In today's episode, we're delighted to welcome on Nia from Nia's Gears and Nia Works near Wrexham. So welcome, Nia.

Hello.

Welcome, Nia. Welcome, Nia.

Hi.

So Neil, we met you at the last Con driving instructors convention in Stafford and we were there, with a display, and you came over to chat to us. We got chatting, you were doing the rounds, speaking to lots of people that you knew, and so we thought we'd invite you on as a podcast guest because of what you were saying to us. So one of the things that you were talking to us was about was how you use different content that we share other, providers of content share on their social media. And you were talking about the use of that for your learner drivers. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

Yeah, it's just like the little things that you share, like the most recent one, is about the breathing. like breathing in like you're smelling a flower and then blow out like you're blowing bubbles. and honestly, the pupils just relax so much and it's just an easy way to explain it. It's simple, but effective and I've even used it on my. daughter as well because she's still trying to figure out how to deal with her emotions. So yeah, I use it quite a lot. That's like the most recent one. and just like little things that, uh, with pupils, you know, they're finding hard, finding things hard. and it just gives them that motivation that it's okay to feel like that. Like you're not the only one and it just gives them a bit of motivation as well with some of the things that you do share. So it does help the pupils a lot.

I love that. I love the fact that it's not even just your pupils that you're using it to, it's sort of like your personally as well, and your, you know, family. I think it's brilliant.

Yeah, my daughter, she's eight, she is. She's, honestly, she loves it.

That's just, that's just emphasises the fact that I think you said it's It's just simple.

yeah, it's just clear and it's just like, it works. and then you use it on the next person and they're like, oh yeah, didn't think of that. Especially when it's test day and you're like, right, come on, breathe in, and then blow out like this and they're like, oh wow, yeah, okay. They never think of it that way. Because they try and rush the breathing, don't they? So when you explain it like that, it's just like, it slows everything down, which is great. Less panic then. So yeah, yeah, really good.

And that's exactly what happens on a test day, isn't it? You know, the, the, I'm going to say the emotions, the nerves, the stresses, the anxieties really do come out, don't they, with because of probably what it means to them and the situations we're in at the moment. so just having something simple to use can be really effective. So how do you find that as an instructor, then being able to use that

It just makes it more, it's just easier to explain it and they understand it a lot better than, right, let's do your breathing. What do you mean with breathing? So it just makes it easier to explain and them to understand. But it's just that, I suppose with some of the pupils, it's like a light bulb moment, like yeah, that I'll just do that and it just relaxes them, doesn't it? So, yeah. 'cause they get panicked on lessons as well, don't they? Certain situations, I've just had to press the break because they decided to go on the roundabout and it wasn't safe. We just take a minute and do some breathing after we've got out the roundabout. Of course.

in the middle of the roundabout?

Just say that it's alright. But no, it does help. It really does. I know, something else as well. There was, people really struggling with progress. she, she, she's got dyslexia and dyspraxia. And obviously they learn differently. She knows it's going to take them a lot, a lot longer to learn. and she just felt like she wasn't progressing and she's getting a lot of help all the time. And I can't remember the post now, but I just, it came up the same day I said to her that it's all right. Everyone's got their own journey. And it was the one that you shared. As long as you keep going, you'll keep getting better. And as long as you get better, you'll gain more confidence and that alone is success. And it was just the right fit on that day with that pupil. So I sent her in a WhatsApp and she's like, thank you so much. So yeah, that was another one. That was really good. That sticks out. Yes.

lovely to hear because that's. Obviously, that's the aim. When we're putting content out there, that's exactly what we're hoping it's going to do, that it's going to resonate for someone, somewhere. And obviously, it can't resonate for everybody all at the same time. But that's what you hope, that just someone somewhere is going to see something and go, okay, I'm normal. I'm human. I'm learning and I will get there. think that's what it is. It's all about, isn't it, you know, we do this podcast, we do social media, like most people do, and it's, and I suppose when we saw you at the convention, it was just like, do you know what, we don't get that feedback sometimes from people,

Oh, really?

yeah, and we, we just, I mean, some people do, which is really nice, but to have someone face to face to us, come up to us and say that, you know, it really makes us feel that we're doing something, and we don't know who we're helping sometimes. Yeah.

