in yet. He's waiting for a supplier to come in. So why don't I just come back next week? He said, okay, okay. Now some of you may remember, when I spoke about this guy before, the first time I ever went to him. It was so bizarre because I had to say to everything, okay, you just don't seem very happy. So why? And then since that day, and the passion with athletics, and everything else we get on like, is on fire? No, he's not a potential boyfriend before any of you think that? No, no, no, no, it looks like a scraggly old Jesus looking type character. But the fact is we get on. And I think I can only put it down to when you go into the National Health Services, which is what we have in the UK, for those outside of UK listening. You get your run of the mill people that will come in probably with a big bunion on their foot and they can't walk properly. And he has to deal with people like that. Whereas he's looking at an ex athlete that's come in, knows her stuff can talk about bones, we're not bones, but talks about parts of the body and know what pronation means, etc, etc, etc. So, anyway, we have this chat. And then I thought, right, it's time for me to go back to the car. And I thought I'm gonna listen to podcasts. So my appointment was 12 o'clock. I wasn't seeing Jason till two. And so I thought I'm gonna sit in the car and get inspiration from a podcast and right now people oh my god, my arms are aching. I've just done this workout. And it was brutal. And I can feel my arms going into this. Dom's, which is delayed onset muscle soreness, who got they are hurting, and I'm actually standing up recording this today. So I went and sat in the car. And this is how this is how simplistic the day was right? I already brought some water with me. But I thought let me go to this local shop and get a sandwich and some crisps because I didn't want to pay the inflated prices in the cinema plus,

08:15

I don't really eat all that sweet stuff. I don't eat popcorn. I don't eat their plastics, hotdogs and all that shit. I don't even know they had them in there. But I was listening to the law of attraction in the car eating my great sandwich and a packet of crisps crisps, which I need to start cutting out of my eating because it's naughty. And I was writing some hastily written notes on my phone for another podcast. And while I was listening to this podcast, I was reminiscing about working at the Odeon Cinema now if you're in America, you call them theatres, don't you? And the Odeon is a brand or cinema that we got here. So you've got Odeon. You've got everyman, which are quite posh cinemas, you pay a lot more money because they do in seat service. But I thought, I'm not going with anybody. I'm not in a day. This is all about me. And I paid a cheap amount for my ticket. And I'm looking at the theatre or I'm thinking about the theatre thinking, Oh my God. When I used to work for the Odeon cinemas in the marketing department, I just did this piece of consultancy work for I don't know if it's eight months or something. And I was thinking about it because when I actually finished his podcast and went into the cinema and I looked around, it was all a daytime audience and guess who that daytime audio audience where it was actually the silver surfers, which I now know is been updated to the silver economy. These people got the money. So all of you've got a business. You have yet to go after the pink pound and the silver economy. And I guess that's me because silver economy they say 50 Plus, but if you looked around that room, I think you have to break it down even more. It's retirees and it was quite beautiful to see actually you just had a couple of couples who are probably in their 60s, late 60s And they Come and see this film and they were sort of sat there. I don't think anybody bought anything from the refreshment stands, they brought it all with them. So it just made me think about, you know that and the marketing that you do for that audience to get them in to get bums on seats, because I'm telling you, I went to screen two. And there were literally seven of us in there. I stretched out on this premium seat. I just looked around. And that was it. There was a lot of rustling and when you get this audience, they crack me up because there's one guy gets his phone out. And there's quite a few people have got this, you got the sound effects when you're tapping out a message. You know how freaking irritating that is. Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, the light on the phone is really bright. And then this other one starts rustling around. The film is just about to start. He starts rattling around in his things, his bags, he's brought everything with him apart from the kitchen sink to get out some popcorn. He's clicking open the can of whatever and I was at the point I was gonna say Sheesh. But I didn't. Anyway, the film starts. And so this guy played by Anthony Hopkins, which was Nicholas Winton, had tried to hide and flee. No, that's not right. He had hide and flee efforts. That's it to get the Jewish kids particularly out of this war, war torn area of Czechoslovakia is actually proud. And you can see all the Nazis. Damn, I hate them. It was It was unbelievable. And he basically got money from the British government to get these kids on trains and ship them over to the UK to temporary foster parents. So he'd he was actually a foreign financial broker. And I can't remember how he heard about it. But he said, I've got to go and see it for myself. And that's why I ended up in Prague and ever visit, he started taking pictures, and he was handing out chocolate to the kids. And he said, I want to get these kids out of there quickly. And that's what hit me. Because I saw a bit of my life flash before my eyes as kids arrived at the train station, with a number tag around their neck and they were greeted by temporary families, they're going to be their foster families. And I think it was that. And