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Mark Gilroy

@thatmarkgilroy

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🧠Psychology📱Tech ⌨️ Productivity
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Be More Monty. It was never just a phrase… ⬇️

Growing up, I struggled with my mental health and anxiety. My parents used to tell me to “be more like Monty”… and I don’t think any of us realised just how much those words would come to mean 🎗️

Monty was (and still is) my comfort on the hard days. My reason to get outside when things felt overwhelming. My distraction when my mind felt too loud. And a reminder that there was still happiness to be found in the little things. And to approach life with the kind of lightness that came so naturally to him ☀️

Over time, those words became a family mantra. A little reminder that, even on the difficult days, there was still good to be found 🥺

But life with Monty wasn’t always easy. He hugely struggled with excitement reactivity and we found ourselves on our own training journey. There were challenges, plenty of emotion, and plenty to learn along the way. But that journey taught me so much about patience, understanding, and the importance of celebrating the little wins. Progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. And that sometimes, the smallest steps forward are the ones worth celebrating most 🌟

Somewhere along the way, that little family mantra became something much bigger. Be More Monty Dog Training was born from the things Monty taught me: both about dogs and about life 🥺

Today, it means being kind when things are difficult. Being patient when progress feels slow. Being willing to learn, adapt and try again.

It means creating a space where dogs and their humans are met with understanding, not judgement. Where struggles are met with support, not shame. And where progress is measured in trust, confidence and connection - ✨not perfection✨

Monty will never understand just how much he’s changed my life, or how many other dogs and humans he’s indirectly helped. But I hope that, through this business, a bit of his magic reaches them, too 🧡

Because Be More Monty has never been about being perfect. It’s about finding joy in the little things, showing up for each other, and remembering to be
kind - to our dogs, to others, and to ourselves.

Be kind. Be patient. Be consistent. Be More Monty 🧡

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Sometimes you just have to give a shout out to the thing you never knew you needed.

I talk about this a lot because it’s always helpful to remember that we should never say never. Usually, it’s more, not right now but who knows?

When I first left teaching I would probably have laughed if you’d say I’d share this space in town and it would be one of my favourite places to spend time. And yet five years later, here we are.

This isn’t really a message about the space, but more that we have to let ourselves off the hook to try the things we didn’t think we’d want, or need. Especially when you’re out there trying to make it in self-employment. It’s a wild ride and there’s no map.

Try the thing. Change your mind. ✨

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Sometimes you’ve just got to put others ahead of yourself and anyway, what’s another week of moving ‘staying on top of your tax return’ down the line. Deadlines are gonna come and we’ll meet them when they do. Let’s be honest, that @thatmarkgilroy is a total enabler anyway.

It’s end of term feels in the studio this week, which is rich from us given we’re about to go into 7 weeks of parenting juggle. Gotta find the joys though, and if that’s driving the boat when duty calls then so be it.

Happy last week of the term time juggle to all who participate. ✨✌️

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York parents 👋
Looking for something positive for your child?

Our new kids martial arts classes in Rawcliffe are helping children build confidence, focus and discipline while having loads of fun 🥷🔥

Last night was incredible 🙌

DM TRIAL for a free place.

Thanks @thatmarkgilroy for this awesome edit 📽️

#YorkMums #YorkParents #KidsActivitiesYork #York #YorkKids

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T W O Y E A R S I N 60 S E C O N D S // Honestly, I don’t think any of us know where we’re going, but it’s the glory of the ride, as they say.

After both making big changes and leaving careers where we were surrounded by people every day, I don’t think either of us thought we’d want to ever leave the safety of our kitchen tables again. But after some time in isolation we found ourselves in what turned out to be the right place at the right time and all it needed was a new floor.

Two years later we’re going in for a longer haul and more than anything, it just shows you how quick time passes. It’s going to pass anyway, so you might as well do it with coffee and good humans.

Happy bloody birthday to us. (Some time around today anyway, if you go by rent renegotiations ✨✌️) @thatmarkgilroy

#selfemployed #smallbusiness #indieyork

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This color tho 🌱
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#iphone17e

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T E A M // Full disclosure, there’s a (small portion) of my cheering squad who do actual other careers. Who knew!

I’m in no position to be giving advice, I’m as much in the thick of it as the next person, but I do know that when you’re running a small business, the absolute best therapy is to remember to take it home to where it started.

These guys were where it started for me and photographing them will always be that feeling of coming home. We’ve taken this photo for years now, and they’ve cheered on every bit of my journey with just as much enthusiasm as they put in to rounding up this bunch. Which, frankly, is quite the scene.

Even if it’s absolutely pissing it down, even if you probably should be working, even if every other even if you can think of.

And whilst I’m at it, here’s your reminder for your family photography to include the family you choose. That’s really important too.

#familyphotography #family #yorkfamily #yorkfamilyphotographer

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S T U D I O B U D D Y // After finishing uni and a year of sitting at home editing on my own, I knew it was time to get out of the house. I’ve chatted a bit on here about how I didn’t see having a studio as part of my plan, and then like most plans, that changed. 💫

Still though, a studio on my own didn’t really sound like much fun either. @thatmarkgilroy is now 18 months into being my long suffering co worker and I could not think of a better human to share a space with. He’s patient and brilliant and always has a piece of tech as an answer for everything. Nothing like climbing over 37 stand up desks to find your way to your own (SIT DOWN OBVS WHY WOULD I WANT TO STAND UP) desk.

(I won’t tell you that he doesn’t like a dirty mug. Okay. I will tell you.)

We’ve been working in our new @thelightroom space after moving six months ago and every time I get in there it just makes me smile.

I didn’t know I was going to need it, but it turns out I did. What do you need now that you didn’t at the beginning?

#thisisyork #yorkphotographer #familyphotography #youtuber #careerchange #coworker

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#AD Lighting is key to creating the perfect mood
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The @nanoleaf floorlamp, Desk pegboard, PC monitor lightstrip and Lines have turned my office into the perfect hybrid of work and play!
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Which of these products would you add to your space?
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Nanoleaf have a great sale on right now so head over there ASAP no screw that head over there right now and pick up your lighting must haves! The specs and these products are top of their class so you will not be disapointed!
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#nanoleafdeskmode #tech #contentcreator #office #pc #technology

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