ANDIE DERRICK

PHOTO CRED: LUISA DELFI - WWW.LUISADEFI.COM, @LUISADELFI_UK

STANDING UP TO THE ODDS

Andi Derrick tells Jaq Bayles how a life-changing experience transformed her approach

) For 26 years Andi Derrick worked in the film industry as an Emmy award-winning foley artist (creating sound for film and TV). From the Harry Potter and Bond movies to The Crown and Peaky Blinders, Andi has created countless sounds for countless movies.

Today, Andi couldn’t be further from the insular world of making sound magic in dark studios – she is now a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) instructor, running her own business, Glo Wellbeing, from Goring beach, at the Sea Lane café near Worthing. It’s a massive life change – and was brought on by an apocalyptic event. Eight years ago, after three misdiagnoses, Andi was told she had stage three endometrial cancer. Two weeks later, the diagnosis was of stage four. “I was told I was having palliative chemotherapy and there was nothing the doctors could do for me.” So she started looking into alternative treatments that might help, from Chinese herbs to Jin Shin Jyutsu (an ancient Japanese healing art), and all things spiritual. She also found herself going back to the water again and again. “As a foley artist I was in studios for 26 years – dark, dusty, dirty, brilliant places for creativity, but not really good for my health. “After the first lot of chemo I went to a Greek island and I started to feel much better. I was in the sea all the time and I’d really missed it. The second time I went, in 2015, there was a great woman called Catherine who had a paddleboard, something I’d never seen before. She said, ‘jump on girl, off you go’. So I got on and off I went. I paddled for an hour and when I came back, I went: ‘Oh my god, I need more, that’s changed my life.” Returning home, Andi treated herself to a Red brand 10ft 6in paddleboard and took to the water as often as she could, meeting fellow paddleboarders, among them Mark Beadle, who would become her business partner. “I was getting myself back to a really good place, feeling stronger than I had for years. I found myself thinking about my future again, that maybe I’ve got a life to live after all.”

So she and Mark set up Glo Wellbeing. “It was my calling, a new personal passion centred on my wellbeing, and I started to let the foley go. “In 2016 I took a leap of faith, contacted the council, and asked if I could have a postage stamp-sized spot on the beach where I could hire boards and teach paddleboarding.” It turned out the council had just decided to designate a spot for that very activity and there were just 24 hours left to get a pitch in. “I sat down, gave the application my best shot, and crossed my fingers.” “One of the great things about SUP and the SUP community is that we leave our problems behind. As soon as you hit the water you are transported into a different world, a supportive community that doesn’t give a hoot what you are, where you’re from, what colour you are or what your sexuality is”

Two weeks later she got the call that cemented the deal. Both Andi and Mark by then had achieved their BSUPA qualifications, so “we just ran with it and now, four years later, it has really taken off”. In 2017, baffled doctors told Andi her cancer had gone. “Then six months later I had another CT scan and my oncologist said: ’It’s a miracle. You are good to go’. I was clear, not even in remission.”

I attributed my recovery in part to my diet, which I changed considerably – no sugar, no meat, no dairy. And, of course, there was the Chinese medicine, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and me sitting down with myself and letting go of negative baggage I no longer needed to carry. “I changed my lifestyle – I was always a glass half-full girl, I didn’t have to work on that, but god I had to dig deep.” Next May it will be nine years since her diagnosis. Mark left Glo Wellbeing after three years to concentrate on his main business that was now expanding, but Andi is now “about to go into what will be the fifth year of Glo Wellbeing, with her small and growing business, encompassing river trips, retreats, European breaks, and yoga. So, aside from the fact it improves balance as well as core, leg and arm strength, what is it about paddleboarding that is so magnetic? A lot of it is about being in the ‘now’. “When you go out on that water you can’t think about anything else, you’ve got to be focused on where you are. This is a great way to rebalance and recentre. As you get better and your confidence grows, you can go up a notch and start paddlesurfing, SUP racing, which is brilliant. The sea offers you loads of options.” Andi herself has recently taken up wing surfing. “On the river it’s tranquil. It’s all about nature, seeing that little bit of land, wildlife and water from a different perspective that we never get a chance to see in a car or walking. It is so uplifting and magical, the mental wellbeing is massive. What’s not to love?”

