Fiona Simpson - sporting communications aficionado

Fiona Simpson is a music loving, film making, photography fan with a passion for communications. She works in the sports sector and always has a story up her sleeve and a smile on her face. Let me introduce you.....

Growing up in sunny Falkirk I dreamed of being an interior designer, a DJ, a vet, a singer in a band, a hairdresser, a film-maker, a superhero, Michael J Fox’s girlfriend (after ‘Back to the Future’), a dog walker, a dancer and an astronaut. 

My first proper job was working in a video shop when I was 16. I thought it was so awesome to be able to watch films at work. I also had the pleasure of doing the lights in Fubar Nightclub when I was at university. I got a real buzz out of the interaction with the music, the crowd and the DJ.  I was the first female ‘light-jock’ to be allowed in Castle Leisure Group. They weren't keen at first but I worked hard and I changed their views on women’s ability to do that job - girl power!

The best advice I ever got was from my mum. She is a wise and lovely human being who has said many clever things over the years but I believe the most life-changing advice she’s given me was to ‘listen to your heart’. She said that we know what’s right and wrong for us in life but sometimes we don’t listen to the voice inside. In looking back at it, I can confidently say that my life changed for the better the day that I began to actually follow this advice.

The achievement I am most proud of is getting through orthognathic (double-jaw) surgery in April this year. Making the decision to go forward with the operation to correct my under bite and then coping with the massive changes it then forced upon me is something that I feel very proud of. I have a brand new outlook on life because of the way the experience changed me and how I feel about myself as a result. I can honestly say that my confidence is at an all time high but I had to go through an all-time low to get here. It involved therapy, love, time, support and above all sheer determination to get through the operation. Writing a blog on my experiences definitely helped me get through the tough times and I would hope that it might help other people who have to have a similar operation in the future.

My biggest challenge has been accepting my ‘new face’ after the operation. Looking different was simply a side-effect of the realignment of my jaw and getting used to it was a lot more tricky than I had would have imagined. I got through it with a LOT of help from some very special people in my life - I feel lucky to have come out the other side and the journey has been truly incredible.

Other people think that I am much more confident than I feel. I think through the years I have learned to disguise my inner shyness as uber confidence and it works on most people, excluding those who know me well! People often mistake my humour and opinionated ramblings for confidence but confidence is something I work hard to project every day. Working in sport has taught me that ‘If you do what you've always done, you’ll get what you've always got’ - in order to be successful, top athletes have to work on their weaknesses as often as their strengths in order to become top of their game. For me, that means never letting my weaknesses hold me back.

Change is difficult, powerful, fulfilling, terrifying and inspiring all at the same time. In my experience you can’t hide from it. I've never been one who naturally enjoys change. Some people claim to love it but I would argue that these people are big fat liars. Yet when change is thrust upon me, I am almost always unwilling. I follow the 'Fiona-Simpson-7-steps-to-accept-change-programme' which goes something like this:

 (1) ANGER at the bare faced cheek of change insinuating it is required. Then lashings of...

(2) DENIAL and ignoring of any aforementioned requirement. Followed wholeheartedly with copious amounts of…

(3) RESENTMENT and gratuitous grumbling about said change. Next we almost certainly have...

(4) (RELUCTANT) ACCEPTANCE of changing things. Then eventual...

(5) ADAPTATION to new circumstance, moving swiftly onto...

(6) EMBRACING of the change in question. Finally we arrive at enjoyment and

 (7) FULFILMENT at new circumstance (and let's face it, I’ll probably say it was my idea in the first place)

If I could be someone else for the day I would be DJ Annie Mac. She’s got my dream job on BBC Radio 1 and she’s an uber-cool DJ by night - travelling the world and making people happy with her musical magic… what a tremendous lady!

In the public eye I believe that Katherine Grainger is a great role model for women because her dogged determination and grit ensured her gold medal in London 2012 - as well as her other Olympic and World medals. She is highly intelligent, humble, funny, kind and just generally a lovely person to be around. I'm inspired by her story and by her talent as an athlete. Plus, I still think highly of her despite the fact that she once stole my pyjamas at a conference but then, that’s another story… 

Got a question for Fiona? You'll find her on twitter @ScottishFoof and can follow her personal 'ramblings', including the story of her surgery and recovery on her blog.

