Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling

Hosted by Ann Girling

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Tales of Transformation podcast where I chat to women who share their transformational journeys and what they have learnt along the way. Hosted by Ann Girling, the Unlikely Guru, whose mission is to empower women with knowledge and inspire them to action so that they can become the healthiest and most vibrant versions of themselves. We can all learn and be inspired by their achievements and they are evidence of what’s possible when we discover what it is we really want to do and go for it! There’ll be episodes every couple of weeks, so make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out on any of these fabulous women’s stories Don’t forget to come and join my growing Facebook community of women who want to live better for longer The Unlikely Guru

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52 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 826 min

Episode 8: Margaret Bell

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 16.06.2026 Episode 8: Margaret Bell In this episode Ann’s guest is Margaret Bell, Gut Health and Hormone Health Specialist. Before I spoke to Margaret I was in awe of her depth of knowledge on a topic that affects most of us in some way or another and I was intrigued to know and understand more. So we hear her story about suffering from anorexia and how her mum was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 45. She found herself wanting to learn more and over 30 years of learning has added a range of qualifications to support her work. On top of that she also works as a retreat chef and I know, because she told me, she prepares meals for her clients I then went on to ask her how we would know if we needed her services and we got to talk about anxiety. I knew that there was a connection between the gut and the brain via the vagus nerve but I didn’t know that 90% of information travels from the gut to the brain, rather than the other way round! We also talked about seasonal eating and why it’s important and she recommended her book “Nourish Reset” if we wanted to learn more. It’s available on her website. And we ended with 5 top tips we can implement right now to support our gut health You cannot come away from this podcast without learning something! Margaret Bell is a Hormone & Gut Health Specialist, retreat chef, and author of The Nourish Reset, helping women understand what’s really going on in their bodies so they can finally stop feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, bloated, anxious, and disconnected from themselves. Through a blend of food psychology, gut and hormone health, blood work interpretation, nervous system support, and seasonal nourishment, Margaret is known for giving women their life back, helping them regain energy, confidence, clarity, and calm in a way that feels realistic, warm, and deeply supportive. She has worked as the VIP chef for Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival and supports women through retreats, online programmes, cookery experiences, and one-to-one deep dive work. You can connect with Margaret here:- Website: https://margaretbell.co.uk/ Other contact details: https://linktr.ee/wonderwomanofhormonalhealth To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit https://unlikelyguru.uk And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

June 2, 2026Episode 718 min

Episode 7: Talking about Ageing Well

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 02/06/2026 Episode 7: Talking about Ageing Well Books: Ikigai – Hector Garcia & Francesc Morales, The Changing Mind – Daniel Levitin & The Complete Guide to the Menopause - Dr Annice Mukherjee In this episode Ann discusses stress: why it happens, what is happening to our bodies and how damaging it can be. She shares her own story of her experiences of stress but goes on to describe the insidious nature of it in 21st century life. We need to learn to better care for ourselves. It is not a case of having a spa day every so often, more a case of scheduling self care activities into our daily lives. She gives us some tips, sharing the kinds of things she has learnt helps her and are now a part of her routine. The important thing to remember is that we need to care for ourselves so we can better care for others. To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit https://unlikelyguru.uk And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

May 19, 2026Episode 634 min

Episode 6: Dani Devren

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 19.05.2026 Episode 6: Dani Devren In this episode Ann’s guest is Dani Devren, Soul-Aligned Mentor and Rebellious Cheerleader for Joyful Living. For a start don’t you love Dani’s title. When I read that I was sure we were in for something very special. I would encourage you to listen to her because I was so fascinated listening to everything Dani was saying I didn’t write down much to go in these notes. There were two main themes I picked up; the first was the importance of showing up as our authentic selves whether in real life or on social media. But first you have to develop self awareness so that you get to know who you really are. And the other thing that really resonated with me was listen to what your body is telling you. It rang true for me as I know there are times when I should just walk away from my desk and see to me. I’m sure it applies to us all. Just listen to this thought provoking and highly entertaining episode Dani aka The Soul-Aligned Mentor and Rebellious Cheerleader for Joyful Living. Psychology Informed mentorship for Mind, Body & Soul evolution.Supporting women to prioritise self - whilst building personal brands that feel like home.Come and play through intimate experiences, social media monthly workshops, luxury day retreats and the Mastermind for the Spiritually Curious : The Awakening. You can connect with Dani here: Make friends with Dani here & drop her a DM to say you’ve found her here! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danidevren/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dani.devren/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danidevren/ Website/Next Retreat: https://www.danidevren.co.uk/soul-aligned-day-retreat Save 10% off my next Soul-Aligned Day Retreat in June by quoting ANN GIRLING when enquiring : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV74qHBjUHR/ To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit https://unlikelyguru.uk And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

