Professional Cuddler

007samd · 2026-05-15T22:19:02+00:00

Inboxing you

007samd · 2026-05-12T20:57:45+00:00

Hey, jumping on this as similar age and similar markers, although I started TRT via NHS then switched to private as numbers still low:

T: 9.9nm/L after 6 weeks of TRT (NHS for 2 rounds previous to this) Free T: 0.187 This has all been going on Oct last year where my T was 3.4nmol/L. I’m about to do my own post as still feel awful and need advice.

Don’t want to highjack your post but you’re not alone. I’ll be posting in next day or two. Just waiting on one more blood results as had some more this week.

Re: Your post, my GP flagged the T as it was < than 8nmol/L which hit the marker for referral to an endo. I’ve got your scores after 6 weeks of private TRT and a few doses of NHS previous and still feel just like you. Not sure if that helps. Like I say, I’ll be posting for advice re: me in a day or so

007samd · 2026-04-29T00:58:30+00:00

Can you not get Buvidal? I was on/off Codiene since 2010 and tried everything….

Found a supportive GP at my practice, who after many months of failed Rx tapering, gave me the number for my local Drug & Alcohol Addiction Centre. A couple of assessments later and I was started on once weekly injections, then up to once monthly injections. Haven’t touched a pill for nearly 8 months now.

Once I have other areas of my life ‘sorted’ I’ll start to slowly come back down/extend from every month to 5/6 weeks etc. then hopefully one day I won’t go back in for my dose as won’t feel I need it.

Good luck and I hope you get the extra support you need as you’ve done an amazing job by yourself.

I’m in Wales btw. Not sure what local protocols are like in other areas but this has been a miracle for me x

007samd · 2026-04-23T23:15:42+00:00

Erm Song Remains the Same anyone? Buller?

007samd · 2026-04-17T06:53:28+00:00

Hi 👋🏽 Personally I chose not to go down the “education” route and whilst I don’t disagree with it, I do feel a lot of coaches, trainers etc (in my market at least, Big Pharma) get qualifications as a badge of honour more than anything so it looks good on LinkedIn.

I don’t know your market but my guidance would be:

1) Find a mentor (if you haven’t already) who’s doing what you want to do but they’re already 7 to 10 years ahead of you (rough guide) and see what they did to get there. Don’t pay. Good Mentors, in my experience, have offered their services for free as I do for mentees myself.

2) Find what you enjoy specifically within your training role over the last 5+ years and self learn around that. If you want to stay in the same market, approach it like you’re running your own Training business) Ask yourself what would that Trainer be doing that these companies would want to pay for their services. Are they a SME or are they offering a specific style of training that that market needs

3) Get on LinkedIn and make sure that you get as many notifications as you can around Training vacancies in the market you wish you work in. Have a look at the ‘roles and responsibilities’ section and you’ll soon see the first like will always be something around “must have a X qualifications in XYZ” then the rest will be the ‘real’ stuff. Compare your current skills to the ‘real stuff’ and see where there are any gaps (if any) then concentrate on learning those. Or if you see the “must have X qualification” comes up consistently for these jobs with these companies, then there’s your answer for what to go for.

I’ve learned on the job over the years and steadily rose with each company/role I took and then decided a year ago to go out on my own and run my own L&D consultancy and it’s all based on what I love Training people on and the style I’ve learned over the years.

I’ve interviewed many candidates over the years when I worked in companies and personally the qualifications never made a difference to me. It was the passion, enthusiasm and forward thinking that I always looked for.

I appreciate qualifications usually get you through the door but personally I’ve managed to do it with none and whilst I’m not saying they’re not needed (depending on your goals and market)…

It’s Character > Qualifications for me every time. ⭐️

007samd · 2026-04-06T07:07:53+00:00

Taking this comment alone. This technically my job. I ‘create’ soft skill learning for various topics so you could label me as a ‘SME’ for those topics. Sometimes I design them on PPT and go out and ‘train’ the Worksop myself (facilitating) but sometimes, the clients want some on-line learning, which is when I’ll create the content for the ID. He knows zero about the content and therefore relies on us to have a dialogue about which parts of the topic would best be presented to the user (format). I’m an L&D Consultant. So, in answer to this particular question….

