Steph Barnicoat - From blue mind therapy to SUPpup adventures

Steph Barnicoat is a Marine Biologist, Environmentalist and Paddle Board instructor living on the gorgeous Cornish Coast. When she’s not working or volunteering for various marine life charities you can find Steph out on her paddleboard either giving a lesson, leading a tour or just out on the water with her Dog Percy filling up on Blue Mind therapy that Steph speaks so pasisonaly about in this episode. 

Find Steph on Instagram - @steph_paddler_adventurer / @supwithsteph

Steph's website - https://supwithsteph.wixsite.com/website

You can find this episode on iTunes, Spotify and many other podcast platform 💙

 If you have any questions or would like to suggest a guest please get in touch! You can email India via indiapearsonclarke@gmail.com or send a message via Instagram  @india_outdoors / @finandflow / www.indiapearson.co.uk

~Music - Caleb Howard Almond / @oakandalmondcarpentry 

You can find this episode on iTunes, Spotify and many other podcast platform

If you have any questions or would like to suggest a guest please get in touch! You can email India via indiapearsonclarke@gmail.com or send a message via Instagram @india_outdoors / @finandflow / www.indiapearson.co.uk

~Music - Caleb Howard Almond / @oakandalmondcarpentry

Transcript

India Pearson  0:01  
Hello, I'm India and welcome to start a record. The podcast that celebrates moving in nature is the I believe it was a made when we connect movement with nature, not only for our mind and body, but also the environment too. And on this series I'm speaking to some amazing guests that share that passion. I have their own story to tell. All right, time to introduce this week's guest.

Steph bland code is a marine biologist, environmentalist and paddleboard instructor living on the gorgeous Cornish coast. When she's not working or volunteering for various marine life charities, you can find it out in her paddleboard, either giving a lesson leading a tour or just out on the water with her dog Percy filling up on Blue Mine therapy that Steph speaks so passionately about in this episode. Welcome star to Red Bull, how are you?

Steph Barnicoat  0:53  
Oh, good. Thank you. And thank you for inviting me to join Sam. Great to be here.

India Pearson  1:00  
Oh, it's really really amazing to have you see your fellow Hapa paddleboard ambassador, which is kind of how we've connected. And yeah, I'm really really grateful for you taking the time to chat to me stay we've got to get through Percy being one of them.

Steph Barnicoat  1:21  
I knew I knew I wouldn't get through this.

India Pearson  1:26  
Right. Well, don't worry, Percy, we're going to be getting on to your section a little bit later on. But let's first make a start by if you could introduce yourself, kind of tell us a little bit about your background, and how you came to where you are today.

Steph Barnicoat  1:41  
Okay, so I'm Steph, I am. Well, I guess I work in marine science as specialised in marine mammals. And I've always been fascinated with the ocean. And I think yeah, one year I was just like, right, I'm gonna go and buy a paddleboard because, well, I need I need my sea time back because I used to work offshore. And I love being out at sea and paddle boarding. There's lots of different styles of paddle boarding. Obviously, my favourite is just going out in the bay basically on the sea and just not racing or anything like that. So I knew it was quite easily accessible for me. And so yeah, I went out and bought a half a paddle boards, because they were the closest company and I just went and picked it up. And yeah, I started paddle boarding and then kind of built up a bit of an Instagram account because like on my personal one, people were just getting very bored to see paddle boarding pictures. And yeah, well, it seemed became an addiction. And then it kind of led me to progress that into more of a part time job and some other projects as well.

India Pearson  2:51  
Yeah, absolutely. Which we're going to dive into in this episode. I can't wait to hear a little bit more about but obviously you are you're based out on the Cornish coast as well, which is just paddleboarding paradise. Super, super jealous about that. But yeah, you've turned the sort of passion that started with you just wanting to, I guess enjoy the water into a business alongside your work as a marine scientist as well, is that right? That's right. Yeah. So tell us a little bit about why and how that happened. And how you kind of balance it between the both because I do have obviously, as somebody who is a paddleboard yoga instructor, I do understand when you turn your passion into a business, and there's that kind of balance between doing it for yourself and doing it for others. And it's one of the reasons why actually, I've not ever taken a full instructor course because I'm still kind of protecting my little like, I just like to go out and proud of myself. And so yeah, I'd love to hear a little bit more about that.