May 5, 2026Episode 522 min

Episode 5: Stress and How We Can Help Ourselves

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 05.05.2026 Episode 5: Stress and How We Can Help Ourselves In this episode Ann discusses stress: why it happens, what is happening to our bodies and how damaging it can be. She shares her own story of her experiences of stress but goes on to describe the insidious nature of it in 21st century life. We need to learn to better care for ourselves. It is not a case of having a spa day every so often, more a case of scheduling self care activities into our daily lives. She gives us some tips, sharing the kinds of things she has learnt helps her and are now a part of her routine. The important thing to remember is that we need to care for ourselves so we can better care for others. To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit https://unlikelyguru.uk And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

April 21, 2026Episode 435 min

Episode 4: Cath Downes

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 21.04.2026 Episode 4: Cath Downes In this episode Ann’s guest is Cath Downes, Mindfulness Teacher. We talk about how Cath left teaching, which she loved, particularly because she recognised the low level stress she was living with. She learnt how calm came to her from being in the present moment and trained to become a mindfulness teacher. She gives suggestions of how we can implement mindfulness practices into the tiniest of pockets of time in her day. And she shares a mindfulness practice on the call. After 18 years in teaching, Cath reached a point many people can relate to—feeling constantly busy, yet disconnected from the life happening around her. Balancing a demanding career with family life, she realised she had been physically present but often mentally elsewhere, caught in the ongoing juggle of responsibilities. That realisation led her to mindfulness. By developing a simple daily practice and making small, intentional changes, she began to reconnect with herself and the present moment. The impact was so significant that she felt called to share what she had learned with others. Now a qualified mindfulness teacher and certified meditation leader, Cath works with individuals who want to reduce stress, gain clarity, and feel more calm and content in their everyday lives. Her approach is practical and personal, focusing on small, sustainable shifts rather than adding more to already full schedules. Through personalised offers like “Micro Mindfulness,” she helps clients build gentle, effective practices into their daily routines—whether that’s breathwork, movement, journaling, or mindful moments woven into everyday habits. She believes that lasting change comes from simple, consistent awareness—helping people slow down, tune in, and feel more present in their lives. You can connect with Cath here:- Website link: www.findyourcalm.org.uk (being updated tomorrow!) Email: cath@findyourcalm.org.uk To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit https://unlikelyguru.uk And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

April 7, 2026Episode 321 min

Episode 3: All about Ann’s Transformation Framework of Selfcare

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 07.04.2026 Episode 3: All about Ann’s Transformation Framework of Selfcare In this episode Ann shares how, having experienced her own personal transformation, she wanted to pay it forward to others. She describes how she developed her Transformation Framework, her take on selfcare, health and wellbeing. As she shares each aspect, she gives one tip. And at the end she just says if all you do is one thing then that is enough because it’s one step forward. In future episodes she and her guests will go into these topics in more detail To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit https://unlikelyguru.uk And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

March 24, 2026Episode 229 min

Episode 2: Jo Raghvani Business Coach & Property Investor

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 24.03.2026 Episode 2: Jo Raghvani Business Coach & Property Investor In this episode Ann’s guest is Jo Ragvhani Business Coach and Property Investor. She talks about how she left her corporate career in which she worked long hours and partied long hours for the sake of her health. She entered the world of property investing but found herself, like many other female business owners moving from one hamster wheel to another. She describes how over the years her ongoing personal development has helped her manage herself through the roller coaster ride of building a business and the emotional turmoil of a marriage breakdown. She recommends two books in particular: “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers and ’13 Things that Succesful People Don’t Do” by Amy Morin. This journey has led her to where she is now and has just launched her business as The Couples Business Coach working with couples running a business together whether they be actual couples, two friends, two family members etc. Finally she finishes sharing her strategies to manage her selfcare, health and wellbeing. Jo’s Bio: Jo is a fabulous aunt to 5 gorgeous nieces and nephews, a big Formula 1 fan, a shoe lover and a devourer of afternoon teas! She also happens to be a property investor and well respected business coach & mentor. After 20 years as a city girl, 13 years ago Jo decided to start building a property portfolio. She jumped into the world of entrepreneurship and business ownership, and proudly wears the cloak of success and the scars that that come with it! Her passion for coaching and mentoring others was sparked around 6 years ago, and Jo now helps both UK and internationally based investors to start and scale up their own property businesses. She brings her own very real lived experiences and health and wellbeing challenges and how she has navigated all of this to her unique coaching style You can connect with Jo here:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couples_business_coach/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-raghvani-thecouplesbusinesscoach/ To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit https://unlikelyguru.uk And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

