When Life Gives You Lemons

Resilience, recovery and transformation with adaptive CrossFit athlete Ross Austin

In this powerful episode, Emma sits down with Ross Austin, an ex-army commando who faced life-changing injuries during his tour in Afghanistan in 2008. After enduring a traumatic experience that led to the loss of his leg, Ross shares his incredible journey of resilience, recovery, and transformation.
From his initial motivation to join the military to the challenges he faced during his rehabilitation, Ross opens up about the physical and mental battles he encountered since his injury. He candidly discusses his struggles with mental health after being medically discharged from the military and how he found solace and strength through fitness and sport.
Discover how Ross transitioned from being on the GB para powerlifting squad to becoming a competitive adaptive CrossFit athlete, and hear about the pivotal moments that inspired him to reclaim his life and purpose. This episode is a testament to the power of mindset, community, and the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity.
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Emma has additionally just started Motivational Speaking.  Check out www.emmalevy.me for more information.

Resilience, determination and mindset with Paralympic cycling medallist Blaine Hunt

Blaine Hunt is a Team GB C5 Para-cyclist who recently won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. In this episode Blaine shares his incredible journey from sustaining a life-altering injury during a routine knee surgery to discovering his passion for para-cycling later in life.
Join us as we delve into Blaine's story of resilience, determination, and the importance of mindset in overcoming adversity. He discusses the challenges he faced, including the frustrations of not being selected for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, and how he transformed setbacks into motivation. Blaine emphasises the significance of enjoying the journey rather than solely focusing on outcomes, a lesson that resonates deeply with athletes and non-athletes alike.
Tune in to hear about Blaine's experiences, the sacrifices he made along the way, and his thoughts on the importance of recognizing opportunities in life. This episode is a testament to the power of perseverance and the joy of pursuing one's passions.
Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from high-performing individuals who have turned adversity into strength.
This episode is sponsored by Recovery from Joint Operations.  Check out the website for more information: http://recovery.jointoperations.co.uk
 

How to breathe like an Olympic medallist with Adam Burgess

Adam Burgess won a silver medal in the Canoe Slalom at the Paris Olympics. Prior to travelling to Paris for the Games I sat down with Adam and he shared insights into his journey as an athlete, discussing the challenges of selection, the pressures of competition, and the importance of resilience. Adam’s mindset is truly inspiring and hearing how he approached the Olympic Games with such positivity makes you realise he was a winner before he even approached that start line.
In this chat he highlights the role of breathwork and yoga in his training regimen, emphasising how these practices have enhanced his performance and overall well-being. Adam also touches on the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including strategies for quality sleep and nutrition.
This episode is sponsored by Recovery from Joint Operations. Check out the website for more information: http://recovery.jointoperations.co.uk
 

Enjoying the process and not just the outcome with Paralympian Charlotte Henshaw

Five-time Paralympian Charlotte Henshaw has made an incredible journey from swimming to paracanoeing. In this episode, Charlotte shares her experiences of overcoming adversity, including the amputation of both of her legs at a very young age.
Join us as we delve into Charlotte's amazing athletic career, including her swimming silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics, her transition to canoeing, and her recent triumphs at the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Games, where she made history by winning double gold.
Charlotte discusses the importance of mindset in sports, the role of sports psychology, and how focusing on the process rather than the outcome has transformed her approach to competition. She also opens up about her struggles with endometriosis and advocates for better representation and understanding of women's health issues in sports.
Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights on resilience, mental health, and the power of pursuing your passion.
 
This episode is sponsored by Recovery from Joint Operations.  Check out the website for more information: http://recovery.jointoperations.co.uk
 

‘Look at what my body can do, not how it looks’ – Grace Reid discusses her passion for empowering females in sport

Grace Reid is one of Scotland’s and Great Britain’s most decorated divers, having many World, European and Commonwealth medals to her name.  In fact she attended the Commonwealth games when she was just 14 years old.  I sat down with Grace a few weeks ago as she was preparing for her third Olympic Games in Paris. Grace shared her journey from starting diving at a young age to overcoming challenges at the Tokyo Olympics and how she re-found her love for the sport.
In this insightful conversation, Grace discusses the importance of mindset, resilience, and the balance between diving and life outside the pool. She also touches on her passion for empowering females in sports and the unique experiences of competing at an Olympic Games.
Tune in to hear Grace's inspiring story and gain valuable insights into the world of elite diving and the Paris Olympics. Don't miss out on this engaging episode filled with wisdom and motivation for high-performing individuals facing adversity.
 
This episode is sponsored by Recovery from Joint Operations.  Check out the website for more information: http://recovery.jointoperations.co.uk

Olympic Swimmer Freya Anderson - 'people still don't understand what OCD is...'

