I recently had the pleasure to connect at the British Hairdressing Awards 2019 with the celebrity, award winning and session hair stylist Louis Byrne. It was here where I first learned of his inspirational empowerment project, I Can, I Am, and I Will. I loved it so much, that I just had to bring him on to todays show. Completing our 3 week instalment series dedicated to mental health and wellbeing awareness within the hairdressing industry, we are to learn today on how Louis's life changing experiences led him through a process of understanding, acceptance, sobriety and self-care. It was during this big shift in his life that Louis says, "The positive mantras replayed over in my head with each beginning with I Can…, I Am… and I Will." Having 20 years of experience working at the top of his industry, Louis seemed to have it all. 4 years assisting Sam McKnight travelling the international fashion week circuit, styling editorials for the likes of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and L’Officiel, working on campaigns from Net-a-Porter to Nike, been the tour stylist for Ellie Goulding, the man behind the ‘quaff’ for Emma Willis, and the go-to hair stylist for an impressive number of actresses, models and musicians. However, the journey to reaching these heights wasn’t always plain sailing! Riding on a rollercoaster of working hard, playing hard and fast living to avoid facing his demons, culminated in a debilitating accident in 2018 when Louis broke his leg in 3 places. Forced to pause and take stock of his situation, Louis began a process of looking inwards. As Louis explains, "I had to face up to issues including the trauma and loss that had been plagued me since childhood, destructive behavioural traits and addiction that had affected me and those close to me deeply." Everyone of us has our own story to tell, including our own versions of the positive mantras beginning I Can, I Am and I Will. For Louis he focused his love for the art and expression of hair styling and considered the power of the connection between stylist and client. He realised the empowering and transformative effect this combination can have which goes beyond appearance alone, and this laid the foundation for the project that connects creativity to wellness, with a driving force of positivity. An ongoing project, todays podcast finishes with how you can become involved by sharing your own version of 'I Can, I Am and I Will' using the hashtag #icaniamandiwill. So lets all do this together as we head off into a new decade and era of self-discovery. Happy and Healthy New Year to you all! A podcast produced by Hairy Media Productions. Thanks for Listening To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Ask a question by emailing me HERE Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. Follow on Spotify. Subscribe by Email. Special thanks to Louis Byrne for joining me today. Until next Monday, Peace, Love and Smiles all the way… Goodbye

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