Free Your Mind – Sharah Lewis Campbell

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of Free Your Mind, Let's Talk About It with LKJ. Over the past few weeks since we've joined 2022, we've had lots of different guests on the show expressing and freeing their mind. Sarah, did I say that correct? Slightly, it's Shara, but yes. I, um, having tried, I don't know, um, this dreadful COVID Omicron's been around, and although I haven't got it, you know, and testing negative, it seems to be making a presence without, you know, being identified, I think. So I apologize to you and to the listeners, but This week, as we were saying, we've got the wonderful S. Lewis Campbell. It's easier at the moment to say, um, that is joining our show. Uh, hugely humble, uh, lady who has actually interviewed me personally for her own, uh, shows, etc. So it's wonderful to have the reciprocation back, and I want to go straight in. To let her introduce herself to you by giving her this platform as we talk about all issues that, um, are associated with her, including her publishing company and, um, other aspects to her businesses that she has. So can I ask you to introduce yourself to the listeners so that they have a clear understanding of who exactly this humble, beautiful lady is that we have joining us for this show. Thank you so much. Well, uh, firstly, thank you very much indeed, Lady Kendall-Jagger, for having me. Uh, my name is Shara Lewis Campbell, for, for those that don't know me. Um, you all may recognize just my pen name, um, which is S. Lewis Campbell. Um, but I'm Shara Lewis Campbell. Uh, I'd like to introduce myself firstly just to to say that I'm a publisher for Beauty and the Beast Publishing. I'm one of the co-founders. Unfortunately, my colleague Andrew couldn't be here today. And outside of that, I'm also an author of 6 novels with the 7th imminently on its way. And outside of that, as again, um, it seems like I'm doing quite a few things, but outside of that, I'm also the coach as well for Snazzy, the Snazzy Drafts Writing Academy. And when I'm not doing that, I'm also— our business is part of this global syndicate with the largest writers' online platform that we have, which is 360 Nation Biz Catalyst. And if you might have heard in the background, I'm also on grandparent duty today as it's my daughter's birthday, so I'm wishing her a very happy birthday. Oh, wonderful. Well, that's the thing, you know, uh, in the, um, day and age that we are in now, we, um, find ourselves having to be slightly in a definition as a creature of the sea, such as an octopus, stretching out and reaching out, you know, the harp there, you know, just trying to fix and do everything in there. Um, And, and still achieving. Yes. And how we're not— you're saying, so if we, um, break everything down, obviously you are an author, as you said, and of 6 books, your 7th due out. Yes. What was the reason that you first began to write, and can you tell the listener about your first novel? Yeah, sure. So I've always written, I've just always been very interested in— well, I would say, to be honest, I've always written, but I think more importantly to me at the time, I was more of an avid reader. So that's where I sort of came in to play. So I didn't just go straight from reading to writing. In between all of that, there was loads of study. So I studied and sort of learned my craft, a bit like yourself really, just over the years, just adding to it, you know, doing lots lots of studying courses, and I took a degree, my Bachelor of Arts in English, and I did exceedingly well in that. Prior to that, I had done an A-level and, you know, some previous study, you know, GCSEs, etc. And English had always been a very strong point of mine. And as I say, I've always written. I'd entered competitions and done— was fairly successful with those. And Being an author was something I'd always wanted to do, you know, as a, as a child. It was the only ambition that I had, and I wanted to incorporate it with traveling somewhat because it was another passion of mine as well as reading. And, you know, as I got the skill for it and I sort of gained that confidence, it soon transpired that, as you mentioned earlier, life gets in the way. And, you know, I'm the first author in my family, first published author, and so So I didn't come from that background, didn't come from that industry at all, and didn't have any links or anything like that. But with the study that I had done, my coaches along the way and my tutors all felt very strongly and was in full support of me following this particular craft and was telling me to really pursue with it. Growing up, my stepfather, who is currently in a coma, I must add that, He— That's awful to hear. Yes, it is. But I will say this, I take great comfort in knowing that I had a conversation with him just 2 days prior to his incident, and, you know, he was so proud of what I was doing and thought it was the best thing, and, you know, and wished me well. But he was my only supporter, my only avid supporter, you know, throughout whilst I was learning my craft, as it were. And every day would, you know, for 10 years would, you know, encourage me to take my degree, which I did, which was the second degree for me. So I wasn't so keen to do it at first. So yeah, I'm glad that I did it because having done that is where I'm at today. But again, I didn't have a plan. I didn't know I was going to, you know, have this amazing business that I have today and all the wonderful people that I work with and know and have met along the journey, including yourself, have all been sort of inspiration to me and has really kept me going, especially during the pandemic, which is when we opened. And considering as well that it was a very— it has been a very stressful period back then. So to know that it's doing what it does now, being, you know, part of the largest Writers Online platform, is just a major achievement for us. This was something we dreamt about before we even started the company, so to know that we are part of it now and everything's coming to fruition, we couldn't be more grateful. And like you quite rightly said, we don't boast, we don't brag, we're just We just want to deliver, you know, and we want to be able to support and help as many of our peers within the industry, you know, and we just feel like we have a social responsibility to publish writers, you know, who don't come from the industry, who do have disadvantaged backgrounds and challenging backgrounds, because we know what that's like. And then we can provide them with the