http://bearwolf-coaching.co.uk/

Bearwolf Coaching, Leighton Road, Leighton Buzzard (2026)

06/10/2026

The Wellbeing Equation. Where do YOU fit in?

We make time to run our businesses, look after our families and honour our social commitments.

But when it comes to our own wellbeing, how often do we settle for whatever time is left?

Last Thursday, James Jonathan Okeefe and I joined the force of nature that is Hannah Lanel , who hosted a panel alongside the incredible Lara Morgan | Entrepreneur and , for the Really Helpful Club event - a brilliant networking group for female entrepreneurs created by Sarah Austin

At the beautiful Barnsgrove in Hampshire, we spoke with 50 female entrepreneurs about physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing, and why each matters when you’re running a business.

One theme kept coming up: time.

It’s something we hear repeatedly from the business leaders and people we coach. We carry responsibility for so many other people that our own needs slip to the bottom of the list.

But what happens when we put ourselves at the top of our own to-do list?

When we make space to rest, move, breathe and reflect, we give ourselves a better chance of making clear decisions and having the energy to lead. Those benefits reach into our relationships, our families and how we experience everyday life.

Your wellbeing belongs in the foundations of your business. It deserves attention long before you reach burnout.

We also shared the basics of nervous system regulation and guided everyone through some practical breathwork - a chance to pause and experience what we were discussing.

A huge thank you to Sarah and Hannah for inviting us to share our teachings, and to everyone who contributed so openly.

We also met the legend that is Mike Mudie, co-founder of AuthenticBrewOfficial , who shared his journey into holistic health and the story behind his blend of organic kombucha, functional mushrooms, sea herbs and botanicals.

A day of connection and a question worth taking into this week:

You’re making time for everyone else. Where are you on your own to-do list?

03/10/2026

SOLD OUT - THE ELEMENTAL RETREAT NOVEMBER - All 10 rooms have now been taken

Back in April, we had an idea: to create the world’s first two-Michelin-star wellness retreat.

We wanted to bring together exceptional food, nature and wellbeing within the sanctuary Gareth Ward has created at Ynyshir Restaurant & Rooms

The result is a three-day experience combining Ynyshir’s food and hospitality with wild-water swimming, sauna, breathwork, movement, knife-making with Lee Jones, time outdoors and conversations around the fire.

To go from an idea to selling out the first retreat within just a few months is something we’re incredibly proud of.

Our longer-term aim is to run the Elemental Retreat throughout the year, with each experience shaped by the changing seasons and the produce available at Ynyshir - from winter into spring, through summer and autumn.

Tickets for our second Elemental Retreat, taking place in March, will be released next week.

If you’d like to be added to the priority waiting list, send us a direct message with the word ELEMENTAL

30/09/2026

Stress!

Not all stress is bad for you.

Some stress breaks you down. The right kind, in the right dose, can build you up.

That’s hormesis or hormetic stress: choosing a challenge, meeting it, recovering, and coming back stronger.

A hard run. High-intensity training. Sauna. Cold water. Fasting. Breathwork. Mindful training. Different challenges, but each asks you to stay with the discomfort instead of immediately backing away.

And your brain is part of that process. The anterior mid-cingulate cortex, or aMCC, is involved in effort and persistence: the part of the story where you decide to keep going when something gets hard. Study’s show that this part of the brain can physically grow in size through persistence and doing hard things regularly.

You’re practising how to meet stress. You’re building familiarity with the fire.

So when life brings pressure you didn’t choose, it doesn’t feel like completely unknown territory.

You’ve faced challenge before. You know how to breathe, steady yourself and take the next step.

That doesn’t make you invincible. It makes you more prepared.

You don’t build resilience by avoiding every hard thing. You build it by choosing hard things, regularly, and learning to recover.

Step into the fire. Then come back stronger.

29/09/2026

What a month September has been.

We kicked things off at Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place , sharing breathwork and introducing the eight principles of the Unguarded Method. It was a lovely chance to bring people together, slow down and share our teachings.

