Bayswater resident Sue Kohn-Taylor is a well-known identity in the North Shore community. Sue is married to Marcus, has two adult children and is the founder of The Mental Fitness Company. She is also vice president of the North Harbour Club and Charitable Trust, the not-for-profit responsible for the annual AIMES Awards. Sue has become a regular on TV, a column writer and a frequent speaker, sharing her vision that building a mentally fit mind is the most important gateway to gaining freedom over any life event. Sue has been coaching, speaking and mentoring for over 15 years. During these challenging times, mental fitness is more important than ever, so Channel Mag’s Aidan Bennett put these questions to Sue Kohn-Taylor in mid July.
AIDAN BENNETT: Sue, I have known you for 20-plus years, from the early days of the North Harbour Club as a marketing and events dynamo. What made you segue into the mental fitness space?
SUE KOHN-TAYLOR: Personal development and positive psychology have always been a big life interest for me. I learnt a lot about them from my own experience of being in a head-on car accident when I was 20 and almost died. I had a serious head injury and lost my short and medium term memory. Over two years I rehabilitated myself and learnt so much about mindset, personal development and daily wellbeing habits.
Over the years of having three of my own businesses I realised how these areas were significant in the people dynamics of business and its success. And so as a passion project I started The Mental Fitness Company to support and educate individuals, leaders and teams with organisations on how to build mental fitness. Working on the soft skills for people can change culture and the dynamics of an organisation. And if people are mentally fit then they have the ability to think, see, feel, act fit and this can be life changing!
AB: So what does Sue Kohn-Taylor of the The Mental Fitness Company actually do?
SKT: Well my business tagline sums it up to a degree: “Helping to make being human an easier job” but essentially The Mental Fitness Company offers online courses for individuals and tailored workplace training to build strong, healthy minds and fulfilling lives. Mental fitness is a combination of personal development and daily wellbeing habits. They go hand in hand.
We help individuals see what’s working and not working in their work and personal life and then using personal development, positive psychology and mental fitness teach them how to respond proactively and positively to daily life, so that everyone can live and work at their best. It has a ripple effect.
I have one-on-one clients and I work with teams in organisations. They are all looking to build mental fitness but also to look at implementing wellbeing programmes, addressing culture issues. Essentially it’s all about people!
AB: This sounds like very rewarding work. What difference are you making, do you think?
SKT: Well I have a mission… I call it the Ripple Effect. Essentially I see so many people struggling in today’s slightly messy world. The world is changing, moving fast and has a lot more uncertainty in it, but humans aren’t keeping up with the adaptation to this environment. We see more people letting life happen to them and they have forgotten how much control they can have over their life. As a result we see a lot more mental health issues, people feeling stressed, overwhelmed and this is flowing into families, communities and workplaces.
So for every person that I can get thinking in a different way – to make their mental fitness their key priority – means this has a flow-on ripple effect for the good.
I only have to look at the hundreds of testimonials from companies and individuals to know this is changing lives. It’s getting people to think differently and realise to be your best for yourself, your workplace and the people you love and care about, you have to do the personal development work to get there.
AB: You are now often called on for media work in this mental fitness space. Is that something you enjoy?
SKT: Yes I do, although I have to say the first few times on live TV was a bit nerve-wracking. Now I’m used to it and really the TV, radio, articles and speaking opportunities I get are a vehicle for making impact and change – I view it differently now and I love it! I have a podcast starting later this year and some good live video interviews and that’s an exciting project for me about sharing knowledge.
I’m building a suite of online courses so all this work is helping me build this too.
AB: If you were offering advice to people who are struggling a bit under the pressures of these challenging times, what would that be?
SKT: Firstly to slow down a little. When we are struggling we tend to lose touch with the important things that keep our foundation strong so that we can manage the challenges and stresses. Life ends up being a to do list and busy busy busy.
