Some things about me, you probably won’t find of interest:
A descriptive sample about the randomness of my life so far..
- I have an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering (BEng hons) from Cardiff University, and used to be a member of the IMechE.
- In my highest paid (short term) job, I was earning £1,000 per day, working part-time as a salesperson for a government funded training program delivered through a private training company. Making on average just 10 phone calls a day, in around six weeks I earned £35,000 in commission (at 10% commission for £350,000 of new business). Unfortunately it was just a limited short term contract at the end of a trial Government program, but it was great for my bank balance at the time.
- Whilst working for Microsoft for 9 months (from late 2008), at one of the European head offices in Reading, UK, I had a larger office than the UK Managing Director. My job there was predominantly to teach Microsoft employees, press, and clients, how to use the latest Microsoft Windows, in a sample home environment. My job between the 30 minute presentations, was to watch TV, play computer games, and surf the internet, to help encourage more passing tours.
- I’ve self taught myself to write extensive legal contracts, and have also brought more than 10 court cases against people who owed me or my close friends money. I’ve not lost yet, but I am still waiting for some of the payments.
- I’ve successfully taught professional stress management techniques to mental health doctors working with the NHS (and of course lots of other clients).
- I have diplomas in Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy (gained in 1998), and have hypnotised over 1,000 clients, later focussing in teaching people self-hypnosis.
- I was one of the first members of CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council), for my work as a professional senior massage therapist (from 1996 onwards). I’ve personally given over 10,000 massage treatments.
- I trained in advanced Kinesiology with the late John Logue, and you may still see me in the training videos.
- I’ve been a Reiki teacher since the early 2000’s.
- I’ve been a member of the British Mountaineering Council, and a trained Mountain Leader, up to the snow line.
- I once ran up a mountain near Queenstown (and back down again), just for fun. Loosing around a stone (6kg) in weight in just 3 hours.
- I can juggle balls, clubs, rings and other random objects, and used to run a juggling club at Uni. From 2017 – 2019, I managed NZ’s largest circus school, and then from 2019 I became a co-chair on the board of Trustees.
- I was once a well known pole dance photographer.
- I trained in four different forms of martial arts.
- I was once a trustee of the National Nightline charity, after becoming the National Coordinator in 1999 whilst at University.
- I’ve worked as a doorman in both North London and Cardiff.
- At 19 years old (in 1996), I backpacked solo, around New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia, on my way back to the UK during my gap year / big OE.
- In November 1995, I tried to walk solo across the UK, following the original Ridgeway path from Lyme Regis to East Anglia. Unfortunately after 50 miles in fewer hours, at the beginning of November (8 hours of sunshine a day), with my feet, shoulders and back bleeding, I postponed the completion.
- My step brother is an internationally famous professional golfer who beat Tiger Woods in the Ryder Cup.
- My late maternal great grandmother used to babysit Tom Jones.
- I don’t drink alcohol, smoke, nor do drugs.
- I’ve been an egg free vegetarian (for a variety of reasons), from around 1997 onwards. In 2020 I finally realised my body was allergic to milk too, so I’m now vegan.
- From 2017 onwards, I typically only eat two regular sized meals a day (breakfast & lunch)
- I can see Auras.
My roles and job titles:
For a bit of a random list on the various other titles I’ve held over the years (both professionally and honourably), I put the following list together for my own reference. Other people seemed to find interesting to read too, hence publishing them here. These are generally in reverse chronological order, but if you have any queries about any single one of these roles, do let me know and I can explain more (what, when, why, for who, etc.).
Obviously I don’t profess to be an expert in these. I know so many people who do far more in every single area. But enjoy learning, and these are typically titles/roles I’ve been repeatedly paid for (either part-time or full-time), been trained to a professional level, or something I’d participated in for a long time that I generally enjoyed, was memorable and/or significant looking back.
I list them here for primarily my own reference.