Steph Barnicoat  4:01  
So I think with especially with COVID, we all had to work from home. So I was actually saving three hours every day from not driving to the office. Because it my office was in a captain in Devon, and as you say, I'm based in Cornwall, I did think about moving to a captain or near the office numerous times, but my life is very much in Cornwall, and I need to be by the sea. So I couldn't do it. And yeah, they respected that. So when we were working from home, it was great to have this extra time. And that kind of gave me a bit of a boost. And by where after I bought one pedal board I bought a second one. And then I was always taking friends out and I was teaching friends. And then they got they fell in love of it. Some of them went out and bought their own and I just thought you know what, this is really nice. I love taking people out and then so I kind of thought I can do Do this as a part time business on the side of my full time job. So I did my instructor course with what skills Academy. And the great thing when I was based in New key is you've got the ganool history. So on spring tides, we get high tides first thing in the morning and then in the evening. So that's primarily when I run my tours is on spring tide, so every other week, and it's before and after work. So July and August gets extremely busy with all the holiday makers. But I just find it really rewarding. taking people out finding out what they want from it. You know, loads of people, especially this year are like, do I have to stand up? I'm like, No, we'll do whatever you want. It's your it's all about the experience of being on the water. You don't have a session with me and then you are not a military like stand up, you know. And I also do private lessons. And my first client she she has MS. And she used to run a lot but she's had to give up her running. And she just wasn't sure if she had if she could do paddleboarding. And like we got her standing out. I took a video, showed it to her and sent it to her and her husband had tears watching her. And I was like, oh my god, I could do I could do this for free. And it just made me so happy to see people how they feel after they've like bit had their experience wherever they're standing up on their knees. So it's really nice to do that. It's tiring, as well, as you can imagine, you know that. But when I'm out, it doesn't feel like work.

India Pearson  6:34  
Yeah, I totally get that. It's so, so interesting. You say that about not having to stand up to be really enjoying it. I actually, this afternoon went out with my dad for the first time, paddleboarding. And he's got a bad knee and who was that? I'm sorry, I don't know if I'm gonna be able to stand up. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. He sort of apologising. I was like, gosh, ah, sometimes I copy by the sound of like a sit down paddle. It's great fun. And so yeah, and he had a lovely, lovely time. And he was so grateful. And he Yeah, I could just see it in his eyes because I could have stayed out on the water all afternoon. And I think that's one of the most magical things about paddleboarding actually is how accessible it is to so many people you know, it's it's you don't need to be doing miles and miles you don't need to be able to race fast or even stand up you just it's about being out in the water enjoying enjoying that. And speaking of which, can you describe your first time on the water on a panel

Steph Barnicoat  7:44  
on a paddleboard and I've had a couple of times where I've hired a board before but for me the the magical the magic happened was on my half a paddle boards when I bought that. And I had to wait like it feels like forever for the weather conditions to be right. But finally, it was an I went out a crack of dawn a puppy and beach. And this, this was the first time for me that I was out doing it on my own. And being responsible for myself I was standing out I didn't fall in. And that to me, I was like I haven't made I haven't just thrown 500 pounds down the drain I have made a good investment and that that moment is always so magical. And that's why I can never sell that boards. Like I still use it now and go to fourth pin and I'm like this is like five years ago and it still gives me that magical feeling but what is it and probably the one you've got a bit an older version so the oxygen blue.

India Pearson  8:45  
Yeah, I love it. It's great. I like it was asked if I wanted to have a little upgrade as it no actually I quite like this because

Steph Barnicoat  8:55  
I bought the cars for the business. Yeah only because it was the only two they had in stock. I wanted the pink Hawaiian Hawaiian theme one but when I got the car I was like oh my god, I love this boat. And for myself. I said to Dan it happened like this is so like the improvement from the board. I bought the company as before. I could just see it yeah, really great. And so that's mine and Percy's favourite board.

