Danny was a total joy to interview!

He's got a joyous take on aging, and insightful stories about the importance of finding your people, wherever they are.

Oh, and also dancing to Lisa Stansfield remixes til 2am in Heaven!

He also shares something shocking a teacher said to him, but his kind, calm demeanour is what you'll enjoy most and remember - thanks Danny for a great chat!

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Danny Strachan is a board licensed mental health practitioner, personal development coach and performer.

After spending 30 years in the performing arts as a classical musician and actor, Danny had a life changing experience while in therapy and decided that he wanted to make a similar contribution to other individuals facing life’s challenges. He has very happily been a personal development coach and therapist since that time, working with courageous individuals seeking to step into thrive mode and regain forward momentum.

Very recently the pull of being a performer has been calling again so keep your eyes open, you just might see him in an unexpected place - on a stage or screen near you.

Danny very happily lives seaside with his husband Graeme on the West Coast of Scotland where they frolic in the sea, hike big hills and embrace the abundance that life brings on the daily.

Fitter Confident You is kind, fun, inclusive fitness coaching for GBTQ+ men - if you're feeling a bit adrift with your training, or overwhelmed and unsure how to get started, pop over to www.fitteryou.net

You can explore how we've helped guys all around the world for the last 8 years with our coaching and fitness plans...

And if you're thinking about a getaway, we host 3 international retreats each year - think sunshine, adaptable fitness and yoga, inspiring locations, nourishing delicious food and the opportunity to be you, on your terms, with new friends.

Ed is a brilliant life-changing coach for gay and queer men. We've been working together supporting each other's clients for a year now and he's become a friend.

He's VERY DIRECT but tbh most of the time, that's what's missing.

In this episode we discuss...

- The Jetski Test
- How he didn't know what life coaching was... Until he needed it
- How his first gay experience brought on deep shame
- The difference between therapy and coaching
- How and why he loves to help people and will be doing so as long as he lives

Amazing quotes from Ed:

"Cats?! They don't give a f*ck!"
"No one gets to 'done'. Focus on enjoying the movement and THAT'S actually 'done'"
"I am not my thoughts"
"Our gay adversities are an opportunity to become more free, more powerful and greater people"

Find out more about Ed's coaching here: https://www.brownbearcoaching.com/

Join Ed's brilliant community here: https://www.skool.com/brown-bear-skool/about

Fitter Confident You is kind, fun, inclusive fitness coaching for GBTQ+ men - if you're feeling a bit adrift with your training, or overwhelmed and unsure how to get started, pop over to www.fitteryou.net

You can explore how we've helped guys all around the world for the last 8 years with our coaching and fitness plans...

And if you're thinking about a getaway, we host 3 international retreats each year - think sunshine, adaptable fitness and yoga, inspiring locations, nourishing delicious food and the opportunity to be you, on your terms, with new friends.

It turns out, Colin is King of the Soundbites - this was such a fun chat, we end up exploring...

- the power of dance
- how to find your place in the world
- people-pleasing... And how to get over it
- why being 'other' can be your super-power
- rainbow ceilings (not as pretty as they sound!)
- the history of The Two Brewers (famous London nightclub!)

"I look at my life as an extended journey of self-discovery" - WOW.

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Colin is an influential leader in the Facilities Management Sector, known for his commitment to EDI - with particular focus on the LGBTQIA+ Community.

His role as Operations Director at Pareto FM has been pivotal in driving excellence, shaping strategic direction and supporting growth. Cementing Pareto's position as an industry leader and disrupter in the areas of ESG and Social Impact.

Colin also holds positions as Co-Chair of the LGBT+ in FM Network and on the EDI Steering Group for IWFM, through which he has influenced policy and engagement with the LGBTQIA+ Community - plus secured funding for various Prides, Events and Initiatives.

Colins efforts have earned him recognition as Inspirational Role Model 2024 at the Rainbow Honours, being named on the Pride Power List 2024, Diversity Champion (Highly Commended) at the European Diversity Awards, Outstanding Contribution Award 2024 by Workplace Leaders and Diversity Champion (Finalist) at the British Diversity Awards 2025.