Now, honestly, I've been, I've shared loads on my page with you guys and just like the courses, because some people are so nervous as well, aren't they? And I always say to my pupils, like, we can't teach confidence. It takes time. And I wish I could teach confidence. I'd be like, like, like a millionaire, but it just takes time. And if you understand that, that everything takes time and you'll get there eventually, it doesn't matter what your friend's doing. All. You know, your sister, how quick they learn to pass. Everyone will get there eventually. Everyone's got their own journeys. That's, that's the main thing with it. It's, yeah, confidence is the biggest thing. especially with the amount of pressure there is with tests and, the amount of, obviously, the cars that are on the road and, yeah, it's just, they put so much pressure on themselves. And they just want to do their best with everything and sometimes it's okay not to do, you know, be the best, as long as you're trying your best, isn't it? So yeah.

I suppose that's, I suppose going back to when we're at school, you know, you, all you was doing was, you know, you was put down a lot, wasn't you? But having these little quotes that we put out is, is actually really nice, isn't it? Just to realize it's okay. It's okay to be, you can have a bad day, can't you? I think we

Oh yeah. We all, we all do. I say to my pupils, I still have bad days. It's absolutely fine. We're human. It's just how you're going to deal with it when it comes to driving, isn't it? And everything else in your life, isn't it? But yeah.

I think it's really nice because people that might be listening to this podcast might be maybe not learner drivers, but also, you know, people that have passed their test and to hear a driving instructor say this sort of things, you know, I think is really valuable to individuals. You know, obviously, I'm fantastic and I never make mistakes, obviously. Yeah, we only need to see the outtake videos to know that's not true. But we all have bad days, you know, we all, and there's something, and it's, it's okay if it doesn't go okay, as long as we correct it and we, you know, we learn from it. And I think that's part of what we're trying to do, isn't it? Yeah, definitely. And for us, our aim, well, it's twofold, really. One is so that you can have confidence. We put content out there, like the, the breathing, the calming breath post, because the more you use that with more students, you then gain in confidence in sharing. That snippet of information because you've had past experiences with your daughter with other students. And so that suddenly goes from being a new piece of information that you think. I'll give that a try to then just becoming part and parcel of what you're delivering

Definitely.

car on a regular basis. So it means then that you're having, it's like a ripple effect. So we're hoping, which is what we're hoping for, that if we can pass information on to you, and then you then passing it on to other people. All of those people who are in your car for the next however many years, so that's having a knock on effect to lots of people. And like you mentioned with your daughter, it's not just about driving, it's about this transferable life skills. Because if it works in one situation, Then it's going to work in another situation. So imagine how many people you're impacting by sharing. those people might go on to tell other people as well, aren't they?

Yeah, that's it. And you know what? As instructors, we can take a little bit of advice ourself because, you know, we're, I'm really hard on myself, you know, well, we always want to be the best. Well, not the best, but really good. We want to be, you know, This amazing person, but it's okay to have bad days. It's going to take time. It's not going to happen overnight. So it's, uh, those are motivational things like the other one that I shared before. It's actually listening to it myself as well, because I'm not a superhuman. And it goes for everyone, isn't it? It's not just the pupils, like, or my daughter, it's for me as well. It's just like, it's okay, you've done really well, Nia. You do this, you do that, it's just reflecting and actually, I'm doing alright. Stop trying to, you know, Do more and be good. It's okay. You're making, I'm getting better each time. I'm not the same driving instructor that I was this time last year. I'm totally different to when I passed my part three. and I know I've just been getting better and better because I'm up to date with loads of different, trainings, even set up a WhatsApp group in the area because when I started my training, I actually was on my own. I didn't know anybody. And then I met someone on this Facebook group. That was local and then we, I started a group and there's 22 of us in there. So now there's like PDIs in there that actually could ask anything along the way of the, on their journey that I couldn't have. And I just want them to have that experience because it's the unknown and when you're in there you don't realise actually how much information's out there until you're in it. It's just good to have that support and obviously we all support each other with Facebook groups. They will, they will see all your content as well on my pages and it's just little things like that that, you know, they might be struggling with their pupils and I'm like, Oh, have you tried this? And that's what we're like with this community now. And I actually didn't realize till the other day when we met a couple of instructors, now and then we'll go for a coffee. And it's like the big part of my, Me, because I actually love networking. Like I came up to you in the conference and all that. I just love that part of it. And it just puts a fire in my belly to keep going and keep doing what I'm doing. I'm like doing well. So it's that motivation with that as well. Yeah. So yeah, that's fun. Didn't realize when the instructor turned around and said, without you, we wouldn't have had all this. We would have just been doing it all by ourself. I'm like, Oh, thank you. Like, yeah, thank you. Didn't realize how much of an impact. A WhatsApp group would have on the local, like PDIs and new instructors, basically. So yeah,