Check in with yourself every day – how am I feeling and what do I need to do to support myself? Self-awareness is key. Of course exercise, connecting with friends, sharing, communicating are the ones we hear a lot about, but one big thing I always remind people is that where your focus goes the energy flows. So if you are always looking at the negative then that’s what you’ll always see. So I suggest looking for 1000 treasures everyday – even the little things. Try this approach for 30 days and see how it changes your life and your view!
AB: You are a trustee of the North Harbour Club and very involved in the AIMES Awards programme. You clearly enjoy giving back and I understand you have assisted with a support programme for our high achieving AIMES Award recipients?
SKT: Yes the values of the Club around supporting excellence in youth really connect with me. I love the fact we celebrate achievement, leadership, and excellence at such a young age. It’s inspiring to look at all the great things that are being achieved by youth and I think in a world where there is so much focus on all that is wrong, this puts a spotlight on the really aspirational stuff. I think we need a lot more of this!
The support package has been something we have wanted to do for a few years. These talented youth are under a lot of pressure, juggling life, their aspirations and demanding schedules. It’s important that outside their current support, they have some other options. We all know what stress and pressure can do to our mental health so we wanted to ensure that while we reward excellence we also recognise the support that is required to get there.
AB: You obviously have very strong roots here on the Shore, but you and (husband) Marcus also spent some time living in the Waikato and are now loving life in Bayswater. Tell us about why you love living on the Shore (and Bayswater) and what you enjoyed about the Waikato.
SKT: The North Shore is in our blood – both of us! In fact I was born in Devonport so haven’t moved far from the beginnings! The Shore definitely has a more relaxed and positive vibe. I’m sure it’s the beaches, fresh air and all the green spaces. It affects people in a positive way.
We love the Bayswater community, have great neighbours of all ages and stages and of course the walk around the marina and water is an option every day.
The Waikato was different – not sure we liked being land locked but we lived in the country on some land and that was just dreamy! The kids had nearly four years there and loved the country vibe. We made great friends down there and of course I have a very strong business network in the Waikato and Tauranga that still exists from that time.
AB: We’ve got local body elections coming up in October. What aspects of the Shore would you like to see improved by our decision makers?
SKT: For me definitely crime. I feel and see a change and it’s not healthy. More local police – making their presence physical gives communities some sense of security.
Public transport for sure – making it more accessible, frequent and routes where people actually want and need to go. I’d even like to see smaller buses on more localised routes as feeders to the bigger buses. I use the ferry at Bayswater often to see clients in the city and it’s such a brilliant way to travel.
And I think just ensuring that local community townships thrive, like Devonport, Takapuna, Milford – ensuring good parking and public transport options for accessibility. Encouraging strong communities is important in today’s challenging environment.
AB: Your kids are all grown up now and are making their own ways in life. What are they doing?
SKT: They’re two great kids with good values and a focus on building a great life. Louis is in Wellington working for Fire and Emergency NZ as National Performance and Monitoring Advisor. Loving life in Wellington – that’s his long term home. Our daughter Ella is an outdoors instructor and guide and currently on a three month break until she starts again as a walking and sea kayak guide for the Abel Tasman National Park – her happy place.
AB: If you and Marcus holiday in New Zealand, what is you favourite destination?
SKT: We love the Tasman district for nature walks and of course the beautiful Abel Tasman – we never get tired of that place. But ultimately Central Otago. The mountains are magical and we always feel revived and invigorated returning from any type of holiday down there. We love everything it has to offer. In fact my new adventure in September is a snow mobile adventure in the back country!
AB: If you and Marcus holiday overseas, what is you favourite destination?
SKT: Well I have to say the Pacific Islands beaches and snorkelling are hard to beat but further off into Europe would be my choice. We like going where we can have adventures and see new things – Italy is always a favourite but in the next few years Spain and Portugal and South America are on our hit list.
AB: Complete the following… After a good solid week of work Marcus and I love nothing more than to...
SKT: … Sit on our deck with the outdoor fire roaring, music, friends gathered and throwing a few pizzas in the outdoor pizza oven having great conversations about life. Total bliss!
Visit: www.TheMentalFitnessCompany.com
