I got back up: Recent Episodes
Talia Lazarus
Recovery Spotlight is a series tailored to your individual recovery journey. Everyone has a story. Everyone's story is different, but even in a small way, we can all relate.
At only a few weeks old, Jed Brecher had heart surgery. With regular check-ups at the cardiologist, Jed's life took a turn when he was told that his lifestyle including work and training was affecting his health, forcing him to change everything.
Now, the founder of Muay Thai Wellness, Jed has incorporated a lot more fun into his life.
So, how do you find the balance, and the fun in everyday life?
Learn more about Muay Thai Wellness:
https://muaythaiwellness.com/
https://uk.linkedin.com/company/muay-thai-wellness
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Steve Judge empowers people to achieve the life that they want to live.
As an award-winning, motivational speaker, author, coach, and workshop facilitator, he shares his journey that took him from wheelchair to world champion and beyond in business. Steve got back up by not leaning on his excuses but instead, turning them into challenges.
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9 out of 10 people have never heard the term “Aphasia.” Aphasia is a language disorder affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write due to a brain injury. Two-thirds of stroke victims of all ages have Aphasia.
At age 69, Jonathan Hirons had a stroke. The complication from the stroke was Aphasia, and Jonathan was now starting all over again.
A filmmaker and producer, Jonathan recently produced a short documentary about Aphasia, to create greater awareness of Aphasia by bringing it to a wider audience.
So, how do we start all over again?
WATCH the film - https://tipofmytonguefilm.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tipofmytonguefilm
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buffalolounge/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/
X - https://x.com/BuffaloLoungeUK
Say Aphasia website - https://www.sayaphasia.org
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The Phoenix Phenomenon - host Talia Lazarus is chatting with Sam Harris, host of the Growth Mindset Podcast diving into her story in a lot more detail than you have seen before..
*this episode has been recorded by the Growth Mindset podcast
Listen to the Growth Mindset podcast
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Enduring an upbringing dominated by alcoholism and violence, Lee Spencer joined the Royal Marine Commandos in 1992. However, in 2014 Lee lost his leg whilst assisting people in a crash. He has since made history by rowing across the Atlantic breaking records with an all-amputee crew and setting solo rowing records and earning three Guinness World Records.
His journey reminds us that we often underestimate our capabilities and push past limits we never thought possible. Take a moment today to look in the mirror and be proud of the person looking back at you. Knowing the journey, it took to get here.
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Paul Fullick, a former army officer, was left reinventing himself after an early retirement. The challenges didn’t stop there. In 2021, a motorcycle accident in Wales resulted in the degloving of his foot and the loss of his right leg. Claiming his injury was his ticket into his next steps in life, Paul was led to Team BRIT.
Life has a way of handing out unexpected tickets. So, when life hands you that ticket, do amazing things with it.
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A former racing driver whose life took an unexpected turn after a life-altering accident, shattering not only his dreams but his body, mind, and spirit. Sharing the pivotal role that mental health support played in rebuilding his life, Tom transitioned from racer to motorsport broadcaster across Sky Sports F1’s Indycar coverage and F1 TV.
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After surviving a life-threatening rock-climbing accident that led her to 14 surgeries and 23 blood transfusions, Caroline found herself deeply broken and facing inner battles. Choosing to take control of her life, she has been on a transformative journey and has found healing in the mountains, conquering the seven volcanic summits across the globe.
Every mountain we climb fuels the healing process within. A reminder that our inner strength is boundless, and the challenges we face are catalysts for discovering who we truly are. As you navigate your mountains this week, may you find the strength to guide you towards self-discovery, healing and letting go of the thoughts that hold you back from your summits.
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A survivor of the 2005 London bombings, on the London underground as the bombs hit an adjacent carriage to his. Thinking with only seconds left on the planet, he has since navigated through survivor’s guilt, endured profound family loss, and recently faced a terrible bicycle accident. Darryl has discovered how when sometimes things are so painful, we avoid them entirely. But why?
