Shona Hirons | Health, Workplace Wellness & Burnout

Whilst she looks successful from the outside, Shona Hirons achievements have not come without struggle – a struggle which started pretty much when she was born. Six weeks early, she wasn’t expected to survive the night, and yet she grew up without any health concerns. Until she was 22 and suffered a mini-stroke. Whilst it wasn’t clear why she had it, she was put on blood-thinning medication and told she would be unable to have a family. Whilst initially a shock, she accepted this and threw herself headfirst into her law career.

But her health troubles didn’t stop there. At 32 she found out she had a hole in her heart which required heart surgery. Whilst frightening at the time, it meant she could come off of her medication and start a family – which she did. However, upon returning to work, she found out she had a new boss who had completely different values to her, and she had to work 80-hour weeks to keep up with her. This caused major physical and mental exhaustion, and she became very unhealthy.

She developed panic attacks, started being sick before work, and cried when she returned. One day she collapsed and could not feel her left side, with a hand that formed a claw shape. Upon being rushed to the hospital, she was told, “there’s nothing wrong with you”, and sent home, whereupon she took to her bed for the next three weeks.

With the risk of job termination hanging over her, she returned, but not at her best, meaning she was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan. This was the part that pushed her over the edge, and she left. She realised she needed to slow down, otherwise she would do herself some serious harm.

Shona discovered mindfulness, which has now helped her personally and professionally. She got a new job, but after just nine months, she was in a cycling accident where she broke bones around her orbital area, fractured her cheekbone, jaw and skull, broke her finger, damaged her hearing in one ear, and gave her moderate brain damage, leaving her in a coma for two weeks.

Shona Hirons | Suicide Prevention

This was a difficult time for Shona, and at one point, she considered taking her own life. But she returned to mindfulness and embarked on a Life Coaching course, along with an NLP, CIPD, and a Masters in the subject, as well as gaining qualifications in Advanced Nutrition and Weight Management.

Shona Hirons | Menopause

Shona’s entered early menopause at the age of 44 due to a hysterectomy stemming from a uterine cancer diagnosis. This event had yet another a profound impact on both her personal and professional life. Today, Shona has transformed her experience into a role as a mental health speaker, focusing on the challenges associated with navigating menopause.

Shona Hirons | Entrepreneur

In 2019, Shona founded Mindset in Motion, a fitness and mental wellbeing service. She helps employees, leaders, and individuals improve their own mental wellbeing, and that of their staff. It is said that UK businesses lose £56 billion per year due to mental health issues, but not every company knows how to deal with it. Shona provides business support that helps measure staff morale and improve it, if necessary, lowers levels of staff sickness, and helps increase productivity. She also helps business owners and individuals experiencing burnout, stress and exhaustion.

Shona Hirons Speaking Topics

– Mental Health

– Physical Health

– Overcoming Adversity

– Female Health and The Menopause

– Burnout

– Leadership

– Resilience

– Motivation

– Mindfulness

Shona Hirons Talk Takeaways

– If you don’t already believe in yourself, you will after hearing my talk.

– I will help you to realise the impact of goal setting.

– I will leave you feeling inspired, motivated and full of hope.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Resilience and Wellbeing Speaker Shona Hirons for your corporate event.

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