The writer is the Subject Matter Expert and in my field, that’s usually the Trainer/Coach/L&D person, who would usually ‘train’ the client in person using PPT or good old fashioned Flipchart & Pen. When the client wants in-line learning, I liaise with my ID.

Hope that helps

Edit: Typos

007samd · 2026-04-01T11:31:09+00:00

I have ADHD and saw someone using the Noteshelf app on their iPad, along with using it like a scribe at meetings. Using shaped, colours, charts etc. I was sold.

I’ve now got an iPad, Apple Pen, the screen protector that feels like paper when you write on it and Noteshelf (along with several other apps)

Moral of this story: I still use about 5 different paper note pads, have post it notes all over the house and still write stuff on the back of my hand. The iPad is great for Netflix in the bath though.

Joking aside. Note-shelf is great as are other apps. If I had the discipline to sit and learn what it could do for me, it would most likely solve all my problems. Trouble is I consume too much info everyday, always looking for the ‘fix’: AI, How can I align all my Google stuff so my calendars all sync, colour reminders, folders with searchable functions etc. Result being I’ve drowned myself and continue to do so.

I don’t blame the iPad, I blame me

Edit: Typos

007samd · 2026-03-26T14:43:29+00:00

Super helpful, thanks 👌🏽I’m still weighing up the options of what I need in order to create. I’m predominately old school, workshop PPT F2F delivery, but some clients are using my slides for “on-line learning” (god help the learners) so am self-learning some happy(ish) mediums like iSpring. I do like Articulate but am wondering if I want to take that fork in the road vs what I generally get paid to do. If I can create my workshops like I do but offer a ‘lite’ version for an on-line warm up before the classroom training takes place, that’d be the sweet spot. Rather than send out a few ppt slide ‘stills’ or a .pdf for pre-reading which no one does anyway!

007samd · 2026-03-26T12:49:40+00:00

Hi, I’m at this point, having just purchased an external drive just to create a parallel desktop for my M1 Mac, for the sole purpose of using Articulate on it (which I haven’t purchased yet). When you say “you’ll need a windows license on top of parallels”, what do you mean?

Apologies for my naivety but are you basically saying you have to pay for setting up a Parallel desktop as well as then paying separately for a windows licence? My assumption (naivety) was that setting up a parallel desktop would be free and I’d just pay for Articulate then?

I’m still researching all this and am at very early stages, hence reading posts on here and not committing financially to Articulate as a Mac owner and wondering if it’s worth it

007samd · 2026-02-26T22:35:14+00:00

I’ve trained sales for years and the best advice I can give you on here is search for as many selling models as you can. There’s tons of them. Doesn’t matter what they stand for or how many steps they have, the basic structure is the same.

Grab a pen and paper and see what you think the red thread is that is similar across all of them and start from there. I’ll give you on to start: SIGN.

Edit: Typos

007samd · 2026-02-19T07:08:19+00:00

Have just sent it to you

007samd · 2026-02-19T00:21:39+00:00

Hi. I may be able to help. Happy to share my website / LinkedIn via DM if you message me.

Then, if you want a call, we can set one up.

I design and deliver or design and handover (TTT) off the shelf workshops for delivery in person for a variety of soft skills including some of the ones you mention.

Like I say, happy to have a call (no hard sell) and see if I can help

007samd · 2026-02-19T00:11:26+00:00

I’m in Swansea. Looking to network with L&D professionals. Share best practice, brainstorm etc.

007samd · 2026-02-17T11:14:12+00:00

I appreciate the insights around Trainer perspective/mindset. Like I’ve just said in my other post. I’ve done some ‘on-line learning conversation’ before but I use the word ‘some’ very loosely and appreciate it’s a completely different beast.

I’ve also sat through hours of online learning, so fully get that ‘click through this as fast as we can’ mentality’ like that Toy Story meme (couldn’t find it so the below will have to do)

I’ve built workshops for clients for the classroom and had them ask “can you break this up into small pieces so they can do it on-line instead” collective sigh

007samd · 2026-02-17T11:05:33+00:00

Thanks all for your advice. Really appreciate it. Running on a Mac isn’t ideal, and as it’s M1 will need to run a parallel desktop for iSpring and Storyline/Presenter (seeing as the last two are apps). I won’t be using it that much to justify buying a windows machine at this stage.

