A trained life coach with a wealth of personal experience, Jeff Brazier is well placed to offer us some comfort while we navigate our way through the pandemic. The father of two has launched a podcast, Only Human, in an effort to help listeners with their problems during these challenging times.
“I know people are struggling in ways they might not want to admit to or simply aren’t used to at the moment,” Jeff tells new as we catch up over Zoom, “I feel a sense of responsibility to utilise the fact I’ve been a life coach for seven years.”
Jeff, 41, has spoken openly about his own experiences with therapy, both on his own and with his wife of two years, Kate Dwyer. The presenter has also been a rock to his two children, Bobby, 17, and Freddie, 16, through the grief of losing their mother, Jade Goody, to cancer in 2009. Now, he’s hoping he can use those experiences to guide others through the toughest of situations.
Here, Jeff chats about his sons, the highs and lows of homeschooling and his new lockdown hobby…
[https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/21047/606662/602df454409f6/1613623866767.jpg]
Hi Jeff, how are you doing?
It’s a constant battle isn’t it? There’s so much going on in the house with homeschooling and just generally having teenagers about. It’s really unfair on them. We’ve thrown ourselves into the house as a project, and the garden, making sure that’s going to be amazing for the summer. Lockdown-proofing the garden is something I’ve immersed myself in. I’ve enjoyed planning my mini allotment and our wildflower meadow – it’s been brilliant.
[https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/21047/606662/602df454409f6/1613623866854.jpg]
How is life with two teenagers?
I’m not a screamer and shouter. I try to apply my coaching to my parenting. I’ve tried to empower Freddie to make decisions for himself. He’s never been a fan of anything academic and I’ve never been one to squeeze a square peg into a round hole. I just want to get him used to structuring his day and making decisions for himself because that’s what his adult life will be full of.
You’ve said he’s interested in becoming a barber?
Yep! He was always going to go into something creative. I think it’s a massive mistake to measure your children by academic achievements at school. I’m excited by Fred’s future and not worried by the fact he’s not going to get top grades in all subjects. It’s great that he’s got his own direction.
And Bobby has been making waves in the modelling industry…
What he’s focusing on changes all the time. And why not? He’s at that age where you are allowed to change your mind a fair bit. Credit to him, he has astutely worked out that all you can control in lockdown is working on yourself personally. So he’s training a lot and is working on his own self-development and reading. I look at him and think, “There’s nothing you can’t do.” Bob’s not putting any limitations on himself and I’m really proud. I’ve got a ki...
“I know people are struggling in ways they might not want to admit to or simply aren’t used to at the moment,” Jeff tells new as we catch up over Zoom, “I feel a sense of responsibility to utilise the fact I’ve been a life coach for seven years.”
Jeff, 41, has spoken openly about his own experiences with therapy, both on his own and with his wife of two years, Kate Dwyer. The presenter has also been a rock to his two children, Bobby, 17, and Freddie, 16, through the grief of losing their mother, Jade Goody, to cancer in 2009. Now, he’s hoping he can use those experiences to guide others through the toughest of situations.
Here, Jeff chats about his sons, the highs and lows of homeschooling and his new lockdown hobby…
[https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/21047/606662/602df454409f6/1613623866767.jpg]
Hi Jeff, how are you doing?
It’s a constant battle isn’t it? There’s so much going on in the house with homeschooling and just generally having teenagers about. It’s really unfair on them. We’ve thrown ourselves into the house as a project, and the garden, making sure that’s going to be amazing for the summer. Lockdown-proofing the garden is something I’ve immersed myself in. I’ve enjoyed planning my mini allotment and our wildflower meadow – it’s been brilliant.
[https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/21047/606662/602df454409f6/1613623866854.jpg]
How is life with two teenagers?
I’m not a screamer and shouter. I try to apply my coaching to my parenting. I’ve tried to empower Freddie to make decisions for himself. He’s never been a fan of anything academic and I’ve never been one to squeeze a square peg into a round hole. I just want to get him used to structuring his day and making decisions for himself because that’s what his adult life will be full of.
You’ve said he’s interested in becoming a barber?
Yep! He was always going to go into something creative. I think it’s a massive mistake to measure your children by academic achievements at school. I’m excited by Fred’s future and not worried by the fact he’s not going to get top grades in all subjects. It’s great that he’s got his own direction.
And Bobby has been making waves in the modelling industry…
What he’s focusing on changes all the time. And why not? He’s at that age where you are allowed to change your mind a fair bit. Credit to him, he has astutely worked out that all you can control in lockdown is working on yourself personally. So he’s training a lot and is working on his own self-development and reading. I look at him and think, “There’s nothing you can’t do.” Bob’s not putting any limitations on himself and I’m really proud. I’ve got a ki...
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New UK (Digital) - 1 Issue, February 22, 2021