A Letter from My Heart to Yours
+ a cute little FREE gift....
First of all - how are you? Is it too hot for you? ☀️ Or are you lovin’ it, lovin’ it, lovin’ it?
NGL it is cracking to have Cyprus-level temperatures again. It almost feels like an extension of our holiday!
And I’ve been able to have a quiet-ish week of it. Are you like me? Once dry summer weather is in the offing, I jump to get tons of washing on so I can get it out on the line. Domestic Goddess I am NOT - but I loves me some laundry!
Austen & I even attacked the weeds one evening after the sun moved on. Can’t believe how much we achieved, despite my hayfever. We were triumphant!
This sunny week has been the ‘calm before the storm’ because I’m lucky enough to have the next few weeks quite busy with some exciting hosting jobs - live streams, conferences, and awards. Plus some new coaching clients coming on board too.
There are too many events to mention - so I’ll save them until next week. As a freelancer, it’s feast or famine - as the saying goes. And the trickiest part about that is balancing work, with making time for fun, rest - because these events often involve a fair bit of train travel - my gym training, and making sure Mummy Cole has what she needs.
Confessions
Writing Moments each week has become one of my most treasured rituals.
I genuinely love this – the reminiscing, the sharing, the weaving together of experiences that might just resonate with where you are right now.
But as we creep ever closer towards Moments’ 1st birthday, I've been craving something less one-sided.
I absolutely light up when I see your comments.
Many of you have had me in tears (and properly lolz) when you reveal what comes to mind for you after reading my weekly wafflings.
So I’ve been thinking about ways to speak with you more, if you fancy it? Because I’d love to build a supportive community together.
To that end, I’d like to go ‘beyond the bibblings’ on Moments.
Story time
I've changed jobs and careers six times now.
Even in the midst of my current career challenge (if you're subscribed to Midlife With Marv on Youtube, you’ll have the full S.P. by now) - I'm still moved to share what I know.
And I’ve figured out why I help others the way I do.
Growing up, there was no-one else in my family was bonkers enough to consider a career in the media. Fitz was an accountant, Tony went into I.T. and programming.
When I was a kid, Moira Stewart was the only Black female newsreader on TV – everyone else who was successful on TV and looked like me was in sports, acting, or singing. Still I remained obsessed and after a lot of hustling, I got into TV anyway, retrained as a broadcast journalist in my 30s.
Naively I reckoned I’d made it but some of the roles I landed ended up being in newsrooms and spaces where I was made not to feel wanted, or made to feel I didn’t get my role on merit.
In some cases I’ve been pushed out of jobs, which took its toll on me emotionally. All of it was. Very little has been plain-sailing for me in that respect. But don’t get me wrong, there’s been lots of joyful memories too, but the spectre of prejudice is always there.
But I kept going because I believed in the power of journalism.
The way journalism's changed now – the constant misinformation, people avoiding news for their mental health, choosing social media creator careers instead – it's worrying.
Through all the hassle (I think sometimes we can be cursed by our own ambition) I held onto things like facts matter, people's stories deserve telling, someone needs to fight for truth. Not for the ego of being on air, but because it actually mattered to me. Still does.
When I look back, of course I am angry about the way some people treated me. I have been broken by it in the past. But I’ve managed to rebuild - with the support of my husband, loved ones, close friends and family. But those experiences also shaped me in many ways.
I think if a dark-skinned, working class girl from Birmingham with a Brummie accent can reach national TV as a newsreader in a country where 0.2% of journalists are Black - I truly believe we’ve all got an innate power to excel in the face of adversity.
So that’s why I can't stop helping others through their own challenges.
Ways and Means
From giving a voice to members of the public who want to share their stories - their highs and lows - on TV, radio or podcasts. To mentoring jobbing journalists - teaching the next generation of news reporters - media training 100+ aspiring broadcasters for the BBC - helping companies navigate PR crises - and now to being a career & wellbeing coach. The whole shebang. Transformation runs through my DNA.
A few weeks ago I was in ‘survival’ mode, but a week with hubby in Cyprus has enabled me to switch Thrive Mode well & truly back ON.
So if you feel you’re not thriving right now, I want you to know: I am here for you. I've got your back. Help will be here whenever you need it.
And if you don't like anything I share with you, that’s absolutely fine. I won’t be offended if you unsubscribe.
Figuring out what you need
BTW the Moments and Midlife With Marv ‘taps’ won’t be switched off!
I’ll keep on sharing nostalgic things that come to mind, what I’m up to work-wisem and all the rest of it.
But I wonder what else you’d like to know or learn from me? Any practical help with life, work, money? Weekly or bi-weekly live chats, where you can ask me questions perhaps?
I’m thinking
working out any career or job conundrums
mindset & self-belief
health & wellbeing
AI & digital bits ‘n’ bobs
I’ve devised a short questionnaire to find out what you think. They’ll help guide your thoughts. And if you can find 10 minutes to complete it, I’d be grateful.
In return, I’ll trade you for a fabulous mini-book I designed for you, to pick you up confidence-wise - if ever you feel low.
It’s called 7 Days to Spark Your Self-Confidence Revolution.
Click here to complete the questionnaire.
Consolidating my knowledge and experience into solutions for you, your colleagues, your friends is the aim of it all.
PS. And a huge huge THANK YOU for reading Moments - week in and week out!
It means the absolute world to me.
This is me, extending my hand across the digital divide, asking if you want to walk this path together. What do you say?
With luv and anticipation!
Marv
xx
PPS. Please stay cool & protect yourself from the sun this weekend. Temperatures could reach 34 deg C. The Met Office has issued that heat warning - so make sure you slather yourself in SPF50 😝
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/temperatures-rise-with-heatwave-conditions-into-the-weekend