India Pearson  9:23  
Yeah it's very good a person is Keith isn't it so he's he's your sub pack? Yeah. Obviously many little adventures with you. Were like how did that happen then has it he had

Steph Barnicoat  9:41  
Percy was never really part of my plan. So I am I was always looking after a friend's dog and then I did wasn't needed anymore. So work my work colleagues could see how I was a bit sad of you know, not having a dog at weekends. But I never felt responsible adult enough to have I have my own donkey name. And then my colleague, her husband, gamekeeper. So he has working dogs. And unfortunately, purse. Well, fortunately, let's say Percy wasn't a good working dog, but it meant that he was going to get shot because he was wasting kennel space. I guess food. I'm trying to like, look at it from the gamekeepers perspective. Yeah, not that I agree with it at all. But so his wife fell in love with Percy and she was like, Steph, you want a dog, you have to take him please. Like she didn't want to see him, you know, get shot. So I was like, I don't know what about work. And she was like, bring him in the office. And I was like, Okay, get that in writing, please. And then so I said, Look, we'll do a trial. And she was like, okay, and then I took him home. And then like, within two hours, we were just in love. And we do have a very special bond. He's very loyal to me. And I said to him, Look, you've got to come out of boarding or as you're going to be at home on your own because i i paddleboarding, my thing. And I'm out all the time. And I think he at first. I mean, it wasn't hard to get him on the board, because he's so needy to me. So it was really easy. And he would rather be with me than on his own. And then it was really during the pandemic, because I was going on the panel every day, when locked down and things and he just constantly wanted to come with me. And then he started becoming a lot more confident standing up walking around the board. And I'm like, I prefer it when you sit down, please. You know, I like the fact that he's he can stand up and walk. You know, it's good for him.

India Pearson  11:40  
But I never lifted your balance as well. It is

Steph Barnicoat  11:43  
yeah. I think for the whole time we've been paddleboarding we've fallen in together two or three times, which isn't bad. And the last time was only a couple of months ago and it was quite windy and a bit choppy. So I knew it was going to happen. But he I could never get him in the sea though. That was an issue. And then me and my ex kind of well, yeah, we broke up last year I think in October. And I was like right Percy. Let's try this again. Because then the summer before I took him out in the ocean and he would not get on the board. He was running away from me on the beach and everyone was like please don't call the RSPCA he loves paddle boarding really. And then I said to him let we're going to be on our own now. So again, if you don't be left home alone, you have to just try it and then he was so proud of him he nailed it and like we're going out on the sea every morning before work and stuff when the conditions are right so and he just like sits on the boards and I'm I couldn't be proud of everything

India Pearson  12:47  
that's amazing. That's amazing and how incredible as well to be going out every morning before work and to be also I think it's so lovely to be able to share something like that obviously not it's obvious share it was a person but with with a with an animal your pay is a really special bond isn't it actually and it's very unique feeling Yeah, and I imagine you know you probably miss him now when you do find that you're going out without him you're probably thinking oh, I wish you I wish he was here because you can probably see the enjoyment in his face too. Yeah, I

Steph Barnicoat  13:23  
mean sometimes I'm like if I if I want to grab my own I really have to tire him out so he can just sleep because he doesn't any kind of noise he was stopped barking and if no one's here to get him through that but sometimes I do love it just because it really I'm always worried and stressed when it when I've got him well in case the conditions change or something so the conditions especially in the Sea have to be perfect for him. So then I don't worry for as if I'm on my

India Pearson  13:55  
love life jacket for him, don't you?

Steph Barnicoat  13:57  
I do. Yeah, totally.

India Pearson  13:58  
I mean we've got one for Tiggy recommend that for anyone Yeah.

Steph Barnicoat  14:02  
On a nice grab handle that the terrain dog one and it's if Yeah, I would never take him out without it. I would freak out.

India Pearson  14:10  
Yeah, and you out curiosity? Because I've been asked this a few times or Tiggy and I and I never know which is the right thing to do. Do you attach a lead to him and to the board? Or do you just let him be in the life and be in the life jacket? And that's it.

