Episode #020 Podcasthon Special with Guest Denise Greene of Beyond Boundaries Foundation

Midlife Unlimited® is proud to be taking part in the Podcasthon charity initiative by joining its podcasting for good mission.

So join your Host Kate Porter The Midlife Metamorphosis Coach® for this Midlife Unlimited® Podcasthon episode where she’s joined by Denise Greene Founder and CEO of Beyond Boundaries Foundation who shares the story behind her new charity and how you can get involved. 

With the motto “Don’t just exist – choose to live”, Beyond Boundaries Foundation’s mission is simple but powerful: to provide access to life-changing complementary therapies and techniques for vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.

The fully registered charity is passionate and focused on helping to relieve suffering and support rehabilitation for those facing physical, emotional, and mental health challenge - all as part of an integrated approach with mainstream medicine.

Denise said: “Every person we help brings us closer to transforming lives because everyone deserves the chance to thrive beyond boundaries.

“But we can’t do it alone. We need passionate practitioners, business sponsors, and individual supporters to join us.”

Podcasthon is the world’s largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters globally to raise awareness for charitable causes.

Connect with Denise and Beyond Boundaries Foundation

https://www.beyondboundariesfoundation.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-greene-70751a16/

email 

hello@beyondboundariesfoundation.org

Find out more about Podcasthon

https://www.podcasthon.org/

Transcript

SPEAKER_02: 0:02

Welcome to Midlife Unlimited, the podcast for women who want more. I'm your host, Kate Porter, the midlife metamorphosis coach, and I know what it feels like to be stuck navigating the midlife maze. I've looked in the mirror and thought, who is that woman? So Midlife Unlimited is here to let you know you are not alone. You don't have to put on a brave face and put up with it. You don't have to play it safe. Midlife Unlimited is all about ripping off that mask and telling midlife how it really is, smashing stereotypes, busting myths and misbehaving, because our second spring is our time to shine our way. So welcome to today's episode, which is rather special. Because this week, Midlife Unlimited is celebrating the power of podcasting for good by joining podcasts worldwide to take part in Podcastthon, a groundbreaking non-profit initiative that brings together podcasters globally to raise awareness of charities by using technology, storytelling and community to inspire millions, hopefully, of listeners to To care, to act and to make a difference, one podcast at a time. So I am delighted to be dedicating this episode to a cause I care about, as I'm joined by my guest and friend, Denise Green, founder of Beyond Boundaries Foundation, to share the story of her new charity and how you can get involved. So welcome, Denise.

SPEAKER_00: 1:51

Thank you, Katie. And thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be here. And I do have to say it's quite significant for me. Not only is this about charities, not only are we at the start of spring, but this is my first experience of being on a podcast. So thank you so much.

SPEAKER_02: 2:08

Well, I am quite honoured. that you're joining me today for this very special episode and popping your podcast cherry, shall we say. Firstly, congratulations on turning your vision into reality. How does it feel now that it's a thing?

SPEAKER_00: 2:28

Well, at this point, I have to say, amazing. But I will say that on the 24th of January, when that email popped in, that we'd finally achieved registration after a year and a half, I did feel a bit like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

SPEAKER_02: 2:44

I bet, because it wasn't a straightforward process, was it? I mean, I've been following your journey quite closely, and I know it's been a labour of love, but it's your vision, isn't it?

SPEAKER_00: 2:54

A hundred percent. And I mean, for good reason, it's not a straightforward process founding a charity. They have to make it very clear, very specific in terms of the guidelines and how it's managed, et cetera. But what I would say is it's definitely not the faint hearted. So having the passion and commitment, I'm not someone that once I start something, I give up, which I'm sure you're Well, you know, but you'd ask me about. But once we started on that journey to get that registration through, it was just I'm not taking no for an answer. So anything that was needed, we just did the work we had to get through because it's not about one person. A charity is always about the many. So we had to make it happen. We just had to keep going. And we did.