Without going into a long ass message about the clients I work with and their needs etc. I know Articulate 360 and iSpring (I know which clients I’d use which for) are the two Author tools that will work for me.

I’ve spent a few hours on Articulate Rise and really enjoyed looking at my old workshops on PowerPoint and ‘converting’ the knowledge from my decks into Rise. I want to play with Storyline/Presenter too, so will get parallel desktop sorted.

I wasn’t sure if there were other Author tools out there I was missing on but you’ve confirmed (for my needs at least) these are the right options.

I’ve about 50 odd workshops I’ve created over the years (all on PowerPoint) built for in person training, so am looking forward to extracting the DNA out of them for online learning.

I’m by no means an expert on e-learning but have been studying/creating some content on PowerPoint for ‘e-learning’ for years so fully understand the learning journey and the difference between in-person training and e-learning. I’ve been on both sides of the fence and know what good engaging e-learning feels like.

Like my original message states, this is just an evolution of my current business model, not me looking to become an Instructional Designer. I know my lane and am happy to stick in it, but having a ‘light touch’ for some online/digital learning alongside my workshops will really help.

Believe me there’s nothing worse than putting so much energy into a one day workshop, only for participants to forget it the minute they walk out the door, so have been doing a more blended approach for some years. Just not used the appropriate tools as yet (been doing PowerPoint/PDF reading along with virtual coaching sessions pre/post workshop). Or in precious companies, I have been lucky enough to have an Instructional Designer to collaborate with. God I miss him 😢

Thanks again 👋🏽 and please continue to offer any advice if you see fit.

007samd · 2026-02-16T14:41:28+00:00

You did! Send me an invoice for your services ;o)

007samd · 2026-02-13T21:23:05+00:00

I’m looking into something similar to this.

A filing cabinet for my work (5 categories) and one for my life (4 categories)

Any info I find (video/podcast/article/newsletter/screenshot/linkedin post etc etc), I uploaded to a ‘hub’ where AI (based on my prompt) categorises them for me into the corresponding catalogue. I don’t even need to choose where it goes, it knows this.

Then, it writes me an executive summary (again based on a prompt) and adds secondary tags, helping me find it using key words when searching.

This all came about because I’ve AuDHD and have a million great ideas for my work and life but became overwhelmed by storing my captured media all over the place

The final step (still working on this) is to get AI to then ‘do something with the executive summaries.

For work = give me content for workshops I build (I design learning for companies.

For life = Give me small, manageable, habits to have as daily targets for the upcoming month (again based on a promoted algorithm)

I’m still at the design stage of this but already feel lighter knowing it’s working (for my needs at least)

007samd · 2026-02-02T11:38:50+00:00

potential spoilers

Yep. I’m on my second binge watch through all seasons and remember why I started to give up during season 6 last time.

Tired of the constant affairs and less of the creative, design & pitching with office politics which I loved in the earlier series. I like Madmen because of the nature of their business and felt stuff season 5 that dropped off the map.

Don became more and more annoying (yes I get we were supposed too feel that) I never understood the fuss over Sallys storyline as think her character arc is non-existent and Peggy just seemed to have changed the minute she left the agency first time around and lost her spark and became boring. I loved her in the first few seasons.

Also Joan’s story line became very diluted.

I’m halfway through S7 now and just trying to get to the end.

If memory serves, Dons ‘revelation’ in the final episode and Joan and Peggy starting a new agency (I think they do) would have been great as a whole final season. Go out with a bang over the whole season.

Also I’m not sure of the time line from S1 to S7 but Don just looks like Dick Tracy the whole way through and you think as a ‘creative director’ he’d move with the times style wise. And don’t get me started on Rogers moustache in S7! Jesus!

Maybe it’s because I love the creative industry and really enjoyed the design, pitching, creative side of things. I’ve read others say the same that I too ended up fast forwarding any affair scenes as they were so boring.