Steph Barnicoat  14:29  
And yeah, I don't attach him to myself or the boards. Again that freaks me out in case lead gets entangled. And especially because we go on a lot of rivers so the Helford of foie Magana and I've been sat on the board before we river just whizzing along it was cuz the tide so fast and if he just freaks me out if he pulled off the board and gotten tangled around a boy and and again that's why you know, this the I don't know who's who said About the whip, quick release belt waist belts, you know, so I have one of those for the river to make sure I'm safe. But yeah, it really freaks me out when I see people attach their dogs to the lead to the

India Pearson  15:13  
board. Yeah, I know I've done it a few times. When Tiki was moving so much up and down. I thought I need to keep for a steal. But I did think this is actually probably if I mean frozen without a lead and no, yeah. Cuz then

Steph Barnicoat  15:27  
anyone that wants to have like top tips for taking your Pucks on the Sup, sup pup official, on the it's on their Instagram page have like really great advice and things. Oh, that's really

India Pearson  15:40  
good to know. Oh, thank you. That's really, really great. Yeah, definitely. And so yeah, you were saying that you go out every morning, every morning? What if you can if it's gonna work? And do you find that that is kind of a game changer for your physical and mental health to kind of put yourself in the, in the right. right frame of mind to embrace the day,

Steph Barnicoat  16:07  
basically, because I work from home, because I recently started a new job and then crisis offices in Southampton or, or South Wales. So it's very important for me to have my workspace, which I do a little cupboard, essentially. And I need to do something before work and after work to have a really good work life balance, like that's really important for my mental health. So going out in the mornings, well, then it does make me feel great. But then when you come on the beach, and you know, you've got to start work, you're like, right, my day is just gonna go downhill from here. So I've done my highlight first thing in the morning, but I I just love early mornings, and the sea is always calmer in the mornings. You know, it's like a meal pool. It's just nicer to Percy as well. And then, you know, if I need to take a lesson or a friend out in the evening, then I'll go out twice today, it's no problem. But it's definitely does help. Yeah, makes me feel good and ready to start my day.

India Pearson  17:11  
And do you find that was the This podcast is I started it from kind of a personal realisation that moving in nature was having such a positive effect on my mental health. I guess I'm kind of wanted to start as podcasters to share that kind of feeling and realisation with with other people. So I'd love to hear kind of your perspective on that, and why and how it, it kind of makes you feel like you again.

Steph Barnicoat  17:46  
Yeah, so I mean, from a young age, the oceans always had an impact on me, it's always made me feel calm, positive, you know, just great, basically. And that kind of infused me to go into marine biology and said kind of, you know, set my career up. But I also stupidly, I'm gonna say I'm a bit I'm embarrassed to say this, but I thought it was like a unique thing with me in the ocean. And because no one really ever spoke about, you know, mental well being or anything when you're growing up. And obviously now there's a lot of talk about fitting and see see therapy blew my mind. So now I know that it's it's, it's I'm like a million, like 10 million other people, you know. So I am reading the book blew minds by Wallace J. Nichols to try and understand why the ocean has such an impact on us. But I know I can only speak for myself. So for me, it's always it's just making my life better. So I used to work on vessels offshore. I loved it. Sometimes obviously, being away from home is difficult, but you've all you can see around you as the ocean, no land and it's just I made all my best life decisions when I'm offshore. And then when I kind of swapped it out for a more like office based role, like a set more settled job. I started to notice that my mental health was going downhill and you know, it's quite scary, like looking back in 2016 and 2017 I was quite dark. I was drinking quite a lot of wine. And yeah, I actually I was so down in the dumps it might you know, was obviously a lot of maybe life things that was happening as well like broken relationships. And I yeah, I'm not getting my seat. I'm not getting outdoors as much. Because I'm staying in having a glass of wine instead. I actually planned out a suicide for myself. I wasn't, it wasn't going to be for the next few years. It was going to be when I was older. So I was like, you know, I can't do it now. But maybe the I mean, who knows if I would have gone through with it, but the fact is, I had those thoughts in my mind and That's the scariest part. And then I kind of woke up one day and thought, right, something needs to change. And I kind of then figured out maybe it's my lifestyle. That's doneness, so I need to get back on the water. And that's what prompted me to buy the paddle boards. Because for someone who wasn't very athletic to go to, like, a company get high, yeah, I just want to buy a paddle words that, you know, it's, it's quite scary to do. But I was just like, I'm desperate. I need to do this. And it was good, you know, to go to half as we'll say, headquarters in the back garden, but so they could show me how to put the pump in and just show me everything. And then instantly, I was starting to feel better. And if I hadn't slept for a while, because I mean, I remember one situation where I hadn't slept for a while because I was stressed about something personal. And I literally was like, at work and I was just like, I've gotta go, I need to go home. And it was why the almost the end of the day, I was like, I've got to go, I need to get paddleboarding. And I went paddleboarding that day, that evening, and I only for a little paddle and I slept like a baby that night. And then I realised this, it's the sea, I need to be out in the sea. And that's what controls my mental health. That's what makes me happy. Makes me a more positive person. And, and then I noticed because I was quite seasonal paddler when I started, and then accident, no, you know about equipment and things for the winter. I noticed I was going downhill in the winter. And I was like, Oh, this is not good. And then it was like, oh, some springs here. Now I can get back on the water and you feel like you're the richest person in the world. And then it was only like, looking at what skill academies videos with Cal major. She did a really good job telling you like what equipment to buy for the winter. And it is expensive. But yeah, so buying the palm trousers was just a game changer for me. And now I can go out all year and I can just see how it has changed me so much. It's not only made me I feel like more kind of successful having ideas on you know how what to do, and how to step your career up a bit, but also, and it's made me more confident in myself as well. And, and I don't have the the main thing is I don't have those thoughts anymore. And that's, that's the main thing I like to even think about it now makes me feel like wow, that was five years ago. And that hasn't popped into my head. Since I've started paddleboarding.