SPEAKER_02: 3:46

And I love that. It epitomises everything you're about. And you'll be revealing more about it. the Denise behind the charity later on. But for those that haven't seen your posts, they're gorgeous. And the website, which I will be directing listeners to later and how they can get involved, how they can be supportive. What is Beyond Boundaries Foundation all about? What is your mission? So

SPEAKER_00: 4:15

the mission is, as succinctly as I can put it, to ensure that the vulnerable in our society, people struggling, whether that's through illness or a life situation, that are challenged with physical, mental and emotional health challenges at this point in their life, can access and be able to use resources within the complementary and holistic health sector. It's something that at the moment is very much a private sector. You have to pay for most of these techniques, these therapies, et cetera. And so I believe there's a huge, void in society of those that can and cannot access it and so the mission is to make sure that those that need it whatever their life situation can access it

SPEAKER_02: 5:14

no i love that that's so powerful and it really is going to be life-changing and i love the the mission quote that you use don't just exist, choose to live. And I think that not only encompasses everything that Beyond Boundaries Foundation is about, but everything you're about as well. And again, we'll come more to that later. But firstly, I'd like to touch on the whole wellness thing, because sadly, like so many words these days, like authentic, it's become a bit of a buzzword, hasn't it? I mean, I don't know if it's just the bubble that we exist in, but I think you're with me you feel quite passionately that it's vital it's not just a trend

SPEAKER_00: 5:55

yes well-being does seem to be a fashion statement almost at the moment people talk about it as yes I believe in it or I do it etc but for me it's not that it's not a phase that we go through in life or it's something that we choose to then do looking after your well-being is a whole person approach. Like I said earlier, it's physical, mental and emotional. And it doesn't matter what stage of life you are at. You know, looking after that whole person is what I understand wellbeing to mean. So, yeah, it's not something that you should pick and choose. It should be part of your everyday life, your lifestyle, investing in your own wellbeing.

SPEAKER_02: 6:38

Absolutely. I mean, obviously in my role as a coach myself, mindset and mindfulness really underpins that um but there are so many different elements that are not just self-care they're literally it's self-preservation but again i always say when we feel fabulous everything and everyone else benefits it's not a selfish thing and if if people say is let's use selfish in a positive way

SPEAKER_00: 7:07

It's an investment in yourself. It's not selfish to ensure that you are firing on as many cylinders as you can on a daily basis. Yes, we have challenges, but by focusing on what helps us, what fuels us, what makes us tick, what drives us, it's not just ourselves. So that's not selfish, is it? Because if we're at our best... that's contagious in a good way. You know, when someone's on four, you know, if you walk into a room and you're shining because you're feeling good, everyone, it lifts the mood. It lifts, you know, the energy, as I would call it, in that space. So it's not just for ourselves that we do it. It's for the impacts that we have on wider society as well.

SPEAKER_02: 7:56

No, I'm completely with you on that. And having that self-awareness to actually be able to listen to our emotional, mental and physical needs and not just put them on the back burner. And I know your charity isn't specifically for women in midlife, but that is something that we do encounter at that time. We're so used to putting ourselves second place, third place, fourth place that hopefully our episode as well as women wanting to get involved with supporting the charity it's a good little wake-up call a good little reminder to take that me time to actually focus on us and uh think what do i need right now and

SPEAKER_00: 8:38

it's interesting because a lot of the the people i see in my own work life outside the charity um a lot of the people that i see are women who have come to the point where They have spent years and years committing their time and their energy to loved ones, to family, et cetera. And we get to that point where we go, what's next? Who am I? What is it I want? What makes me tick? So, you know, it's that reconnection with yourself that also makes you realize that you are entitled to look after yourself. You are entitled to that whole person wellness and to enjoy doing it, that you deserve it. So I agree with you completely. It's huge. I mean, I would say I've also realized over the last few years, the number of men that also realized come middle age. Hang on a minute. Let me work out who I am again. And I love the fact that people are more and more open to that today than they were 10, 15 years ago.