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Suspended 70 feet in the air, caught between two swinging cars, once a fearless stunt performer and daredevil, the course of his life changed after a harrowing accident on America’s Got Talent. Jonathan Goodwin escaped being an escapologist.
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Abbie is a two-time British Champion with over two decades of track experience in various motorsport disciplines. Also known as the test driver on The Grand Tour, she joined Jeremey Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. However, whilst racing in the W Series, Abbie suffered a harrowing crash at the Circuit of the Americas that left her with a broken back and navigating physical and mental recovery.
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A former Formula One star with 61 F1 starts and multiple podium finishes. Mark also conquered the 24 Hours of Le Mans and made his mark in IndyCar.
Beyond the track, he’s made his mark as a TV personality and motorsport manager as the CEO of MB Partners. But not before his 1996 Rio de Janeiro crash, losing control and hitting the wall at 198mph, and being on the grid in 1994 at Imola when Aryton Senna died.
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Chris was born with developmental dysplasia of the hips and at the age of 24, a back spasm changed the course of his life. He learnt that during puberty his femoral artery had become pinched leading to the deformation of his left hip and pelvis…
Pursuing an incredible journey, from successful photographer to becoming a world-ranked wheelchair tennis player, Chris now races in national championships for Team BRIT, having raced in a McLaren and making history as part of the first all-disabled team to win.
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Shell’s journey took her from living her dream on the dazzling stages of Cirque du Soleil, embodying the spirit of the running woman, to a career-altering accident during rehearsals which left her questioning her identity. Emerging as a beacon of hope and using her unique experiences to guide and support athletes through the transitions beyond their sports careers, she proves that sometimes the most profound lessons come from the University of Hope.
Evolve through the life of Shelli Epstein.
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From a life-changing accident and seven surgeries to trials, adventure, hard endurance and competitions, Vanessa began to embrace the thrill of the open road and the freedom to disappear into the unknown. When is Vanessa coming back? People would ask her. Reinventing herself, join Talia Lazarus through the life of Vanessa Ruck.
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Talia Lazarus speaks with Noel Joyce who working with NYU has created mountain bikes accessible to paralysed individuals. Learn how Noel's mountain bike accident changed him and how he strives to improve the lives of others.
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Noah Cosby had dreams of competing in the X-games, but a freak accident during training took his ability to walk. Noah sits down with Talia Lazarus to share his love for motocross, the accident, and how The Matt Hampson Foundation supported his return to the track.
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Ben Tansley was told that he would never would again. But, with the help of the NHS, he defied all odds and learnt how to walk. The entrepreneur sits down with Talia Lazarus to discuss his journey, the accident, and the lessons it taught him.
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Jennifer Drummond is the first female world record holder to climb the second-highest summits on each of the seven continents. After a life-altering car accident led her to re-evaluate her priorities, Jennifer embarked on a transformative journey, understanding she can write her own narrative whilst pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
https://jenndrummond.com/
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Joining us today is the remarkable Derek Daly, a former Formula 1 and IndyCar driver.
From the fast-paced tracks of Formula 1 to the high-speed corners of IndyCar, Derek was forced to process disasters and fear at a young age quickly. Witnessing a devastating crash in his second F1 race in Monza, to a life-changing IndyCar race which split his car and left him with severe injuries, Derek continued to get back behind the wheel.
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Almost left paralysed from her injury, Caroline Kamer, shares how she overcame her many setbacks and used these as opportunities for personal growth.
Founder of Revival Wellness Coaching, Caroline dedicates her life to empowering individuals through holistic healing.
Reach out to Caroline: https://www.revivalwellnesscoaching.com/
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Joining Talia Lazarus is the author of "The Talking Universe", Jamie Michael Gregory, who shares his journey of discovery on how he overcame child abuse, drug dependency, and chronic depression and turned that into a life of fulfilment.
