Season 3 #E15: Harrison Ward - From Addiction to Adventure: The Fell Foodie’s Recipe for Joy
For Harrison Ward, otherwise known as the Fell Foodie, the mountains are his solace, his gym and his kitchen. Harrison began suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts during puberty and discovered alcohol, whilst working in multiple roles in the hospitality trade, as a coping mechanism, drinking up to 20 pints a day and taking up smoking full time as he battled his mental illness. In 2016, when his relationship broke down, he vowed to get sober, remove alcohol from his life, stop smoking and really try and turn things around. He filled the void left by alcohol with the combination of hiking and cooking, gradually tackling more and more of the Lake District fells. He has always loved cooking from a very young age and used to cook with his grandmother. From the age of 10 he studied cookbooks and cooking shows quite religiously. Harrison began sharing his culinary adventures via social media in 2017 and soon captured people’s imaginations, using a stove and simple ingredients to create hearty but delicious meals. After being sober for two years in 2018, Harrison shared the full background to his story with his followers, including how he had lived with mental health issues and struggled with alcohol.Harrison’s profile on social media has continued to grow as he also gained coverage in the news and on TV. He now has thousands of followers and continues to share his experience of mental health and open-air cooking online and via the media, as well as to corporate clients and schools. www.fellfoodie.co.uk Instagram @fellfoodie Many people struggle with life’s challenges and their mental health — some sadly lose that battle, while others find a way to turn things around. I’m not someone who cries easily, but listening to Harrison’s story moved me to tears, twice. Harrison has lifted himself out of depression and alcohol addiction and now lives with a remarkable sense of joy and purpose. He’s discovered his passions — being in nature, cooking, adventure, taking on new challenges, and building community — and his zest for life is truly infectious. After hearing this conversation, I hope it inspires everyone to take small, positive steps to reclaim their own joy. Spending time in nature is a gift we all have access to, and creativity lives within us all. What better way to express that than cooking and sharing a meal outdoors, surrounded by fresh air and good company? Harrison’s story is a reminder that even when life feels dark, there is always a path back to light, connection, and hope.Date of episode recording: 2025-06-24T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.11.16Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Harrison Ward, The Fell FoodieProducer: Joyce Harper
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Season 3 #E11: Deborah Ives – Solo traveller and adventure maker
Deborah has always loved to travel, which for 20 years she did with her husband. When she found herself unexpectedly divorced 15 years ago, she decided that if she wanted to have the kinds of holidays she enjoyed she would have to take a leap of faith and travel solo. She didn’t want to backpack or share a room and she didn’t want to be herded around in a group following a strict, inflexible itinerary, but she did want to be safe and have some fun. So she set up Solo In Style with the idea of connecting like-minded women to encourage and support one another with their solo travels. Alongside a successful 30-year career in marketing, fine wine and culinary arts, Deb, now aged 65, continues to expand Solo in Style globally to support and encourage as many women as possible to fulfil their solo travel ambitions. Deb has a huge following on social media – follow her if you want to explore solo travel. Facebook – Solo in Style Instagram @soloinstyle Welcome to the first podcast in the mini-series on Reclaiming Joy. Have you been dreaming of travelling more, exploring new places, or going on an adventure? Maybe you're craving some quality time alone. You're not the only one—and that’s where Solo in Style can help. Founded by Deb, who followed her own passion for travel, it now supports thousands of women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s in finding their perfect getaway. If you’ve never travelled alone before, it can feel a little daunting. Where do you even begin? With over 15 years of experience, Deb and her supportive community are here to guide you. Whether you're unsure where to go or how to plan your first solo trip, you’ll find plenty of advice, encouragement, and inspiration. For many, a short break within the UK is a great way to start and build confidence. For others, it’s about heading somewhere new and exciting—many of Deb’s followers have already explored destinations all over the world. Not all solo travellers are single. Some are in relationships but choose to travel alone because their partner prefers a different kind of holiday. You could compromise… or you could create the adventure you’ve always dreamed of. Solo travel brings a unique kind of joy—and more and more women are discovering it. Solo in Style is more than just a travel community; it's a welcoming space where you can connect with like-minded women who are also embracing the freedom of going solo. So if this has been on your mind, don’t wait. Join the Solo in Style community and let the adventures begin.Date of episode recording: 2025-04-24T00:00:00ZDuration: 00.52.59Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Deborah IvesProducer: Joyce Harper
Welcome to season 2 of the podcast - Why didn’t anyone tell me this? This podcast is about health education with an emphasis on reproductive health. We do not cover these topics enough in school or beyond. Joyce Harper and her guests want to give you the tools to empower you to live a healthy, happy and fulfilled life. And on the way, we will debunk some of the myths around our health. This podcast will include a wide range of amazing guests, discussing topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health, happiness, cancer, periods, fertility, infertility, fertility treatment, preconception health, pregnancy, miscarriage, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause and much more. Joyce is a cold-water swimmer so expect some episodes about swimming! They will tell you about their work and life journey, what are the key messages they want you to know, their motivation, what makes them happy and their advice to their younger self. Joyce Harper is an award-winning author, educator, academic, and scientist with over 30 years’ experience in reproductive health. She is Professor of Reproductive Science at the Institute for Women’s Health at University College London where she heads the Reproductive Science and Society group. Her latest book, Your Fertile Years, is published by Sheldon Press, 2021. She is chair of the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration (www.eshre.eu/IRHEC) and co-chair of the UK Fertility Education Initiative. She is founder of Reproductive Health at Work. Further information at www.joyceharper.com.
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