- Set & Props Tutor
- Welder
- Shibari performer
- Workshop manager
- Health & Safety specialist
- Hero props maker / fabricator
- General Manager of a circus school
- Rigger / Entertainment Rigger / Rope Access Technician / rigging inspector
- Movie prop maker
- General handyperson
- Dockmaster
- Electrician’s assistant
- EST (Electrical Service Technician)
- EAS (Electrical Appliance Serviceperson)
- Lighting assistant
- Art Department assistant
- Data wrangler
- Unit Stills photographer
- Art nude model
- Barista (coffee, not law)
- Double Glazing Fitter
- Yacht Racer / Sailor
- Media Manager
- Victualler
- Sail Maker / Repairer
- Presenter
- Acting / Singing / Dance student
- Refrigeration Engineer
- Restaurant Manager
- Bar Owner / Licence Holder
- Hotelier
- Housekeeper
- Artistic Rigger
- Board Game Developer
- Minibus Driver
- DofE Award Leader
- National Representative on International Conference
- Mountain Leader
- Civil Servant
- Database Developer
- Storeroom Manager
- Envelope Stuffer
- Administrator
- Co-director of a pole dance school
- Fell Runner
- Diver (scuba, high board, and a little free diving)
- Paraglider (Club Pilot)
- Contractor
- Sub-Contractor
- Consultant
- Employer
- Business Manager
- Business Director
- Job Interviewer
- Recruitment Advisor
- Kitchen Surveyor
- Call Handler
- Telesales
- Sales Director
- Audience Member
- TV Guest
- Radio Guest
- Plasterer
- Presiding Officer (local and national elections)
- Poll Clerk
- Postman
- Waiter
- Receptionist
- Chef
- Cook
- Painter & Decorator
- Carpenter / Joiner
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Listener
- Self-Hypnosis Trainer
- Pole Dance Photographer
- Photographer
- Backpacker
- Martial Artist
- Speaker
- Social Secretary
- Educational Coordinator
- Ts & Cs Writer
- Copywriter
- Book Keeper
- Corporate Trainer
- HR Manager
- Stress Management Trainer / Instructor
- Programmer
- Web Developer
- Graphic Designer
- Web Designer
- Microsoft Presenter
- IT Specialist / Technical Support
- Business Telecoms Specialist
- Power Tools Specialist
- Gardening Equipment Specialist
- Printer Specialist
- Sales Assistant
- Regional Supervisor
- Event Manager
- Team Leader
- Promotional Worker
- Adult Literacy and Numeracy Teacher
- College Lecturer
- National Charity Trustee
- Graphologist
- Kinesiologist
- Massage Therapist
- Stage Hypnotist
- Recruitment Consultant
- Door-to-door salesman
- Hypnotherapist
- Complementary Therapist
- Reiki Teacher
- Filing / Archive Manager
- Reiki Practitioner
- Engineer
- Juggler
- Labourer
- Plasterer’s Mate
- Assistant Kitchen Fitter
- Palmist
- Caterer
- National Helpline Coordinator
- Local Helpline Coordinator
- Telephone Helpline Volunteer
- Fire Marshall
- Student Warden
- Barman (The Happy Barman)
- Security Guard
- Doorman
- Set Designer
- Assistant Outdoor Pursuits Instructor
- First Aider
- Assistant Hostel Director
- Handyman
- Fruit and Veg guy
- Laundryman
- Outdoor Pursuits Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Caretaker’s Assistant
- Maths Assistant Tutor
- Librarians Assistant
- Craft Technician
- Science Technician
- Cleaner (hazardous waste, blood, vomit, etc.)
- Glass Collector
- Pilot (gliders and powered aircraft)
- N.C.O. (non commissioned officer)
- Trolly Boy
- Cashier
- Pet Food Specialist
- Shelf Stacker
- Drummer
- Fantasia Hopper Hygiene Specialist (a.k.a. a ‘pick and mix’ dispenser cleaner)
- News Delivery Agent
- Choir Boy
- Maypole dancer
Some great credentials on display. I am a firm believer in the positive results gained through hypnotherapy. It must be a gratifying job to be able to help so many people with their fears, stresses and phobias.