Whysup

Year 6 at St Joseph’s RC Primary School have become Brain Detectives!

We explored how our amazing brains can sometimes trigger a ‘worry alarm 🚨’ and send us ‘fake news’. Through fun, interactive activities, pupils learnt how to spot unhelpful thoughts, check the facts, use their ‘kind mind’, and build practical tools to take back control from worry.

Empowering young minds with confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing - one detective at a time! 💙

Last week it was great to catch up with Joe and Julie Foster.

I’ve recently been lucky enough to become a co-author alongside Joe in his final book - Survive & Thrive.

We spoke about many things, but I couldn’t resist asking Joe plenty about Reebok, the Bolton born brand he co-founded.

It reminded me of a story from when I was 12.

A few days after Bolton Wanderers played their final game at Burnden Park, me and my mate sneaked into the ground for one last kickabout. We even took a camera with us (photos below 🙂).

I took a penalty at the Lever End, scored, and celebrated in front of the Burnden Terrace pretending I was John McGinlay.

Before we left, I spotted one of the giant Reebok billboards that had been fixed to the Burnden Terrace. It was around 10 feet long, made of plywood, and I decided I was taking it home for my bedroom.

I carried it on my head for about 4 miles back to Halliwell.

My mum wasn’t impressed when I knocked on the door with it, but she let me keep it in my bedroom. I loved having it there. It reminded me of Burnden Park and of Reebok - a brand born in Bolton.

Little did I know that 30 years later I’d be sitting with Joe Foster, not talking about that billboard, but co-authoring a book with him.

Life has a funny way of coming full circle. ❤️

A big shout out to the Year 9 & 10 students at Canon Slade High School.

With today’s heat, it’s not easy sitting through a full session listening to an external speaker, but around 600 students, listened, engaged and took in every word.

Today’s session focused on Habits & Addictions, with a particular focus on drugs – a topic that’s more important than ever for young people today.

Thank you for having us. We hope to see you all again next year.

And with that, my final school session of this academic year is complete.

Over and out. 🙂

Mark

‘Survive & Thrive’ - buy now on Amazon

There isn’t one answer to improving our mental health 🧠

For some, it’s talking. For others, it’s walking, running, lifting weights or learning a new skill.

That’s why Whysup In The Community are proud to be partnering with Cherry Blossom BJJ & Wellness to fund six men’s wellbeing sessions over the coming weeks

These sessions combine movement, breathwork, reflection and conversation in a relaxed, supportive environment. No experience is needed, and it’s not about competing or proving yourself. It’s about building resilience, confidence, friendships and giving men another space where it’s okay to be themselves.

Dates at times will be confirmed this week on Cherry Blossom BJJ page

His family want to ensure nobody else goes through a similar heartbreak

Survive & Thrive.

Mark Murray New
Joe Foster

Click link in IG story to purchase 💙

It’s a funny old world.

Today I met up with Joe Foster and his wife Julie.

Like me, Joe is a Bolton lad. He didn’t do too bad in business. He co-founded a brand a few of you might of heard of...Reebok!

I’ve recently had the pleasure of being a co-author in Joe’s book Survive & Thrive. The book launched this week, and I sadly couldn’t go. So this morning we met up for a brew.

This morning I thanked Joe & Julie for the opportunity and we spoke all things Bolton, family, work and life.

Joe signed our book, as well as signing a trainer that if you’re from Bolton, you’ll know this trainer was a part of growing up - Reebok Workouts.

I’ll be framing the book, trainer and photo of me and Joe as a reminder that no matter how bad life gets, things can and will get better 🙂

Joe Foster Julie Foster
One Golden Nugget