SPEAKER_02: 9:40

No, so do I. And I say that's one of the things that Midlife Unlimited is all about, having those conversations so that women listening, you're not alone. You're not just, you don't have to just sit there thinking these things and thinking, does anyone else understand? Yes, we're here. Come and join

SPEAKER_00: 9:56

us. The majority of people will understand because we all get to that point in whatever midlife is for us, don't we? And we think, oh, what next? And that's why it's not just, right, we're moving on to the next chapter and it goes on. one way only it doesn't it's forward upwards you know got lots of years left in us you know

SPEAKER_02: 10:16

oh absolutely here's to making the most of them every moment now you've already given a hint of your why and i know you again it's become a buzzword but i think it is important when you're especially setting out on turning a vision into reality to get clear on your why But it'd be lovely if you could share some of your backstory. And there's a lovely quote on your website, because obviously I'm a bit nosy like that. Well, I'm getting involved

SPEAKER_00: 10:45

as well. Glad you read it.

SPEAKER_02: 10:48

And I don't know if it's a quote from yourself or if it's come, but it's beautiful. And to me, it sums up you and the charity. Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations. And I think from what I know about your journey, pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

SPEAKER_00: 11:06

Yes, it does. I will share as much as I can, as succinctly as I can. I have had a journey that has been my whole life, essentially, in terms of what I call speed bumps. And a long time ago, when I started working in the complementary sector, I also decided that there was no such thing as an obstacle. It was a speed bump, because a speed bump will slow us down We go over it carefully and then we move forward. And I chose that that was the way I wanted to address anything that hit me in life, whether it be, you know, grief when I lost my father at 16 or my mum at 36. You know, when those things happen to you in life, you've got to slow down. You've got to address them and choose to move forward. And That continued throughout adult life and various situations. But really what brought the charity about, and it's very timely because it is four years ago this month, but things started to really shift and crash for me. I'd had COVID. I'd been recovering from that. I ended up having... vaccines that I needed because I was working in a job that required them. My DNA, unfortunately, and the health challenges, if you like, that that brought have meant a complete upheaval and change in lifestyle for me. So over the course of four years, I have collected multiple medical labels. So rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, functional neurological disorder, and most recently, autonomic dysfunction, which really affects your ability to be mobile, to stand, and to function. If you bring all the symptoms of all those labels together, the reality and the prognosis wasn't amazing and it meant a complete slowdown and I did I did cross a speed bump and I still do each time a new label comes along and have to address how I'm going to manage it but my decision was I am not going to get stuck doing nothing, unable to go out, unable to function, work was limited, et cetera. I didn't want to just accept that I had to take this medication and slow down completely and not live. It was about existing. That's not to say that I don't believe in mainstream medicine. I absolutely do. But I believe that it has to be part of an integrated approach. with complimentary therapies because the two together look after the whole person. And so that's the approach that I took because, and that's where that tagline on the website comes from. I chose that not to just exist. I want to live my life. It's a gift. I firmly believe it's a gift. And therefore we have to make the most of whatever our lives look like because we're all different. And so my reality and what life means to me will be different to you and everybody else listening. It's not that there is a stereotypical way of living. Does that make sense? Absolutely. And so I started to work with various therapies that I already knew because I have taught and worked in meditation and mindfulness and that sort of thing for a number of years. So I was lucky in the sense that I had resources within my own toolkit, as I call it, to help me manage some of the situations because with labels like that comes an awful lot of emotional work and support that you need to do for yourself as well. But I'm also lucky because I work in a sector which means that I have fabulous friends who are also practitioners and have been very generous with supporting me with therapies and treatments, et cetera, to help me make the most of my life and to live and not just exist. And so along that journey, I realized it must be just over a year and a half ago now that there was a huge void because I know that the clients that come and see me are able to access my services. I know that the clients that go and see my friends can. And I realized that with my life having been turned upside down and the impact that had on what i could or couldn't afford what you know what i could access but most people can't and so when i took back my power as i would say i realized it was time to use it for good i was fortunate i had all those people within my circle and i still meet new people who are very generous who want to support me. But that means pay it forward. And so that's my approach and why the charity is personal to me and why it came to be, because I believe it's my turn now to pay that forward.

