Kate Wooding - Artist, cyclist, strategist

Kate Wooding  is the type of person you want by your side in a crisis because of her ability to listen, give intelligent advice and provide you with tea and cake. A digital strategist by day Kate is also one of the art world's best kept secrets, mainly because she's shy about displaying her paintings, and she dreams of a quieter life in the Scottish countryside. Let me introduce you ....

Growing up I dreamed of being a wildlife game tracker in Africa. I read a huge amount, and I particularly loved a series of books by Willard Price about two brothers who travelled the world collecting animals for their father's zoo and getting into all sorts of scrapes along the way. I loved the idea that some people could track a wild animal and could tell all sorts of amazing things just from the way a blade of grass is bent: “It's a female lioness, and she's eaten recently. She passed this way less than six hours ago, and she's wounded”. Looking back, perhaps I took those books a bit too seriously but it seemed such an amazing skill to have, to be that in tune with nature.

My first job was in a chain of traditional menswear shops called Blazer where I learnt how to fit a gents suit, how to tie various tie knots and all about the rules of traditional dressing. It's a world I've loved ever since, and I still appreciate a proper dapper gent, especially one who can carry off a cravat. 

The best advice I ever got. I don't remember getting great advice, that's not to say that people haven't given me any, but I don't really remember words. I remember what people do more than what they say. So I guess that it's more about people who I admire, and who have done things that have made me think “I'd like to be more like that”. One of the things I most admire is people who go against the grain in order to achieve something that makes them content. I think it can be very difficult to stand out like that, to do something which is personally difficult or discomforting in order to achieve a bigger happiness.

Other people think that I am confident, and in some ways I am. I'm happy to stand up in front of a room full of people, I'm happy to argue my point of view, and I'm happy to introduce myself to someone I've never met. But in other ways I'm much less so. My confidence comes from a strong sense of not letting my insecurities define me, or hold me back. For example, I hate my legs so being on a beach in a bikini is a challenge but I remember when my godson was three we went on holiday to Devon and he loved the beach. And it was so liberating to stop worrying about how I looked, and just to run around jumping in the puddles and shallows with him. OK, no-one offered me a modelling contract but no one ran away screaming either. I don't think anyone was offended at the sight of me. I think they just saw a grown up having a really great time playing with a kid. It put all my insecurity into perspective. OK, so my legs aren't amazing: so what?

I’d be lost without Radio 4. I have it on at home pretty much all the time, and I love the mix of intelligent programmes, comedy, current affairs, drama, and of course The Archers which I've listened since I was fifteen. Obviously, it's no good at keeping me 'down with the kids' but it's brilliant at giving you a tiny insight into a huge range of people and subjects. It's perfect for a magpie mind like mine, especially because if I'm not interested in something, I know there'll be a new programme along in half an hour. I love the way that I can potter around at home (my favourite pastime), doing whatever I'm doing, with the radio on in the background – it doesn't get in the way and take up all of my attention the way that telly does.  I love my own company, and I can be pretty protective of my solitude (I'm a true introvert: being alone is a sanctuary, and I need time to recover after spending too much time with other people), and I think that Radio 4 gives me the stimulation that I need to live happily in my own world.

In the last year I have learned that I find it incredibly hard to make the time to do something that I enjoy. Which sounds crazy: if I enjoy doing it, I ought to want to make the time to do it, right? Instead I find it very difficult to put it ahead of many of the more boring things in life that just need doing. Turns out that I have very little willpower, and can find any number of reasons not to sit down and draw or paint. I know that the thing that would make me a better painter is to do just an hour every day. But I don't seem to be able to fit that in with a busy working life. Sadly, I think that there are no shortcuts, and no magic cures – I'm just going to have to knuckle down and make it happen.

My goal for the future is….. I have two goals for the future, and somehow they are linked in my head, although there's no reason why they have to be. One is to move to somewhere pretty isolated in the beautiful Scottish countryside. The kind of place where I can fall out of bed and head outside in my pyjamas and wellies with a cup of tea to contemplate the day ahead, without frightening the neighbours or becoming known as 'that crazy lady next door'. The second is to paint more. I'm trying to find ways to make both of these happen in a way that doesn't mean I have to live off tinned soup for the rest of my life.

If I could be someone else for the day I would be either Charlotte Green or David Attenborough. Charlotte Green because I have always wanted to read the Shipping Forecast on Radio 4 “Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger...” and I can't see how else I'm ever going to do that unless I invade her body for a day. It's such a marvellous string of words, it sounds like poetry, and it's different every day. I'd be David Attenborough, back in the days when he was off round the world in safari shorts, because of my childhood ambition to be a wildlife tracker – he's been to some amazing places, and had memorable experiences on his quest to see animals in the wild. That sounds like a great adventure to me.

Got a question for Kate? You'll find her on twitter @Kate_Wooding .

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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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Allie Gledhill - Author and Survivor

Allie Gledhill is a chiropractor, world traveller and owner of four legged friend, Pluto. Allie recently swapped Glasgow for her native Australia to embark on the next chapter of her life. Her first book, An Angel In The Corner, tells the tale of her road to healing after enduring violent sexual abuse as a teenager.  Allie hopes that by sharing her story of overcoming the hurt and pain to lead a happy, fulfilled life that she will support and inspire others to move forward. Allie is an incredible person and a true survivor. Let me introduce you....

Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, I dreamed of being a professional musician, someone who spent all day playing uplifting music with a group of good friends. These days I still love to play the piano and I kind of like that I don’t play for a job. I play because I love it.

My first job was in a fast food restaurant when I was fifteen or sixteen years old, serving greasy chips & chicken. I made some great friends there, people who would become friends for life and would later encourage me with my writing work and my coming out as an abuse survivor.

Other people think that I am a happy and easygoing person, with a tendency to get a bit overly excited every now again, especially over good food and/or pretty silk scarves.

The best advice I ever got was to write a book! My partner wouldn't stop nagging me until my book was written and published. It was very confronting for me to go back and re-live the most difficult years of my life, but the writing process helped me to put it all behind me and to free myself from the memories that were haunting and controlling me.

My favourite saying is ‘love your life and it will love you right back’!

Change is often an opportunity in disguise, and the more confronting the change feels, the more likely it is that we need to embrace that change. I strongly resisted going public with my story for years and years, but the desire to write my book kept niggling at me until I finally started taking small steps towards reaching my goal. The change felt overwhelming at first but it ended up feeling great.

I’d be lost without the support and love of my family and my friends.

The achievement I am most proud of is writing my story and coming out as an abuse survivor. I thought I would take my horrible secret to the grave and that no one would ever know what happened to me, other than myself and my abuser. I didn’t realise how immensely cathartic the writing process would be and how many messages of love and support that I would receive once I found the courage to share my story.

My biggest challenge has been to come to terms with my past. It had taken many hours of counselling and personal work but I have finally achieved my goal.

My ambition for the future is to use my writing to give a voice to those people who are, for whatever reason, unable to share their own stories. For many years I was frightened into silence by an adult to had power over me and made me feel like I didn't have a voice of my own. Having a voice and an outlet for communication and creativity are valuable gifts that I don’t want to waste.

If I could be someone else for the day I would be P!NK. I think it would be marvellous to wear those fabulous costumes and to fly about on a trapeze.

In the public eye I believe that Angelina Jolie is a great role model for women because she uses her personal power to draw attention to humanitarian affairs. I admire people who have a vision and a cause that is greater than themselves and I believe that she is one of those people.

Got a question or a comment for Allie? You can occasionally find her on twitter @_allie_g and her book is available here.

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Kate Bordwell - Strategist

Kate Bordwell is a strategist for a large creative agency, a keen cyclist with an infectious giggle and a liking for yoga, and champagne cocktails. She's a deep thinker, has a cool head and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Let me introduce you...

Growing up I dreamed of being an actress and the UK's first Green prime minister. Perhaps it was from a combination of wanting to be listened to and to change the world – I've always been ambitious! At school I did science subjects and messed up my A-Levels because I was in a million after school clubs and was quite distracted by them – art, history and politics were really my thing. I ended up studying history at university which made my career options wide open when I graduated. I tried a few things out but settled on planning and strategy in agencies because it’s intellectually challenging, you get to do a lot of people watching, and it’s different every day.

My first job taught me that clients are very hard to please and so are the public. If you can do both, then perhaps you’re onto a winning formula, but it’s not actually that simple. Advertising or digital marketing or PR or whatever, it’s a creative business. Sometimes you’ve got to work out how to sell something the client doesn't like initially but you know will do their brand the world of good because it’s going to engage their customers in the right way.

The best advice I ever got was to play the game. Twenty years later I'm still not sure I've ever taken it though.  My dad gave me the advice, and I think he got the advice from his dad. I don’t think any of them actually took the advice. I'm not sure why I was given the advice, given the fact that it’s potentially not worked for three generations of my family, but I do have my own spin on it. It’s interesting to sit back and work out what the ‘games’ in your life actually are, who’s playing them and what the rules are. It often gives you the perspective you need if you’re thinking about your next move, what the best thing to do is.

Other people think that I am... I have no idea what other people think. I've been told that I seem quite calm and together which has to be a good thing, even if I'm more like a swan, gliding on the water and paddling like mad below the surface!

Change is good. 

I’d be lost without my family and friends. Pretty much everything else can be replaced.

My biggest challenge has been learning to be comfortable in my own skin. I guess most people find this as they ‘grow up’.

In the last year I have learned lots about babies. And become much more patient. I also appreciate my work a lot more than I did. Work-life balance takes on a new meaning when you are a parent because everything you do is suddenly for someone else, as well as for you.

My goal for the future is to keep on being happy in the Now. 

The achievement I am most proud of is my baby. But she did a lot of the work herself. I'm also proud of my education, which has been extremely rich and varied, challenged me, and given me lots of pointless things to think about and made me the person I am today. I'm from a family that takes education extremely seriously. You’re never alone with a good book.

If I could be someone else for the day I would be my daughter Lucy. It would be great to be that happy about simple things and for everything to be new and exciting again. I love seeing how curious she is about absolutely everything, the most mundane objects and situations fascinate her. Life is one big adventure waiting to be discovered, and I try to remember that!

In the public eye I believe that the female Olympians were a great role model for women because they showed what's possible if you believe in yourself and work hard. And that success isn't just about how you look. 

Got a question or comment for Kate? You'll find her on twitter @kbordwell or visit her blog here.

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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.  

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Image (C) Malcolm Cochrane Photography