tools and the know-how and the knowledge, you know, and the confidence, you know, to go out and be able to do this for themselves and to also be able to publish us, you know, um, you know, their first book. Um, my, uh, first novel, which is, uh, McGoran's Beach, um, that was born by, uh, my living away from home. Um, I lived in Australia for 4 years, and, um, it wasn't the best experience, but I overcame that, and it become— it became a very great experience at the end. And that's my 7th novel. I'm trying to hurry up and finish that for everyone, and it's just really just due to time and being so busy, you, you know, publishing other authors, why it's taken its time to, to come out. So, and thankfully, because, uh, we own the publishing company, um, you know, we decide when we're going to publish. So, um, that'll be out very soon though. I'm hoping to have it out, um, before spring. So, um, yeah, look out for that one very soon. But yeah, McGowan's Beach was, um, inspired by my first trip to Australia, which wasn't the greatest trip in the world. Um, um, at the time it wasn't the greatest experience, you know. I had gone through some experience for the first time ever, some prejudice and some racism, which compelled me to write the first book. And it's done, it's done extremely well. And, and as a result of the first book, it became a trilogy, which it was always going to be anyway. Um, But yeah, and that's how I became an author, a published author. As I was saying, why I wanted you to introduce yourself, because there were many areas of your bio quite proudly for you to say yourself, and the journeys that you've been on. And obviously, you know, when we're looking back, like you've just touched on some key issues there. Yes, regarding prejudice and racism. Yeah, and obviously, um, obviously that itself would have gave— would have given you some, um, trauma and, um, mental health issues because, you know, this isn't right. You can't be attacked in this way. There are many forms of abuse And, you know, as you know, we're covering this 12-week segment on abuse, domestic, whatever. But racism is a form of abuse. It is horrific. Prejudice is abuse. And for yourself, you know, we don't have the right to do this, you know. That's right. Even from bullying to so much that we see is why I want to highlight it. You know, in these in-depth things and going on with that, because we have to stop. You know, for me, that's why it was important that these first 12-week segments of interviews go out that really break down and talk about a subject and the harm, and the people that are causing this harm. You know, we've had all this, as I've been speaking with other guests throughout, You know, we are destroying not only ourselves and also our planet. You know, we've had all these highlights on, uh, the climate change and all these issues which, you know, these countries are stepping up to say we must stop this. But if man doesn't stop, mankind doesn't stop destroying each other, yes, and hurting each other, there will be nobody to live in this climate world that We destroy. Are we going to go back, as we've said, to Ice Age? You know, I have a religious belief, as you know most people do, and maybe yourself as well. Yes. That, you know, when we look back at the Bible and we look how God had had enough of man destroying itself, and we've heard this, this is history repeating itself. Is that he took, you know, every species two by two. Yes. Okay, now he didn't take two white people. No, only, yeah, he took from everybody. They were all equal to, um, go in and regenerate a new human, new life, slowly again. For a lesson that we must learn, that we cannot destroy each other or our planet. You cannot be racist, you cannot keep inflicting abuse. Yes. You know, and this abuse that's going on— people shouldn't be treated differently because of, you know, language, race, Yeah, you know, sexuality— we don't have that right. God never gave that right. I agree. We have to judge each other. That's right. A simple word of kindness, whether you are Black or white, you are Asian, you know, or you— whatever country you come from, whether you are a strong patriot of being Scottish Irish, Welsh, you are Indian, you are Bangladeshi, you are African, you know, for instance. We know our countries, we love that. Let's grow patriotic together. That's right, and I totally agree with you. I mean, um, it's funny you should— I identify and resonate with much of what you said there because, um, you know, both my parents are really indicative of what a blended culture looks like. You know, both my parents are mixed race, and, you know, and I believe that, you know, all of those elements helped to make me who I am. You know, I have an Irish grandmother. She's still alive today, thank God. She's my only surviving grandparent. You know, I don't know where I'd be without her, you know, and her history and, you know, giving me that sort of backbone and upbringing, you know, has been really vital to my survival, especially when I was out in Australia. I think if it wasn't for her brawn and tenacity, I probably wouldn't have survived much of it, you know. And we can't help who we are. And I think, you know, you mentioned the African part of it as well. It's part of my culture, you know, it's part of who I am, my identity, the West Indian part of me. And all in all, I was born here, you know. You know, I'm British and that's how I view myself. And, um, you know, irrespective of my background, we are all human beings and, um, you know, we all have a past and, and, you know, and all the rest of it. And we should not be ridiculed because of it. No, definitely not. So when you're saying, you know, with Australia, yeah, can you— what type, you know, because there's ever other things you want to go about. But I just think as we are freeing your mind and we're opening up and we're expressing. This is an unbiased, unjudgmental show, but it's a show where you can open up and express. And for the listener that is listening in, yeah, do not hold your voice. Be able to speak, but when you speak and you use the words of the alphabet, ensure that you are using those words in a polite, correct manner. But yes, you're allowed to have an opinion, but don't have an opinion where you're going to absolutely hurt someone, because your words can hurt just as much as a punch to you, can't it? Oh, most definitely. And I think sometimes, to be honest with you, it's that mental and emotional abuse, you know, that is sometimes a lot more difficult, you know, to see past, you know, and to