Former Government Minister Tracey Crouch is the kind of MP who restores your faith in politics. Authentic, no-nonsense and, as she puts it, determined to stay the same person who occasionally goes to the supermarket in her slippers. In this episode...

Former Government Minister Tracey Crouch is the kind of MP who restores your faith in politics. Authentic, no-nonsense and, as she puts it, determined to stay the same person who occasionally goes to the supermarket in her slippers. In this episode she talks us through the crises she’s faced in politics and her personal life, including a diagnosis last year with breast cancer. The Spurs loving former Sports Minister tells us how she managed that crisis with a pragmatic approach driven by perspective, a focus on the positives and a determination to ‘max out on life.’ In this episode Tracey also fights her way through a few unexpected bangs and crashes … caused by her cats coming in and out of the cat flap. Tracey is, literally, unflappable. Bags of lessons here for anyone facing their own challenges. Tracey’s Crisis Cures: 1. Football: “I love it. It’s a real distraction. Although, I don’t feel so relaxed by football when I’m actually in the stadium…” 2. My allotment: “I find my mind can completely empty of any stress or trouble when you’re sat digging over a bed.” 3. Reading: “I love reading children’s books. I love going back to a time when things were just simpler. We should all find the time to sit quietly in the corner with Stig of the Dump.” Host – Andy Coulson Producer – Louise Difford Full transcript available here: <a href="https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/tracey-crouch-mp-on-cancer-resigning-from-government-and-harry-kane/">https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/tracey-crouch-mp-on-cancer-resigning-from-government-and-harry-kane/</a> Show Notes: Seemingly devoid of the usual politician’s ‘how will this play?’ break on her conversation. Tracey is so utterly authentic and genuine. From the reasoning behind her shock resignation from government to the trauma behind her cancer diagnosis, Tracey showed herself to be the right kind of team player. Or, as she put it brilliantly, “I’m a Spurs fan who doesn’t stand up because they hate Arsenal.” Tracey’s no-nonsense approach to her cancer diagnosis last June focused on the positives, the importance of perspective, exercise and mindfulness. This week she’ll begin professional counselling recognising that it’s often at the end of treatment that anxiety can really begin. My bet is that Tracey will be back in government pretty soon and it’s quite likely to be around the cabinet table. I’m sure that that girl from Kent whose resilience first developed as a latchkey kid will do brilliantly. Why? Because she is actively determined not to let politics change who she is. Or as she puts it “I want to be a mum, a wife, someone who occasionally goes to the shops in their slippers and someone who likes to shout obscenities at the referee”. How fantastic. Stream/Buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: <a href="https://ampl.ink/qp6bm">https://ampl.ink/qp6bm</a> Some Velvet Morning Website: <a href="http://www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk">www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk</a>

22. Tracey Crouch MP on cancer, resigning from Government and Harry Kane