Bud & Tender Ambassadors

Amy McAuley - Inspiration to all of us and chemo warrior

Amy was diagnosed in September 2022 with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Since then she has undergone 18 weeks of chemotherapy, 15 days of radiation and a double mastectomy and has further, ongoing chemotherapy for the next 7 months.

Amy has a very positive outlook and has learned even more life lessons from this part of her life journey. We are inspired everyday by Amy and are totally humbled that Amy wanted to be a Bud & Tender ambassador - we are with you every step of the way in New Zealand Amy!

Amy McAuley is a natural leader, inspiring many worldwide with her inspirational programmes, fitness courses, online presence and life coaching work.

She is passionate about empowering people to overcome adversities, self-limiting beliefs and emotional pain, in order to become the best version of themselves and lead happy, fulfilled lives.

In short, a reminder and inspiration to all of us involved at Bud & Tender to live, get on and do what it is that makes you happy whilst helping others and make the most of each day making a positive difference. 

Unsure? read Amy's first book, Behind the Smile

As a mother of three, a wife, a successful businesswoman and author, Amy appreciates the pressures of life and the demands of juggling multiple roles. She has personally faced many challenges – including post-natal depression, reliance on alcohol and substances and leaving family and friends behind when migrating to the other side of the world, to name but a few.

Amy teaches and demonstrates how positivity, drive and self-love can lead to profound personal improvement.

After training as a life coach and discovering Powerhoop - an innovative exercise opportunity - Amy successfully overcame her previously poor body image, long term battle with bulimia and negative mindset. Bubbly, open and committed, she leads by example, through community involvement, authenticity, ongoing self-development and a genuine interest and desire to help her clients.

Amy is currently setting up a cancer support group in her community for others going through similar journeys as she is, and is busy working on her second book so watch this space!

 

Sandra Wright - Fibromyalgia pain patient & educator

For eight years Sandra was forced to deal with severe pain leaving her bedridden and wheelchair bound. 

In 2022, Sandra discovered Bud & Tender, plant-cannabinoids and Bud & Tender's premium, broad-spectrum CBD oil.

In 2014, while travelling to Jamaica to attend several family funerals – incredibly hard, upsetting, exhausting and emotionally draining in itself – Sandra started to experience a lot of pain from her ankles. Upon returning home to London, Sandra made an appointment to see her local GP. Painkillers were prescribed however Sandra had to return to her GP a week later as the pain was getting worse. Sandra started falling over, losing strength in her legs and could not stand up for too long without propping herself up against a rail or a wall. This was incredibly upsetting for her children and family to witness.

Little did Sandra know that she was about to unnecessarily, be forced to experience and endure 8 years of severe and exhausting pain.

In 2015 Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) was diagnosed by a pain management clinic. Sandra was now either bedridden or in a wheelchair, could not travel – unless it was to see a specialist healthcare professional or Doctor – could not continue any academic commitments or care for her family.

Between 2015 and 2022 [7 years!] Sandra experienced multiple physiotherapy sessions; MRI and X-ray scans, steroids, prescription medication [Gabapentin] – and all the horrible side effects – Tens muscle relaxing machine, acupuncture – which made the pain even worse – and many other different types of pain relief medication. Sandra developed a speech impairment, was diagnosed with conversion disorder and functional neurologist disorder (FND) on top of pain, severe depression and anxiety and was now being looked after by an NHS carer. Sandra could not go anywhere, could not communicate with her little daughter – who was only three years old at the time – experienced pain in her lower back and leg that was so severe it felt like something sharp was cutting inside her body.

To quote Sandra, ‘I really thought my life was over, I was completely helpless, I felt like I was in prison’.

Sandra has been on an extremely harrowing, painful and damaging – mental and physical – journey, however since supplementing with plant cannabinoids, Sandra has not looked back and now educates on fibromyalgia symptoms and pain management solutions.

Sandra is an exceptional, inspiring person and we’re honored to be supporting Sandra as she helps others to manage fibromyalgia, severe pain and avoid wasted years through the specialist knowledge Sandra has gained from her personal experience.

Kristian (KristianUltra) Morgan - Ultrarunner

Appalachian Trail record attempt 2021 - 2189 mile 'foot' journey across 14 US states.

Current record: 41 days 7 hours and 39 minutes.

Bud & Tender are proud to be supporting Kristian (KristianUltra) Morgan. 

Kristian Morgan is an ultrarunner; an athlete, a coach and all round inspiring individual who has run over 120 ultras and marathons and has finished in the top 10 for almost half of them.

Kristian will be running the Appalachian Trail in 2021 from May to July, attempting to achieve the Fastest Known Time (FKT). A gruelling, a truly amazing physical and mental challenge in breathtaking scenery covering 2189 miles on foot across 14 US states.