find resolve from than the physical pain, because that tends to kind of heal, and, you know, as long as it's not permanent or disfiguring, um, you know, you are able to sort of overcome that somewhat. But it's those, it's those negative experiences that tend to sort of seep away at people. And, you know, I'm the first to admit, you know, I think after my, you know, a bit of a glutton for my own punishment, you know, but, um, you know, I, I've traveled to Australia 5 times, you know, and that, you know, and I've resided out there for, you know, over a course of 4 years. And thankfully I was able— I had the freedom to go and come quite often. And obviously because I'm from here, I needed to return here as well regularly just to see, you know, keep things afloat. However, I will say this, I think that when I went back, you know, there was something that was— I was always interested in the place growing up, you know, and always wanted to travel there. And no, I wasn't going to let let, you know, the small-mindedness of others, you know, stop me from doing what I need to do. And I'll never let that happen, you know. I mean, we've all allowed to have a life to live, and I would like to live mine, you know, as I see fit. And as long as it's not causing any grief to anyone else, you know, that's fine, you know. There should be— there should be no judgment from that. But what I would say is, is that over— even though I was in Australia and I had those things happen, I consider myself to be quite a strong person. I did have to go through a period of counseling, you know, to get over, you know, that racist element, you know, at some point, you know, that negativity was really starting to ebb away at me where I was starting to sort of look at myself and ask myself, what have I done, you know, why is it me, you know, what have I done to, you know, cause this to happen. But I realised the issue wasn't me, you know, but the issue for me was how I coped with it. And thankfully, I didn't let it put me off. And, you know, I'm very, very grateful, if I can say, to two people in Australia that would do anything for me. And, and that is Trine, and that is Karen. And I'm very, very grateful for them saving me while I was out there and, and still, you know, being such wonderful people, such great women of valor. I would say that I owe them a lot, you know, and some of which I could never really repay, if I'm honest. But I'm still in touch with those wonderful ladies today, and I will always think the world of them. Yes, which is the self-gratification. That's right. What the words are— they could beat you with the words, the racist words, the prejudice, and in there. But is that— would you identify that was Australia itself more as a country, or the individual minds of certain people? Would it— was it more the Australian race? Or, you know, because they have a lot of mixed, um, nationalities there. Everyone seems to go traveling and everything off there. You do. Why do you think that you— it was, you know, obviously, if it's not too painful, um, that— why do you think that they attacked you in this way? I think it happened because, um, they did not like the fact that I was there. Maybe they felt that, um, I don't know, I felt maybe they— I don't know if it felt slightly intimidated. Um, I would definitely urge you to read the book so I don't sort of, um, you know, spoil it for you. But, you know, I was in a relationship at the time when I was out there, and, um, you know, the person that I was in a relationship with, it was their former family, and that took objection. And, and not all of them, but there were two or a few individuals who did. But it wasn't just that, it was also the others they were able to involve as well. But what they do, don't they? Yes, it's like a bully pack. We all have to belong to some form of tribe. Yes, and then what we do, if you're a criminal, you tend to be more— that if you, if you're somebody that is being a person that is being abused, yeah, you know, as Anne said when I interviewed her, you know, people tend to think, is it better to stay here and take this and have this and be surrounded by these people because they give me that love and I don't know anything else. Yes, you knew this was wrong, and this is what we're saying with any sort of abuse, whether it's racism, domestic violence, sexual abuse, any form of abuse, um, you have to say no. Yes, it is not your fault, and this wasn't your fault. No, you got out of it. Yes, I did. Yes, you got out of it, you know. And with this racism, I think that happened. You come back because you was British. Yes. You know, and you were born from love. Yes. If it was, you know, um, from white Caucasian or African or mixed race, whatever, you were a gift from God and born from love. That's right. With a unit of family around you. And obviously having that, um, as we say, I don't think they like change much either as well. And I think that's— and I think The way that Australia is, you've just got pockets of a little bit like anywhere else. I mean, if you look at the history of the country, going back, you know, with the Indigenous people that are there and obviously, you know, the white Australians, I mean, they have their own issues, as it were, you know, in terms of territory and things like that. But I mean, the country is large enough to hold everyone and, you know, I mean, you don't have to have neighbours or anything like that. The country is It's massive, but there's also pockets of places as well. Each town is quite relatively quite small. You do have a few large areas, but most towns tend to be quite small in population and quite tiny and may not have much going on there. And what happens is, is that you'll find that a lot of the youngsters, they've all moved to the city and, you know, where it's young and vibrant, whereas the older parents and so forth, grandparents, you know, they're not used to seeing people like me all the time, you know, in their parts. So it's something for them to sort of— an acquired taste. Most people took to it very well and were very keen to see, meet someone who looked different or appeared different to them, and the majority did. But there were some few as well that did take objection because, you know, for whatever reason, they just probably didn't like change. They probably never travelled before, you know, and things like that. So they are very limited in their view and maybe their upbringing, most likely, you know. Yes. So then, so you've come back, you've come back to England, and as you were saying, you took a second