Read "The Talking Universe" by Jamie Michael Gregory - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BY5F1D8W?ref=KC_GS_GB_GB
00:00 - Introducing Jamie Michael Gregory
02:07 - Writing "The Talking Universe"
05:45 - Upbringing and family
09:25 - Growing up with trauma
12:00 - Exposure to drugs and death of his father
15:30 - Battling addiction
21:05 - Reflection and his career
26:00 - Road to recovery
30:25 - Coping mechanisms
33:30 - Resisting bad habits and self-sabotage
38:10 - Path of healing
45:00 - Activating your conscience mind
49:00 - Looking in the mirror and being empathetic
56:05 - Shame and guilt
1:00:00 - Lessons
1:05:30 - Keep getting up
1:07:10 - Progressing internally
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“I realised I was physically alive and breathing, but on the inside feeling dead”, explains Maureen Sharphouse.
Maureen has faced the challenges of living with daily pain and a debilitating, incurable neurological disorder for the past thirty-five years.
Her journey has granted her invaluable insights and wisdom, publishing a book titled ‘Unhackable Soul: The 30-Day Elixir for Reigniting the Light Within”. A self-help book with a mission to rise up from a life dictated by pain and illness to one fuelled by enthusiasm and purpose.
https://www.maureensharphouse.com/
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“I wouldn’t leave the hotel room with fear something would happen” describes Nicholas Seminario, founder of Dark Angel.
Sharing his journey of dealing with social anxiety, Nicholas began feeling uncomfortable in public as he entered middle school. His anxiety began to manifest as a constant fear of unlikely events and projections of negative outcomes.
Social anxiety now affecting his behaviour and decision-making, and convincing himself his excuses were okay, Nicholas reached a point of self-acceptance and launched his own company called Dark Angel to help others.
So, how did Nicholas navigate through social anxiety and get help? How did his experience with mental health motivate him to help others?
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“I was on Mount Everest and the earthquake hit. I was 19 thinking, yeah that’s it” explains Alex Staniforth, Motivational Speaker, Adventurer and Founder of Mind Over Mountains.
At nine years old, Alex encountered a mild form of epilepsy which was the catalyst for a lot of challenges at school, including bullying, for being regarded as “different”. After developing a stammer which crippled Alex’s confidence and self-esteem, he discovered the outdoors.
With the drive to push boundaries, and thirst for adventure, Alex set out to summit Mount Everest in 2015. However, fate had an unexpected twist and whilst deep in the Khumbu Icefall, the April 2015 Nepal earthquake hit, and Alex was at the epicentre of danger.
Combating the aftermath of this experience, soul-searching, survivor’s guilt, and acceptance followed. Testing his resolve and forcing him to confront his own fears and limitations.
Take your challenges and turn them into opportunities. Alex was told, “You must grow from this otherwise it's going to grow on you”.
https://mindovermountains.org.uk/
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“When I first got my scar, this is so heavy, but I was so excited to be alive”, describes Lucy Rout, Founder of Tabuu.
At age 25, Lucy was diagnosed with a rare pancreatic cancer, and after an eleven-hour surgery and reconstruction of her digestive system, she now takes medication for the rest of her life. Inspired by her journey, Tabuu offers pill cases for any occasion and was featured on Dragon’s Den. Steven Bartlett described her pitch as phenomenal.
Losing her father and grandfather, and receiving her cancer diagnosis all at the same time, Lucy began to question ‘When is this going to stop?’ With creams that made her feel her scar was a blemish, people staring when she wears a cropped top or bikini, and in tears trying to find role models of women with scars on their bodies. Lucy chose to be the change that she wants to see in the world.
Don’t waste so much time waiting, scared of trying to achieve unbelievably cool things. Even if you try and fail, keep going because you’ll be in the 1% that tried.