for some unknown reason, guys, I just started crying. I could feel the tears. But I saw this other woman sniffing and sniffling as well, it had nothing to do with it being Jewish kids, it had to it was all to do with kids being taken from this war torn place, then put into foster care. It just reminded me of a bit of a bit like a meat market, right? Because these kids had a photograph a number. And then what happened is when Nicholas Winton had to raise funds, 50 pound, I think it was per child to get through the British government. And then potential foster people would pick who they wanted. And it was so sad because it was a three kids, brothers and sisters, and this foster family. So they could only take two, which was understandable, but this other boy got left behind with father. So they all had family in Prague. So they were automatically taken from their blood family and brought across to the UK. Very similar to me, my mum, I was taken away from my mum at six weeks old. And then, you know, I went into that care system. I think it really hit me quite profoundly that my passion is young people. Sometimes it takes us so long to know what our values are, and our passions are and I was questioning why I was reacting so powerfully to this film. You know, it was only a couple of days before that I've seen bloody Bob Marley that's been hitting the cinemas over here and breaking the box office, you know, figures to go in and see this. It was really powerful. And the volunteers that this guy had working with him, were also very passionate. And then basically they had all these trains coming out bringing these kids in and so forth. And the story goes along that he's in this older age now. So they've got two people playing the part. You've got the younger guy, and then you got Anthony Hopkins playing him. And he keeps reflecting and he's really sad. And he's kept all these files in his house with his wife and, and basically he goes on this old traditional TV programme that we used to have in the UK called that's life. And they basically told his story. And they brought some of the people he rescued, who are now you know, older adults there to meet him. It was really, really powerful. And I think for me, there are always going to be things that trigger my emotions. And it's children and young people, but also, I have the greatest respect for people who are humanitarian activists who want to do good because there was another guy that I got into years ago called Clyde Stafford Smith, who was a humanitarian lawyer who was trying to stop people going into the death row. He was from the UK he still does stuff now, I ended up joining a scheme of his where you become God. What's it called not a pamper was a lifeline to those on death row. And the reason why I stopped it because you were not allowed to ask them what they done. And they said to you in the guidelines, when you got signed up, please do not just stop writing. What did I do? I stopped writing. So I thought, if one of these people on death row is a serial killer, or something like that, and has molested a child anything, I couldn't do it. So I just stopped. I know it's bad. I know, it's really bad people. But that's what happened. But again, I was taken by Clyde Stafford Smith and how he dedicated and still dedicates his time to helping people. And I think for me, it was not only heartbreaking, but it made me think, what more can I be doing? And I guess like I said, it not me for six that much. But I took time out when I came out of that cinema. And it was because it was an afternoon performance. And I slowly walked to my car and I just sat there a little bit shell shocked and dumbfounded. Now, some may be some people may say, Is it because you're having an off day, which I've been having for quite a few days? And therefore it triggered me? I don't know, it was just, I just feel that I should be doing more. And when I do this other podcast about just being we chase like now I should be should I get I should be getting more work in to pay the bills, I should be doing this, I should be doing that. I should be rather than still I should be doing something I feel guilty or not. And I just wonder in life, what is it? Do you really want, we have one life. And I realised that my past doesn't hurt me. But some of it does trigger emotions. And that's why I shed a tear in the cinema. And I think for me, it was great. It ate up some my day. And I thought that's what I'm gonna do all these films. And it's not I'm not a big one for saying to friends or whatever. You want to go to cinema because I think the stigma about doing things on your own now is gone from going on holiday. I've got a blinding episode coming up soon guys about holiday and travel, and how we need to address that demon inside of us. But when you are feeling a little bit mad, as I call it, you have to pull yourself up and get out now. Sad syndrome is hitting everybody at the moment. This is this seasonal Attention Deficit syndrome or whatever it's called, where it's dreary, even though the lights the nights rather are getting lighter. There's no sunshine, so it's really hard, and it becomes demoralising, and it becomes depressing. Now, I was going to say so you go and do something like that. cheer yourself up. But clearly I came out and I wasn't cheered up. But

17:56