degree and being the first author in your family, which is very proud for your family, against all this that you've had to tackle in your own mental health and deal with it and not let it destroy you. You have a journey, you have the power to do this, but through your humbleness. And obviously, as you said, you don't brag. You're, you're very, a very quiet, reserved person that goes gently about her way. Yes. But wants to leave her legacy and, um, and to help people in a field of knowing that you didn't come from you know, this world of where writing would have been easier for you and having the tutors and the support. When you're working with people that come from areas where they don't have the funds available to study, to do this, and what you're offering to go in for those people to do that is an achievement itself, you know. On what you've done. You know, 7 books is amazing. As you know yourself, I've written 4 books. I'm trying to finish The Caretaker, but like you, we're feeling like an octopus at times where I'd like to sit down. You know, with lockdown, one thing that happened with that, you know, I wrote Waiting for the Tide and Breathe. I was like, wow, I had all this time to write, the freedom to write. And express and get these out. And obviously, you know, I was going to use your own publishing company to put these out. But because of my inability to understand— as though people will look and say, Jags, you know, you can do this, isn't that— there are certain things I don't know how to do. And I just look at it, I, I don't have a clue. And because of my time was taken up, you know, and going off, I haven't proceed any further, they're ready to be published or something, you know. But I need somebody to be able to do that for me. Well, we have offered people before in the past, you know, and that offer is there again for you, Lady Kindle Jagger, as well. Yeah, it's there to go. Everybody's asking, when's it coming out? I said, but for me, you know, where you are somebody that helps, like with that book, you know, I went on to Amazon, I think, to create some on there. I don't understand it. I would much rather have somebody else do it. That's right, and I get it. And then you set it up and go, here you go, go and do it. That would be the easiest and simplest format for me. I appreciate that. Because doing that, um, and then you've also had them anywhere else. And you've also had an illness as well yourself. Do you remember you went and had an operation as well? Yes, yes, I did. And it was all around that period as well. You know, and you needed to obviously recover. Yes, I ended up in Clarks Hospital, didn't I? Yes, you did. I was in there and the trouble I was having— Very serious operation as well, you know, I mean, your recovery is quite remarkable, I must say. Yeah, that was April last year. Yeah. And going in, and I think I was speaking to you, I think still some of the photographs are pretty horrific. And thankfully to a team of neurologists, I'm still managing to work. Yes, I was having— you were working in there when you were having the operation, do you remember? I know, you were still doing some work in there. What are you doing? I know, I was asking you why is that in my brain and still doing the news. I know, and you were still trying to publish and I said we just can't possibly entertain this, you need to take some time out. Yeah, and I was trying to carry on, it was like, um, trying to put, you know, this person down and switch her off and say, yeah, you need to, you know, you do. And obviously that, you know, with issues now of narcolepsy, you know, it leaves you all other stuff, you know, what we're trying to do— narcolepsy, epilepsy, cataplexy, totteries, um, and still battles and trying to get medication and stuff right for her. But I still strive, I still continue. Yeah, of course, because I'm not going to be used or prejudiced against because I disability with that, and a lot of people may not know that. Yeah, well, I never— it's not evident, it's not evident at all, you know. That's right, that's very true. And that's another point as well, actually, about being kind. Like you quite rightly said, we don't know what journey other people have come from, you know, just like you mentioned before, you know, in terms of like criminals, etc. You know, there's a reason why people are taking this course of action, you know, would it be their circumstances we never get to hear the whole scenario in court, you know, like what led them to this. That's the bit that I'm really, really interested in, you know, what was their environment like, what caused this, you know, what caused them to make this decision, you know. As you know, the world is not a very fair place, you know, and you, you know, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, and, you know, the division between the two is, you know, there's very often no middle ground, you know, anymore. And, you know, this is again why I'm very proud of the opportunity that we offer. Some people are not in agreement with it, and we get that, you know. Not— some people are used to listening or reading about, you know, popular authors that are already out there. But I'm telling you, there are lots of authors, you know, like myself, that have got some genuine, real stories that need to be heard, that are going to make the difference in reducing crime, you know, making a difference to humanity. You know, these are the people that I work with because they come from these challenging backgrounds and they have something different to offer that's going to make a real difference in society. And those are the people that I'm really keen, you know, to hear from. And the thing that I'm probably most proud about in my business is not, not only do I talk about being, you know, a humanitarian and offering that experience in, in some respects in terms of our service But every day I demonstrate that in my own business, you know, and that's probably my own— that's my— probably my biggest achievement. And if anything, if I'm going to brag about anything, it's going to be that point. And quite rightly, and so you should, because you were saying, you know, criminality. Um, my guest, um, on the show had Rhys, a criminal barrister. He— as he said, it's not until they enter the criminal system, right, that there has been an underlying problem. Yes, mental health or health issue that has been undiagnosed. And until they've gone through this, um, system, yes, they can't fix it. And fix it through rehabilitation and coming through to fix the problem because they