India Pearson  22:36  
And you who then you you know, you have the tools to get yourself out of those dark spaces now. Because you, you know that you that is the ocean, that's what you need. And so I guess it's that it's that conscious knowing that if you're, if you're kind of feel like you're going down this sort of a dark tunnel that there's actually okay, I can divert myself very easily, I know exactly what I need to do. And it can, it brings you back to the here and now. And you know how incredible that you've, you've got on that journey. And you've found that and thank you for being so honest, and sharing max time to stand up. That's not obviously the easiest thing to share a lot of the time, but, you know, this blew mind theory, or there's so much I think there's so much scope in it. There's so many people just need to see the horizon, they need to they put their fingers in the water they there was a walk on the beach can change their whole mindset. And I always feel like there needs to be you know, the NHS needs to be holding on to this a little bit more realising how much there isn't it? There was I know there was a trial that went that went on at one point where they were going to see if they could get paddleboarding on the NHS, because I don't if it ever came came to anything because I think it was just a trial. But yeah, the amount of people I've spoken to on this podcast that obviously I talked about moving in nature in a lot of different ways, but the power of the ocean seems to be a really massive theme. Yeah, and I'm also somebody who can vouch for them as well. And also, I think it's sort of highlighted how important it is to trust your gut instincts. You know, you there must be something in you that weren't just needed by paddleboard or I just need to try paddleboarding. I don't know why. And it's gonna be a bit scary, but I'm just gonna do it. And you know, I think this is also wonderful while you're while while you you know wonderful that you are now taking people out that maybe had that gut feeling as well and you're able to guide them through it, and you must be able to relate to someone The people that you take out paddleboarding? Yeah, quite a lot. I

Steph Barnicoat  25:04  
mean I, I mean they because yeah, a lot of them are females. All different ages No. Apart from my male friends a bit yeah, I've never I mean, no, that's not true sorry I have had male clients but not so much for lessons but for tours. But my private lessons of Yeah, mainly females, all different ages. And they they do they say how will I do this on my own? How, you know, man, like, one girl in particular was like, I'm only coming out with you, Steph. And I was like, only honestly, that's lovely to hear. But I'm super busy that I'm not always going to be able to go out. And I love my early morning paddles. Not everyone is an early riser. And so I did form a group for all these women to connect. And the idea was on Facebook just to say, Hi, I want to go paddleboarding on Saturday, anyone keen? Or I'm gonna go to fourth pin Does anyone want to come? But there's, there's a few girls on there that do kind of message and say, put themselves out there. But a lot of the women that have joined, it didn't really work out how I wanted it to you know, not they weren't very active in the group. So I feel because a lot I speak to even a lot of women who just saw me go out paddleboarding on my own saying, how do you do it? And I'm not one to spend a lot of money on something and not use it, you know? And also, like, say, it's, it's for my mental health, you know, and if I don't go out, I get crazy, like, get itchy. But you know,

India Pearson  26:35  
when we stereotypical anything, but there does seem to be a little bit more lacking in confidence to just go out and give it a go. So, you know, do you do what you're doing and sharing it on social media and they use using social media for positive reasons. I'm sure inspires, hopefully lots of women to go, Yeah, I can do it too. And if not, they need to get a dog like Percy to go with.