Fitter Confident You is kind, fun, inclusive fitness coaching for GBTQ+ men - if you're feeling a bit adrift with your training, or overwhelmed and unsure how to get started, pop over to www.fitteryou.net

You can explore how we've helped guys all around the world for the last 8 years with our coaching and fitness plans...

And if you're thinking about a getaway, we host 3 international retreats each year - think sunshine, adaptable fitness and yoga, inspiring locations, nourishing delicious food and the opportunity to be you, on your terms, with new friends.

You're going to love getting to know Chris O'Neill, one of the brilliant Fitter Confident You Success Coaches. We discuss:

- why and how so many of us feel we have to hide who we are at school
- that he's now working at the gym where he first got into strength-training
- why getting sobers has helped him live more authentically

and... Taylor Swift. And Cats.

Tuck in!

Chris is a New York City based trainer and current Fitness Director of Speakeasy of Strength, Brooklyn.

Though an avid runner and kettlebell enthusiast, he tries not to do both at the same time as much as possible.

When not in the gym (a phrase that younger Chris cannot believe is a descriptor involving him) he can be found singing, acting, sitting on the beach on Fire Island, or trying not to acquire more cats.

His love for Taylor Swift knows no bounds (in fact he's known at the gym as Coach Swift), and he sincerely hopes that you don't ever find yourself "down bad, crying at the gym.

Fitter Confident You is kind, fun, inclusive fitness coaching for GBTQ+ men - if you're feeling a bit adrift with your training, or overwhelmed and unsure how to get started, pop over to www.fitteryou.net

You can explore how we've helped guys all around the world for the last 8 years with our coaching and fitness plans...

And if you're thinking about a getaway, we host 3 international retreats each year - think sunshine, adaptable fitness and yoga, inspiring locations, nourishing delicious food and the opportunity to be you, on your terms, with new friends.

The joy of 2-in-1 this week on Queer Mid-life Stories as I'm joined by the lovely Timothy Bish and Eric Bomyea, from the Queer Men's Embodiment podcast.

They are run it as The Circle in real life, and as they say on the pod, the next time you're in Provincetown Massachusetts, stop by for a session!

We have a fantastic chat about:

- if it's our duty to have fun
- why we don't just have to 'choose the default'
- personal mantras and...
- the difference between a staff and a walking stick

Loved connecting with the guys and sharing their stories, I think you will too - enjoy - and please leave a nice rating and review, go onnnnn!

Now, enjoy their bios...

Timothy Bish has been a dedicated student of personal growth and spirituality for as long as he can remember. His journey began in New York City at the Jivamukti Yoga School, where he became an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher. This practice ignited his passion for physical and subtle body wellness, leading him to explore Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

During the pandemic, Tim discovered Men’s Work and completed the Men’s Wisdom Work coach training program in 2020. He then met his current teacher, Amir Khalighi, with Embodied Masculine, and completed the Men's Wisdom Initiation Program, as well as Levels 1 and 2 of the Transpersonal Facilitation Training. Tim now serves as the lead assistant for that program alongside Amir.

In addition to coaching and facilitating, Tim is the founder of the Men’s Embodiment Circle in Provincetown, where he continues to help men on their journey of personal and spiritual growth. Tim is currently accepting new clients for 1:1 personal coaching, learn more here.
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Eric Bomyea has a curiosity for life and a passion for personal growth. While his journey into men’s work and spirituality is relatively new, he has found a deep connection through attending Tim's embodiment circle for the past year.

Eric is currently training in the Transpersonal Facilitation Program under the guidance of Amir Khalighi. Having been sober for almost two years, his path has been one of self-discovery and exploring new ways to show up authentically. He approaches men’s work with humility and an open heart, eager to dive deeper into the unknown.

Find out more about all their brilliant work: https://linktr.ee/queermensembodiment

Fitter Confident You is kind, fun, inclusive fitness coaching for GBTQ+ men - if you're feeling a bit adrift with your training, or overwhelmed and unsure how to get started, pop over to www.fitteryou.net

You can explore how we've helped guys all around the world for the last 8 years with our coaching and fitness plans...