SPEAKER_02: 16:56

No, I love that. And that's why I'm delighted to be getting involved in any way I can as well. So pay it forward. Let's give some more details of how listeners can get involved how they can pay it forward and how if they feel that they would benefit from the services what services and offer and talk me through it okay let me

SPEAKER_00: 17:22

try and break this down there are different ways that people can get involved and the structure of beyond boundaries means that we are we are focused on being a sustainable charity we are focused on doing that by building a community of people that work within the complementary and holistic health sector who believe that not just in the benefit of what they're doing but believe that by coming together we are more powerful as a huge community than as one and i firmly believe that so what we're what our aim is what we are doing is asking people who are practitioners coaches like yourself to collaborate with us and in that sense we are asking for them to donate um some content for the online resource hub that we're building that can be anything from a three-minute video to a half hour video. Most videos we're asking 10, 15 minutes max because for somebody coming on, it's bite size, it's workable. And we're asking them to do that, to support us with the various concerns that we are supporting beneficiaries, people within that resource hub for free. The goal is also to run workshops and talk and events, well-being events. And for those, we would ask the community that are willing to work for a not-for-profit rate to come on board as well to say, yes, I'm happy to do a workshop for a not-for-profit rate. Because it's just for charity, we have to make sure that everything we do is obviously not-for-profit. But to make it sustainable, we know that they need to pay their overhead. So we're hoping by doing that, we can bring in a whole community of people. And it doesn't matter where they are geographically, because a lot of the BuzzHub is online, so they can get involved from anywhere. Even if it's an in-person event, geography should not be a limitation, should it? So we're happy for people to come on board wherever they might be in the UK. What I would also say is that we are firm believers that if you're coming on board and you're doing that and you want to share with people that you support charity, that that is your belief, that you are of the same mindset as us in terms of paying it forward. And we have a collaborate badge that people can put it on their email or put it on their website. People can see that they are supporting a charity. But it's realistic. We're not asking people to do all of this instead of their own job. And that is the point. You know, if you support one charity, but lots of people are working with us and supporting us, it doesn't stop them earning the income they need to survive. And most people that I've spoken to already say, I love it. because I always want to do more and I always want to help people, but I can't do as much as I would like to do because of income, et cetera. So that's why that's sustainable. We are also looking for individual sponsors. So that BuzzHub that I mentioned, the online resource hub, we are going to ask individuals who are interested in accessing it to sponsor the charity.£10 a month for access to it. So it helps us fundraise. So it helps us bring that pool of funds together to pay those, that community of coaches and practitioners to pay it forward. Does that make sense?

SPEAKER_02: 21:25

No,

SPEAKER_00: 21:26

absolutely. And then we also are looking for business sponsors. People, whether it's a small, a medium or a large company, business to come on board, if they resonate with our mission, plus if they want to address their social responsibility, if they want to invest in the well-being of their employees, what better way to do it than to have a charity come in and deliver a workshop or a wellness event for their employees supporting their health and well-being. or pay for them to have access to the online resource hub, knowing that a significant amount of what they are paying as sponsorship is also being paid forward to deliver that, to beneficiate to people who are in vulnerable situations who cannot afford to access it. There's lots of benefits to employers, business people for charitable donations. it that way. So there's multifaceted approaches being made or being taken to make the charity drive to move forward. We are looking for a headline sponsor and three key sponsors that will help us with core funding as well as the project base but it's a discussion to be had This is something that is for the long term and there is no reason. And you'll notice when I say we, I don't talk about this as me. I talk about this as we. I see the charity being something that can grow and people can have a hub in different parts of the UK running it. This isn't about one person. This is about society coming together. My role has been to start the process. but it's not that I have to be everywhere doing everything. I can't, there's no way it would thrive. So it's about people coming together to affect really positive, meaningful change.

