Welcome to ResetU

In this episode, Andy Rhodes and Nathan Gardner are joined by James Mallows, serving police officer and co-founder of Operation Surfwell, an innovative wellbeing programme using surfing and blue space therapy to support emergency service workers experiencing trauma, stress, and burnout.

James shares his journey through over 20 years of policing across rural and urban environments, and how a devastating assault on a colleague became the catalyst for creating something radically different. Frustrated by traditional interventions that weren’t helping officers recover or return to work, James and his colleague Sam began asking a simple question: what actually helps us reset after the toughest days?

The answer came not in a boardroom, but sitting on surfboards off the coast of North Devon. From that moment, Surfwell was born.

Throughout the conversation, James explains how Surfwell goes far beyond “just taking people surfing.” Built on action-centred therapy and underpinned by academic research, the programme creates a psychologically safe, carefully structured environment where participants are supported by instructors who understand the realities of emergency service life. By combining cold water immersion, peer connection, learning a new skill, and trust-based relationships, Surfwell helps unlock conversations that many participants didn’t realise they were ready to have.

This episode is a powerful exploration of resilience, innovation, and what happens when we rethink how we care for the people who spend their lives caring for others.

For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:

Surfwell: https://www.surfwell.co.uk/

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Welcome to ResetU

Joining Andy and Nathan in the studio is Gary Botterill and Clare Nicholls, two extraordinary leaders using dogs to transform mental health support in emergency services.

Gary Botterill is a Royal Navy veteran and former police officer of nearly 30 years. He co-developed the Backup Buddy police mental health app, founded Service Dogs UK after a Churchill Fellowship researching PTSD assistance dogs, and now leads the award-winning Oscar Kilo OK9 Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dogs programme through the National Police Wellbeing Service. Gary’s work brings trained dogs into police forces to reduce stigma, provide comfort, and open vital conversations about mental health.

Clare Nicholls, after 18 years in policing, has seen firsthand the importance of intentional wellbeing and human connection. Alongside her calm and loyal pup, Emmie, she supports colleagues as an OK9 Handler and Lead for Surrey & Sussex, sharing stories, smiles, and the power of a wagging tail to create safe spaces and spark meaningful conversations.

Together, they discuss the incredible impact dogs have on mental health and wellbeing, the science behind their calming effects, and the power of grassroots initiatives like OK9 to change culture in high-stress professions. Through personal stories and experiences, this episode emphasizes community, peer support, and hope, showing that sometimes, healing begins with connection… and a four-legged friend.

For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:

https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/services/wellbeing-dogs

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Welcome to ResetU

Joining Andy and Nathan are Miranda Bailey and Sam Murray to explore the transformative impact of breathwork, particularly within high-stress professions like policing.

They dive into the work being done through Breath Connection, an initiative combining breathwork practices and cold water therapy to support mental health, emotional regulation, and resilience. From practical techniques you can integrate into daily life, to the deeper physiological and psychological shifts that come from consistent practice, this episode bridges science, lived experience, and community impact.

The discussion highlights how simple tools like conscious breathing, cold exposure, and time in nature, can dramatically improve wellbeing. More than that, it reframes breathwork not just as a personal development tool, but as a pathway to compassion, empathy, and stronger community connection.

This is a conversation about regulation in chaotic environments, about self-care as service, and about creating space to breathe, literally and emotionally.

For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:

The Breath Connection

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

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