Freya Anderson is a British swimmer and Olympic medallist. Freya's journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was anything but smooth, as she faced significant challenges, including a battle with glandular fever that threatened her training and competition schedule.
As well as delving into Freya’s experiences as a swimmer at the Olympic Games, a significant part of our discussion focused on Freya's mental health journey, particularly her experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She explained the nature of OCD, how it manifests in her life, and the steps she has taken to manage it. Freya's openness about her struggles and the misconceptions surrounding OCD highlight the importance of raising awareness and understanding mental health issues.
Throughout the episode, Freya's resilience and determination shone through, as she shared how setbacks have fuelled her desire to come back stronger. She emphasised the value of support from her team and the importance of self-care and mental well-being in the high-pressure world of elite sports.
I left the episode feeling inspired by Freya's strength and commitment to her sport, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her as she prepares for the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.
You can listen to the full episode wherever you find your podcasts or watch on YouTube.   The links are in the bio above.
Please remember to rate, review and subscribe – it really does make a difference to the podcast.
This episode is sponsored by Recovery from Joint Operations. Check out the website for more information:
https://recovery.jointoperations.co.uk

Overcoming adversity, becoming a Paralympian and finding joy in the process with Zak Skinner

Zak Skinner is a a remarkable athlete who represented Team GB in the long jump and 100m at the Paralympic Games in Paris.  Zak's journey is one of resilience and determination, shaped by his experiences growing up with a genetic condition that affects his vision, placing him in the T13 classification.
In this episode, Zak shares his story, beginning with his diagnosis of ocular albinism, which left him with severely underdeveloped eyesight. Despite these challenges, he has achieved incredible success in athletics, including being a para world bronze medallist and a double European gold medallist. This chat took place in the build up to the Paralympics and Zak expressed his excitement into the approach, noting that he is now in the "business end" of his preparation, having overcome various injuries along the way.
We delve into the unique challenges Zak faces as a visually impaired athlete and how it has shaped his perspective on competition and life. Zak's ability to adapt and find ways to excel in his sport is truly inspiring.
This episode is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. Zak's journey is not just about athletic achievement; it's about overcoming adversity and finding joy in the process.. Thank you for joining us, and I hope you find inspiration in Zak's story as much as I did.
This episode is sponsored by Recovery from Joint Operations.  Check out the website for more information:
http://recovery.jointoperations.co.uk

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix reveals how to have a true champion mindset

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix is Britain's most successful female diver of all time recently winning a bronze Olympic medal in Paris in the 10m Synchro competition.
At just 19 years old, Andrea has already achieved remarkable success as a Commonwealth, European, world and now Olympic medallist.  I was lucky to speak to Andrea at The London Aquatic Centre as she was gearing up for her second Olympic Games in Paris.
During our conversation, Andrea shared insights into her diving journey, her struggles she has faced with body image and confidence, revealing how she has overcome these challenges through faith and self-discovery.  She emphasises the importance of fuelling her body properly and the positive impact it has had on her performance and mental well-being.
As we saw over the Olympic Games coverage, Andrea expressed gratitude for her family's unwavering support and the pivotal role they play in her success.
Throughout the episode, Andrea's resilience, faith, and dedication shone through, leaving a lasting impression of a young athlete with a champion mindset and a bright future ahead. Tune in to this episode to be inspired by Andrea's journey and her unwavering determination to succeed in the face of adversity.
 
This episode is sponsored by Recovery from Joint Operations. Check out the website for more information:
https://recovery.jointoperations.co.uk

Who am I and what have I learnt???

In the final episode of this season, I reflect on the lessons learned and insights gained over the past year since the podcast's inception. Drawing from conversations with inspiring individuals who have overcome adversity, I share some key themes such as gratitude, mindset, goal setting, and human connection.
From the importance of embracing vulnerability to the power of reframing negative experiences, I delve into the transformative journey of post-traumatic growth.  Join me as I explore the profound impact of gratitude, the significance of setting small achievable goals, and the value of human connection in fostering happiness. Discover how embracing life's challenges can lead to personal growth and empowerment, ultimately allowing individuals to thrive in the face of adversity.
If you enjoy this content, subscribe to ‘When Life Gives You Lemons’ for more empowering stories and valuable insights on navigating life's obstacles with grace and resilience. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @LifeLemonsPodcast for updates and engaging content.

Grenfell firefighter to mental health advocate - How Ricky Nuttall found strength in his vulnerability

Ricky is a former firefighter, mental health advocate, motivational speaker and poet.  In 2017 Ricky was one of the first responders called to the fire at Grenfell Tower in London which tragically claimed the lives of 72 residents and injured many more.    Following the Grenfell tragedy and as a result of the life changing decisions that Ricky made that night, his mental health suffered - leading to PTSD and depression.  He now tells his story to give hope by demonstrating that if he could drag himself out of that darkness, others can to.
 
https://www.justrick.co.uk/