Looking After the Person Who Looks After the Work - UK Creative Festival Panel

I recently travelled to Margate with Elliott Starr, Xavier Segers and Shaye to take part in the Creative Circle Golden Nuggets programme at the Creative Festival. We were invited to host a panel talk called “Looking After the Person Who Looks After the Work,” which explored how creatives can protect their wellbeing while navigating a fast paced industry.

Elliott opened the session by outlining why personal health is directly linked to creative performance. Each of us then spoke about a different pillar of wellbeing. Shaye talked about routine and reducing decision fatigue. Xavier covered mental health, boundaries and work-life balance. My focus was on posture, alignment and the power of movement, and how physical tension or immobility can block creative thinking.

I shared my own experience of desk related pain early in my career and how learning to move more, strengthen my body and pay attention to physical cues had a direct impact on my clarity, energy and creativity. I also highlighted simple daily adjustments like stretching, mobility breaks and mindful posture that help keep the mind and body in sync.

It was a brilliant day in Margate with a great crowd and a conversation that felt genuinely needed. The talk reminded us that creativity does not just come from ideas. It comes from the people behind them and how well they look after themselves.