"I choose me." These three simple words really hit me during this whirlwind episode of 'Pause. And Rewind..." with this bloody wonderful guest!

Thea Bardot (they/she) is the Founder of Lightning Travel Recruitment, a travel & lifestyle recruitment consultancy that proudly does things differently to your standard & - let's say it - boring ones. With powerful messaging including 'We treat people like humans' and 'We actually give a sh*t', it's bold, unique & authentic. And that's Thea to a tee.

Harnessing these traits along with sass & humour, Thea uses their lived experience & professional insights to educate people on many issues from queerness, trans+ & non-binary life through to neurodivergence, accessibility, gender equality, menopause, recruitment processes, best practice & more. They're a LinkedInfluencer don't ya know! Officially a Top Voice receiving well-deserved appreciation & recognition for what they're putting out there.

But it hasn't all been smooth sailing to get to where Thea is today and we'd both like to add a trigger warning to this episode as it contains discussions around suicide, mental health, family issues & life struggles generally.

Thea's origin story is something they sum up in these three words: Traumatic. Chaotic. Survivor. From bullying at school, a problematic home life & relationship with their parents though to a heavy focus on the need to success & striving to be themselves, when Thea says 'I choose me", I felt that deeply. We also dive into the importance of chosen family & storytelling, the surprise of getting their LinkedIn blue tick, internet friendships & their gender journey. Plus much more....

Again, take care of yourself whilst listening to this episode & enjoy all the fun, mutual love & sharing contained.