My Most Important Messages To The World (Part 2) – Paul D. Lowe & Avery Thatcher

On this episode Paul is joined for the second part of his conversation with Avery Thatcher to talk further about how having a childlike curiosity relates to health

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• When we resist the changes that life throws at us, that’s where our health starts to suffer. It shows up in different ways like stress, burnout, digestive issues, etc. But, when we have curiosity, we’re able to embrace what comes at us.
• Our bodies don’t like change, at a physiological level. We are built to maintain the status quo – homeostasis is the biological term for it – and when we do something that steps us outside of that, whether it be to challenge our bodies in different ways by starting a new exercise routine or when we experience stressful events like a global pandemic, when we try to do something new like learning a new language, our body sees that as something that’s abnormal and unsafe. Our body then responds in the same way as if a bear were running at us. It’s hard to learn to embrace that childlike curiosity if you don’t know how to master your stress switch.
• Part of the journey is learning where beliefs are on the spectrum of serving vs sabotaging. Thoughts, beliefs, patterns that we live in, I don’t think they’re inherently good or bad, they either serve or sabotage. My high achieving nature pushes me to learn and grow and expand my impact in this world. Out of balance, it leaves me burned out, exhausted, stressed out and experiencing all the physical side-effects of stress. But, if it’s serving me then I’m in a space of clarity and alignment.
• Music has been a massive healing tool for me. There are a number of songs that bring on the emotions that I’m looking for. If I feel an emotion is stuck and I need help expressing it, I know which song I need to go to and I completely immerse myself in that song and let it go. One of the most impactful songs that really helped my heel along my journey of becoming Avery, was a song that was written for the musical ‘The Waitress’ called ‘She Used To Be Mine’. 

BEST MOMENTS

‘The more that we try to control the more we realise we can’t. Control is like trying to carry a bunch of apples.’

‘Letting go and trusting is incredibly unsafe, it really ramps up our bodies. So, we need to know how to control our stress switch and to make sure we are in alignment with the purpose and mission that we are going for. It’s easier to let things go when you have clarity on what is meant to be held on to.’

‘When we don’t try to resist what’s happening and we go with the flow, let go and really embrace the curiosity of the experience, that’s when we can really enjoy the ride of life.’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

• Paul’s Story: Emerging From The Forest (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emerging-Forest-Pain-Purpose-Mastering/dp/1719373272

• Paul’s Story: Emerging From The Forest (USA): https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Forest-Pain-Purpose-Mastering/dp/1719373272

• Mastering The Game Of Life Book (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Game-Life-Paul-Lowe/dp/1782227679

• Mastering The Game Of Life Book (USA): https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Game-Life-Paul-Lowe/dp/1782227679

• Speaking From Our Hearts Books: Volumes 1-3 (Available on Amazon)
• World Game-Changers Group

ABOUT THE GUEST

Avery Thatcher says: The truth is I’ve never really felt like Heather, but then I know it’s normal to not always like your name.

Over the course of my life, I’ve walked through a lot of struggle and trauma which changed me over time. This gradual change is something that I think we can all relate to and is just a part of the human experience.

However, on December 25, 2018 I experienced a massive change in my life that happened literally overnight. I was working 12 hour shift work in a paediatric ICU and I was coming off the night shift and I remember the Charge Nurse coming up to me and saying “Heather, you really don’t look good. I’m going to mark you down as sick tonight. Feel better!”

I went home and slept for 20 hours straight.

And I did that the next day.

And the day after that.

After nearly a year of painful medical procedures, surgery to remove a thyroid mass and half my thyroid, and multiple specialists investigations and tests, it was determined that I was now the proud owner of a chronic illness and permanent disability known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. (I call this part of me Emmy – get it? M.E. Emmy? I thought I was clever)

I worked hard for nearly three years to get back to some form of normal, and in September 2021 I realised that was never going to happen.

I was no longer Heather.

I was no longer a Registered Nurse capable of working in an ICU.

I was no longer able to be as active as I was used to being.

I was no longer the weight I was used to being.

I was no longer the person I was used to being.

I realised I was no longer at home in my body.

I wasn’t connected to my previous identity at all and it was causing some strong PTSD dreams, intrusive thoughts and anxiety.

So after talking about it with my husband and therapist, I decided to change my name and spend days looking on baby name blogs until I found the name Avery.

It was strange at first to start referring to myself as Avery, when I had been Heather for 37 years – but now that I’ve had time for it to settle in – my goodness it’s a beautiful thing to feel at home in my body again!

To feel connected to who I am.

To start fresh, learn new habits and strategies rather than try and fit what I’m capable of now into the mould of what I used to be able to do.

So if you’ve made it this far, thank you for being a part of my journey. It’s lovely to have you in my corner.

Much love,

Avery

Website: https://becomingavery.com/ 

Social media tag: @becommingavery

ABOUT THE HOST

Paul has made a remarkable transformation from existing for many years in dark, desperate despair; to now living a really healthy, happy and fulfilling life.

From an early age, he was in the vice-like clutches of the demon drink and constantly embroiled within a dark cocktail of toxic beliefs, self-hate and destructive violence.

Along with his empathetic and dedicated team of world-class coaches and mentors, Paul’s purpose is deeply transformational:

Contributing Significantly To World Peace…

He is extremely passionate about helping others to find their purpose, have a voice and ultimately, make a real difference.  

This has been built on a long and distinguished history of heart-centred coaching and mentoring.  He has also been responsible for raising significant amounts of funds for many charities and good causes around the world; positively impacting and inspiring thousands of children – mainly from challenging backgrounds – within the UK & worldwide.

Through this World Game-Changers podcast and books, he has been involved in – including being a best-selling co-author – Paul also helps others to get their own inspirational messages and stories out into the world; as well as offering support to many charitable organisations, in their development & fund-raising.

CONTACT METHODS

Tel: +44 (0) 7958 042 155

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: https://www.Paul-Lowe.com

Web: https://www.worldgamechangers.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamPaulLowe/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-d-lowe-7a78332a/