SPEAKER_02: 23:35

I love that. I love that because it needed you to have the vision. It needed you to... My microphone's playing up. I've had that before. I just carry on talking as long as you can still hear me. As I was saying, it's all about community. You had the vision. You took that step. But now I can see Beyond Boundaries is going to grow and thrive and flourish and on so many levels as well, like you said. And what I love as well is the clarity there. You've talked it through beautifully then. And it makes sense. I could see immediately how this all, it's like a beautiful jigsaw. And there are so many different ways that people can get involved, not only by getting the support, but as you say, paying it forward. Wellness and wellbeing in the workplace is amazing. brilliantly on the increase and I think this is so perfectly timed for companies for firms for individuals that are looking to help make working more enjoyable get the best out of yourself and your team and that is so important isn't it because how many hours do we spend at work do

SPEAKER_00: 24:54

you know it's it's very interesting doing this whole

SPEAKER_02: 24:58

um

SPEAKER_00: 24:58

achieving the registration because the amount of research that I've done and the things that I've learned. I mean, in terms of the structure, I was 26 years in the corporate sector. So that whole must be sustainable, must be viable, must have the ability to grow was essential for me when that light bulb happened. But one of the interesting things that really popped up to me when I was doing the research and I was thinking about how it would benefit business owners to support the charity. And I was looking at some of the statistics and it was actually one of the trustees that shared with me that anxiety is actually one of the biggest challenges in the workplace for employees. So whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, a huge proportion of the workforce are impacted by anxiety in their everyday lives. And An individual who struggles with anxiety on average in the UK has been recognized as 57.4 days per year less productive than somebody that doesn't struggle with it. So the power is with the employer to get that workshop done, to give those employees the toolkit, the resources they need to help them manage that anxiety. that pays dividends to the employer as well. And it creates a loyal workforce because they realize that it's not just about numbers for that employer. It's about the impact that their work is having on the employees and that support. And I think that's the way forward in the UK generally as well for employers. It's to really empower their staff to reach, and I go again with the same thing, beyond the boundaries that they started in that job with and to empower them to flourish.

SPEAKER_02: 27:01

No, I love that. I love that. It just makes so much sense. It's so needed. The big question is, what is the first step for all the fabulous women and maybe men you're allowed to tune in? We welcome you that are listening now that think I need to find out. I need to get in touch with Denise. I need to get involved with Beyond Boundaries Foundation. What's the first step?

SPEAKER_00: 27:24

It's easy. You can't really forget the website. It's beyondboundariesfoundation.org. Just keep in mind that we're a charity, so it's a.org at the end, but beyondboundariesfoundation.org. On that, you will see all the various different ways of getting involved, what we're doing, how we work. There is a collaborate page if some of the fabulous people They can go to that collaborate page. They can find out the therapies and the concerns that we're using and addressing. And they can get in touch that way if it's a potential sponsor or somebody who's just interested in, say, volunteering to help us get things moving. The contact page is there. So it's, again, very simple. If they don't want to go to the website, it's also really easy. Hello at beyondboundariesfoundation.org. Keeping it simple.

SPEAKER_02: 28:23

Oh, that's brilliant. That's brilliant. And I will remind listeners later on, but all your contact details will be on the show notes for this episode and on the Midlife Unlimited podcast website, where you have your own little glorious profile with all your details there. So thank you again, Denise, for joining us today on Midlife Unlimited. Firstly, two things. pop your podcast cherry, and I hope you're enjoying yourself. Secondly, for sharing all about your story and Beyond Boundaries Foundations. But I'm not going to let you escape without answering the same three questions that I ask all my fabulous female guests. So if you're sitting comfortably, I will begin with question one. What is your midlife anthem? The piece of music that fires you up, that when you hear it, you say, yes, this is me. This is my song.