Steph Barnicoat  27:00  
This little girl did say, I want to be like her. And I know some of the guy know. And I was like, Yeah, this is cool. I was like, well, thank you. I said you can do it. Anyone can do this. I said so when you're a bit older, go get paddleboard lesson and get a paddle board. And our dad was probably going

India Pearson  27:20  
Yeah, and, and obviously, you spoken about going on the Gano a lot, which is obviously one of the beautiful paddles in the UK, in my opinion, actually. But in Cornwall where you live, and I know that you have written a book about all these social places in Cornwall that you like to go. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?

Steph Barnicoat  27:40  
Yeah, so um, well, I guess during when we were kind of able to exercise during the pandemic, I was working reduced hours. So again, it's, I'm not one to sit around and do nothing. So I was like, like, I'm my friend was furloughed. I was like, Do you want to compare to boarding with me, and it was going to just explore all these places, because I had that extra time to do it. Because my partner at the time, he was able to have Percy for the whole day working from home and I was like, it's fine, I can do what I want. And and that was my one day of the week, dedicated to this book. And I was just trying to go everywhere, but you can't go everywhere in Cornwall and you know, some stuff got to be a mystery of a name. But yeah, so I basically written this book. So it's ideally it's for beginner paddleboarders and it's also for experienced paddleboarders who want to paddle in Cornwall, but they have no idea where to go where to launch from. So it's there's more paddles on the south coast, because the South Coast is more generally flatter than the north. The north is more for surfers, but there are a few jet you know, when we get a flat day on the north coast, I've gotten out there and be like, right, I'm gonna get this in the book. And I've been out on some choppy days to get some in the book. That Yeah, so the each kind of site it gives you information, where to park, how to pay for parking, whether there's toilets, whether the beaches lifeguarded and whether there's dogs allowed on the beach, of course, because there's a little bit about how to get your dog on a how to get your dog on a sap. And that just kind of describes the paddle. And hopefully people with a map as well. So people will be able to buy this book and be like, right, well we can do this paddle because it's in this book. And it should also have a list of places you can hire a paddle board as well. Oh, that is

India Pearson  29:33  
so useful. So useful, because obviously cool is a place you know it is one of the most touristy places in the UK as much as you know, I know that there's a lot of good sides and bad sides to that. And but obviously people are going there not knowing and actually it can mean that they can run into for quite unsafe circumstances without having knowledge. So You know, it's great to have something like this because it just means you can bind go right. I know I can do XY says this is a trusted paddle route. Let's do this.

Steph Barnicoat  30:10  
Yeah. And I mean, a lot of the suppliers on beaches do say to people if you are coming down with your paddle board, and if you're new to the area, please do speak to us to get advice. And I mean, I noticed on Facebook people like Hi, we're coming down to Cornwall next week, any ideas for paddleboarding? And sometimes people don't respond because it's like you say some there is that, you know, some of the Cornish are a bit can be a bit rude to holidaymakers, but at the same time, Cornwall needs the tourism. So

India Pearson  30:42  
yeah, it's a it's a fine. It's a fine line, isn't it between protecting bees, obviously protecting places just to protect them anyway. But also protecting them to have the locals to enjoy and not be bombarded. But also making sure that if you don't live locally, and you don't know the area where the if you're going to go exploring, you're going to do it safely. And como is, in my opinion, the most beautiful place in the world. I love it. If I didn't live in Kent, I'd be living in Cornwall. And you know, it should be enjoyed and it should be explored. And it's so incredible to see it from the water. I've got some of my most best memories, paddleboarding and Cornwall. And, yeah, I'm really excited. I'm gonna get I'm gonna get your book. When's it out?