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“June 12th, 2019, we were travelling to Joshua Tree and we were struck by a drunk and high driver going 90 miles an hour and Ruby and Hart were killed in the back seat” explains Colin Campbell. After the sudden loss of both his teenage children, Colin and his wife’s lives were destroyed. Finding the Words, Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose, written by Colin is a powerful account of his journey through the darkness of grief. No one teaches us how to deal with grief. So, how did Colin learn to lean into the pain? How did he understand to stay engaged in life when not wanting to be alive anymore? How has his relationship with his wife changed by sharing this terrible bond? https://colincampbellauthor.com/
“The biggest moment in my life of getting back up was from feeling absolutely worthless and learning to appreciate myself”, describes Faith Dickey, Professional Highliner and Owner of Elevate Outdoors. After a car accident gave Faith a wake-up call, her life completely changed direction. Her path led her to a slackline festival, which shortly after led her to become a professional highliner and beat world records. However, her twenties led her through injuries and burning out which in turn took her to rock bottom. Feeling totally worthless, and questioning “Who am I?” If she wasn’t Faith Dickey the highliner who sets records and highlines all the time, then who was she beyond the sport? Challenge your fears and you walk them. One small step at a time. So how has Faith’s life fast-tracked her and forced her to engage with her fears? How did she navigate through rock bottom, and discover her new purpose in highlining?
“I was born in Romania, and we escaped Communism to America,” explains Andre Popa, founder of Badassery Factory. With no English, no money, and eating out of trash cans, Andre had the ideology that if he can find food in trash where most people won't even look because it's a problem, then there's also a solution inside of that same identical problem, food to eat. Andre has built the life he wants. Building Badassery Factory from a moment of suicide, and after an anxiety attack hospitalised him, this led to him understanding his past, his thoughts, his blueprint and that two pieces of matter can never occupy the same space at the same time. Your power is now, and as soon as you go into the future, the past, or escape this moment, you give your power away. So how has Andre moved mountains?
“I was recovering from an ACL injury, I was the fittest I had been, but my body felt broken”, explains Ellie Mitchell, Tier 3 footballer. Recovery from two ACL injuries and hanging up her boots for a while, Ellie was training excessively, and her eating didn’t match up. Now struggling with an eating disorder too, Ellie understood that she had to sort things out. When looking back, she doesn’t know or recognise herself, but that time in her life has taught her so much about herself, and even though she hated it, she is grateful. Football has always been a part of Ellie’s life, but why did it answer all her questions? Did social media contribute to her eating? And why has her experience only made her a better person?
“I had to get hurt a lot to write this book, I wish I didn’t, but I had too”, explains Jennifer Woodward, author of Ninety Days Without You. After learning that when she tried to put drugs and alcohol down, she couldn’t. The word co-dependency began to resonate, and the understanding that she liked to be in romantic relationships with people emotionally unavailable. Taking a deeper dive into her childhood, Jenn learnt that although her parents were there physically, they weren’t there. She didn’t see intimacy modelled between her parents, and she felt emotionally abandoned. “My husband’s early complaint was I would like to spend more time with you, and nobody had ever said that to me”, describes Jenn. Why was looking back on her childhood so beneficial? And how did her triggers, habits and coping mechanisms affect her life?
"I don’t want to be vulnerable, words not in my vocabulary", explains Lisa Hepner, director of the The Human Trial. A movie driven by a desire to cure her own type 1 diabetes. Diabetes has been completely debilitating for Lisa, effecting her career trajectory, her personal and family life, and how to survive every day, making 180 decisions from the moment she wakes up. How does Lisa live with type 1 diabetes? How did the idea of her own journey spark the creation of the film? Why is diabetes debilitating? A question most of us don’t understand the answer to unless we either know someone or have it ourselves. She persisted. Keep persisting. Making this film for a decade, parallel with having this disease, it was a test of resilience, of perseverance for Lisa, and yet she persisted.Watch the film: https://www.thehumantrial.com/
"It really changes you; I don’t relate much to the JM of three years ago", describes Formula 2 racing driver Juan Manuel Correa.In 2019, Juan Manuel, JM, was involved in a serious crash at the Spa track with Antoine Hubert. JM had serious injuries to both his legs, back and spine, and unfortunately Hubert lost his life.Back in the car within months, and having returned to F2 in 2023, JM has realised this wasn’t just a physical recovery, but emotional and mental too. Rock bottom is liberating, but after the accident JM understood that even at your lowest there is always something to live for. His approach to life, and perspectives changed, and what truly makes him happy. So, how do we move forward after what we’ve been through?
