Meet Hannah Simon!
AYP Consultant Coach and champion of the underdog!
Hello and welcome to this edition of The Neuro Ninja Newsletter!
This revamped newsletter is all about giving people the gift of themselves – through the transformative power of neuroscience.
If you missed last week’s, you can catch up here!
In this edition, meet the wonderful Hannah Simon!
We hire the best people
What we do here at AYP is rather multifaceted. It’s quite hard to explain elevator pitch style, but that doesn’t mean I don’t try it on at trade shows!
One crucial aspect of what we do is coaching. This coaching can take many forms, but usually comes in as one-to-one online meetings between a coach and a client.
Everyone’s brain is different, so our coaching is never one size fits all. It’s crucial that coaching styles and the coaches themselves are are individual as everyone’s brains are.
So we take a lot of pride in the fantastic team of coaches we’ve built.
One of these incredible coaches is Hannah Simon.
Hannah is a former teacher with over 25 years expereince who’s passionate about working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. A true champion of the underdog, she helps us bring the neuroscience revolution to schools across the country!
I asked her a few questions so we could all get to know her a little better!
Tell us about your work before you joined AYP.
“I graduated in Art History back in 1998—don’t ask why! It probably had something to do with Lovejoy (a reference that only readers of a certain age will appreciate). After that, I gained my teaching qualification and a Master’s degree in Oxford, where I was living at the time.
I began teaching English in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, before moving fairly quickly into leadership roles. In 2006 I relocated to the South Coast, taking on a number of SLT posts where I worked with schools on their journey from Inadequate to Good and Outstanding. All in all, I spent 25 years on the coalface of education.”
What hobbies do you have?
“Outside of work, life currently revolves around my two-year-old—so hobbies are on hold! At the moment, Hey Duggee is my favourite TV show. Before parenthood, I was a keen runner (I even managed a couple of sub–4 hour marathons). Unfortunately, I once attempted to show off on a climbing expedition and ended up with such a rare ankle break—the Bosworth Fracture—that my surgeon wrote a paper about it! Running is more of a lollop these days. I also love immersive theatre and have a soft spot for pre–19th century American fiction (a bit niche, I know).”
“Four years ago, we swapped Brighton for the countryside, where you need a torch just to walk to the pub. The slower pace has allowed me to appreciate the seasons in a way city life never did.”
What’s your role at AYP?
“At AYP, my role is Consultant Coach. I deliver to groups of both adults and young people, in schools and in the corporate world, and I also coach 1:1—both in person and virtually. I’m involved in developing content for our courses too. As a toddler mum, I have a particular interest in the neuroscience of motherhood and early childhood. This is a time of life that can feel lonely and overwhelming, so helping parents—especially mothers—gain insight into their own and their children’s behaviour is incredibly rewarding.
I am also fascinated by menopause and how women's brain chemistry changes in this period of life. I am committed to supporting women through a period of their lives that can sometimes be very challenging.”
What’s your favourite part of the job?
“I love working at AYP. My colleagues are amazing, and we share a deep passion for neuroscience and the philosophy that we can change the world one brain at a time. Being part of a positive, forward-thinking organisation whose mission is to help people help themselves is energising and fulfilling in every way.
One of the best parts of my work is supporting people as they break free from long-standing cycles and reach those precious lightbulb moments. It’s a privilege to walk alongside clients as they grow and change. The most rewarding moments are when someone gets back in touch months—or even years—later to say they’re still using the tools we explored together.
AYP has changed my life. It’s given me opportunities I never imagined, and most importantly, I live and breathe the neuroscience of AYP every single day.”
As if Hannah wasn’t cool enough, she’s also related to rock royality! Namely Roger Taylor from Queen! She assures us he is every bit as lovely as you’d hope.
Hannah utilises her profound educational experience and passionate interests to bring the neuroscience revolution to schools, organisations and families across the country. Giving people the gift of themselves through the transformational power of neuroscience is what we do, and Hannah is a huge part of that mission!
You can find out more information on our website!
Have some constructive feedback on this newsletter, our programmes, or anything AYP? Send it our way and you may be featured in a future newsletter!
Have some feedback? Send it my way at adamwright@aypuk.com, or leave a comment using the button below.
Thank you for reading this edition of The Neuro Ninja Newsletter!
Neuro Ninja Newsletter was written by Adam Wright. Edited by Angela Wright.