Latest news with #AlanNash
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
East Lothian man 'knew he was different growing up' and diagnosis made perfect sense
An East Lothian dad of two who was diagnosed with autism late in life found community at a "life-changing" men's group. Owen Siddalls, 48, always knew he was different from other kids growing up but it wasn't until decades later when another family member was diagnosed with autism that Owen realised he was neurodivergent. He received a formal diagnosis at age 44 and opened up to Edinburgh Live about his journey building a community. READ MORE: Edinburgh firefighters rush to scene of incident on residential street READ MORE: Film crew descends on Edinburgh city centre for 90s classic movie remake Owen said: "My late diagnosis came as a result of a diagnosis of someone close to me and at that point I then learned about it being hereditary. "The diagnosis itself was enlightening in many ways but didn't change who I was and how my mind was wired, it just allowed me to understand more." Owen, who lives in Pentcaitland, noticed his fitness and mental health were deteriorating after as he and his wife started a family and his role as a husband and new father began to change. However, things changed after Owen discovered a community group aimed at boosting men's mental health and fitness. Dads and Dudes was formed by Alan Nash in Longniddry in 2022 and has grown into a large community of men who meet regularly to improve their health and fitness. According to Mental Health UK, men are more likely than women to experience substance abuse, exhibit violence, and to die by suicide. Societal pressures often deter men from seeking help and instead encourage them to "man up", says the charity. The group offers a safe space for men to vent, talk about problems, and find community. Owen added: "The self-social exclusion that I've created in my mind, I came to realise that what Dads and Dudes allows for is all sorts of people and all sorts of mannerisms. It offers a group of guys to put aside having to watch what they're saying in front of their partners and kids and get stuff out of their system. "It's like therapy, it's just to vocalize what's going on. It's to help us share frustrations in safe group where if you wanted to say something, it's not going to be overanalyzed. 'I think I am a happier person. It has improved my mental health and my ability to handle things thrown at me which I previously would have squandered under. 'It helps demystify the concept of men and mental health and not talking about things. There is a degree go collectiveness that the sessions offer. We don't all need to be social butterflies.' Dads and Dudes meets weekly across East Lothian and Edinburgh, offering physical training sessions where men can make social connections. Founder Alan Nash told Edinburgh Live the community was "life changing" for him. He launched the group after he realised he was lonely training on his own. It began with just a few men meeting in Alan's garden and has grown to a group of 50 to 100 members per session. He said: "There is a bit of demand for men to have place to feel confortable and turn up and talk without judgement. It's been life changing to the point of new friends I've got. "We've found role models in the community for the kids, people who can look after each other. It's something I'm proud to have started and keep going." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Edinburgh Live
6 days ago
- General
- Edinburgh Live
East Lothian man 'knew he was different growing up' and diagnosis made perfect sense
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An East Lothian dad of two who was diagnosed with autism late in life found community at a "life-changing" men's group. Owen Siddalls, 48, always knew he was different from other kids growing up but it wasn't until decades later when another family member was diagnosed with autism that Owen realised he was neurodivergent. He received a formal diagnosis at age 44 and opened up to Edinburgh Live about his journey building a community. Owen said: "My late diagnosis came as a result of a diagnosis of someone close to me and at that point I then learned about it being hereditary. "The diagnosis itself was enlightening in many ways but didn't change who I was and how my mind was wired, it just allowed me to understand more." Owen, who lives in Pentcaitland, noticed his fitness and mental health were deteriorating after as he and his wife started a family and his role as a husband and new father began to change. (Image: Supplied) However, things changed after Owen discovered a community group aimed at boosting men's mental health and fitness. Dads and Dudes was formed by Alan Nash in Longniddry in 2022 and has grown into a large community of men who meet regularly to improve their health and fitness. According to Mental Health UK, men are more likely than women to experience substance abuse, exhibit violence, and to die by suicide. Societal pressures often deter men from seeking help and instead encourage them to "man up", says the charity. The group offers a safe space for men to vent, talk about problems, and find community. Owen added: "The self-social exclusion that I've created in my mind, I came to realise that what Dads and Dudes allows for is all sorts of people and all sorts of mannerisms. It offers a group of guys to put aside having to watch what they're saying in front of their partners and kids and get stuff out of their system. (Image: Alan Nash) "It's like therapy, it's just to vocalize what's going on. It's to help us share frustrations in safe group where if you wanted to say something, it's not going to be overanalyzed. 'I think I am a happier person. It has improved my mental health and my ability to handle things thrown at me which I previously would have squandered under. 'It helps demystify the concept of men and mental health and not talking about things. There is a degree go collectiveness that the sessions offer. We don't all need to be social butterflies.' Dads and Dudes meets weekly across East Lothian and Edinburgh, offering physical training sessions where men can make social connections. Founder Alan Nash told Edinburgh Live the community was "life changing" for him. He launched the group after he realised he was lonely training on his own. It began with just a few men meeting in Alan's garden and has grown to a group of 50 to 100 members per session. He said: "There is a bit of demand for men to have place to feel confortable and turn up and talk without judgement. It's been life changing to the point of new friends I've got. "We've found role models in the community for the kids, people who can look after each other. It's something I'm proud to have started and keep going."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
