In honour of International Women in Mining Day, Ray and Sky reflect on a powerful interview with Cheryl Blair, recorded during the Artemis Project ’s celebration event.

Cheryl—founder of Above the Horizon Wellness and a former underground miner with over 20 years of frontline experience—shares her journey from operating heavy machinery to coaching mine workers on proactive mental health, courageous leadership, and the power of self-care.

Originally interviewed by Erica Lee Garcia from the Artemis Project, Cheryl opens up about what’s missing in safety culture, how we care for machines better than people, and why real change starts when leaders show up with vulnerability and consistency. Ray and Sky unpack what it all means and why this message matters now more than ever.

🎧 Listen in for a real conversation about resilience, mining culture, and the human side of safety.

#womeninmining #mentalhealthinmining #diggingdeeper #miningsafety #resilientleadership #psychologicalsafety #humanfirst #courageousleadership #InternationalWomenInMiningDay #RayAndSkyPodcast

In this episode, Ray and Sky explore how Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles can improve safety and culture in high-risk industries like mining. They dive into the concept of Learning Teams, grounded in HOP, and how they provide a deeper understanding of normal work, uncover hidden challenges, and bridge the gap between perceived and actual work. Cheryl Blair, founder of Above the Horizon Wellness and a 20-year veteran of hard rock mining, shares her vision of integrating proactive mental health strategies into high-stress, high-risk environments. Ray and Sky ask the audience: "At Above the Horizon Wellness, we are going to bring in some of the Learning Teams and HOP initiatives into training. What do you think? Would this help in promoting Courageous Safety Leaders and helping workers prioritize Courageous Self-Care?" Tune in as they discuss how incorporating these tools could lead to improved safety, productivity, and job satisfaction.

Cheryl Blair, with 20+ years in hard rock mining, shares strategies to address mental health in high-risk industries.

Join Ray and Sky as they discuss Cheryl's suggested tools like mental health awareness, early intervention, stress management, and self-care practices to help workers thrive. Each episode explores Work Readiness Skills, fostering psychological safety, building resilience, and so much more. This podcast is for workers, managers, and leaders aiming to reduce stigma and boost mental well-being in the workplace. Tune in for actionable insights and strategies to improve performance and create a supportive work environment.

Created by Cheryl Blair, Safety, Health, and Lifestyle Coach, and Founder of Above the Horizon Wellness, the Industrial Workers CYA (Cover Your Ass) Notebook was designed to help workers stay organized, boost safety, and promote personal growth.

The idea came from Cheryl’s own experience with workplace harassment on a mine site, where her detailed notes were pivotal in holding a harasser accountable—without them, the charges would have been dismissed.

This 265-page planner offers a structured yet flexible approach, perfect for managing tasks, tracking motivation, documenting safety compliance, and keeping mental health check-ins—all while providing a powerful tool for workers to protect themselves legally.

Whether you’re looking to increase efficiency, improve communication, or stay accountable, the CYA Notebook is a comprehensive resource to help you succeed in the workplace.

Now available for purchase on Amazon or directly through Above the Horizon Wellness. https://www.abovethehorizonwellness.com/industrial-workers-cya-notebook/

You maintain your equipment—why not your workforce? Burnout, stress, and fatigue don’t just affect well-being; they impact safety, productivity, and retention. In this episode, Cheryl Blair, founder of Above the Horizon Wellness, reveals why proactive mental health strategies are essential in mining. She explores the hidden risks of poor mental health, the impact on workplace safety, and how courageous self-care is the foundation of true safety leadership. If you’re serious about preventing breakdowns—both in operations and in your people—this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss.

"The Most Valuable Asset in Mining: You"

Join Ray and Sky as they explore the growing demand for skilled workers in the mining industry and the critical importance of proper training.

Using real stories and resources from Cheryl Blair of Above the Horizon Wellness, they’ll highlight why work readiness and safety education are essential for the future of mining.

With over 120 career paths in the industry, they’ll discuss how proper training—before stepping on-site—can make all the difference in safety, productivity, and success.

https://www.abovethehorizonwellness.com/work-readiness-skills/Because in the end, the most valuable asset in mining isn’t the minerals—it’s you.

COURAGEOUS SAFETY LEADERS
► May we BE one
► May we RAISE them
► MAY we COACH and MENTOR them
Look after #1
Who’s that?
YOU!!

https://www.abovethehorizonwellness.com/work-readiness-skills/

In this powerful episode, we explore Cheryl Blair’s inspiring journey from breaking barriers as a female miner in a male-dominated industry to founding Above the Horizon Wellness.

Cheryl shares how her experiences with adversity, harassment, and mental health challenges shaped her mission to promote workplace well-being, safety, and courageous self-care.

Discover how she transformed from surviving underground to thriving as an advocate and entrepreneur, proving that resilience isn’t just about enduring—it’s about rising above.