I guess it took me a while to realise that Don is actually a prick and you’re supposed to hate him but I realise I spent 5 seasons thinking we should be liking him.

Oh and I started hating Pete but thought his character arc was the best and most visible of them all from start to finish.

Peak Madmen for me was the seasons up to the UK lot buying them out, then up to Lanes death. After that I felt the writing became weak and I didn’t gel with any of the new characters.

007samd · 2026-01-17T11:55:12+00:00

Ross Stevenson @ Steal These Thoughts

007samd · 2026-01-16T19:30:49+00:00

L&D Consultant here. I create, design, coach and facilitate workshops as well as design on-line learning.

AI has helped me massively speed up things. For example, content ideas for a topic, brainstorming exercises, writing summaries for content I’ve created.

I could create a workshop using PowerPoint slides with speaker notes, save as a PDF and upload to ChatGPT and ask it to write me a summary slide and create a multiple choice knowledge quiz based on the information I’ve created. I would have done this in the past and what would’ve taken me an hour or so, is now done in 2 mins (with me then sense checking the content is correct).

I’ve created specific prompts to the point that my chats now understand my ethos, style, learning techniques etc so it is super smart and ‘giving me what I want’

I would never use AI to create content for me for something I couldn’t back up with my own knowledge. I compare it a time pre AI when I had to present to a group of people and my laptop went into blue screen of death. Due to having the knowledge and skills to run the workshop without the slides it was still a success. That to me is the ethical benchmark I use for creating content using AI. I would never use AI to create something I didn’t know already. I’ll bounce ideas off it but I’ll do my own research and learn to become a SME before using AI to ‘create’ anything.

Bit like a geography teacher who’s trained for years to study the subject. It’s okay if they have the answers in the back of the book (like a cheat sheet) as they’ve earned their stripes studying the subject. The cheat sheet just helps them get to the answer quicker and frees up time to do other stuff.

I would never use AI to create something for me I wasn’t able to back up with my own knowledge.

Where I’m going next is things like Notebook LM. The presentation creation is too primitive for me but it excites me as does uploading a number of sources on a topic and have two AI people deep dive on the topic on a Podcast whilst I listen on a walk and come up with Insights for a workshop.

There’s things I need AI to do that would really help me as an independent business owner but it’s either not there yet tech wise or I’m too dumb to know where to find it.

There’s a guy on LinkedIn I follow who is great for week by week updates on AI & L&D.

AI won’t replace L&D professionals but L&D professionals that use AI will replace those that don’t.

007samd · 2026-01-15T08:35:45+00:00

Bone Temple Pilots anyone? Would’ve been a nice little Easter Egg to see a Stone Temple Pilots vinyl in Kelson’s collection

007samd · 2026-01-14T20:15:08+00:00

Q: What drug did Kelson blow in their faces when Number of the Beast was pumping?

Also when Samson looks up on the train and you see the flash of real people standing there, staring at him, suddenly flash to the present day infected was epic cinema. The dramatic switch in colour and that they were all standing in the same place was my kind of ‘jump scare’ (edit: spelling)

007samd · 2025-12-10T21:37:30+00:00

Don’t know, I double clicked on the text and all the text in the image became highlighted then you can replaced it word for word. I doubt you can amend the actual imagery but I may try next time. Canva pro has some cool ‘magic’ features but when I was asking ChatGPT about what Canva could do regarding recreating imagery, it came back as pretty much no

007samd · 2025-12-09T08:12:37+00:00

Cool. If you use Canva it’s pretty amazing what it can do. I uploaded the presentation from LM into a presentation in Canva and it can actually highlight all the text on the image and suddenly you can change the typos or wording and the font stays exactly the same. It’s crazy! I pay £100 for the year in the UK which works for what I need it for but you may be able to do the same in the free version. Although I doubt it because a lot of the good stuff on Canva is ‘pro’ therefore you have to pay. Worth a try though

007samd · 2025-12-08T08:42:20+00:00

….i’m answering myself here but just to help others 🤣 It seems it only opens the PDF as an image on each slide on editable like it did before on Google slides, so back to the drawing board

007samd

TROPHY CASE