SPEAKER_00: 29:22

Probably will not come as a surprise to many, but the song is called Fight Song and it's by Rachel Platten. And the lyrics are, this is my fight song, take back my life song. And for the last few years it has, and even before all of this, but with things that happened in my life, it's been my anthem. And it's a fabulous song, honestly, to play in the car so that you can sing along at top voice, you know, top volume and listen to the lyrics in it. It's very meaningful.

SPEAKER_02: 30:00

I don't think I'm going to have to go and check that out. I love the sound of

SPEAKER_00: 30:04

that. You know, it's a real beat. I'm not going to sing to you. I wouldn't do that to you or the people listening.

SPEAKER_02: 30:11

It's been known before, singing, a bit of swearing. That's what we're all

SPEAKER_00: 30:18

about. Trust me, you don't want to.

SPEAKER_02: 30:23

Well, now I want to see if there are any rude words in your midlife mantra. Maybe there are.

SPEAKER_00: 30:31

I'm afraid not. So I actually have been saying the same thing for a while now. And it's based on a song, again, a song that will be memorable to a lot of women. And I've changed one word in it because I feel it's really important in life to be yourself. and to really be true to yourself and to love yourself for who you are, whatever challenges life faces. So it is, I am strong. I am invincible. I am me. Instead of, I am woman.

SPEAKER_02: 31:19

That is beautiful.

SPEAKER_00: 31:22

Very powerful. That is another song where, you know, I listen to it. But obviously, I just sing along with I am woman. But for this one, it's I am me.

SPEAKER_02: 31:34

No. Love it. Love it. Here's to being us. Because there's only one of us. We are the one and only. So shine bright. Shine bright. Absolutely. So I think if it's not already in the pipeline, this might become a thing quite soon. And I look forward to reading it. What is the title of your autobiography?

SPEAKER_00: 31:59

I'm intrigued to see your reaction to this. It's simple. It's three words. Bring it on. Yes.

SPEAKER_02: 32:14

I'm punching the air, listeners. I'm punching the air. Absolutely. Oh, what's the worst that can happen, eh?

SPEAKER_00: 32:23

What else can you say? Bring it on. That's what life's about, you know, lessons and journeys and fighting back and being yourself. So whatever comes next, bring it on.

SPEAKER_02: 32:37

Well, talking of what comes next, I'm excited for you. I'm excited for what you've created. I'm excited for all the fabulous people, myself included, that are going to be getting involved. So here's

SPEAKER_01: 32:49

to you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_02: 32:49

Here's to Beyond Boundaries Foundation. And again, all your contact details will be in the episode show notes and on the Midlife Unlimited podcast website. So just remind us one more time of the website address, please. that is wonderful so go and check out the website it's beautifully designed as well absolutely gorgeous and how can you connect with me well firstly I'd love your feedback on this special episode um It would be fabulous if you could perhaps leave a review even, or you can email me or text me via the link in the show notes and come and join the Midlife Unlimited podcast Facebook group. Denise is there. Well, we continue the conversation. Again, the links in the show notes and also you'll find the website link. And on there, you'll find details of my midlife metamorphosis coaching, a special offer just for listeners. So thank you so much for joining me today, Denise. I've loved it. And I'm so thrilled that you've helped Midlife Unlimited be part of Podcast Film this year. Thank you for

SPEAKER_00: 34:07

listening.

SPEAKER_02: 34:08

Sorry.

SPEAKER_00: 34:09

Thank you. All I was going to say is, can I just say thank you so much for having me along today, but also for your intentions, for your support with the charity. It means an awful lot. I know that what you do for women on a regular basis empowers them and so I'm I'm really grateful that not only did you invite me along to as you put it pop my podcast cherry with you um but we will be working together and we will have your support as we move forward and grow thank you

SPEAKER_02: 34:41

oh that's so lovely of you to say oh oh no better together hashtag yeah well thank you for listening thank you for being here louise gosh did you see you've blown my mind now i look forward to you all tuning in again next week because don't forget there's a new midlife unlimited episode every thursday available wherever you listen to your podcasts so here's to living midlife unlimited because when we come together there's no limit to what we can achieve thanks so much denise bye