Content Warning
This episode discusses sensitive topics, including bereavement, loss, and mental health.
Please listen with care.
Introduction
In this episode, Nathan Walker talks to guest, Rhian Mannings MBE about the power of physical activity. Rhian is a Pride of Britain winner, former PE teacher, and the founder of 2Wish, a charity supporting families experiencing sudden bereavement. Rhian’s life took a tragic turn when she lost her son George suddenly. Days later, her husband Paul took his own life. Struggling with PTSD and anxiety, Rhian was driven to create a charity that ensures no family endures such loss without support.
The Role of 2Wish in Bereavement Support
The charity provides immediate, proactive support for grieving families, including memory boxes, designated hospital spaces, and lifelong care. Partnering with hospitals, 2Wish reaches families as soon as they need help, ensuring no one feels abandoned. Rhian’s resilience and drive have turned her personal tragedy into a lifeline for others.
The Transformative Power of Physical Activity
Rhian shared how exercise profoundly impacted her mental health, particularly through the 2017 BBC documentary Mind Over Marathon. Training for the London Marathon allowed her to open up about her loss, connect with others, and regain self-confidence. This experience highlighted the importance of physical activity in improving mental well-being. Rhian continues to challenge herself through activities like trekking to Everest Base Camp, inspiring her children and others to embrace resilience and purpose.
Lessons for Physical Education
Rhian emphasised PE’s potential to support children’s mental health through movement and connection. She urged teachers to foster inclusive environments, focus on holistic well-being, and recognise each child’s individual needs. For children experiencing bereavement, she advised schools to communicate with families, use the names of lost loved ones, and offer space for open dialogue.
Inspiration Through Action
Rhian’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, the impact of community, and the healing potential of movement. Her message to educators is to understand their students, encourage them, and use PE as a tool for both physical and mental health.
Mantra for Life
Rhian shares her life mantra: ‘Don’t wait for the storm to pass; learn to dance in the rain.’ Despite life’s difficulties, she emphasises gratitude, positivity, and resilience. She acknowledges that while challenging days persist, it is still possible to live a fulfilling life.
Teaching Resilience in PE
Rhian highlights the importance of winning and losing in sports to build resilience. She critiques the trend of avoiding competition, such as not awarding first-place medals, arguing that experiencing both victory and loss teaches valuable life lessons. She believes children should learn that challenges are inevitable but surmountable, helping them develop the mental strength to navigate difficulties.
Mixed-Gender PE
Rhian advocates for mixed-gender PE classes, noting their potential to build resilience and encourage comfort in exercising alongside others, reflecting real-life scenarios. However, she acknowledges the need for single-sex classes in certain situations, especially for younger girls who may feel self-conscious.
Encouraging Lifelong Engagement in Exercise
Rhian stresses the importance of fostering positive associations with exercise. She recommends focusing on activities that promote health and well-being rather than solely teaching traditional sports. By creating habits that children can sustain after school, such as walking or fitness tailored to individual interests, schools can combat disengagement from exercise.
Inspiring Mental Health Awareness
Through her charity work, Rhian visits schools to share her story and promote the benefits of exercise for mental health. Initiatives like Mind Over Mile combine physical activity with conversations about feelings, helping students recognise the link between mental and physical well-being.
Reflections on Teaching
Rhian advises prioritising each child’s individuality and encouraging them to cherish every moment of movement and connection. Her experiences inspire educators to nurture resilience and a lifelong love of physical activity. Her story exemplifies how challenges can fuel impactful change in the lives of young people.
About the Guest
Today’s episode is a conversation with Rhian Mannings MBE. A Pride of Britain Winner and former PE teacher and leader.
Further support
Rhian is now the CEO and founder of the charity 2wish, which provides vital support for families experiencing sudden bereavement.Â
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, please contact 2wish via email at info@2wish.org.uk or telephone 01443 853125
Listen
To listen to the full episode please follow these links to Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Responses