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Hi Reader,

🎄 “It is my heart-warm and world-embracing Christmas hope… that all of us… may eventually be gathered together in a heaven of everlasting rest and peace and bliss — except the inventor of the telephone.” — Mark Twain

It’s December — the season of twinkling lights, overbooked diaries, and the sweet chaos of Christmas playlists on loop. This month, I’m stepping away from the usual format.

Instead of tips or trends, I’m offering a moment to pause, reflect and reconnect.

Whether loved ones surround you, you find yourself flying solo, you’ll be working through the holidays, or recovering from a whirlwind year — this space is for you.

🙏 Thank You

To everyone I’ve coached, trained, collaborated with, laughed with — and sometimes cried with — this year: thank you. You’ve shown me what real resilience looks like — not polished or perfect, but honest, raw, and keep-going-anyway.

Your support — whether as clients, colleagues, friends or fellow warriors for wellbeing — has meant more than I can say.

🏆 A Moment I’ll Never Forget

It’s rare I’m lost for words — but this was one of those moments.

Being recognised at the Ask Zoe Awards genuinely stopped me in my tracks. Thank you to Zoe, Nicky Thomas, Claire Taylor Foster, MA, the judges and everyone from the Barnsley Growth Community. What we’ve built together — purpose, support, real connection — means more than any trophy could.

It was great to see familiar faces too: Pam Goodison (long time no see!), Rachel Nunn, Colin Saville, Claire Else, and Catherine Wenborn — who I suspect I’ll catch at the gym soon! 🤣

To all winners, nominees, and organisers: thank you for a beautifully run event and a cause that really matters. 🙏🏿♥️

🎥 Watch the moment here: Click Here to view on YouTube

🧠 Struggling to Switch Off This Christmas? You’re Not Alone — Here’s a Fast Way to Find Calm

You’ve just crossed the finish line of a busy working year — but now comes a different kind of pressure.

🎁 Cooking and wrapping presents
🎉 Social invites and office parties you can’t avoid
👪 Family reunions or tough dynamics
😮‍💨 And even when everything slows down — your mind keeps spinning

Let’s be honest: this isn’t always the rest we hoped for. Quiet moments can feel rare… if they come at all.

That’s why I recommend Brain.fm.​

🎧 It’s not just background music — it’s science-backed soundscapes designed to help your brain switch gears:

• 🌙 Sleep mode — when your mind won’t shut off at 2 AM
• 😌 Relax mode — for those rare, sacred minutes of calm
• 🎯 Focus mode — when you need to finish one last thing before the holiday starts

🎁 Give yourself the mental reset you deserve:​
👉 Click here to try Brain.fm free​

This Christmas, don’t just push through. Reset properly.

⚠️ Warning: These 3 Stories Triggered the Biggest Reactions from Clients, Colleagues & Leaders in 2025

If you lead, support or care for others — these three stories might challenge what you think you know about stress, resilience and recovery.

They weren’t just the most-read blogs of 2025 — they sparked late-night messages, touched people after sessions, and led to private conversations you never see in public.

💔 “I’m Fine – The Lie That’s Quietly Breaking Your Best People”

For anyone carrying more than they show. 🔗 Read it →

🌪 “We Have Life, But We’ve Been Wiped Out” – Reflections from Jamaica

Reflections from Jamaica — a raw look at loss, survival and emotional recovery 🔗 Read it →

🧠 “Surviving & Thriving: My Pituitary Comeback Story”

From health crisis to renewed purpose; for anyone questioning strength and identity 🔗 Read it →

🗣️ Real Talk

Everything I write — blogs, posts, newsletters — comes from real moments. Conversations. Challenges. Reflections.

If one of these struck a chord — don’t keep it to yourself. Share it. Start a conversation. Let someone know they’re not alone.

👉 Explore the full 2025 archive →​

🧠 If Someone Broke Down at Work Today… Would You Know What to Do?

📅 19–20 January 2026​
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM​
💻 Live, Online via Zoom

If you’re a:
✔️ HR Manager tired of ticking boxes
✔️ Director serious about building a culture that supports people
✔️ Business owner who values people over paperwork

…this certified Mental Health First Aid course is essential.

💬 “Empowering, practical, and transformative. Mike made it feel safe to speak up, easy to absorb, and impossible to ignore.”

This isn’t just a course — it’s a mindset shift. A leadership tool. A way to embed real care at work.

📞 01142 670 081​
✉️ hello@mikelawrence.co.uk
⏳ Spaces are limited — don’t wait for a crisis.​
🎟️ Book now​

🎄 What I’m Reading, Watching & Listening To This Festive Season 📚🎧🎬

You know that feeling when a film, book or track hits you hard — a memory, a calm, a truth you didn’t realise you needed?

Here’s what’s been filling my head (and sometimes helping me hide from the pre-Christmas rush 👇)

📚 Limitless Jim Kwik Still dipping in; loving the chapter about boosting reading speed.

🎬 The Greatest Night in Pop Neflix A moving, behind‑the‑scenes look at a legendary 1985 recording. Seeing it now, knowing some of those voices are gone, makes it hit differently.

🎧 What I’m Listening to Mariah Carey Play This Song” (feat. Anderson .Paak) Christmas Soul Classics — Smooth, soulful, a bit unexpected. Perfect soundtrack for a quiet moment to yourself.

💫 That’s a wrap for 2025.

What. A. Year.

There’s no neat way to summarise twelve months that have brought so much change, challenge, and growth — but here’s what I know:

This year brought bereavement and new beginnings.
I delivered Mental Health First Aid training, gave talks on wellbeing across the UK and abroad, and stood proudly on stage receiving an award I never expected.
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I invested in business mentorship in Germany and Barcelona — and came home with new insights, new friendships, and new fire.

There were gains — and losses, too.
Some relationships deepened, others quietly faded.
I carved out precious downtime with my daughters — full of laughter, love and the kind of joy that doesn’t need a filter.

I kept showing up for my health.
​Swimming 80 lengths regularly, finding consistency at the gym, rebuilding strength and focus after brain surgery.
Some days I felt powerful. Some days I just felt present. Both mattered.

If 2025 taught me anything, it’s this:
​Growth isn’t always loud.​
Sometimes it’s quiet discipline.
Sometimes it’s letting go.
Sometimes it’s just not quitting.

So if you’re reading this and wondering whether you did “enough” this year — only you can answer that.
And if you didn’t? There’s still time to do something about it.

It reminds me of something someone recently shared with me — someone who sadly passed this year at the age of 59:

🎄 Let’s Stay Connected

If this newsletter stirred something — made you pause, think, or feel less alone — let’s talk.

Whether you’re tired, overwhelmed, hopeful, or just curious — my inbox is open.

📩 hello@mikelawrence.co.uk

Connection isn’t a bonus — it’s everything.

Thank you for being here. It matters more than you know.

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