Steph Barnicoat  31:33  
Last year? No, no, it was when it was supposed to be out. I've gone with a publisher in Cornwall because I wanted it. It's, you know, it's a Cornish book, essentially. And I wanted to keep it like Cornwall. And so it's going to be once they finished is the final draft with them. They're just a little bit on the slow side. But I got to catch up with her next week. And so it'd be so it'd be sold in Waterstones in true Rome. So I'm really excited to get my picture taken. And it'll be sold at National Trust sites as well in Cornwall. So I'm hoping it can be bought on Amazon or you know, there'll be an online platform, because people aren't going to travel down to Cornwall just to buy the book. And I think a lot yeah, all the paddles that are in that book have public car parks because that was advice I got for Well, after a conversation with Joe mostly because she obviously has just published a book. And she was a every paddle I described. There's a public parking, you know, I'm not going to advertise somewhere where it's just like a park on the road or in a bay. And I thought it's good point scrap that because of the residents in that area. So that was really good advice. So So everything's so public, and in the book, so I'm not giving any secrets away. Yeah. Yeah. There isn't any secrets anymore in Conewago. Exactly.

India Pearson  33:01  
Instagrammer in that one done that. Como live. Yes, exactly. Absolutely. Oh, well, thank you so much. I mean, it's been like, Yeah, I'm, I definitely want to come down. You've made me very excited. I've been down to Cornwall in a few weeks time, and I can't wait now. I'm very excited for that. But um, yeah, let's, I've got some more questions. But I think we're running out of time. So I'm going to have to jump to the final question for you, which is the big one, which is looking back at the ripples you've made in your life, what are the biggest lessons you've learned to keeping your mind and body healthy?

Steph Barnicoat  33:38  
I guess taking time for yourself is very important. You're not going to if you're constantly working or running around, whatever you're doing, you if you don't take time for yourself, you're not looking after yourself. And even if your your mindset is negative, or whatever, and you don't want to do anything, we've all been there, you just can't even face leaving the house. Getting out that door is the most difficult thing to do. And once you're out that door, your mindset is going to change. And then so that's, you know, some mornings I'm like, I just don't, I don't want to get out of bed. But I'm like, I know as soon as I get on that water, I'm going to be pumped up for the day and I'm going to be happy. It's gonna be great. So and I, I mean, that's why I have this addiction to be close to the sea. I get criticised by my family all the time. But they don't understand that that's my therapy. So and I'm so lucky, like you said earlier to know how to manage my mental health and I and my therapy is free. I mean, okay, it costs a bit of money to buy the paddleboard but now it's free. And so I know, all I need to do is go to that ocean, and I'll be right as moon and I think that's what we need to do. We need to find what makes us happy and And once once we know that it it will make you I feel like a better person it will give you inspiration for to do better things with your sight with your life whatever you want to do more success you know

India Pearson  35:13  
Absolutely and you know better person for yourself as a person for your family for the environment it just yeah it ripples this is exactly this is where this whole like podcast started. So yeah, no that's incredible. Thanks so much and if if anybody listening wanted to find out more about you the book book a tour Can you please let us know how they can do that?

Steph Barnicoat  35:42  
So if you want to look at the adventures of me and Percy for example, I post a lot on Instagram so that's Steph underscore Padlet underscore adventure and then for stuck with Steph like tours or lessons I've got an Instagram account set up with Steph Gmail sup with steph@gmail.com and Sutcliffe, Steph on Facebook as well and on there's got the mobile number for the business as well. I think that's it really for me. That's

India Pearson  36:13  
it everything. I'll link everything so if anybody is heading down to Cornwall on their holidays this summer, then they should definitely give me a shout out I obviously you're pretty busy already.

Steph Barnicoat  36:26  
But I mean this bookings are a lot quieter this summer compared to last summer, but I think a lot of people are going abroad and a lot of people their own paddle boards, I think as well.

India Pearson  36:37  
Ya know if it's any consolation, the same has been for me from with my sup yoga. So I think it's across the board as well. That's what I've heard that Yeah.

Steph Barnicoat  36:47  
And inflation. Yeah, absolutely.

India Pearson  36:48  
Cost of life, just the cost of life. Yeah, thank you so much, Jeff. It's been a pleasure to talk to you and thank you for being so open and honest.

Steph Barnicoat  36:58  
Oh, thank you for having me.

India Pearson  36:59  
Thank you so much for listening to this episode, the start a report podcast. If you liked what you heard, then please do write a review. It helps other like minded souls find this podcast too. If you want to get in touch and the best way to speak to me is probably via Instagram. And my handle is at with underscore India. Alright, take care and speak to you soon.