Dr Nicholas Peat and his wife Vanessa, founders of nutrition specialist Uniquely Created U at the 2024 Business Bootcamp.
The importance to business performance of a healthy mind and body is a key message at the FSB Business Bootcamp next month. The FSB’s Jennifer Thomas explains.
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I HAVE just bought a soup-maker. Yes, we are about to enter the season of baked camembert and toffee pennies… and I am preparing. It seemed like a no-brainer, having overheard someone say last month at a business event that they eat homemade soup every day, helping them save time, save money, and stay healthier.
It is a simple idea, but I needed the recommendation from a like-minded person to put it into action.
In last month’s article, in the run-up to the FSB Business Bootcamp: New Year Refresher event at the end of January, at which we focus on “getting your mind, body, and business ready for the year ahead,” I wrote about planning a strategy for the year ahead.
I encouraged taking time before the Christmas rush to think about what you want to achieve in business, how you might get there, and where you might find advice, support, and information.
This month, I am focusing on the ‘mind and body’ element of the Bootcamp. If you are like me, you are about to embark on a month of eating, partying, and stressing. I am by no means a health and wellbeing specialist nor even an outstanding enthusiast, but this Bootcamp aims to provide some achievable and flexible tips—including tips on mindset, nutrition, and physical wellbeing—for you as a business owner to feel better and do better in business.
Health and wellbeing mean something different to everyone. For me, it simply means feeling good and being able to focus on what is important to me with minimal (or ideally no) stress, exhaustion, or discomfort.
A few years ago, I regularly worked myself ill, ending up suffering from either exhaustion or tonsillitis as I tried to enjoy time off with my young family. Having developed (and failed to take time off for) shingles, I ended up with a permanent scar on one eye, which affects my vision and is a constant reminder that nothing is more important than our health.
I will tell that story to anyone who will listen if I think they are compromising their health for their work.
Last year at Bootcamp, one presentation from We Are PEAC focused on finding joy in running your business, which is often an afterthought or seemingly unachievable luxury for those working long hours in their own businesses.
The presentation outlined some scientific pillars for individuals to consider personally, from our behaviours, emotions, and thoughts to the importance of the brain, gut, and heart, resting finally on three areas of focus to find your joy: ‘Connection,’ ‘Playfulness,’ and ‘Your Strengths.’
We also heard from Dr Nicholas Peat and his wife Vanessa, founders of Northamptonshire-based nutrition specialist Uniquely Created U, about nutrition and physical health, including harmful and healing foods, what to eat for lunch to overcome afternoon sleepiness, and how bad posture can risk organ damage such as heart disease, an overproductive pancreas, and some cancers.
It is not just about advice from the experts. What tips would you share about keeping your mind and body healthy (making fresh soup every day, for example)? At January’s Bootcamp, we want everyone to discuss and consider valuable tips and recommendations, whether you are looking for a professional to offer some deep-dive information, one-to-one guidance, or just a few tips from like-minded laypeople.
Discussing health and wellbeing, sharing tips, and listening to advice from both experts and people just like you could be the most valuable thing you do this year for you and your business.
Wishing you a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year, and see you on January 30. Book your place on the FSB website, email me at for general info or sponsorship, or scan the QR code here.
- Next month, I will focus on the last instalment of the FSB Bootcamp build-up for the January edition – staying competitive, connected. Our speakers at FSB Business Bootcamp on this subject will include Kerry Lewis-Stevenson, director of Business Times publisher Pulse Group Media.
Jennifer Thomas is the FSB’s development manager in Northamptonshire.
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