At age 37 Carly Moosah was diagnosed with breast cancer and soon discovered she carried the BRCA1+ gene. She had her breasts removed and reconstructed from her tummy tissue. With a hip-to-hip scar and a new belly button, Carly has a ‘smiley face of scars’. Now, every day she thanks her body for everything, and life has become Carly's biggest privilege and gift. We can get knocked again and again, things can get incredibly hard and dark and we can feel battered. But, if we just hold on to tiny little things, and some days all we can do is crawl, those little movements move us forward. Since her diagnosis, Carly has learnt how to show up, be appreciative and grateful for even the most difficult days. Having the knowledge that she has got through some incredibly difficult times, ‘this too shall pass’ are four words she falls back on during harder moments. Having accepted life happens for you and not to you, her darkest times have ended up being the most enlightening. Acceptance is difficult; being diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 was not part of Carly’s grand plan. But, the acceptance of letting go of whomever we thought we were meant to be, and connecting with whoever we are, can be exciting and liberating. Carly’s past was all stories she has about herself, and now she can be whomever she wants to be, starting today.
Lost in a place he had been hundreds of times, Danny Olmes hung his head in surrender as he realised he wasn’t whom he wanted to be and his life wasn’t headed in the right direction.Years of drinking led Danny to sobriety, and once sober he understood that the alcohol had been masking his view of the world. Once he changed his lens, he noticed how much beauty and love there is out there.Everyday experiences can become extraordinary. Finding the miracles in the mystery and the meaning in the mundane. How do you make sense of an ordinary life and get inspired? Maintaining who Danny is in a world that is constantly trying to change him is one of his greatest accomplishments. Memoirs of An Ordinary Guy written by Danny is an inspiring read of finding love and joy in ordinary everyday experiences.
Our sexuality is the foundation of who we are as human beings and having confidence around that part of ourselves can affect our confidence in other areas of our lives. Carla Crivaro is a trauma-informed and certified Sex, Love & Relationship Coach. She works internationally with to help people understand themselves and each other, sexually and relationally.
In sexuality, we can hold a lot of shame. This shame can make us shut down, close off and not be open to the world around us, disconnecting and hiding.
Being aware of where we hold shame around our sexuality and no longer being triggered or afraid of experiencing it, and bringing that awareness being able to fall in love with your own body, fully accepting that part of ourselves enables us to have a lot of confidence in being intimate with others.
All human beings want the same thing, a deeper connection, we have just all been conditioned differently. We are triggered and react to different things, and most of the time it is nothing personal to you when your partner is triggered, it is probably something from the past.
So, how do we learn how to be vulnerable, be clear on what we do and don’t want, set firm boundaries and share our thoughts and emotions from a place of self-responsibility, all whilst learning to love ourselves and appreciate what we see in the mirror?
In her twenties, Mary McGuire met the love of her life. Both working at the same hotel, management gave them an ultimatum., either split up or one of them has to quit. Why? Because they were two women.
Meeting her partner was a life-defining moment for Mary, and no matter how much shame was made to feel, she wouldn’t walk away from love. Being excluded is really difficult, you question everything. If I don’t fit in, then where do I fit in? It can be incredibly isolating as you feel all eyes are on you for not conforming or doing acceptable things.
It’s not the challenge in life, it’s how you get over the challenge. What is there beyond this challenge that you can get to by growing into it?
We are all here to live the fullest expression of who we are, and to find our tribe. There are two roads, the one more travelled where we conform to others’ expectations to fit in and be understood, or the road less travelled… and the latter can be eye-opening and filled with fulfilling and purposeful possibilities.
After losing his mother at a young age and becoming angry at everyone and everything. Sam Hunter believed everyone was going to leave him, so sabotaged and destroyed any relationship with anybody before it could happen.
As a teenager, he was left homeless. Between people’s sofas, and sleeping outdoors, Sam felt he had nothing to wake up for, no purpose and no direction. Watching the rest of the world continue and progress, he felt that he got left behind.
Until he found Accumulate. A charity that uses creativity and creative education to empower the lives of young people who are homeless and living in temporary accommodations.