Then it was on to Ideas Fest , where we led a morning breathwork workshop and James joined a panel discussion on the manosphere - providing an alternative narrative to the toxicity surrounding this topic. Great to catch up with Helen Masters Emma Sayle Oliver Patrick Hannah Lanel Jo Dalton Dr Vanessa Moulton

We also had the privilege of running a student engagement and immersion day with University of Kent Academies Trust. We explored mindset, community and nervous system regulation, sharing practical ideas students can use in everyday life. Big thanks to Errol Reid Zoe Bennett BEM 👑

We were delighted to support Amy and Jeff Webster at the Hunter & Gather ® brand relaunch. It was an incredible day, full of energy, good people and a real sense of what they’re building. Breathwork followed by a swim in the Serpentine plus meeting the VIVOBAREFOOT team lucystewart7 fifihunter

We also fitted in a breathwork session for Walk & Talk

Then came 100 on the Hill: an early start, sunrise, meditation and a chance to slow down together in nature. Lucy George. Epic.

We brought the month to a close at our Midlands Day Retreat at The Lakes at Lavender Hall, with 24 beautiful souls. Cold water swimming, sauna, ice baths, breathwork and brilliant workshops filled the day. We shared the Unguarded Method through the practices, rituals and ceremonies that make these experiences special making time to learn, challenge ourselves, have fun and connect. Thanks to WhyDesignMatters for sponsoring the event.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, hosted us, worked alongside us and helped bring these experiences to life. We’ve met so many wonderful people and shared ideas that matter to us.

Our main take aways are that humans are designed for connection. We are stronger together and have more that connects us than divides us.

27/09/2026

What an incredible day we had yesterday at Lavender Hall Lakes 🌿

We gathered for a day of learning, connection and plenty of fun, introducing a brilliant group of people to the Unguarded Method - a practical, human roadmap for leading a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.

At the heart of the method is the belief that wellbeing is not something we find by accident. It is something we can build through greater self-awareness, honest reflection, meaningful connection and the courage to make choices that support who we are and how we want to live.

Together, we explored practical ways to understand ourselves more deeply, recognise the habits and barriers that hold us back, and create more space for openness, compassion and positive change. The day was about taking meaningful steps towards a life that feels more balanced, connected and aligned.

We were reminded that we do not have to navigate life, work or personal challenges alone. When we feel supported, heard and able to show up as our whole selves, we can begin to let go of the guards we put up and build healthier relationships with ourselves and others.

The day gave us the opportunity to reflect, learn and connect through conversation and shared experiences. It was a powerful reminder that a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life is shaped through small, intentional steps - and that community can make the journey easier, more enjoyable and more meaningful.

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the day what it was, and to Why Design Matters for being part of such a special experience. Thank you for bringing your openness, energy and willingness to connect.

We left feeling inspired, supported and excited about the road ahead. Already looking forward to the next one. 💛

24/09/2026

Thinking about thinking.

The hardest part of this morning’s 10K wasn’t the run. It was the negotiation that happened before it.

After delivering a day’s training in Reading on Wednesday, I travelled to Manchester yesterday evening for another days of training. I was determined to maintain my morning routine, so I set my alarm early enough to complete my breathwork and go for a run.

As soon as the alarm went off, the internal battle began.

- Have another snooze.
- You need more rest.
- Miss the breathwork today.
- Perhaps run 5K instead of 10K and take it easy.

All fairly reasonable arguments.

This is where metacognition - the ability to think about our thinking - becomes useful. I was able to step outside that stream of consciousness and question whether I genuinely needed more rest or whether my mind was simply offering me a comfortable way out.

On this occasion, I knew it was the latter.

I got up, completed the breathwork and started running. The first few kilometres were hard, and both my mind and body were telling me to turn around. At around 4K, the anxiety started to clear. By 8K, I felt as though I was floating.

I explored a new part of Manchester, watched the sunrise, ran through a forest, spotted some mushrooms and ran past the Manchester City

10K done—and I felt absolutely fantastic.

This isn’t about always overriding the body. Sometimes rest is genuinely what we need. It’s about developing enough awareness to recognise the difference between a real need for recovery and the stories we create to avoid something difficult.

I still experience stress and anxiety. I still have these internal battles. Understanding the psychology doesn’t make them disappear, but it does help me notice the narrative, question it and make a more conscious decision about what happens next.

That, for me, is metacognition in practice.

23/09/2026

The to-do list never really ends.

There will always be another email to answer, another job around the house, another deadline to meet or another person who needs something from you.

It’s easy to convince yourself that looking after your own wellbeing can wait until everything else is finished - but that moment rarely comes.

For us, having a at home has created a regular wellness ritual. It gives us permission to pause, step away from the noise and invest some energy back into ourselves.

This isn’t about avoiding the jobs that need doing. It’s about returning to them with greater clarity, calm and grace - with more energy, patience and presence for the people around us.

