E7 From chief stew to chief listener and making boundaries

In our seventh episode of Pearls' Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we sit down with Emma Mannering, an ex-Chief Stew who returned to school to become a therapist. 

After three years of debating, Emma launched herself into the industry after meeting her now ex-captain husband. The episode follows Emma's journey in yachting, the trials and tribulations of working as a couple onboard, how she accidentally stepped up to Chief, and how she never actually knew where in the world she was. 

Landing a rotational position in what they thought was their dream job, the pandemic hit, and so did the many realities of asking, "What Next?" Emma talks about the injury she experienced onboard and what she now recognises as burnout. At home on medical leave, she delved into therapy and began putting her needs first. 

With too many options in her mind about what she could do after yachting, therapy opened her eyes to how forming connections with people made her happy, and perhaps she should turn her hand to it. After previously saying she would never go back to studying, spoiler alert: she did! 

Emma chats about how she handled the transition ashore and juggling a long-distance relationship with having a baby. She advises on how preparation is key and how it is important to rediscover who you are after yachting. 

Tune in to hear Emma's journey in and out of yachting, her plans to open up her private practice this summer, and the meaning behind the mysterious black sheep necklace…