don't know I agree. In actual fact, sometimes, you know, Dr. Ashok Sarai believes that a head injury can cause criminality. Yes, I agree. There's many things that do this. Yeah, very quick to stone. And when people come out, we have to allow someone to rehabilitate. That's the crisis. They become lifers by installments. Yeah, and I agree with you there as well. You know, you're making such a very, very valid point there, you know. Rehabilitation starts from the moment they enter— should start, sorry, from the moment that they enter the penal system, you know, from the moment that they come to notice, you know, we need to try and prepare them for when they re-enter society, you know, and I don't think that that always is a factor, you know, you'll be lucky if you can find that. I think probably America is a little bit more advanced, even though they still have a lot more work to do, in terms of that they offer various programs, you know, even writers' courses. You know, I personally have published, I think it's 16 incarcerated authors to date, you know, who are all going to make a difference in society and that are already currently doing so. You know, these are people that are just waiting with their release date, so they've done the work, you know, they've gone on various courses as well to prepare them to re-enter society, you know, and they, they've done things— it's not been easy, but they've done things the right way, you know. Um, once they've realized where they've gone wrong, they've entered the system, and, and instead of being encouraged to do so, they've shown willing to want to make those changes. Do you see what I'm saying? And from there, it's made all the difference, you know. They've come, come to us, you know, through us and the program that we offer. We're now able— this, this person will now be released into society. They will not only have their book published, but they can now begin to earn from that book, you know, upon release. And outside of that, they've also got the— they've got My Business for, um, you know, um, they've got access to us and our services for life, you know. Out— so there's always a port for them to call, and they can also feel supported through their work. And outside of that we also offer them the skills and the knowledge and the know-how to do what we do for them, for themselves, if they wish to continue. Wow, that is fabulous. Some are doing really well, you know, Kendall. That is what we want to hear. And you know, when, um, the listeners who've been listening to all these shows where we're talking about it, is even with the, uh, uh, criminal barrister race, I was doing the show, his greatest achievement as— and he's a defense barrister, yeah, and 99% of the time doing it— his greatest achievement is when he sees that person, unjudgmental, but they have rehabilitated. Yes, because sometimes throwing them into incarceration and locked away, it's not going to do it. They're going to compete completely keep doing these installments all through their life. Yeah. You know, because until something is addressed and the problem, they want to do it and find out what's there. Because when they're going in and, you know, when they're assessed, they feel worse. There's useless, there's mental health issues, there's reasons. We have to go back to childhood. Is there abuse? You know, there's usually the conditions that they're currently in there as well. I mean, if you look at, uh, um, you know, especially the penal system America, you know, is, you know, I mean, they're, you know, it's very, very difficult to survive in there. So for anybody who does make it out, you know, with their faculties intact, and then they've got like, they've managed to complete a few courses and get themselves educated, you know, and then they've, they've come through us and they, and they've been able to, uh, you know, um, publish a book and learn the skills of the trade. I mean, they can do exceptionally well, you know. I mean, we've got, um authors that have come through us, their books are being taught at universities, you know, every day as part of the curricula there. You know, it doesn't just stop with just writing the book, you know. The journey will take you, you know, as you know yourself, you know, Lady Kendall-Jagger, look, you know, look at where your book's taken you, that, you know, The Broken Girl in the Red Shoes. I mean, it's a magnificent book, you know, and it's done extremely, extremely well. You know, and continues to, you know, and it's taken on a life of its own and it's born all these other books that you've written as well, you know. It has been, and because it was— when, for people that don't know about my own book, you know, when I wrote that, um, and the consultant forensic clinical, um, psychologist said to me, uh, Kendall, how did you heal yourself from this pain? By writing. Exactly. I would not understand, you know, with the trauma that I had gone through my whole life. Yes. You know, some people say, oh, Lady Di, she is in the pictures, like that. You know, I am a sufferer of mental health. I'm an advocate for it. I'm an advocate for the awareness. I have that hand, that invisible hand, to do so for no gain. To reach out and say, yes, I fell, yes, I've suffered. Yeah, I suffered. And it all started for me with meningitis at the age of 5. I remember, and that was a big shift, you know, with neurologists, and still ongoing with trouble. Yes, right now, you know, and they're still trying to get things to work. And a lot of people think when they look at that picture on my website, because we can all paint our face and put a mask on and do our hair and go out. But it's when we're at home and we are completely bare as ourselves. Yes. And because beauty is only skin deep and how it goes, that people see you directly and honestly and you watch and you see and you see how people reap. And, you know, I am very straight, very honest, and I will go straight in and try and free your mind. As much. And in some of the shows, taking people down with breathing, when we're talking about one, Gemma Homebrew, that had been on, her father committed suicide when she was 4. She was in a— brought up in a relationship where her stepfather then abused her mother. Yeah, doing that. So he, you know, she suffered I was like, be quiet, be quiet. Yeah, not to have a voice. And now she's a life coach and saying, you know, and comes to me, and I was such gratification to her when she said, you inspire me, you do, because, you know, you won't let that voice be stopped. My voice is there to help, my