When you put your own needs first for a moment, you often have so much more to give afterwards.

We now use our sauna around four times a week, often alongside cold plunging, and it has become an incredible part of our lives.

If you’re considering creating your own wellness ritual at home, please get in touch. I’m always happy to offer advice, answer any questions and share an exclusive BAST discount code.

21/09/2026

TWO TICKETS LEFT! 🔥

22 people have already secured their place for this incredible day at The Lakes at Lavender Hall, near Coventry, in partnership with WhyDesignMatters The Lakes at Lavender Hall

Taking place this Saturday from 8:30am–6:00pm, this is a full day to reset, reconnect and invest in yourself.

James and I create experiences that bring together mindset, breathwork, movement, cold-water exposure, sauna, nature and community.

Im a business psychologist, wellness and mindset expert, while James is performance and resilience coach and certified Oxygen Advantage breathwork practitioner.

Through Bearwolf Coaching & Retreats and Unguarded Warrior, we help people step away from the noise of everyday life, reconnect with themselves and explore the practices that support greater calm, clarity, resilience and confidence.

Throughout the day, you’ll experience:

* Guided breathwork
* Cold-water swimming
* Ice baths
* Sauna
* Movement and reflection
* Natural, wholesome food
* Meaningful community
* A beautiful lakeside setting

This is a chance to spend a day in nature, try something different, challenge yourself in a supportive environment and connect with a brilliant group of people.

The final two tickets are available now.

If you’d like to be one of the last people to join us, the link is in our bio.

James Jonathan Okeefe Unguarded Warrior

21/09/2026

This guy!

A little appreciation post for one of life’s genuinely good people: Steve Brinkman Steve Brinkman

Steve is an educator, an expert Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach and someone who quietly makes a huge difference to people across our local community.

My son Theo has been attending Steve’s classes for the past four years. Watching him develop his skills has been incredible, but Steve’s impact has gone far beyond what happens on the mat. He has become a brilliant mentor to Theo, helping him develop discipline, confidence and emotional control. Seeing their relationship grow and watching Steve pour his time, knowledge and encouragement into a young man, has been really special.

Steve now runs both children’s and adult BJJ classes, and his adult sessions have really taken off. Of course, regularly rolling with some of the bigger guys means he isn’t immune to the occasional ache and pain!

Last week, Steve messaged to say his neck was feeling a little sore and asked whether he could come over for an ice bath. We decided to give him the full experience: some contrast therapy using the bast sauna and MyoMaster ice bath, alongside a proper catch-up and a good chat. He left looking like he was floating on air!

Steve has also generously delivered an introductory session for our men’s mental health charity, Walk & Talk for Mental Health - another example of the kind of person he is and how much he gives back to others.

So, if you’re based in Leighton Buzzard or the surrounding area and you’re considering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for yourself or your children, I couldn’t recommend Steve highly enough.

An exceptional coach, a wonderful mentor and, most importantly, an amazing human being. Thank you for everything you do, Steve. 🙏

Steve Brinkman Connexion Martial Arts

19/09/2026

🌅 100 ON THE HILL | AUTUMN EQUINOX 🍂

Wow. What an incredible morning! ❤️

There’s something truly special about getting up at 6am, heading out into nature and coming together with over 100 beautiful souls to celebrate the changing of the seasons.

Grounding ourselves in the earth. Breathing in the fresh morning air. Journaling, Qigong, movement and powerful breathwork. Letting go of what no longer serves us, creating space for renewal and welcoming the new season with open hearts.

So much fun, laughter, connection, love and beautiful energy. Real magic on the hill again today! ✨

This event also marks our second anniversary of 100 on the Hill!

What started over two years ago has grown and grown, and it’s genuinely beautiful to see this movement gathering momentum.

A movement about coming back to ourselves. Back to nature. Back to connection. Back to the simple things that are available to us every single day to help us live a life of greater calm, balance and contentment.

Sometimes, the most powerful things in life are the simplest. 🌿

A massive thank you to every single person who got out of bed early this morning and joined us on the hill. You are what makes these events so special.

And a huge thank you to James O’Keefe and Lucy George for co-hosting this beautiful morning with me.

We feel incredibly grateful to be able to bring people together and create these experiences. To see the community growing, the connections deepening and the love that everyone brings is something truly special.

Here’s to more connection, more nature, more love and more magic.

Until the next one! ❤️

Bearwolf Coaching

06/10/2026

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