Now studying Access to Design and Digital Media at university, and selected for the youth panel at the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation, Sam is inspired more every day. From feeling as though he had no purpose or direction, Sam is now really open-minded about the future and understands that nothing is impossible, just keep moving and don’t stay still.
Accumulate: https://linktr.ee/accumulatelondon
Dr Marilyn J. Wooley, PhD is a psychologist and traumatologist specialising in working with first responders and treating post-traumatic stress injuries.
We never always know what is going to trigger us. Sometimes, the backlog of things we haven’t spoken about builds up, and we break. Or sometimes, it’s not the backlog and it’s one thing one day on a random Tuesday morning. We are all triggered by different things, and more than not they catch us off guard.
Why did I react to this? Am I crazy for reacting the way I did?
How Heroes Heal by Dr Wooley shares true stories of psychologically injured first responders and their transformation from wounded warriors to victorious heroes.
You don’t need to be who you were before the trauma, that person doesn’t exist anymore, and there’s a new you coming in. Allow it to come in. When something so traumatic occurs, we can move into this new person, and let go of the past. A whole new world can arrive with different experiences, people, and ways of thinking, looking and responding.
Purchase How Heroes Heal: https://marilynjwooleyphd.com/books/
James Hinchcliffe is a race car driver and commentator best known for competing in the IndyCar Series. In 2015, James was involved in a crash during practice for the Indianapolis 500 that changed his life.
Suffering from life-threatening blood loss when he was impaired in the crash, James was back in a car after only four months. He learnt very quickly that your mind has an incredible impact on your body’s healing. He had a goal to get back into a race car, and with goals, you change your mindset.
With a whole new appreciation for life, understanding that his time could have been up that day, it has turned James into a yes man. From realising that saying ‘next time’ could mean he might never get the opportunity again, his accident has changed him in every conceivable way and in a lot of ways he is super grateful for the stars aligning the way they did to experience what he did that day.
Whatever you are feeling today at this moment, it is just a phase and it will improve. You got through it in the past, so you can get through this too.
Over the years, as life’s stresses and a difficult marriage created an environment where Rose Ann Forte turned to alcohol to check out of life’s problems, she understood during the Covid-19 pandemic, that if she didn’t take action, it would kill her. Realising that only when the pain was great enough, did she start to pay attention.
Now the author of ‘The Plans He Has for me’, Rose Ann has transformed her life and inspires others in the position she once was. She believes her experiences were so valuable that she finds joy in being the pawn in somebody else’s journey.
When things are hard to go through, even if we can’t see it in the moment and it doesn’t matter if you can’t feel it today, if you put one foot in front of the other, and you have hope, it leads you to the next step, into a journey and places you never thought you’d go.
Start to lean into the discomfort of breaking your habits, whatever they are. So… what’s next for you?
At age fourteen Lily Metcalf was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. As an aspiring footballer, this knocked Lily’s confidence, she was embarrassed by her diagnosis and believed she wasn’t good enough.
Two years later, Lily wants to inspire others with diabetes through Dan's Trust and Diabetes UK. Understanding it is not a big setback, and that you can continue to achieve your dreams regardless of your diagnosis.
Now signing contracts with football clubs, Lily at the age of sixteen has understood the importance of a forward and positive mindset, and if you put your mind to anything, diabetes won’t stop you from doing what you want to do. You control diabetes, diabetes doesn’t control you... now think, that relates to all aspects of life.
Traumatic events in Ankit Puri's life led him to start writing. Through writing, he expresses himself, triggers, and life events. Publishing his own poem book, Ankit is now a mental health advocate supporting those suffering with their own journeys. Why though? Because he doesn’t want anybody to go through what he did and what he felt.
Please note if you are triggered by sexual abuse we do discuss this and Ankit does go into detail in this episode.
To purchase Ankit's book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Life-wRaps-Ankit-Puri/dp/B08MV3L1WT
On this episode, I am joined by Leslie Reyes, author of Zen of Learning to Ride a Motorcycle. After reaching a point in her life where she was willing to give it all up, Leslie decided to change her own life. Still facing her fears every day, and getting up from falling, Leslie began riding a motorcycle with the influence of her family, especially the women in her life.