March 10, 2026Episode 114 min

Episode 1: Ann is Back for Season 2

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Date broadcast: 10.03.2026 Episode 1: Ann is Back for Season 2 In this episode Ann shares her excitement to be back on Season 2 of her podcast which will have greater emphasis on her new found passion for selfcare, health and wellbeing. It’s going to be a mixture of Ann sharing her knowledge after 50 years working in this space. She will also be interviewing women, some of whom have more in depth knowledge of topics than she does and also some who have their own health and wellbeing stories to share In this episode Ann shares her story of experiencing stress and near burnout in the NHS, her decision to leave 8 years prior to retirement and pension and her self employment journey through working with NHS organisations, then life coaching, becoming an author, then her complete about change as she ventured into the world of network marketing, something which she knew very little about and was not part of her plan. But through that decision grew her passion for helping women thrive with their health and age well. The final twist in the tail was the creation of the Unlikely Guru through which has grown a thriving Facebook community and now a recently launched self care workbook “My Transformation Workbook”. Links to both are below along with a link to her free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share For “My Transformation Workbook” and my book “Journey to Chocolate” visit https://unlikelyguru.uk And for my free resource “Self Care Strategies that Can Change Your Life” follow this link:- subscribepage.io/selfcare-guide Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

October 7, 2025Episode 4414 min

Episode 43: All Good Things Come to an End

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Episode 43: All Good Things Come to an End Date broadcast: 7th October 2025 In this episode Ann shares how, after a stressful year following the death of her mother, she has made the difficult decision to make this episode of the podcast the last. She talks about her realisation of time passing, how you can never get it back and urges us all to be more mindful of that and most of all to make sure we all make time for our own self care and introduces the idea of creating our own self care bundles. And finally send her love to you all and gratitude for the over 40 women who gave their time to appear on the show Please stay in touch either through joining my group or through any of the other links on LinkTree below: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.

September 23, 2025Episode 4329 min

Episode 42: Journey to Becoming an Environ-mentor

Tales of Transformation with Ann Girling Episode 42: Journey to Becoming an Environ-mentor Date broadcast: 23rd September 2025 In this episode we hear how Lyn’s passion for the environment began as a teenager but grew into the business she now has as a result of having children and her concerns about their future. Listening to this will give you some great tips but also how she can help you live a more sustainable life. Her book recommendation is “Wilding” by Isabella Tree, the story of one of the first rewilding projects before it became a thing. I could say more but, honestly, the best thing you can do is listen to this and discover how one woman is making a significant difference in the world in a very gentle, non judgmental way Lyn set up ECO for ALL with the sole purpose of supporting anyone who would like to live more sustainably but is stuck on the next steps. She is passionate about making eco-friendly living as easy and affordable as possible so created her RAMP up your Sustainability program to share Realistic, Affordable, Manageable and Practical ways we can make small changes to everyday habits. As a working mum of 2 busy kids, Lyn is acutely aware that reducing the overwhelm around this important subject is vital so her program is a supportive and flexible space to learn how to do your bit. Having been conscious of how her family lives for many years, Lyn is able to advise on trusted brands, recycling tips and how being more eco-friendly has positive impact on our health. Lyn also runs educational workshops for purpose led businesses - she shares eco-lifestyle tips for employees to make around the home - leaving them feeling more empowered and aligned with the companies ethos. It's also an important way of reducing eco-anxiety and will create a healthier home by reducing toxins so will actively benefit the wellbeing of their employees. You can connect with Lyn here: https://eco-for-all.co.uk/services/#group https://eco-for-all.co.uk/corporate/ To connect with me and join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unlikelyguru/?ref=share https://linktr.ee/AnnGirling Thank you for listening to Tales of Transformation! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends.