ALEX Hello and welcome back to the third and final part of this week's episode, we're stomping with Tasha Ghouri in Greenwich Park. So far we've discussed Tasha’s experience growing up with a cochlear implant, time on Love Island and dealing with trolls and how she's managed the pressure inside and outside the villa. AD We are about to get stuck into the stomp this week, but first I’d like to chat about our sponsor FitFlop who are helping me to move better with supportive, comfortable and scientifically-tested footwear. Now, after I’ve been on a good long stomp, I don’t want to take my Fitflops off and put on a subpar pair of slippers after being so comfortable. Luckily for us, FitFlop have thought about this and have an amazing range of slippers and slides that are perfect for lounging around the house. Their range of men and womens slippers have contoured footbeds and are made with incredibly soft materials to make sure your feet get a treat. I can’t vouch for the women’s cosy Shuv shearling slides myself but wow - they look like absolute heaven to slip into after a stomp. They have triple-density Microwobbleboard technology, which basically means that they absorb shock and diffuse underfoot pressure. What a dream! And for men’s, there’s plenty to choose from, including the amazing iQushion technology – ultra-light, supersleek cushioning that’s ergonomically shaped for all-day comfort. So if you’ve upped your stomping-game but not your slipper-game, head over to fitflop.com END OF AD ALEX Welcome back everyone. And I hope you're enjoying your stOmp if you've continued the whole way with us, and if you're on a fresh day, let's go and smash it. Tasha, we've been talking about kind of dealing, I guess, with the trolls and the negative side. But there's also a real positive side to when people come together, they back a campaign, they see something important to have a light shined on it if you like, and in a way you've used modeling to do that, you were modeling before the show and you are now since, how has that changed? And have you found that companies have got on board with what you're trying to do? TASHA I think no, before the show I was modeling for ASOS and a few other brands and so basically, I remember on the shoot day, they shot some earrings on my ear and apart of me inside was a bit like, okay, are they going to shoot my cochlear implant ear or just my left ear, they shot both and we went on the website and basically went viral worldwide and people saying, you know, one girl took it to Twitter, it basically went viral from that and everyone's just saying, wow, like ASOS use a hearing impaired model. How amazing And I think it goes to show that it should be normalised to the point that it shouldn't be big news, in a way do you know what I mean so I think, in a way, it was great but at the same time, it was like, it should be normal anyway. So for modelling, for me, it was kind of, I never had anyone to look up to on websites or clothing and websites and there's such a stigma around models having to be perfect and that is changing now and getting more diverse and just because I've got cochlear implant doesn’t make me any different to a model that hasn't got one. So I think me going into the modeling world was to break those boundaries bring down those stigmas around having to be this perfect model and I think hopefully me going on the show and the opportunities I've been getting after, you know I'm working with eBay all these amazing brand, I hope now that other brands can look up and go actually, this is how it should be. You know, this is normal. It should be normalised. ALEX Do you think it's a double edged sword then because it kind of I feel like there's almost like two emotions and when you're talking about the part of you was like, they took the photo and we're not like knocking ASOS at all here like we're not doing that but when you're you're kind of like yeah, it's it's such a double edged sword because you want to raise awareness of it but it's about you, you're there because of you. TASHA Yeah, it’s because of me it’s who I am ALEX And at the same time to raise awareness of it so is it the chicken or the egg? Do we have to go through the process? It's almost like the body image stuff, right? I'm not making a direct comparison, but I'm just imagining things that I kind of have seen. Like, we're kind of going through a much needed time where people are actually hopefully starting to normalise, not just female bodies with male bodies as well. Not just walking around with six packs all the time and things, really that should just be normal and do we have to highlight it before it's normal? TASHA It's weird because like when I went on the show, obviously I didn't know what's going on when I came out. Also, my family told me about your headlines everywhere like first deaf girl on Love Island and I was like it’s amazing, but I'm not this deaf girl ALEX But if you actually think about that it's just ‘deaf girl’ this is really, really, really, really important because when we talk, we talk about in hospital all the time. You're not a diabetic patient. You're not autistic patient. You're not a, I don't know, whatever, like you're a patient with, you're a person with, so you're like, John, who has diabetes, Dave that has or Anna that has autism. It's like you put it in front of it all of a sudden, what you're saying that is the defining feature of that person. TASHA Exactly, so I think it's amazing that the world is changing, and it's becoming more diverse. But at the same time, it should be normal anyway. ALEX So how do we do it then, can I not play devil's advocate but how do we approach it best? Like what is the way that we, because we want to highlight these things, obviously, with the mental health issues and I’m trying to highlight but I don't want people to be defined by those, but I want them to be open, like how do we find that balance? Where we're not creating, like, okay, that person is defined by this? If that makes any sense? TASHA Yeah, I think it is hard, so I'm still trying to figure out what's the best way to go about it. And I think the only way it's going to change is if especially TV industry, if the shows, you know, like strictly did Rose. Now they've got Ellie the amazing Ellie Sims on there, and media and Love Island. And I think the only way it's really gonna change if that momentum keeps going. And that's when it’ll actually become more diverse and everyone be more accepted. And I think, I think you just need to be patient with it, and keep using my, I'm gonna keep using my voice as much as I can keep educating. And that's the most I can do. You know do campaigns that matter to me, like I did the Cadbury fingers campaign, and that was a strong, powerful message that I did. And I'm doing a campaign tomorrow, linked with a deaf community. So there's only so much I can do. But as long as I'm trying hard and putting effort into it, then I know that one day when I do leave this world, I did the best I could. ALEX Yeah, absolutely. Well, I mean, like in any way that I can, My role is an ambassador for young people in terms of mental health. And, you know, I, well, let's talk about the health fact, because it really shocked me actually. And I think it's normal we don't always pretend we know everything about everything. And I, I will hands up say I was really, really shocked by by this health fact of the week. And it kind of really brought home how important this conversation is that we’re having. So the World Health Organisation basically looked into hearing loss globally and have said that by 2050, there could be over 2.5 billion people with hearing loss and globally that there'll be over 34 million children who have hearing loss or deafness. And I just imagine that you've got like, what, 2.5 billion 34 million children, many of those causes over 60% of those causes are preventable, like, you know, having really loud noise like your like headphones, and so on. That really shocked me to be honest and going right back to that point, you made at the start a lot of people don't see it as a thing. And so it really, yeah, it really shocked me so in any way I can help or support them, and please let me know. And that's not not that's no tokenism, if you if you need any help with anything then let me know. ALEX Let's talk about coping with life because life can be already be tricky at times. It's amazing as well and life is beautiful, because we are different. And because you know, there are challenges, we overcome them. Let's talk about how you kind of get through so you know you’re a couple of months in after the show. It does change your life. There's no doubt about that. Part of it. It's definitely processing and I just wonder, like, do you and you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but like, do you have therapy? Is that something that you considered? And in terms of, you know, your general well being? What are the things that you do outside of stomping Of course, to support your mental health? TASHA I think now I'm surrounding myself with people that know me and that understand me as a person like my friends or family, my family, my friends are very small. I literally only have six close friends that I really do trust and you know, and I think I have been considering going to therapy, obviously you get given aftercare. And for some reason, I've just chosen to ignore it. Because I've been so on the go. And he’s like it actually would be good for you to go. And I think I’m maybe a little bit embarrassed. And I think now, I'm not going to be embarrassed or ashamed. I think if anything, it's just going to be another outlet to someone that doesn't know me and doesn't know who I am. And I think that's going to help massively. So I've been considering, ALEX Can I ask you why and this is not loaded at all at any judgment. What are the things that make you feel embarrassed about potentially having therapy just because it's really important because I think a lot of people out there might have the same worries like, what is it that? What is it that makes you feel worried about it? TASHA I think what scares, about worries me about going to therapy is just talking to a stranger, I guess, and letting out your emotions to somebody that you don't know. And I think part of me worries that, what if they're not going to get it or what if they don't understand. And I literally just sat down. And I said, TASH, come on, like, it's not embarrassing. No, so my family members have gone to therapy before, and it's helped them massively. And I think it's, there's such a stigma around it as well. I think it's a pride thing as well. And I'm kind of the girl to be like I'm fine, I'm okay, I'm good. Like, I'm fine. I can put a smile on my face, I can hide it sometimes very well. But actually deep down, I could literally be like, I need to let out so many emotions. And sometimes I think therapy really helps with that because you could just let it out. And that person doesn’t who you are. Nobody in the public eye. And I think that's gonna be a safe space for me, and I think I’ve just been shying away from it. I think actually, it's gonna benefit me in many ways ALEX Do you know what I really respect you for being honest about that, because a lot of people were like, oh, no, no, yeah, I’d be cool to have therapy, like you've been really vulnerable with that. And I'm glad that you said that, because I think a lot of people share that worry. And there's lots of different ways that people, lots of different techniques of therapy, but broadly. And I think what's important to remember is that you're in control of the situation. So I think of finding a therapist like speed dating, you might meet loads of like and then not find they work for you. Find the person you feel comfortable with. And you find that as you're able to open up with and then control it. You don't have to go in and pull your whole life out in the first session. And like I have therapy every week, and I still do it. Because I always believe that you can improve the way that you deal with situations. You can learn about yourself, you can learn to adapt. And people I always hear people going, Oh, I don't feel bad enough for therapy. Or I don’t need therapy, I just need to go to the gym and I’ll be fine but therapy is not about whether you're good or bad. That's kind of irrelevant. I mean, often you need it more when you feel bad, but it's, it's about learning how you think changing that. So I really hope that in time people can see therapy as like going to the gym. TASHA Yeah, very true. ALEX You're building the strength in your mind, resilience, your ability to kind of deal with problems and so on. And I did, I did a Stompcast, actually for World Mental Health Day, as I was diagnosed with ADHD a couple of weeks back, and I did a Stompcast with my therapist on that. So if anyone's listening, going on what's therapy like, you can go and have listened to that episode because well, I had a therapy session you can see on the Stompcast, which is an odd thing. odd feeling to do but it worked really well. Yeah. I mean I would tell anyone, especially brothers, right? You come through such a big life change. Why would you not need therapy? Does that make sense? TASHA Yeah exactly. Sometimes I forget that my life has changed drastically. Because you're so caught up in the moment. Sometimes I sit down, and I literally watch a movie and I'm sat there like, my life is so different to three months ago. And yeah, and I think, you know, everyone sees therapy in such different ways. You know, someone's therapy could be going for a walk. Going to the gym, listening to music, meditation. So many things can really help you get through things sometimes. ALEX Do you still dance? is that sort because I feel like when you're younger that was from what you're saying. That was a real something that gave you energy and strength. Do you still have dancing as an outlet? TASHA Oh, yeah. Yeah. ALEX Do you do your dancing around the bedroom person or do you go to dance classes TASHA I dance everywhere I go. ALEX Just skip along the street yeah. What kind of music do you dance to like? You're a proper stomper then. Really? Aren't you? TASHA Like yeah, when I listen to music I listen to a mix I’m like a TLS girl, listened to that to 2000 Yeah, but dance class I dance towards house music depends on what choreographers teaching, ALEX Can anyone, could you teach me to dance? Can anyone learn to dance do you believe that or not? TASHA It’s so easy and I think I meet so many people, everyone's got it in them you need to get it out ALEX I’ve got about five left feet. I need to chop them down to two and then you’ll be alright TASHA But do you know what the amount of people that you know go to dance class that aren't dancers come out. It's also therapy. Because you're letting out, it's a free space. Sometimes dance class can put in a character and be somebody else just an hour and a half. ALEX It's funny because to me it actually gives me anxiety thinking about going dancing So you think of that as a release for me. I'd be so scared about that. But I think you're right. Often the things we're afraid of when we do them, we feel really amazing because it's a challenge if you said to me now we had to go to dance class, I would Harry would have to drag me there. Luckily, she's strong so she would be able to but you'd have to drag me TASHA But then you've done some in your afraid of. You pushed yourself you challenge yourself. And you come up in like, wow, I just did that. I feel great. ALEX Have you got Andrew dancing. TASHA Not Yeah but he has got rhythm, he can do a little two step. ALEX Tell him if he has a go I’ll have a go, I will have a challenge if he goes dancing. If he shows evidence of him dancing, I'll give it a go. So the dancing is cool. Is there anything else outside? What do you do to unwind? What's your like, chill out like, you put the aeroplane mode on? What do you do when that's off? TASHA Honestly, I think listening to music is just kind of my thing I go to the most just put my headphones on and just listen to my favourite songs. That really grounds me back to where I am in the bedroom. Or if I'm really stressed, and smack on Alexa. And Alexa, just play me some loud happy songs or something. And that can just lift my mood up straightaway. That's just that's what works for me personally. ALEX Have you listened to the new Taylor Swift album? TASHA Yes. It's good. It's great. It's amazing. It's really great. ALEX I just love her. She's so cool. She's re-recording. We're going off on a tangent. She's recording all of her previous albums, isn't she? Yeah, because they sold the rights to, well we won’t get into all that. But she is awesome. I love listening there's certain songs that kind of pick you up Iike Love Story. Have you seen like there's like a meme. Like, you see the guy in the gym and he's like lifting weights and you're like, he must be lifting, listening to like Jay Z or something like I bought Taylor Swift in their. TASHA Now, in the gym, I've I've literally listened to really slow songs, but I'm now like pumping ALEX Another one I love is frozen. I love Let It Go I love that song. It's embarrassing. So it was like my brother got in the car the other day. Yeah, shows like your Spotify playlist. You had like, let it go and I was like it was Abby, Abby played it. Abby loves to sing along. TASH Love it! AD Thank you once again to fitflop for sponsoring this episode and making sure our feet are looked after whether we're wandering in the woods or lounging by the fire after hardstone head over to fitflop.com to check out fitflops outdoor shoes and trainers as well as the slippers and slides. END OF AD ALEX I've enjoyed this episode so much. I have a lot of respect for you. I thought it was amazing what you're doing before but having spoken to you, I always wait to try and meet people to kind of make sure not judge them based on words. You don't judge people from being with them for an hour I really get an impression of that person and you really are really lovely person isn't very normal person. And it's lovely to see but you're doing extraordinary things. And actually, I make a point right? Love Island has a lot of like negative side of it. Right. But you are not on love island because of your lack of hearing or hearing issues. You're on there because of you as a person. From meeting you. I can say that. And I think that's fantastic because they found someone that should be on there anyway. And in doing so it's raised awareness. TASHA Thank you. ALEX I don't know if that means anything but I really kind of noted that because you do wonder about tokenism sometimes, but I can tell you that they put you on there because of you. So thank you so much for your time. TASHA Thank you for having me. Thank you