ear is there to listen, and my hand will always support. I don't care whatever race you are what religion you are. You're a human being, I'm a human being, and we don't destroy the planet we live in. And the more that we unite that invisible hand, we will grow, we will grow stronger. They're invisible, the strength and power that that will do if we all work in the right way and stop destroying, you know, stop being cruel. And so with the Broken Girl in Red Shoes, yes, there was simple trauma. And, you know, at the end I was nearly suffering on chronic. Yes, really. I think, you know, where's this in it? Where— and she said, she said, how'd you get it? I just shut down, hid away. Yeah. Where did you go? I hid away. And I felt completely worthless. Yeah. Suffered racism. Yeah, you do feel that way. You feel the lowest you've ever felt, you know, when you go through something like that. Go and see somebody. Yes, we have that now, and we've— but in back in— going back now, crikey, yeah, about 1993, 1994, you know, that's 20 years ago then. But then I rewind because I'm, you know, in my 50s now, even back to school, you know, from going into having menagitis force me to change and go into, you know, become a woman at the age of 9. Yeah, that's too— a massive, massive change, massive impact on your whole entire life, and will still be today. Yeah, all through that, through my adolescence in school and being bullied. Yeah, because I had to take— I was diagnosed with a contraception pill. Yeah, so the girls that— because they fell out your bag when they were beating it. Yeah. Oh, you know, do you know the names? Yes, I do. It's so cool. You cruel, horrible people. But there's one thing I do know through negative and bullying like that— they've never succeeded. No, of course, because people, they are weeds and they will never flower because of negativity. We will only flower with pureness. That's right. And that's right. I agree. And how we go. And I'll never forgive them. I will never forgive them. Well, do you know what? Lady Kendall-Jago, if, if, when you're able, and it's all about a matter of timing, you know, I find that with forgiveness, and I understand exactly what you mean because, I mean, people have hurt me as well in, in ways that I really did not deserve. And I, and as a result of that, it helps, it keeps me from being, it keeps me being slightly reserved because you just don't know who to trust sometimes, you know. Um, but what I will say is, is that the forgiveness part, if you are able to ever work on it, because I feel like people like ourselves have been through so much, we don't deserve to keep on hold of that bitterness, you know. It's— and the forgiveness isn't for them, it's for us, so that we're able to live our lives completely pure without though— without that, you know, um, without that— without that element. Yes, I totally get that with you, because with them you know, when I'm expressing that we're not forgiving, that is because if I hold on to that and don't forgive them, that small element of a disease will still be going through my system. It's better to be free of disease and move on. Do you know what? They don't deserve to have any impact or effect in your life because you're flowering so well without them. You know, you don't need that little blemish. You just don't need it. You know, you're 100% pure. We— they're just an afterthought, you know. They have so much work to work on with themselves, you know. Forgiving them would be such a natural course within itself, you know, when you are ready, when you are ready and able to, because each person goes through their own journey, you know. Yeah, I think I'm slowly getting there. Yeah, everything else— that's the one thing, you know, that I look at. And but what happens is, you know, it does empower me with people, you know, makes me so angry. But it'll never be the same, will it? You know, it'll never be the same between you and them. I mean, myself, of course, I've never seen them since, and I, you know, and that we're going back to school years now. Yes. And going on, but saying, you know, when we're going through this and, um, changes to our body and stuff, you know, that's going through, and as you were saying about the broken girl in the red shirt, you know, that's captured in the book and in telling the story that's going on. But don't let anything stop us, and like you haven't, you're saying for people that are listening, there is a book in all of us. I believe there is, and I believe using pen, yes, is a very good, um, thing to use, yes, to help free our minds and do it. And what you've done, you know, showing people how to do their manuscripts, you know, yeah, how to get it ready And that sense of achievement, that joyous pride you have, isn't it? Yes, definitely, and that independence. And especially like for people who may have come from challenging backgrounds, it's a way for you to gain some self-confidence, to adopt a business as well that you don't need any, you know, outlay for. You know, you can quite happily do this, and even if you feel like you don't have the confidence to, you know, you can do it through us and we will support you every step of the way, you know, for as long as we're in business for, you know, you've got access to those services, you know. And as you said, as you said, you know, for me with everything else and trying to deal with that, for me it's easier for somebody to do it like myself is have that meeting, you know, and go, here you go. Yeah, I've sent you the manuscripts on those anyway, haven't I? Yes, you have. Yes, it's just learning to, you know, the next stage to do, which I will have a different— even if you came on into a Zoom and said, right now press this and do this, do that. Well, that's easier for me, you know. Yeah, let's do that. But for anybody that's out there, as you can see, we all still have issues and things we can't do. But instead of leaving it rotting, you know, in my computer, I think it's got to come out, it's got to come out, it needs to be out. So, you know, we need to be getting this out for people to But for the listener, yes, whatever it is you want to do, you can do it. Like the book, like you said, if you want to get in touch, uh, then please do, because we have this book. Um, I'm trying to think who was it was speaking to me. Oh, it was, um, another lady that I have got coming on the show, Jane Snow. She, um, is the editor-in-chief of Men of— I know that name, yes, very Yeah, well, I'm right, I've just taken on to write for their magazine. Oh, brilliant as