Learning to ride applied to everything in her life. Understanding how to live in the present moment, deal with what is right in front of her, and not live in the past or future. She understood the importance of not waiting for someday anymore.
Even if life is not perfect, and things are tough, don’t wait for the perfect life, enjoy the moments you have. Don’t wait for tomorrow, and be completely stuck in the moment today as your whole life will go by otherwise without you even seeing it.
Buy Zen of Learning to Ride a Motorcycle: https://www.lesliereyesauthor.com/
After a terrible road accident, On Trieu was left stuck under a car, suffering multiple breaks and injuries which left him unable to walk. With incredible sheer determination throughout his recovery, On believes that it is a miracle he survived.
Your life can be completely turned upside down in a matter of seconds. On believes in living in the present, and doing what you want to do now instead of waiting, as tomorrow is never given. Believe in yourself and don’t self-doubt. Time really is precious. You can build the life you want and you can turn your world back up and send it into new directions after it has been flipped.
Do the things you love with the people you love.
Author Mark Wagstaff spent most of his twenties and thirties drinking and taking drugs. After being forced to change everything after the birth of his eldest child, Mark turned to writing and has just published his most recent novel On the Level. As global politics, modern art and street protest collide in this thriller.
Finding something you love to do during or after a dark time can change everything, as writing has done so for Mark. With an understanding of how challenging it can be to let go and break away, his only regret wasn’t taking, it was doing so much. To Mark a few years would have been enough, not a decade or more, as he does not remember much from those years.
However, without that, he would not be who he is today, and he would not change what he went through.
As Mark explains, it is hard to let go of something; some people do not want to, which is ok. But if you do, and are struggling to do so, you are not alone. Reach out to someone, anyone, people will always offer a hand along your journey.
Purchase On the Level: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Level-Mark-Wagstaff/dp/1788649362/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Robert Common, founder and Managing Partner of The Beekeeper House, a mental health and addiction treatment centre in Thailand that is part of South East Asia’s leading mental health organisations.
Robert's inspiration to found the business came from his own experiences of drug addiction, trauma and mental health challenges.
Robert’s story begins at a young age, and his journey follows how and why he got to where he is today. How he understood to respond and not react in life, and the importance of looking for those brief moments of joy, they can be so small, but they are there. And once you see them, you will realise just how much beauty there is out there.
Often when it feels like everything is falling apart, it’s actually really coming together but we just need to give it the space to do that.
Today we sit down with Katie Avery. In 2019 Katie was involved in a road traffic accident whilst at university, shattering her ankle she still continues to adapt daily.
As an osteopath herself, Katie can now relate incredibly to her patients. However, as much as it has been a dark journey for her so far, she wouldn’t change it. You don’t have to stay where you are, you can move forward, and embrace just how Katie continues to do so.
Life goes on, with or without you. Whenever you’re ready, pick yourself up and move forward. This chapter is coming to an end, so be ready for a new one and the next part of life. Give yourself the credit you deserve.
After a terrible accident led Jane from a lifetime as a director of theatre and opera to re-evaluate her life at the age of 74, Jane began writing novels.
A pivotal moment in her life, and seven novels later, her dream of becoming a writer became true. Jane is currently promoting her final novel Quo Vardis in the acclaimed trilogy about war correspondent EG Rawlings.
For Jane, one moment is all it took. Three seconds changed her life. It can happen at any age, but you can do it. You can pick yourself up and start all over again. You can change your direction at any stage of your life.
Kelly Crump is a body positivity influencer, swimwear model, and cancer and wellness, coach. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at 38, Kelly is living with metastatic, stage 4 breast cancer which is incurable.
A lot of people do not know how to talk about cancer, it is a word that no one wants to use. However, Kelly encourages normalising the conversation, around cancer, breakdowns, losing yourself and spreading positivity where it is needed.