And if you're thinking about a getaway, we host 3 international retreats each year - think sunshine, adaptable fitness and yoga, inspiring locations, nourishing delicious food and the opportunity to be you, on your terms, with new friends.

Lee Faircloth is a Brit abroad! He's a Fitter Confident You client living in Colorado, and I knew from our chats as trainer/client that he'd be a great guest for the pod...

And he bloody is! Great stories, insights into LGBTQ+ life growing up and getting older, and lovely lols too.

Tuck in - and if you can leave us a lovely review and gold stars, or pop this on your Stories, we'd be ever so grateful - have a lovely week!

And now... A bio...

Lee is a 46 year old retoucher and photographer living in the Colorado Rocky mountains with his husband, two dogs, two cats and a large number of fish.

He is finally learning what it means to look after himself and finding out who he is as a sober man.

Fitter Confident You is kind, fun, inclusive fitness coaching for GBTQ+ men - if you're feeling a bit adrift with your training, or overwhelmed and unsure how to get started, pop over to www.fitteryou.net

You can explore how we've helped guys all around the world for the last 8 years with our coaching and fitness plans...

And if you're thinking about a getaway, we host 3 international retreats each year - think sunshine, adaptable fitness and yoga, inspiring locations, nourishing delicious food and the opportunity to be you, on your terms, with new friends.

Queer Mid-life Stories talks with Matthew Weait (61) this week - he's had an amazing life and done some ground-breaking work that has impacted all of us.

We discuss:

- how activism comes in many forms, and how people shouldn't be made to feel bad if they're not out there, waving flags

- the power of finding your own way forward with your fitness

- and this brilliant quote "the most important thing is not to rely on the reviews of others [about yourself] in determining how to understand yourself"

Grateful to lovely Matthew for his time.

I say 'lovely' a lot in this episode - enjoy!

Matthew Weait is Director of the Department for Continuing Education and Professor of Law and Society at the University of Oxford, and he's worked at a number of academic institutions and is a non-practising barrister.

Matthew’s research focuses on the impact of law on people living with HIV and AIDS. He has published extensively in this area and provided expert advice to national and international organizations, including the National AIDS Trust, WHO (Europe), the European AIDS Treatment Group and the Global Commission on HIV and the Law.

He's committed to promoting educational opportunities for non-traditional learners and advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion within higher education.

In short: WHAT A GUY.

Fitter Confident You is kind, fun, inclusive fitness coaching for GBTQ+ men - if you're feeling a bit adrift with your training, or overwhelmed and unsure how to get started, pop over to www.fitteryou.net

You can explore how we've helped guys all around the world for the last 8 years with our coaching and fitness plans...

And if you're thinking about a getaway, we host 3 international retreats each year - think sunshine, adaptable fitness and yoga, inspiring locations, nourishing delicious food and the opportunity to be you, on your terms, with new friends.

Thrilled to be talking with Ian Montgomery this week, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Positive East, East London's HIV/sexual health charity - https://www.positiveeast.org.uk

Originally from Northern California Ian has been working and volunteering within the HIV sector for over 30 years including the Sacramento AIDS Foundation, Breaking Barriers, Netherlands AIDS Fond and the Mildmay.

Since 2016, Ian's worked at Positive East, which also provides a range of HIV support and prevention services, and organises the brilliant annual World AIDS Day RED RUN each November.

Fitter Confident You is kind, fun, inclusive fitness coaching for GBTQ+ men - if you're feeling a bit adrift with your training, or overwhelmed and unsure how to get started, pop over to www.fitteryou.net

You can explore how we've helped guys all around the world for the last 8 years with our coaching and fitness plans...

And if you're thinking about a getaway, we host 3 international retreats each year - think sunshine, adaptable fitness and yoga, inspiring locations, nourishing delicious food and the opportunity to be you, on your terms, with new friends.