I think I need to find a way of helping young people in care, or people who are less advantaged, has become the new term as opposed to disadvantaged. And because this film is telling the story of refugees, which is horrific, as they were torn from their parents, I think I want to do it for people who aren't refugees who are in this country, and haven't got access to certain things that they should have. So here we go. Here's a little wrap up of this very short and sweet podcast. My take outs are we have one life, which should be savoured lived and cherished. What are you doing with your life? And I keep thinking about a friend at the moment who I said for all the moaning and everything you do. Why don't you just go slit your throat? They said, Well, that's a little bit severe Tina, I said, Well, I've never heard anybody moan so much as if you don't like it, change it, change the narrative, change what you want to do. And you know what I realised and speaking to this person, a lot of people don't have any interests. They don't know what makes them tick. They don't know what makes them but I know today. I did some work this morning. And then I went and worked out and I was buzzing. I'm buzzing so much. I'm bloody hungry now as I do this podcast, but I also thought, I've got to find something else. And funnily enough, I know that a lot of my interests revolve around exercise because I was on Instagram. I found this guy that does this flexibility workshop, I've got to ask my friend, if you'd like to join me on it 35 pound or, you know, back $39 In US or anybody else that does dollars for an hour and a half and I found it really interesting. I saved it and I thought it doesn't matter Tina, if a friend is going to come with you. You are going to go and do it. Now. It's a bloody trek to get to but I thought I'll really enjoy it. What I need to do my people is open myself up to new meeting new people. One of the things I think I need to do is go into these I put on my vision board about doing group exercise, now visit workshops, but I could join the online club from that, and so forth and so forth. So that's going to be a tick. Another take up for me is helping those who can't help themselves as a lot of you knew. I used to be a mentor for the homeless for a place called the House of St. Barnabas, which sadly folded a couple of weeks ago, it went into administration. And it's really sad about this home away from home, which was mine, it was a private member's club. But every all of the money went into tackling homelessness with people who've been made homeless, and given them the life skills and training skills to get jobs. I loved it. But I won't be getting any more mentees from that. I also learned knowledge is power. Because one of my friends or an old boss of mine is Jewish. And I learned so much about Jewish people from her because I didn't know I didn't even know about the surnames and stuff. So when I saw the Jews in, and I've heard about Jewish people in Czechoslovakia, in Prague and whatever. I also found out from watching that film that most died in look at those who weren't rescued, and a lot of them were children. But those, there were a lot of people that ended up dying in concentration camps. So it really made me think about humanity, and how we could be helping and look at the shit that's going down. Now, my people, the Jewish people in the UK have been already attacked because of what's going on with Israel, Palestine, Gaza, the whole kitten caboodle, it's not funny. If you're in the UK, I would absolutely recommend that you go and watch it before it goes. It was released in January, it's a great film, it will probably go straight to streaming soon, Netflix, Amazon and all those naughty boards, I'm sure you will be able to pick it up. But maybe it's just me, but it is a fantastic film. So I'm going to find I'm going to wrap this up now I'm going to find another opportunity to volunteer. And I'm and I'm currently awaiting the results of getting on a board to help channel the future of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through athletics. Yeah, I had the interview just over a week ago for is called personal best foundation. And it's part of the England athletics, charity. And, sorry, England athletics governing body. And I really, really liked what this charity were about. They want to create young leaders from people in care. Their whole programme is based around people who come from areas of deprivation, you know, this pulls it me This pulls up me, I've been lucky, I've worked hard to get my by my own little Victorian house, and stuff. But you know, I'm looking now in my bedroom, while I'm recording this and thinking, look at all the issues you've got, and you don't bloody wear them. I just wear bear trainers. I mean, it's getting absolutely ridiculous. And I just think there's so many people that have so little, and there's so much more we can do. So I'm just trying to pull some ideas together. Because I think me giving back gives me great satisfaction. And I want to find a gap in the market to see what I can do. The food banks are closed banks and everything else has been done. So I am thinking about a foundation that I could set up that actually provides people in care with funding or loans or grants to help them succeed and reach their potential, whatever that is, wherever they come out the care system because a lot of people who come out the care system, they do not have somebody to go to they have may not have any family. And so you know, the local authority may help them with an accommodation. And you may get a bit of grant to get some pots and pans. But what if you have a budding desire to be a doctor, but you can't do the the education and you can only get so much funding and, and so forth. And so far, so I'm thinking about it, I think it'd be a lot of work. I'd love help. If I'm honest. Because sometimes I think about it and think oh god, how do I how do I navigate that? And then it scares me. And then I just think oh shit, that ideas just sitting there. So anyway, my last message to you all is you have one life. There's a lot of badness going on in the world at the moment. Don't look around tomorrow and think I wish I had done this. And like I said, I'm going to bring you a really interesting story in a week or so on somebody I interview about travel, and it blew my mind. It blew my frickin mind. And it just got me thinking about things I need to do this year. So without my beautiful people, take good care of yourself until I come back to you with my travel instalment.