After being the first female with a mastectomy scar to model for Sports Illustrated, understand Kelly’s journey from her diagnosis, to learning how to live with cancer and adapt her mindset. You are #stronger than you realise.
Remaining undefeated Florian fights from a southpaw stance and his record currently stands at 11 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. Of those 11 wins, he has stopped 7 of his opponents, so his current knock-out ratio is 64%.
Florian has suffered many injuries over the years including those to his hands. After winning a fight with a dislocated thumb, he has undergone hand surgeries but continues to come back stronger each time.
With the mindset of never giving up, his dreams continue to come true, especially after his last fight took place in Air Albania Stadium, a football stadium in his home country.
Be good, be kind, and remember to take care of yourself.
Thomas Hamer, a British para-swimmer, Commonwealth, European and World Champion. Tom has dyslexia. He spent his childhood being ashamed of who he was because he could not read or write, whilst also going through family traumas.
Understand his journey of accepting who he is, how school affected him in many ways, realising that he has a #superpower in a different area, and how discovering swimming changed his #mindset and outlook on life.
Tom has become exactly who he wants to be, not whom anyone wanted him to be, and continues to follow his dreams.
Sitting down with Talia Lazarus and Katie Crowhurst, Katie is an eighteen-year-old British para-athlete.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, everything Katie had spent her life working towards as a para-swimmer was taken away.
It was extremely tough for her, but she took the initiative to try something new, para-triathlons. And with that new exciting, but daunting step, she came back stronger and has since won a gold medal at The Commonwealth Games.
Understand Katie's journey as her life completely changed direction.
Talia Lazarus sits down with Jon Geller. After undergoing a spinal fusion and a road of further surgeries to follow, Jon found himself suffering from depression.
Something he never thought would happen to him, he stopped recognising the person looking back at himself in the mirror.
A rollercoaster of a journey with ups and downs, Jon continues to strive towards getting back up each time he falls back down, whilst always helping others in his profession and personal life along the way to achieve what they never thought was possible.
Sit down with Ani Patas and Talia Lazarus as they discuss combating and overcoming living with mental health and chronic illnesses.
Ani was diagnosed with Lupus at age 12, Fibromyalgia at age 15 and Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD).
A childhood that for Ani felt entirely different to many of her friends understand how she lives with autoimmune diseases, chronic pain and fatigue, whilst having battled mental health.
A keen explorer, adventurer and outside lover, Ani has found little pockets of happiness to rely on and knows that she is more than capable.
Ben Pearson sits down with Talia Lazarus to talk through his journey after a rugby injury led him to amputation and para-sports.
Life is a learning process, and how do we create a new normal from our stories. Understand the challenges, obstacles and ups and downs Ben faced, and how he can officially say he has completed Netflix, one of life’s goals obviously!
Josh Basile joins Talia Lazarus to discuss how his life changed at eighteen years old.
A practising attorney, family man, and disability rights advocate in Washington DC, United States, Josh has since created his own adaptive sport sling-shot golf.
Understand how Josh overcomes mental barriers, everyday life obstacles and the true understanding that perspective is a superpower.
Listen to Talia Lazarus chat with Lou Collins as they talk through the journey of recovery with an eating disorder.
Diagnosed with anorexia nearly nine years ago, Lou discusses changing perspectives, discovering new hobbies and learning how to have a healthy relationship with food and your body.
Reach out, because a problem shared is a problem halved.
Talia Lazarus chats with Anna Foo. Team GB para-climber, blind athlete and rising star who has been blind since birth. Discover her story, and journey to Team GB whilst understanding the ways she hopes to increase accessibility and inclusion in sports so more people benefit the way she has.
Rock climbing and the people Anna met from the sport have changed her life. You are never too old to start anything.
Sit down with Talia Lazarus and Jeffrey Oredein, an aspiring footballer who broke his ankle in his Manchester City trials. That day, Jeffrey’s dreams came crashing down.
Follow his journey through three ankle operations and how his injury broke his heart and affected his mental health. Understand the importance of changing perspective and working hard to get back up. As for Jeffrey, he maintains being better and more than before.
Anything you do, do it with meaning.