As long as they can swim, anyone can do it, which is why the SUP community is so big. And it’s also a great space for LGBTQ+ people, as it’s a wonderful way of meeting people and making new friendship, says Andi. “These two communities have no boundaries, so they merge together beautifully. We all face challenges in this world and as a gay woman I know only too well some of the difficulties we may face. One of the great things about SUP and the SUP community is that we leave our problems behind. As soon as you hit the water you are transported into a different world, a supportive community that doesn’t give a hoot what you are, where you’re from, what colour you are or what your sexuality is. It’s a win-win. “It’s a great place to build confidence too. I’ve met people who don’t think they can do it, then they come off the water and punch the air and say ‘what’s next?’. Suddenly their lives have opened up just from that one lesson. It’s given them confidence because they didn’t think they could do it and they did it, so now they’re going to go rock climbing! “Now I’ve fallen in love with wing surfing. I don’t think I’ve ever been as strong and fit as I am at the age of 58. One day I’d like to teach wing – why not?!” D www.glowellbeing.co

HAIR IS EVERYTHING

Stories of Hair Happiness from the LGBTQ+ community By Rachel Badham

) Having brought Lady Gaga’s fabulously queer Born This Way in 2011 with the little money I had as a 12-year-old, Hair continues to be one of my most-loved tracks on the record, as Gaga triumphantly exclaims: “I am my hair”, before being accompanied by an ‘80s-inspired dance beat. Although many of the songs on this particular album are explorations of identity and self-confidence, this infectious yet heartfelt song is a reminder of the importance that our hair harbours in relation to our freedom of selfexpression. With Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s iconic character Fleabag also affirming that hair is everything, it’s no wonder that many of us view our hair as a visual translation of our inner selves. For the LGBTQ+ community in particular, autonomy over our personal presentation has been a lifeline, as many queer people have found joy in transforming their hair to reflect their identity. Trans icon Elliot Page even told Time magazine that he “could not have enjoyed it more” when he cut his hair to reflect his gender identity. In celebration of unapologetic self-expression, LGBTQ+ people and allies share their thoughts on stylistic individualism and stories of what their hair means to them:

“Before I transitioned, I began to grow my hair out as it expressed my identity more effectively. When I came out, I felt more feminine and more in tune with my actual gender identity as this style is associated with feminine attributes. I’ve now started to style my hair in more feminine ways, as it’s an explicit visual representation of my identity and has also made me feel more confident in the process.” - Robin (she/her) “I believe hair is a canvas for individuals to not only express their creativity but to use it as a medium to experiment with their own image, without any long-term commitment. There’s an endless number of things you can do with hair, and its versatility can allow trans, non-binary and queer identities to discover what style they feel best reflects their identity. I’ve witnessed many friends using hair as a stepping stone during their transition, and the positive impact it has on the perception of their own image – boosting confidence and helping those feel more comfortable with themselves.” - Kristian (he/him) “I always felt pressure to cut my hair just to make sure I got gendered correctly pretestosterone – I had long, thick, naturally wavy hair, so cutting it was hard, but then I’d start getting gendered correctly so the gender

