Hello! Hope you’re having a good start to your week.
Big news because my “mat cover” has officially arrived at TALA! Farron Clark is taking over for two weeks to cover our first outerwear collection of the year. It’s been so fun pulling the plans for this campaign together over the last few months. It means my current management responsibilities can remain firmly focused on one tiny employee who has absolutely no respect for working hours.
Outside of that, I’m getting used to some kind of routine in this new postpartum world. Last week we even managed a trip to M&S for sweet treats because, of course, I’m introducing her to the important cultural institutions early. I would highly recommend the new chocolate and cinnamon tortilla chips. I don’t really understand why they work, but they do.
Dr Rangan is officially episode three of the Future Self Series, which also means we’ve somehow already reached the end of Part one of the curriculum!! We’ve spent the last three weeks figuring out what we actually want, getting clearer on the decisions that will get us there and now, with Rangan, turning all of that into an actual plan.
If you’ve missed any of the homework/studies/exercises along the way, you can go back through the previous Substacks and catch up whenever you fancy. No detention for being behind, promise x
Rangan called me out slightly this week for my lifelong commitment to making a plan for absolutely everything. But this was a perspective that I found super interesting!
“You don’t know who you are going to be in five years, so a rigid five-year plan doesn’t always make sense. The way I see goals now, the goal is there to be a compass. It points you in the right direction. Think about what it is and imagine what it looks like, but then put the goal out of your mind and start to focus on the process. Focus on the daily habits that, if you do them consistently, will result in the side effect of the outcome.”
Of course, I asked Rangan to send over his recommendations for the newsletter, so we can all become happier versions of ourselves. I’ll drop it below.
Dr Rangan also sent me an exercise for you to try this week called The Two Day Rule. The idea is simple: you’re allowed to miss a day of a habit; you just try not to miss two in a row. Because missing one workout is life, but letting it become “I’ll start again on Monday” for six consecutive Mondays is where things get slightly less helpful.
The worksheet below will help you plan how to get back to it when life inevitably gets in the way. You can download, print off and fill it in yourself!
Also, if you haven’t watched the full episode yet, I’ve dropped it below.
Oh my god, I’m so sorry, that is such a huge amount to be dealing with all at once. Firstly, please give yourself permission not to turn this into something positive immediately; you’re allowed to just focus on getting through it and listening to your doctors.
In terms of content, you absolutely do not need a big following to begin. I’d document what’s happening without putting pressure on yourself to perform or have the whole journey mapped out. Sharing what you’re learning, the reality of recovery, and how you’re rebuilding your identity outside of rugby could genuinely help so many people.
Also, on a logistical point, the TikTok algorithm is much more geared towards discovery than Instagram, so if you’re growing from scratch, I’d make sure you’re posting there as a priority.
Sending you so much love and really hoping you get some positive news soon!
Next week I’ll be leaving you in the very capable hands of Dr Faye Bate to take you through the foundations of health most of us are still getting wrong, and how to advocate for ourselves and for our future.
When I watched the preview of this episode, I was so excited to put it live. Faye really demystifies the more complicated women’s health topics into actionable steps to actually take away and do something with. I just know you’ll really love this one!
I hope you have a wonderful week & I’ll see you very soon,