I mean, we didn't know nothing about that. Yeah. How amazing is that? Yeah, it's

I didn't realize it hit home last week when they said, without you, we wouldn't have been doing this. I'm like, Oh, thank you. So yeah, yeah, it hit, hit me right in the face last week when they said it. I was like, wow, I didn't realize that I had that much of an impact. So

Yeah. And creating a community. instead of a group of individuals, you're bringing everybody together and you use the word community there. And it's so important for, for everybody to be part of a community. So that's amazing. Yeah. And we, that's why, you know, when you came up and spoke to us, that's why we said, we've got to have you on this podcast. We've got to have you on it. You need to tell people

I honestly didn't believe you. I was like, oh really, me?

Oh,

And then we're doing it! I

you wish for Nia, because you just never know

know.

The other part of isn't just about that ripple effect, but it's also we create content to try and save you a job because you have enough to do already running your business, looking after your students. And so that is the whole idea behind creating content. We're trying to give you one lesson. thing to have to think about. One less thing to have to do. And, and Nia, I know you're really good, aren't you, with your social media. You share a lot from a lot, not just from us, but from other people as well, don't you? So you're always on the lookout for things that you can share that would be helpful for your students.

Yeah. And I know a lot of, um, it's not just the pupils that take care of it. Cause a lot of moms and dads follow me as well. even my mom follows me and the amount of things that she says like, wow, I didn't even realize that. Because she's been driving 40 years now that actually she's taken stuff from my page as well Even like I try and make it relevant. So if it's a hot day outside some little tips of what to do When it's hot outside with driving, you know, and like if it's wet or it's raining now, Little tips of driving then to be safe. It's all about safe driving for me. and there are the things I want to make it relevant, but not too much, but enough people can recognize my page as well. And it's not just for, Oh, well done. You've passed your test. Absolutely amazing. It's those little tips and helpful things that helps everybody, not just the people that I've learned with me. So yeah, I do share, try and share a bit. Yeah.

Yeah, that's great. And I think that's really important for our listeners, because not all of our listeners are learner drivers. Like Kev said, a lot of our listeners are qualified drivers, but you don't have to be a learner driver to find a good social media page from a local driving instructor. It doesn't even have to be local. It can be anybody who's sharing great information. And so even as a qualified driver, There's lots of information, help, support, advice that you can get just through your feeds on whatever platform you're on.

Yeah, I think it helps because, like with anything, we all should really keep up with our training, with everything. We all, we should be getting better with everything as time goes on. But, Like with driving I think it lacks slightly when people have been driving years and years So hopefully it may change behavior. We can't change everybody's behavior, but it might help someone just that little change It's that like the campaign on the radio, wasn't it? It's the think campaign. It's like little Impulses of, it's a guy called Derek and they put songs on, like keeping that, uh, safe distance and how it'll make you a safe driver, less accidents, and it'll make your journey a lot easier, all that. Just little things like that. It just, people's behavior has changed over years of driving and they don't really go back out and, You know, get that, not training, but development with driving. If, if people went out and just kept practising everything safe, kept up with everything, the roads would be a lot safer. And I just hope that something out of what I share, or teach people, would reach more people than just my pupils, because there's some crazy stuff that goes on the road, and it's just like, if you just change this one little thing It would have stopped this and this. It's just little things like that. I know a lot of, parents have taken things from my pupils that, you know, cause they take them out to drive. And like, we all, we're always looking for Bob and Tom in our mirrors, which is boy on bike and Tom on motorbike. And my mum would honestly say a few weeks ago, she, she's going to kill me for talking about her on here. She openly, honestly said.