'An Incredible Experience': Drone Footage Shows Basking Shark Gliding Along Scottish Coastline
A man said his family experienced an exciting sight when he captured incredible drone footage of a basking shark as it glided along the coastline in Scotland recently. Alan Nash (who goes by @the_getafterit_family on Instagram) said his family was with him on Longniddry Beach in East Lothian when they spotted what Nash estimated was a seven-meter-long basking shark as it swam along the coastline. 'Can't believe we saw it. An incredible experience,' Nash told Storyful. Basking shark sightings in Scotland typically peak in July and August, but are reported as early as April, according to the guide company Basking Shark Scotland. Basking sharks are second-largest living fish species, after the whale shark. Credit: Alan Nash / @the_getafterit_family via Storyful
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Daily Record
Family capture stunning footage of shark 100m from Scots beach
Alan Nash and his family discovered the basking shark off the shores of Longniddry Beach, in East Lothian. A Scots family have been left stunned after capturing breath-taking footage of a shark swimming just feet off the shore of their local beach. Alan Nash and his family discovered the basking shark off the shores of Longniddry Beach, in East Lothian, at around 5pm on Wednesday. The dad, who shot the footage from a drone, said the creature was so close you "could have just swam out to it" - estimating it was only 100 metres away. He told Edinburgh Live: "It was amazing. We got about 45 minutes of footage. It was very close to shoreline. You could see its fin breaking the surface of the water. "Along East Lothian there are basking sharks, dolphins, and seals, but to get that close to a basking shark - which I wouldn't recommend - isn't common." Alan and Abby Nash, with their children Skyla, 11, Hunter, nine, and seven-year-old Rocky heard rumours that a basking shark was spotted in the area the day prior. They were then swimming in their usual spot when a friend shouted that there were sightings of a basking shark further along the beach. Alan had his drone on hand so the family hurried down the shore to catch a glimpse of the creature amid the surf. Upon launching the drone, he was eventually able to locate the massive shark. Their footage shows the shark gliding through emerald-green water in Wednesday's balmy 20-degree weather. Alan added: "It was so peaceful and majestic. Not many people knew it was there but once we all got very excited, a bit of a crowd began to gather." The family found the experience particularly special after returning in February from a six-month journey, which took them across 10 countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Their adventures allowed them to take part in once-in-a-lifetime experiences like swimming with whales and walking alongside bears. Alan said: "[The shark] was incredible for us personally. For this to be here in Longniddry was amazing. It shows how adventurous and exciting Scotland can be that these creatures can be so close to us. "Seeing the shark reminds us that these amazing creatures are out there. There has been quite a buzz around the village." The Nash Family shared their adventures across the globe on their YouTube channel, The GET AFTER IT Family. Basking sharks primarily eat zooplankton and small crustaceans through filter feeding. Generally considered docile, they do not normally pose a threat to humans.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Awestruck East Lothian family captures stunning footage of shark 100m from shore
An East Lothian family was amazed after capturing breathtaking footage of a shark swimming just feet off the shore of their local beach. Alan Nash, who shot the footage from a drone, said the creature was so close you "could have just swam out to it," estimating it was only 100 metres away. Alan and his family of five discovered the basking shark off the shores of Longniddry Beach around 5pm on April 30. READ MORE: Edinburgh park sealed off as detectives investigate 'serious sexual assault' READ MORE: New Edinburgh bar and restaurant set to open in local community He told Edinburgh Live: "It was amazing. We got about 45 minutes of footage. It was very close to shoreline. You could see its fin breaking the surface of the water. "Along East Lothian there are basking sharks, dolphins, and seals, but to get that close to a basking shark - which I wouldn't recommend - isn't common." Alan and Abby Nash, with their children Skyla, 11, Hunter, nine, and seven-year-old Rocky heard rumours that a basking shark was spotted in the area the day prior, but Alan says they didn't think anything of the news. On Wednesday, the family was swimming in their usual spot when a friend shouted that there were sightings of a basking shark further along the beach. Luckily, Alan had his drone on hand and the family hurried down the shore to catch a glimpse of the creature amid the surf. Upon launching the drone, Alan was eventually able to locate the massive shark. Their footage shows the shark gliding through emerald-green water in Wednesday's balmy 20-degree weather. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages Alan added: "It was so peaceful and majestic. Not many people knew it was there but once we all got very excited, a bit of a crowd began to gather." The family found the experience particularly special after returning in February from a six-month journey, which took them across 10 countries including Candada, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Their adventures allowed them to take part in once-in-a-lifetime experiences like swimming with whales and walking alongside bears. Alan said: "[The shark] was incredible for us personally. For this to be here in Longniddry was amazing. It shows how adventurous and exciting Scotland can be that these creatures can be so close to us. "Seeing the shark reminds us that these amazing creatures are out there. There has been quite a buzz around the village." The Nash Family shared their adventures across the globe on their YouTube channel, The GET AFTER IT Family. Basking sharks primarily eat zooplankton and small crustaceans through filter feeding. Generally considered docile, they do not normally pose a threat to humans.