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Jane Campbell Morrison - CEO Snowsport Scotland

I first met Jane in a sailing club portacabin on the side of a loch last summer when she worked for RYA Scotland. I liked Jane from the second we met because of her no nonsense, gung-ho, anything is possible attitude. She oozes positive energy and is great fun to be around. In September last year Jane was diagnosed with cancer and in typical Jane style she faced it head on. Jane courageously decided to write about her experience from diagnosis, through chemotherapy treatment, to present day. Her articles are a fascinating, frank and powerful read. Jane's latest role as CEO of Snowsport Scotland sees her continue to challenge herself, bravely careering through life with a big smile on her face. Let me introduce you ....

Growing up in Canada, Scotland and France I dreamed of being a ski instructor. My parents decided to emigrate to Newfoundland in Canada and to have their children there. I loved it as I played Ice Hockey, have vivid memories of sledging outside our house, and we skied everywhere! We moved to Scotland when I was about 5 or 6, because my parents felt that there would be more opportunities for work and education back here. We sailed in the summer in our very small day boat (I have happy memories of hiding under the front of the boat with my wee brother and eating peanut butter cookies while my mum and dad did all the hard work) and skied every winter as often as possible, driving up in old cars that were freezing cold, and eating sandwiches and soup. To this day I hate penguin chocolate biscuits which were meant to be a treat but because they got so cold and then heated up they tasted a bit peculiar! My dad, my brother and I had some really great days together skiing hard and enjoying the Scottish conditions.

My first job was as a relief manageress for Flour Power bakery shops (now Greggs) which was scary when you are only 17 and have to manage ladies who are considerably older than you!

The best advice I ever got was ‘Do what makes you smile’.

The achievement I am most proud of is surviving cancer.

My mantra is a long one called Desiderata, a prose poem by American writer Max Ehrmann. Look it up.

Other people think that I am crazy and incredibly busy....more crazy though!

I’d be lost without my fountain pen, my cat and my husband although not necessarily in that order.

My biggest challenge has been/ is surviving cancer and changing jobs.

In the last year I have learned just how strong I actually am, both physically and mentally.

My ambition for the future is to have a really fast sports car! 

If I could be someone else for the day I would be Sharon Osbourne. Quite apart from being a cancer survivor (sort of – she took drastic steps to avoid getting cancer), she is quirky, not afraid to tell it how it is, looks fantastic for her age, has dealt with some very challenging situations at home and is still her own person.

In the public eye I believe that Mrs Obama is a great role model for women because she is not afraid to speak out but she does it quietly and sensibly.

Got a question for Jane? You'll find her on twitter @SnowSpScotCEO , or read her personal blog here .

Subscribe to this blog by adding your email to the relevant box on the right hand side, or follow me on twitter @AnnieBeee and search for the hashtag #WomenInMyLife. If you enjoy reading these interviews please use the share buttons below and spread the word. This article explains why I started writing it and what I hope to achieve in sharing the stories of these inspirational women.

Anna Devitt - Comedian and Actress

Anna Devitt is a funny girl, literally. An actress, comedian and winner of the Scottish Variety Awards Best New Scottish Comedian 2013, she has sold out gigs at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and received five star reviews for her Edinburgh Fringe Show. Anna’s recent appearance with ‘Truffle’ on Britain’s Got Talent has taken her career to another level and to pinch her own phrase she’s now ‘more popular than Jimmy Choo’s on 50% off day.’ Let me introduce you …

Growing up in Glasgow I dreamed of being a teacher or an actress. I used to make all the kids in my street put on shows for the neighbours and I would host award ceremonies. This desire to perform and teach has continued into my adult life and I now run ‘Laughter Therapy’ workshops with fully qualified therapists to help children and teens boost their self-confidence and laugh their way to a better life.

The best advice I ever got was ‘Enjoy Life’. This pearl of wisdom was written in my Primary 7 dictionary by Miss Maud, my teacher at Barsail Primary School. The other piece of advice that sticks with me was given by my Aunt Denise, ‘Be true to yourself’. Sadly she died when I was 19, taking her own life after a long fight with bi-polar disorder.

Other people think that I am bolshie, go getting and opinionated. This is probably quite true but I’m also a really caring person and I do enjoy hearing more about good things happening to other people than talking about myself all the time!

Change is scary, but the only way to move forward in life. I am currently in a phase of change as I have relocated to London from Glasgow and am starting a new chapter. I perform gigs up and down the country and often find myself in unfamiliar places and situations but that’s goes with the territory of being a comedian, and it’s an exciting step up the career ladder.