ETHAN

euphoria I felt was amazing. Now I’m a lot further down my transition and I feel I can do a lot more, including shaving my head, dyeing it... and who knows? Maybe I’ll grow it long again when I have a bit more facial hair.” - Ethan (he/him) “Growing up, I went to an all-girls school, so most of my friends were girls and there was always this expectation on me to be more ‘feminine’, even though femininity never resonated with me. It was only at the beginning of 2021 that I told my best friend that I thought I was non-binary, and I cut a lot of my hair off. After that haircut, I truly felt more like myself. I have now gotten a binder and have gained the confidence to wear what I want, and it’s all because someone cut my hair and allowed me to feel safe in my own skin.” - LJ (they/he) “The media tells us that we need to look a certain way to present as a certain gender, so young queer people probably feel pressure to look a particular way. We should all just be able to express themselves however we like because

no matter what your hair looks like, you’re still beautiful!” - Tallulah (they/them) “I cut my hair over five years ago. I first cut it into a bob, but I knew straight away that wasn’t enough and got it all chopped off. That’s what confirmed my gender identity to me because I felt so much better for having hair that

reflected who I truly am. Now, I only see it as hair, but back then it really was a big deal for me.” - Riley (he/him) “As a stealth trans man, I prefer to keep my hair simple and masculine – partly to blend in and partly because that’s how I feel most comfortable. To be honest I barely give it a thought. However, since starting testosterone, body hair has become incredibly important to me. Watching my snail trail grow was the best thing to ever happen to me – I couldn’t shut up about it! Every part of my body gets a little hairier and I start to like it a little more. Even all those weird long shoulder hairs. And of course, I have very high hopes for my tiny moustache. Body hair makes me feel more like a man, more comfortable with myself and around other people.” - Anonymous (he/him) “My hair isn’t really specific to one gender, so it allows me to be more fluid genderwise. Plus, it’s long so I can headbang like a motherf**ker!” - Shea (he/she/they/them)

interaction with house plants “can reduce physiological and psychological stress compared with mental work” (US National Library of Medicine). A critical review of the experimental literature concluded: “The reviewed studies suggest that indoor plants can provide psychological benefits such as stress-reduction and increased pain tolerance”. Reviews, studies and reports from worthy groups can prove that the Earth is flat, read any review and while there is some truth, if a plant in the room makes you happy then get two.

GREEN DREAMS

Roger Wheeler goes house plant crazy

) It’s a New Year, it’s been the party season and we couldn’t help noticing that suddenly a few friends appear to have gone slightly house plant crazy – living rooms have sprouted all kinds of exotic plants, they are all green, of course, must keep in with our new environmental concerns. With some clever lighting they have completely redesigned their rooms without too much work.

So maybe it’s time to look at my own rather tired living room. I always quite liked it but with the help of a few plants it can have a whole new look. This was caused by my friendship with someone who has become a real house plant nerd, he knows his stuff and, within a very few days of our, now close, friendship he has virtually redesigned my living room and most of the rest of the house. Be careful, this is catching – from someone who just bought the occasional plant I have now become very interested in the subject. It is fascinating and they don’t talk back. I started small, you don’t have to invest much, and it’s fun to watch things grow. It seems that you won’t kill them all – some, yes, by simply over watering, which is apparently a very common mistake. It is a myth that all house plants need a window sill. That couldn’t be further from the truth, in fact very few want or need full direct light, that’s for the outdoor and hardy, butch garden types. Most of the currently popular house varieties look delicate but they are quite tough in their own way. I have noticed on the many plant blogs that some plant-crazy people have started to give their plants names – Brian the Boston fern, Pauline the palm– and if not actual names they are usually ‘she’ or ‘he’ or just ‘baby’ - nothing gender neutral so far. There is, of course, a gay plant blog (Boys With Plants). House plants have become surrogate children. My initial shock at this has softened to the realisation that, in many ways, we do look after the plants, nurture and care for them. What has happened to me? Have you heard the story of someone who carefully watered their plants for years only to eventually discover that they were plastic? Yes, it was in the US, but it makes you wonder. You do need to know something about what you are buying. I didn’t, but am learning. A simple rule, just poke your finger into the soil to see if it’s wet, a sign of too much water which can be lethal. If it’s dry that can be fine, counterintuitive perhaps, but most plants can survive a drought. I have learnt that you basically neglect some of the more interesting plants, they seem to thrive on being ignored. Our ‘sudden’ interest in house plants is probably due to lovable Monty Don, the quirky Alan Titchmarsh and all the other television ‘experts’. Nowadays an indoor garden is becoming quite ‘on trend’ A 2015 study showed that active “This is catching – from someone who just bought the occasional plant I have now become very interested in the subject, it is fascinating and they don’t talk back”

