Nik Davis – Heart of Gold

Who has she helped/who will she help?

Jo says “Nik’s blogs, vlogs and social media posts are frequent and always insightful, sometimes upsetting, sometimes uplifting, sometimes inspiring to action. She has helped me to believe that it is ok to be yourself, to take my life experiences, values and opinions and offer them to the world without filtering them through too many processes that can hide and distort my true feelings and thoughts.

I am sure she will have helped others experiencing the effects of the menopause and depression because her posts in real time reflect her thoughts and feelings. She shows people that they are not alone. She calls people to action, to live better and more authentic lives.”

What’s worked?

“The consistency of giving the same underlying message, time and again, relentlessly and across various platforms and groups. All done in a genuine way when new experiences and life challenges lead to new insights. This is even when engagement may not be what she was looking to achieve and even when life and work throw new or resurfaced challenges her way.”

What has she learnt? Any challenges?

Nik says “Showing up and owning up is possibly the scariest thing I have ever done, but also the most liberating – you really do have the feel the fear and do it anyway. And the good news, is that I have found the more you do it, the easier it gets. And it gets easier because your truth is indisputable. It cannot be judged, manipulated or diluted. It just is.

You are always your own worst critic and once you can face and own your story, with love, others judgements, either perceived or real, can no longer define you – only you ever get to do that. Not everyone will be ready or able to support you and you simply have to accept that, just as they cannot define you, neither can you define them.

Facing that is a challenge, as is the fear of what people might think, but it is nothing in comparison to the liberation that showing up and owning up brings.”

What’s next?

“Quite simply, to keep on showing up and owning up, in whatever way I can. To empower us all to be ourselves, accept ourselves and ultimately, learn to love ourselves, warts and all.”

What advice, contacts, or resources would help her?

Nik says “Truth, courage, curiosity, kindness, and people, that’s it.”

Why we’re sharing these stories

Each year, an individual or organisation from each of our five categories plus one exceptional judges’ choice individual is recognised at our annual Igniting Inspiration celebration event.

We publish each and every nomination to raise awareness of all the positive work that goes on in the North. While, this year, our physical event had to be deferred, our campaign to spread stories of positive social impact continues – good news is needed!