I’d be lost without my close friends, both the girl ones and the guys. Friendship is something I place a high value on.

My biggest challenge in my younger years was finding career opportunities due to my lack of high school education. My biggest challenge now is to continue growing as a comic and continue to overcome my fears.

In the last year I have learned that life changes really quickly and that the people who really love and care for you will stand by you whether you’re wrong or right. I really believe that life is way too short to waste doing things you don't enjoy.

The achievement I am most proud of is the first ever show my company, Direct Devitt, produced called "Mammy". It was written by my Aunt Cathie and I got to star alongside my best friends Sharon Rooney and Katrina Lamont and my sister Kathryn. It sold out and went to the Edinburgh and Henley Fringe in 2011 and received five star reviews from the audience. Skinny Mag gave it 3 stars and that incredible response marked a turning point in my career.

My ambition for the future is to inspire young people to go after for their dreams regardless of the start they had in life. My own dream is to have my own talk show, similar to Graham Norton’s but with politicians. I would ask them direct questions without them having preparation time, solely to see them panic. I feel it would get a more honest response. I would also have a section interviewing sellers of the Big Issue because they genuinely are the most interesting people I have ever met. I like real people; they have the stories worth listening to. 

In the public eye I believe Dawn French is a great role model for women because she's from an ordinary background, worked her way up and leads a reasonably normal life. She seems very down to earth and comfortable in her own skin. She's an amazing comedian and writer and she works very hard.

Got a question for Anna? You’ll occasionally find her on twitter @DirectDevitt or contact her via her website.  

Subscribe to this blog by adding your email address to the relevant box on the right hand side or follow me, @AnnieBeee on twitter and hashtag #WomenInMyLife .

Image (C) Malcolm Cochrane Photography

Margaret Gibson - Chief Executive Women's Enterprise Scotland

Margaret Gibson has a penchant for brightly coloured tights, funky shoes and is a secret fan of wrestling. Well known for her hard work ethic and passion for helping others to achieve their full potential, Margaret genuinely cares about people and is a great listener, which possibly explains her phenomenal ability to remember names and faces. She is living testament to her mantra of ‘be kinder than people expect you to be’.

After 20 years working with PSYBT Margaret has recently been appointed Chief Executive of the Women's Enterprise Scotland and is the perfect candidate to be interviewed for ‘Women In My Life’. So let me introduce you...

My first job was helping my brother with his paper-round, he was 12 and I was 10, we were both cute kids so we used to make a fortune in tips.  I've always had some sort of job since then, ice-cream van assistant, shop girl, gallery attendant, barmaid, telephonist, nanny, singer and loads more, they all helped me to get me through college.  I've paid my own way from the age of 14. I've always been an independent spirit.

Growing up I dreamed of being a home economics teacher from about the age of 11.  I thought that it would be great cooking and sewing all day.  In sixth year I gained a place at the old ‘dough school’ but two months before I was due to start I changed my mind (much to everyone‘s surprise including mine) and decided to keep cooking as my hobby. Instead I enrolled onto a Marketing and Communications course and loved it.

The achievement I am most proud of is working with young people who thought they could not do anything, then watching them start businesses, create jobs, make profits and then helping others to do the same thing.  I was also chuffed to complete a 5km swim with my son to raise cash for a cancer charity.

The best advice I ever got was ‘You have two eyes, two ears and one mouth; therefore you should listen and watch twice as often as you speak'.  I cannot tell you how important that has been to me. I've been told I have the best ‘bullshit detector’ ever and combining the above advice with watching who pushes their chairs back under the table after a meeting is always a clear sign. (Those who do are generally good guys!)

My biggest challenge has been seeing my parents getting older and less able and feeling a bit useless as nature and the ageing process takes over.  I still have them both though so that is something that makes me happy.

Change is painful, revealing, scary, exciting and rejuvenating. I have just been through the biggest year of change I have ever experienced in my life. I encountered all of those feelings and sometimes all at once. I'm happy to report I have survived and thrived though!

I’d be lost without my fantastic husband and two children, they make me laugh, (a lot of the times at myself), make me feel loved and appreciated and very, very lucky.

My goal for the future is to continue to help people reach their goals, travel more, see my kids taking strides ahead with their lives and cuddling up with my husband to watch a great film or the next episode of ‘Breaking Bad’. I think it is good to have goals but don’t get too caught up thinking they have to be life changing or gigantic.

