Aquascaping and Mental Health with Dr Pete Kelly - Thoughts on Record

The George Farmer Podcast

Thoughts on Record website - https://www.ottawacbt.ca/podcast-thoughts-on-record

Thoughts on Record podcast - https://www.buzzsprout.com/811163

Original episode - https://www.buzzsprout.com/811163/8740159

If you're suffering with mental health issues - https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

It is well-known that creative, meaningful undertakings can provide a powerful pathway to healing following a traumatic experience. Internationally renowned aquascaper, author, YouTube creator and aquarium plant expert, George Farmer, joins host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych for a wide-ranging discussion around how he found his healing from childhood and military trauma through his passion for aquascaping. In this discussion they cover:

• a brief overview of the art & science of aquascaping

• George's reflection on his journey into aquascaping as a counterpoint to his experience in the military from a values, authenticity & meaning perspective

• the impact of trauma he experienced while serving with the UK's Royal Air Force in Afghanistan on his psychological & physical well-being

• the unexpected moral injury that followed from this experience, how it contributed to him choosing to end his military career, and the enduring experience of this moral injury

• George's reflection on the types of maladaptive coping that can manifest in the wake of unresolved trauma based on his lived experience

• the dual role that psychotherapy & aquascaping played in helping George to escape the darkest period of his life

• the importance of finding meaning, learning how to tolerate discomfort to heal from trauma, and how tolerating discomfort is critical to living a values-driven, purposeful life

• humility, a sense of awe & tapping into processes larger than oneself as a vehicle for further facilitating healing from trauma & remaining values driven in one's actions

• constructively managing positive & negative feedback that comes with a prominent, public-facing persona

• George's creative process and how he solicits feedback from trusted individuals to help to refine his editing process

• the difficult, but rewarding creative journey behind his book "Aquascaping"and unintended positive consequences of managing during COVID-19 lockdown from a time-management perspective

• George's reflection on his relationship with social media, self-care, healthy routines/habits & exercise

• George's "relentless" pursuit of gratitude & discipline and how he operationalizes this on a day-to-day basis

• the lost art of maintenance and finding joy & meaning in process

George Farmer is an internationally renowned aquascaper, author, YouTube creator and aquarium plant expert from the UK. After an eventful 14 years in the Royal Air Force as an Armourer, which included working on Harrier Jump Jet ejection seats, Tornado aircraft missile systems and a 6 month bomb disposal tour in Afghanistan; he made the transition from a part-time aquarium hobby into a full-time career in aquascaping. George co-founded the UK Aquatic Plant Society in 2007 and has had hundreds of magazine articles and photos published world-wide. Pre-COVID he travelled around the world giving keynote addresses and practical workshops, showcasing the beautiful art of aquascaping. George is passionate about promoting aquascaping through his unique blend of educational and inspirational content, and is a huge advocate of the therapeutic value that aquascaping has brought to his own and many other lives, helping with various mental health issues such as PTSD, depression and anxiety. His new book, Aquascaping, is available from all major bookstores.

Website - www.georgefarmerstudios.com