well this year. Congratulations! It's only 4 articles a year, so, you know, for me, I can do that. It's going to help somebody, it's free. I don't, you know, obviously charge. We empower and help them write for them and help magazine to circulate and grow because it is about that invisible daisy chain that we are building and helping for no gain for ourselves but for the gain of others. But the money will follow afterwards, you know. I mean, all these great things that you're doing, you know, they always say, you know, once you're doing the right thing, you will always prosper. You know, these awful people that were bullying you before, unfortunately, unless they're willing to make certain changes within themselves, you know, to become their greatest potential, it unfortunately may not happen for them, you know. But for yourself, I always feel like with the free work the free work puts you on the greatest standing and the greatest pedestal as well, because it's, you know, it's the humanitarian way to be. You know, if I feel, you know, I feel like whatever strengths I might be lacking in, um, you know, I believe that, you know, Lady Kendall-Jagger, you would have those, you know, be able to support me, you know, because you're very knowledgeable about many things. You know, I see all the courses that you do. I mean, you put the course industry to shame, actually, you know. Yeah, with the amount that you do, you should be running your own courses. You can teach them all, you know, the amount you do. I don't know as many as you. It's saying that, um, obviously the forensic psychology, you know, but I've actually gone into, you know, because I'm— I don't know what it is, you know. I think obviously where I was having difficulty, um, with, uh, the issues and, you know, the enlargement I had. It's like, what's happened to my brain? This is why I wanted to keep learning as well, ever looking on, you know, for stuff doing it. But, you know, I've done child psychology, achieving higher distinctions, higher distinctions forensic science, higher distinctions, you know, in challenging behaviour, you know, high distinction, I've got high distinction in child counselling, doing this when my brain is going through something, and I can't even do something on Amazon. Why is my brain capable of doing that, and yet I can't send and do that Amazon thing? You know what, that's frustrating. Probably like with people with dementia, and when we're having this stuff with it, but I feel, you know, there's a problem, don't you? I feel, Lady Kindlejagger, you could do it. You just need someone to just sit down with you and have the patience to go through it with you at a pace that you're happy with. You know. Um, and, uh, do you know what, you probably could do it better than anyone with the amount of courses that you do. You'll pick this up in no time. And, um, you know, and we're here to support you as well. We'll support you through the process, so please don't you worry about that. You know, that is my goal. Uh, publisher before you know it. No, no, no, no, I leave that to people like yourselves, you know. Um, trying to finish the books and ghostwriting and do it because of ghostwriting for people, which I put that to putting my own book, the continuation for The Caretaker, out. But it'd be nice now because The Broken Girl, yes, it's been in, everyone keeps on, where's, where's the, we need the next one, waiting for The Tide. I'm like, I know, I know, I need to get on with it. And you know, and COVID hasn't helped as well, didn't it? It really did slow a few things down because I remember when you had The Tide and what you had planned for that, you know, and COVID was really shutting that down, wasn't it? Because we were looking at venues at one point, you know, for you to do some in-signings and things, and all that had to be put on hold because things were so unstable at the time as to, you know. So hopefully with things opening back up, these are things that can all be looked at now, you know, if you have the time now because you're so busy. Yeah, and that's one thing, you know, where I had the New York publishers And with COVID although, you know, normally going into America and yeah, like, it's easier for me to have a publisher. Yes. In the UK. And that's why I did Choose Yourselves to do that. You know, and well, let's get it done, you know, definitely. It's one thing from this, you know, we're going to get it done and show people. We are. Yeah. Once and for all. And another thing— She did it. She did it. Came on there and made sure we worked with her and she did it. No, brilliant. Because it's a fantastic book to come out as well. It is, it is, it really is. And like you, we use— we're using words as a tool to express, to free our mind, and to put that on, aren't we? To say, come on, you can do this. With rehabilitation, with everything that's going on, racism, everything— stop, let's stop this. Um, you know, and for yourself, it was, you know Just taking you back, you know, to, um, your stepfather in a coma. Yeah, you know, which even that you still show your strength by coming, giving up your time to come on it when you're under emotional pressure yourself. You're still continuing for others. Yes, definitely. I know that, um, I do it with my father's blessings, you know. I mean, to be honest, there's very little we can do for him now in the position that he's in. And, um, you know, it's very, very sad because this is a, a gentleman that has worked his entire life. You know, you won't meet a nicer father. And, uh, to go and to know that as he was coming towards his retirement, this was a time we'd been enjoying the life that he wanted. And unfortunately, it's not to be at present. But, uh, you know, with God, anything is possible. So we just continue to pray, and he is showing good signs at the moment. And, um, you know, we, we just hope that that continues. But I, you know, in light of saying that I mean, even with your own journey, you are the template, you know, as to how you can come out the other side of this thing, of these things, these challenges. And I wonder, would you— do you think that you would probably write about your most recent challenges as well, you know, with the hospital and things like that? Is that something you might consider doing, do you think? I think, um, you know, once obviously so inspirational, it really, really was, you know. I mean, you just can, you know, I think I think for everybody, uh, in there, um, you know, you're going in and ready, you know, to take you in and they're trying to give