When not training and completing extreme challenges Kristian is busy coaching and can be reached at www.kristianultra.com for anyone who is needing expert coaching and training.  

 

  

Jason Rice - Bipolar disorder patient and educator

Jason is a really warm-hearted person with great character that has only grown in size with the understanding of how to live with and manage bipolar disorder.

Jason is an expert on living a fulfilling life whilst managing bipolar and carefully, balancing prescription medication and the supplementation of plant cannabinoids in particular; Bud & Tender premium, THC-free, broad-spectrum CBD oil and it's our pleasure to be working and supporting Jason as he continues to share his experience and use his expert knowledge to educate others.

Jason grew up in Welsh valleys, to be specific, Tredegar – home of the NHS – in South Wales.

From a young age, Jason had to endure many misunderstandings and confusion regarding his health condition, bipolar disorder.

From being ‘hospitalised’ at the age of 21, prescribed prescription medication for the majority of his life, finding that he was homeless and selling The Big Issue - as a help up not a handout – to building his life with bipolar, studying and graduating in Media Communications and training to be a Holistic Therapist, Jason is recognised as an expert on supplementing with whole plant C. sativa including THC-free CBD oil.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings.

The main symptoms of bipolar disorder are episodes of extreme highs and lows, which can last for several weeks.

After some instances of becoming manic and hospitalisation ensuing Jason turned to ‘cannahuana’ for solace by self-medicating with plant cannabinoids.

Jason has been self-medicating for over 40 years and now finds,

‘Bud & Tender premium, THC-free, 20% strength broad-spectrum CBD oil is a good way to help my anxiety and to encourage my body to achieve homeostasis - a natural internal balance – and to aid my sleep patterns (as I also suffer from sleep apnoea) to ensure I stay healthy and mentally strong as possible'.

As an expert, Jason’s in-depth knowledge and experience of bipolar, medicating with prescription based medication and self-medicating with plant cannabinoids has been called upon many times to help and support others with their very challenging medical conditions and more widely at an international level as a High Times judge, opinion leader for articles in Weedworld and Skunk magazine and more recently as a highly experienced bipolar/broad-spectrum CBD oil educator.

 

Hilary Sparkston (@HildaSparkston) - Period-Empowerment Campaigner

Period-empowerment campaigner Hilary Sparkston is on a mission to tackle the body taboos and inequalities that hold menstruators back.

A period pioneer, Hilary uses Bud and Tender CBD Premium Oil to explore the benefits of taking CBD oil as an alternative to conventional pain relief, improve the menstrual cycle, including balancing hormones, stabilising mood swings and managing pain.

Her account celebrates the joy of plant-based food as well as the importance of being comfortable and authentic in your own skin.

Awesome to be supporting you Hilary!

Simon Dicks (Focused Running) - Ultrarunner

Ultra-athlete, Simon Dicks, swore to never run again in 2012, he hated running and gave it up after an awful road marathon experience.

In 2020 he smashed events he never thought possible!

 Ultrarunner Simon Dicks is a normal guy in the corporate world, who found a passion in trail running, pushing and testing himself to extreme levels. 

In 2016 Simon took part in the Marathon Des Sables; going from hating running to this event was extreme but it started Simons journey off in trail running loving the extreme environment.

Soon after, confidence and fitness growing, Simon signed up to the Jungle Ultra in the Amazon.

The Jungle Ultra in the Amazon is an amazing event. Running with a smile, loving the environment some of the hardest days were experienced by day 4, the hilliest days but Simon started to smash it. Having thought that it was never possible Simon had a lightbulb moment where he started to realise he was getting better. Simon finished the event in 5th place, an amazing, positive, inspiring achievement.

 After doing Dessert and Jungle Ultra events Simon felt it just seemed right to do Ice (hey, why not!) with the aim not picking up any injuries and ideally finishing in the top 3.

Simon smashed it, taking 1st place and in Simon’s words, ‘’I genuinely surprised myself at how well I ran and winning the event was just magical’’

As well as working in the corporate world, Simon is also a running coach and you can read more about him and reach him at: www.focusedrunning.co.uk

Having just achieved 2nd place in CTS Dorset and with a line up of Ultra events for next year, 2021 looks like an epic year for Simon and one that Bud & Tender fully support – positive, inspiring actions that help all of us.

 

Tyler Hatherly (Talisman Gymnasium) - CrossFit Athlete

Bud & Tender are proud to be supporting Tyler Hatherly - CrossFit athlete/trainer extraordinaire and co owner of Talisman Gymnasium; a gymnasium dedicated to performance, the community and lifestyle improvements that support all.

Tyler has been a PT since 2014 and opened the Talisman doors in June 2016. He has been into competitive sport his whole life (mainly football) but made the decision to join the fitness community because of his passion for inspiring others.