071 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Gareth Isaac
In this deeply reflective reissue, we revisit the story of Gareth Isaac, who entered teaching through the Teach First route in 2014. Within just a few years he was experiencing disassociation, exhaustion and a sense of living outside his own body.Gareth opens up about how perfectionism and people-pleasing pushed him to burnout, the eerie experience of teaching on autopilot, and the moment he confided in a colleague who urged him to see a doctor. Signed off for stress, anxiety and depression, Gareth’s time in the classroom ended far sooner than he ever expected.What followed was a difficult period of recovery, therapy and rebuilding. In this conversation he shares how mindfulness became a lifeline, why therapy was transformative, and how he now teaches mindfulness to others while running men’s mental health groups. His story is one of honesty, vulnerability and learning to live in the present moment.With thanks to our episode sponsors (Click to visit their websites):Conexus Tuition Little Voices LS25 Web DesignBuy Us a Coffee ☕️ Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? We’d be so grateful for your support! We’ve set up a Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a small donation to help keep the podcast running. https://buymeacoffee.com/thepitponyclub Voice Message Us: https://www.speakpipe.com/pitponypodcast Contribute to our 'Silenced by Support' Campaign - complete the questionnaire, read the report, sign up to the mailing list. If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in our podcast there are organisations who can help: Education Support The Samaritans Mind Andy's Man Club Join Us: Subscribe to the Pit Pony Podcast Sign up to our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/i1L5ck Thanks for listening 🙏Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...
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070 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Katie Stone
In this powerful reissue from our archive, we revisit the story of Katie Stone, a teacher who resisted the profession for years before finally entering via the TA route and discovering a love for the classroom.From her PGCE at Manchester Met to seven years in teaching, Katie describes how the joy of working with children was eroded by pressure, exhaustion and an informal “support plan” that left her anxious, confused and eventually signed off with work-related stress. Pregnant at the time and coping with grief after losing a child, the relentless scrutiny pushed her into panic attacks and left her unable to continue.Katie opens up about the guilt of stepping away, the impact on her young family, and how she slowly rebuilt her confidence. Today she runs a thriving virtual assistant agency, supporting education businesses with the very organisational and communication skills that once went unrecognised in school.Her story is a reminder that teaching skills are transferable, resilience can be rebuilt, and there is life - and success - beyond the classroom.With thanks to our episode sponsors (Click to visit their websites):Conexus Tuition Little Voices LS25 Web DesignBuy Us a Coffee ☕️ Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? We’d be so grateful for your support! We’ve set up a Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a small donation to help keep the podcast running. https://buymeacoffee.com/thepitponyclub Voice Message Us: https://www.speakpipe.com/pitponypodcast Contribute to our 'Silenced by Support' Campaign - complete the questionnaire, read the report, sign up to the mailing list. If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in our podcast there are organisations who can help: Education Support The Samaritans Mind Andy's Man Club Join Us: Subscribe to the Pit Pony Podcast Sign up to our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/i1L5ck Thanks for listening 🙏Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...
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069 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Paul Lennon
In this powerful Summer Re-Issue, we revisit the story of Paul Lennon, a teacher whose career spanned 28 years and took him across the globe. From Japan, Italy, Malawi, Moscow and Senegal to his final role in Warsaw, Paul built a life around travel, education and family.But after decades of success and fulfilment, his last school brought him face to face with one of the most toxic leadership cultures we have ever heard described on the podcast. Shouted at in meetings, undermined at every turn and caught in a destructive clash of egos, Paul’s confidence and mental health began to unravel.He speaks openly about the panic attack that stopped him at the school gate, the therapy that helped him rebuild, and how he has since found a new chapter of purpose working with the NHS in the UK.Paul’s story is one of resilience, clarity and proof that there is life after teaching — even when the exit is forced by circumstances beyond your control.With thanks to our episode sponsors (Click to visit their websites):Conexus TuitionLittle VoicesLS25 Web DesignBuy Us a Coffee ☕️ Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? We’d be so grateful for your support! We’ve set up a Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a small donation to help keep the podcast running. https://buymeacoffee.com/thepitponyclub Voice Message Us: https://www.speakpipe.com/pitponypodcast Contribute to our 'Silenced by Support' Campaign - complete the questionnaire, read the report, sign up to the mailing list. If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in our podcast there are organisations who can help: Education Support The Samaritans Mind Andy's Man Club Join Us: Subscribe to the Pit Pony Podcast Sign up to our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/i1L5ck Thanks for listening 🙏Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...
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068 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Sarah Cowen
In this powerful reissue from our archive, we revisit the story of Sarah Cowen, a teacher whose journey through education reveals the toll of relentless pressure, systemic failures and the struggle to protect her own wellbeing.Sarah speaks openly about her early passion for teaching, the moments of joy with her students, and the devastating impact of burnout and anxiety. She describes the reality of trying to hold everything together while her mental health unraveled, and the difficult choice to step away from a profession she once loved.Now carving out a life beyond the classroom, Sarah’s story is one of honesty, bravery and resilience. It is a reminder that leaving teaching is not the end of your story, but the beginning of a new one.If you are feeling overwhelmed, disillusioned, or at a crossroads in education, this episode will speak directly to you.With thanks to our episode sponsors (Click to visit their websites):Conexus Tuition Little Voices LS25 Web DesignBuy Us a Coffee ☕️ Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? We’d be so grateful for your support! We’ve set up a Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a small donation to help keep the podcast running. https://buymeacoffee.com/thepitponyclub Voice Message Us: https://www.speakpipe.com/pitponypodcast Contribute to our 'Silenced by Support' Campaign - complete the questionnaire, read the report, sign up to the mailing list. If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in our podcast there are organisations who can help: Education Support The Samaritans Mind Andy's Man Club Join Us: Subscribe to the Pit Pony Podcast Sign up to our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/i1L5ck Thanks for listening 🙏Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...
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067 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Grant Decker
In this powerful reissue from our archive, we revisit the story of Grant Decker, an educator whose career took him from the classroom to unexpected new horizons.Grant speaks candidly about his early years in teaching, the highs of inspiring students, and the increasing pressures that began to chip away at his health and sense of purpose. He shares the moments that forced him to pause, reassess, and ultimately step away from the profession he had once imagined would be his life’s work.From navigating burnout to rediscovering his own identity outside of teaching, Grant’s journey is an honest exploration of resilience, self-awareness, and the courage to start again.If you have ever felt the weight of the job pressing too heavily on your shoulders, or wondered what comes next beyond the classroom, this is one to listen to.With thanks to our episode sponsors (Click to visit their websites):Conexus Tuition Little VoicesLS25 Web DesignBuy Us a Coffee ☕️ Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? We’d be so grateful for your support! We’ve set up a Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a small donation to help keep the podcast running. https://buymeacoffee.com/thepitponyclub Voice Message Us: https://www.speakpipe.com/pitponypodcast Contribute to our 'Silenced by Support' Campaign - complete the questionnaire, read the report, sign up to the mailing list. If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in our podcast there are organisations who can help: Education Support The Samaritans Mind Andy's Man Club Join Us: Subscribe to the Pit Pony Podcast Sign up to our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/i1L5ck Thanks for listening 🙏Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...
Sharon Cawley and Sarah Dunwood talk to former teachers about exiting from the classroom and thriving.Don't forget to leave us a VOICEMAIL, quickly and easily at https://www.speakpipe.com/pitponypodcastSupport the podcast by buying us a coffee here:https://buymeacoffee.com/thepitponyclub
New Zealand