Instagram is full of good energy if you’re flowing in the right place, following good souls and you can block out the fluff and the noise and the negativity and time-wasting.
I’ve wanted to do this post for a while, now…to share some of the people who really inspire me and whose posts I never want to miss.
That feeling when a post pops up by someone you love / admire / brings you comfort and joy / teaches you patience / how to move your body / how to grow your own food / meditate / whatever it may be?
Real, from the heart (and usually against a breath of fresh air nature backdrop!)
I’m going to write a post about some of the women I love on Instagram but this week it’s ALL about the MEN!!
So if you don’t know some of them, I’ve included their Instagram account name on the screenshots below, so you can find them.
TOP ROW: Left to Right
JIM CURTIS – COACH & HYPNOTIST @jimcurtis1
A big nature lover, Jim’s calm and steady mini-coaching tips and Instagram lives have been my consolation during times when I’ve felt down and his advice and “mantras” like this one totally resonate with me.
I’m at a major crossroads in my life this month and giving it up to the universe (Pisces – right or left? Tea or coffee? This country or that one? Beach or pine forest? Now or never? Unable to choose/make a decision!)
He has a deep knowledge of nutrition (for four years he was the Institute of Integrative Nutrition’s CRO) and also such a calm presence – “Buddhist-like” – whatever’s going on…which I’m working on. Wholly calm, not just calm above the surface.
Much to learn.
Jim overcame a serious health issue and like most, I’d say, of the best coaches and healers, he’s been through the mill.
And he delivers some of the blunter messages (eg about non-attachment/bad relationships) with grace and kindness too.
Every time there’s an Instagram live, it’s “bolt to the kitchen, make a tea, and sit and absorb the tips and wisdom”.
THE FRENCHIE GARDENER @thefrenchiegardener
Patrick is the “bon” in “bonjour”!!
And both Patrick and his friend Eduardo Terzidis’ passion for nature is something else!
If you’ve seen one of their occasional joint videos (more please!), organic/regenerative gardening has never looked more fun or funny.
Whether it’s how to get your basil to thrive (basil has been the herb of all herbs that never thrives with me) or how to dry herbs to use them at home and make a sage smudging stick…or how to start with almost nothing and end up with a beautiful edible garden, Patrick is one of the reasons I thank Instagram (and You Tube) “merci!” for the chance to discover his account.
ALFIE COOKS @Alfiecooks_
I stopped eating meat/chicken/etc at age 13 and I’m so glad I did. It was for cruelty to animals reasons and more, but I know we’re all free to choose how we live – anyway, plant-based is definitely my way!
There are lots of plant-based nutritionists, cooks and chefs on Instagram but Alfie’s my favourite (capital F), it’s tortuous to when one of his delicious (usually quick!) dishes pops into your feed (feed!) just before lunchtime when you just have a lettuce, beetroot and some chickpeas to hand (although he’d probably whisk those into something fantastic and beautifully seasoned).
Thank you Alfie for all of your tempting, creative and not complicated to make recipes – you’re such a bright light in the plant-based world.
(If we ever have a BEAUTY SHORTLIST AWARDS party, Alfie will be my first port of call for food!)
MIDDLE ROW: Left to Right
EDUARDO TERZIDIS @eduardoterzidis
Originally from Rome and now based in the south of Portugal, Eduardo “Edu”’s a surfer, somatic yoga teacher and permaculture expert.
He’s on a mission to support us by showing us how to reconnect with nature – where we all “came from” – and spread the message that permaculture is the way.
“During my journey I have visited more than 20 countries, working and learning with several institutes, holistic and spiritual centres and renowned teachers.
I have gathered extensive knowledge as a Permaculture Designer and transformed my life by engaging with spiritual practices like yoga, meditation, somatics and surfing.
In the last years, I have facilitated the creation of many regenerative projects including, regenerative homesteads, intentional communities, educational projects, institutes and agricultural organisations. I have also supported individuals find their mission and purpose by integrating the design principles of permaculture with the tools I have gathered from my spiritual practices.
Today, I am dedicated to offering transformative experiences for people to reconnect to a deep sense of belonging to Life”
NICK BAGA @nickbaga
Professional dancer, actor, all round performer (with a host of TV, advertising and movie credits to his name), encourager and surfer, Nick’s account is one of the truly authentic ones, and one that will resonate with those of us – all of us? – on this up and down journey called LIFE.
He has some videos on You Tube (my favourite is his dance in a park to Stevie Wonder’s “For Once In My Life”, the perfect antidote to too much time on a sofa).
I find him inspiring, very real and he reminds me of many happy years when I lived in LA and worked in the music industry, which is also where Nick is based.
STRAWBERRY GUY (Alex) @Strawberry_guy
I still remember the first time I heard Alex’s track Mrs Magic – and it’s just gone platinum following his European and US tour which is such brilliant news as the really good musicians and songwriters all too often get buried below the superficial pop of the day/year/era.
I think it’s my favourite track of all time from the last decade or two – easily! But interestingly, I was reading some comments on YouTube and while some find it beautiful and uplifting (or just beautiful), others find it quite sad. I think it has both in it – it’s magical, gorgeous, original and the melancholy is in there among the sweetness.
This is his latest post – PLATINUM!!!
Here’s to an amazing music career, Alex.
THE BODY MAGICIAN @thebodymagician
If your nervous system is out of whack and your body’s crying out for new movement, Bruce Scott’s your man.
A master bodyworker, martial artist and big hearted teacher, I don’t do all the movements he teaches on Instagram but I’ve tried some, and I had a very short “convo” with him in the comments and you can just tell, by his replies, that he’s a man full of gratitude and also wisdom, to teach us.
He lives in a relaxed coastal suburb (just outside Sydney, Australia) and when I have more time offline, I’m going to literally study his Instagram page, it’s full of new ways to move your body, tone down anxiety and shake off stress.
YOGI CAMERON @yogicameron
I’ve followed Yogi Cameron for years, and we interviewed him on The Beauty Shortlist (many years ago – wow time is flying).
During Covid and when the world feels more in turmoil than usual (eg now) he’s a beacon of fortitude, calm and wisdom.
In his former life he was a model and in a Madonna video and I find just listening to him speak is calming. There’s a video somewhere of him doing a dawn meditation (on the beach in Santa Monica if I remember correctly?) which is beautiful.
His Instagram bio:
“For Longevity Create Great Karma”
HENRY AGG @henryagg
Nature – and creation – is the heart and soul of Henry’s work.
He’s landscape designer and I love how he lets things overgrow a little. There’s a refreshing wildness in it.
He went through a tough time this summer and is now sharing a lot of inspirational reels and posts about (men’s) mental health.
A beautiful man inside and out, his vulnerability and honesty really struck me, I “discovered him” this year and he’s doing important work via Instagram because of what he went through this year, to help others.
Plus, his garden is a gorgeous way to experience the changing of the seasons.
Who most inspires you, who you don’t know personally, on Instagram?
A poisoned chalice it can be, yes, but I’m happy I found these men doing good work, they’re good souls and their love of nature is so big – it’s such a beautiful thing to see.
NATURE IS OUR BEST TONIC
I’m compiling the next WOMEN WE LOVE…can’t wait to do this one, so keep an eye open…soon.