Our new general interest in house plants exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic with people forced to spend more time indoors, many filled their homes with house plants. Plants were mentioned on Instagram an average of 3,000+ times a day in July 2021. Popular house plants in 2021 include monstera, cactus, philodendron, calathea, hoyas, and snake plants – which used to be called mother-in-law’s tongue and can be seen in most restaurants, shops and my house.

Plant sales in 2020 were at an all-time high, which brought concerns about the environmental impact of the industry. So, no matter how hard we try to be ecologically sound, we will fail somewhere along the way. This is an enormously complex and interesting subject, it has certainly got me hooked in many ways. The seeds have been sown now watch them grow.

sustain us in dark times.

During wintery, wet Brighton days my mind goes to inviting experiences such as the exhilaration of getting some vitamin sea- swimming at the waterfront during winter, breathing the cool, fresh scent of the trees and sea by taking a walk on the Downs, feeling my muscles soften and relax on my yoga mat, taking in the beauty of a golden sunrise or simply holding a warm cup of tea in the sunshine. Each are beautiful moments to welcome joy into my life that, while are perhaps simplistic, have a massive impact on my mental and physical health.

DON’T POSTPONE JOY

“When life is difficult, and things feel dark, you can still find pockets of joy amidst the darkness and uncertainty”

By Lisa McGarva - educator, yoga therapist, counsellor and volunteer at the Rainbow Hub in Brighton

) It was January 30, 2020 when the World Health Organisation made the declaration which changed the world. There has been a weight of heaviness which requires space to respectfully acknowledge a journey of hardship, and for many, grief. When you have been carrying a heavy weight around for such a long time it begins to feel normal. Sometimes we may even forget to put the heavy load down and have a break. Perhaps it is now the time to put the load down, and experiment what it feels like to welcome spaces of joy into your life again. Remember how it feels to be joyful, how it feels to be happy, content and at peace. When we feel this way, our lens of how we see the world is one of optimism and of hope. But how do we welcome it into our lives when things can feel uncertain and bleak? When life is difficult, and things feel dark, you can still find pockets of joy amidst the darkness and uncertainty. The pockets of joy can look like pockets of time, physical spaces or experiences in your life to feel the pleasure of simply being alive. Being open to it enables you to have experiences of joy and awe which accumulatively begins to change your brain. When we are open to joy by giving ourselves permission to experience it, and can completely immerse ourselves in it through engaging our senses, we can be more mindful and present. By inviting such regular moments into our lives, slowly we begin to change our neural pathways in our brains which help us to feel less anxious and stressed. We begin to programme our brains to be more responsive to joy learning to be present and mindful. In what you experience, take a moment to consider engaging your senses. What scents you can smell, the taste in your mouth, the sounds that you can hear, what you see and the sensations on your skin. Full immersion of the senses is the key for practising mindfulness.

Spending some time either outside in nature, or going within, are pathways to the feeling of connection with yourself or something bigger than you. You can tap into the feeling of awe which soothes, gives you strength and resilience. These are the things that can help Can you imagine what the experiences of your senses would be as you engaged in these things? What are some ways that you can introduce healthy moments of joy into your life? Can you see yourself sharing these joyful moments with others?

Plan for the regular practice of joy. It is a practice. ) Lisa McGarva, presently engaged in postgraduate studies of Clinical Sexology to be a sexual and relationship therapist, runs an online private practice –www.thinkingfeelingmoving.com – as an educator, yoga therapist and counsellor where sessions are available by appointment. Lisa calls a few different continents home, but when in Brighton you can find her volunteering at the Rainbow Hub in Brighton.