In the public eye…. I believe that  Dr. Maya Angelou  is a great role model for women because she overcame so many challenges in her young life and used them in a positive way to create a life filled with great things – everyone should read ‘I know why the caged bird sings’. She is now 85 years old and still producing wonderful work.  She is a poet, educator, activist, historian, producer, actor and director and a total inspiration to millions of women all over the world.

Thanks to Margaret for featuring in this blog and huge congratulations on the new role at Women's Enterprise Scotland. You can occasionally find Margaret on twitter at @RummleGumption

Subscribe to this blog by adding your email to the relevant box on the right hand side or follow on twitter @AnnieBeee and search for the hashtag #WomenInMyLife.

Claire Pringle

Claire Pringle is an Elvis fan, the owner of a very sharp wit and is the life and soul of the party. A Glasgow girl at heart she now lives in London and after twelve years working for an airline is about to embark on a new career in the public sector.

Claire has worn a wig since childhood when alopecia robbed her of her own hair. In the ten or so years that we've been friends I can only think of a handful of occasions when it’s been the topic of conversation. Once on holiday when it was roasting hot and she was debating swapping the wig for a head scarf, and another time when she had to do Raft Drills as part of her airline training. Jumping in a pool, climbing onto a raft whilst wearing a life-jacket  and trying to ‘save’ people who are pretending to be unconscious, is a daunting enough task without trying to keep your hair on at the same time. On both occasions she opted for the au natural look and I thought I would burst with pride.

Growing up Claire dreamed of being a vet but ironically, her first job was as a hairdressing junior. She's never been one to shy away from things! Asked what her biggest challenge has been so far she said ‘Starting a new life away from my family and friends and making somewhere else home. I worked for British Midland, or BMI as it became and when the Glasgow base closed I opted to transfer to Heathrow. My favourite saying is 'what's for you won't pass by you' and I guess it’s true as if I hadn't moved to London I wouldn't have met my fiancé.'

I asked Claire what she considers her greatest achievement in life to be and she said ‘owning my own home’. A reflection of her approach to life, where hard work is just what you do and when times are tough you just get on with it. She believes that Margaret Thatcher was a great role model for women because she stood for what she believed in, she never wavered in her goals and beliefs, she made herself the most memorable woman in British politics ever. I admire her drive, her strength of character and her pure determination to achieve her goals.'

Claire is very close with her Mum, who gives great advice, and her goal for the future is to have a little family of her own.

My final question for Claire was to ask what she couldn't live without ‘My wig! If I could be anyone else for the day I’d be me, but with hair.’

Last month Claire made a decision to speak out about her alopecia to a woman’s weekly magazine. Many of her friends and colleagues nearly fell off their chairs when they read the article as they were oblivious to the fact that she wears a wig. 

I invited Claire to feature in this blog not because she has alopecia, but because I admire her ability to say to the world ‘This is the real me’ and not give two hoots what anyone else thinks. 

If you look closely you might notice that with hair, she looks a bit like Priscilla Presley. Coincidence? I doubt it.


#WomenInMyLife 

About This Blog

An introduction to 'The Women In My Life'

The idea for this blog is very simple. I know some truly inspirational women and I wanted to create a space to share their stories. All of the women have made a positive impression on my life in one way or another. Some are close friends, others I have met whilst working on various projects. 

The only common thread is that all of the women are down to earth, clever, hard- working, genuine, and great fun to be around. Forget about their age or job title, what's important is the lessons that can be learned from listening to the stories they have to tell. 

I want to put the spotlight on these women because I strongly believe we need more female role models. In my experience women will happily talk about the success of their products, their team, their organisation or their family but are less forthcoming when asked to promote their own success. I knew if I asked the participants to write me an article about their achievements and how brilliant they are that I would be faced with an empty Inbox. So, I came up with the idea that I would interview them instead and I'll do the trumpet blowing!

Initially I have approached ten women to feature, the interviewee will then invite a woman in her life to be interviewed. In business and in life we all need a strong foundation to survive life's storms. My hope is that 'The Women In my Life' blog will provide a collection of articles that people can relate to, and that will motivate and inspire others to believe in themselves.  If just one person benefits from reading this blog, then I've achieved what I set out to do.

You can subscribe to the blog by adding your email to the relevant box on the right hand side or follow me on twitter @AnnieBeee and search for the hashtag #WomenInMyLife.

I really hope you enjoy reading this blog and please do share the articles with your networks.