that— can I just write that one news thing? Can I just— I need to help, I just need to. I know what you mean. Yes. Okay, Jamie, just stay in bed and do as you're told, and then I'm coming out of the anesthetic. And when I came through, because it's my passion, it's my soul. Yeah. And as I was coming back out of that, uh, and I said, 'Don't put me to sleep, I need you to hold on to who I was.' And that's what I see, that soul going in. And we did have the conversation lining that bed and, you know, sending the pictures. And, um, yeah, very, very thing. But, you know, I— and up and out. And I took a photograph and I was, uh, a gentleman, Paul Coulson, um, a great dear friend of mine, he was saying himself something like that. So, you know, okay, Jane, how are you? Like that. He said, I, you know, when you— he saw the pictures and he was like, I cannot believe you was there. And then a lot of people, because I came up and I had to stand. Yeah, I had to carry on. And the only way was to get that brain going. But it was frustrating for me. Yeah, because, you know, my speech, it was affecting my speech. And everything. So I couldn't do the live shows. All that had to be put on. Unfortunately for Howard and the radio station, um, were behind me. And sometimes I do have a problem. My speech may go this way, but it's not fully out. So yeah, there are issues there that will still go on, and because of my brain and you know, suffering with epilepsy, stuff like that. I have to be careful. And narcolepsy, that is like the battery goes— recharge and you come back up. That's right. Sometimes my speech gets affected. But for my listeners and for anybody that knows me and sees the platforms that I work on, it's not about me, it's about you. And you know, when I've had that cough and I, you know, one of, one of the shows I had such Laryngitis. I was like, do you know, but I want to hear your voice tell the listeners that we are one. Let's build this platform of strength and love, uh, and all that. And you know, and on LinkedIn, LinkedIn's a fantastic family of networks and everybody that's in there. And I like to see that, you know, I like to see the encouragement when people like something we've done. It doesn't— some things that we post always go, but people notice it. That's right. Oh well, she's busy doing that. Don't always have to comment or do, but you know that support is there if you reach out. And I said, you know, like for yourself, um, with your published company and how well it is, you know, and the awards and, you know, where you are and where you're sitting, it is such an achievement. Yeah. And you know, even through this, you still show yourself humbleness and kindness, right? To say, you know, for people to come in. So we will be coming to close in a moment, but can we use this time just quickly just to give the listener how they will be able to contact you if they, you know, in terms they want to write a book, for instance, or know how to start or anything like that. Can we just use this time quickly to let them know how to contact you? Certainly. And so, you know, if you have any interest in our company and the services or want to find out more about us in any way, your best port of call would be to contact us via the website, which is www.beautyandthebeastpublishing.net, and that's how you'll find us there. And in terms of, um, we're also available on all the social media platforms as well. Our favorite is LinkedIn, as Lady Kendall Jagger quite rightly said, and we have a great presence on there. So yeah, you can find us on there again, Beauty and the Beast Publishing. You can find me on there as S. Lewis Campbell as well. Also, my business partner's on there as well. He runs the— takes charge of the US, the American market, and the element there. We work very closely together. And that's Andrew M. Foster. He can be found there. And yeah, as I say, you can find us on Facebook or Instagram, TikTok, you name it, we're on it. Um, but yeah, best port of call I would say is either the website, and our second favorite would be LinkedIn, definitely. Oh, fantastic. And finally, you know, from having this interview, what would you like your message to be remembered as? You know, for any advice to somebody. You know, we've talked about rehabilitation, people incarcerated writing. What do you think you would say to somebody suffering with mental health? What would be your advice through racism, abuse, etc., that you've done? What advice would you give to that person that may be suffering? And I would say to them that drown out the negative voices, you know. Obviously, we will learn, we'll learn from those lessons, you know, and just keep moving forward. I would also say as well, you know, just work on you the best that you can, get all the help and support that you feel that you may need. And I would certainly encourage anybody who's had a— comes from a challenging background to certainly write about it, put pen to paper, because once you've put it out there, you can effectively move on, especially if it's been a bad experience, or there's something to be learned from, from it. Having written down is a great way of moving on, I think. And I just think it's the greatest form of self-therapy, and that's why there's so many writers out there. Yes, most definitely. As I said myself, I found, uh, writing a great tool for myself to do it. And I hope, you know, that, um, we do have listeners now thinking Okay, I'm going to try just writing those words down to help. But most importantly, no matter where you look for support or think you can do it, remember we are human and we should be kind and help everybody else. Yes. And remember, we're not worthless, we're not useless. We all have our journey, we all have a journey to go and we have a destination, a destination that we will reach. And we may have a bumpy road along there, but they're all lessons we take with us and learn from. As you quite rightly said, learn from the bullies and learn to let go, learn to forgive, because otherwise it will always weigh you down. Yes. But, um, I'd like to thank you for joining me on this show, freeing your mind and also freeing some of mine on this again. And thank you so much for the opportunity. I've really, really enjoyed this. Thank you. It's great to talk and it's great to free our minds. And I will be in touch with— give me an email. Yes. And we'll sort that out to get— waiting for the title. So for the— as soon as you've heard it on here, I've got to do it. Yes. I would say thank you everybody and goodbye from Free Your Mind with LKJ.