Some people call it performance coaching, other’s call it a pep talk, some visualising success, others a battlefield dance and in New Zealand they have the Haka.

Whatever you call it on the day of the operation I firstly organised for Kim from www.happyheads.me to come to my room at 6am to perform her magic and take me through a guided visualisation where we knew it would be success. When I opened my eyes after I was literally beaming and so so calm.

The medical team who were going to be in the theatre room helping with the surgery then came into my room to be shown by my mother her Spanish Pasodoble. It is a traditional dance that is done either before a military battle or a bullfight [HUGE DISCLAIMER AND VERY VERY IMPORTANT – we are vehemently and passionately against bullfighting] which was taught to children at school in Spain including my mother when she was young and represents to her a fighting and passionate spirit which she wanted my team to gain strength from.

After this marvellous performance from mi mama we led a procession with the medical team, Danny and my family through the long hospital, into the lift and to theatre the whole time playing, singing and dancing The Only Way Is Up.

I finally told the team to stick my Badass postcard up in the room where they could all see it and to remind them that not only I’m a Badass but they’re Badasses too and they better not forget it during those long 10 hours.

So whatever you call it it worked and every single one of that team including myself went into that room smiling, happy and knowing we were going to kick ass which we did. I can’t recommend it enough.

To see videos of these moments if you haven’t already on my Instagram please go to:

https://vimeo.com/301391562

and

https://vimeo.com/301391907