She's famous.

like sharing it everywhere. didn't even know what, why she needs her side mirrors. And I was just like making her more of a worker. She learnt 40 years ago, there was less cars on the road, you know, all that. So, I sat in the car with her and I'm like, right, You know, think about who could be on the left and right. And then I brought in Bob and Tom. So it's like, she knows, I know who they are now. So she's more aware. So there's a lot more of them on the road as well. And they're vulnerable and so on and so on. So, um, yeah, even I know some of my pupils parents were like, they use their mirrors a lot more for Bob and Tom now, a lot more awareness. And so it's just little things like that. As long as someone takes something from something, then I'm happy. Yeah.

Exactly. And that's, that's perfect, isn't it? Yeah, yeah, wonderful. Yeah, that ripple effect. Which is, which is exactly it. And if we can keep it simple as well, people, Bob and Tom is so simple again, isn't it? You know, just one of those, it's two names, simple three letter names that you, yeah, ripple effect. Brilliant. I love that. Yep. Good. So, Nia, when we get to the end of our podcast, we always ask our guests, what they found challenging when they was learning to drive. Your face says a thousand words now.

know, but you know what, things have changed since I learned to drive. So I learned to drive 15 years ago, and I gotta be honest, I didn't understand most of it. I just got told what to do, and I went for my test, because I was just told I was ready. Where now When I'm explaining to my pupils and they understand it all, it's just amazing because I think that's the difference in, like, safe driving. They can deal with anything because they understand why they're doing certain things rather than just being told. I think the hardest thing that I found learning to drive was, I'd say, the reverse around the corner. But that's not on the, not, I don't really, I've probably done it twice in my whole time of driving and obviously it's not on the test anymore. But it's just The change in the way we teach now, the coaching rather than do this, do that, because actually they take so much more from it than just being told what to do.

Yeah, I love that you, you've used that example because I actually think that is a cause of lots of people's driving anxiety and it's because they were told what to do, they were told they were ready for their test, they passed their test and yet they still didn't really understand Why they had to do certain things. That is a cause of anxiety. If you don't understand why you're doing something, then you'll always have a level of uncertainty and a level of doubt. So I'm really pleased you brought that up because, because I'm sure that is the cause of anxiety for lots of people. Yeah, definitely. Brilliant. So, Neil, where can people find your social media? So we've said about people following to get that ripple effect, where can people find you?

just on Facebook under Nia's Gears. I think I'm the only one in the country, so it won't be hard to find me. but yeah, I'm only on Facebook at the moment, so yeah. That's where, where I am.

Brilliant. Lovely. Neil, thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you for having me.

And your mum. Yes. She's going to be so happy now.

And my daughter.

And your daughter.

Well, good job I didn't talk about my husband, because he'd be like, oh, that's so cringey.

Maybe that's another episode. Brilliant.

Well, actually, I will actually mention something. When we go out driving, I'm like, did you know? Did you know? And the other day, Tim answers. You know what? Every time we go out in the car, it doesn't have to be a driving lesson. I said, it's not. I'm just intrigued to know if you know, and I just wanna share what I know. 'cause I'm passionate and I'm an, I'm an over sharer 'cause I wanna tell everybody I what I know and it,

Nia, what's your husband's name?

Bobby,

Bobby, I'm with you. I, I, I, I, I, I feel your pain.

I had to get that in, but yeah, and I was just like, sorry, I'm passionate. And then we just left it like that.

You're still together, which is good.

Yeah, he's a great support. Anyway, he's the most amazing support with everything in my life. So

Brilliant.

we're all right.

So thank you once again for coming on and being a guest and sharing your insights into what you do as a driving instructor, sharing and, you know, helping us out as well. Thank you so much. That's brilliant. Thank you.