When Life Gives You Lemons

JJ Chalmers - TV presenter and former Royal Marine - injured in bomb blast whilst on duty in Afghanistan

JJ Chalmers is a television presenter, former Royal Marine and Invictus Games medallist.  In 2011 JJ suffered life changing injuries whilst on duty in Afghanistan.  Despite the challenges he endures on a daily basis, due to his acquired disabilities, he has defied the odds and is now a successful broadcaster having presented on the Paralympic Games, Olympic Games and even The Coronation of King Charles 3rd.  You may also remember him from Strictly Come Dancing where he unbelievably reached the quarter finals. 

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy - Double Oscar award winning film director, Journalist and Director of the new Star Wars movie

Sharmeen is a double Oscar award winning film director and journalist.  She is also the the only female director to have been awarded two Academy Awards by the age of 37 and the first Pakistani to win an Oscar.
Sharmeen has now been appointed as the Director of the new Star Wars film – making her the first female and person of colour to be given that role.
As a film maker, she is not only acclaimed for her work in documentaries, which often centre on human rights and gender equality, but she has directed 2 episodes of the Marvel’s superhero TV series Ms Marvel. 
In today's episode, I ask Sharmeen about her life and incredible work and how she found the determination, strength and power to forge such a successful career in the film industry as a Pakistani Female.

Battle Cancer mini-series 3 - Teenager Rob living with inoperable brain tumour, James (Program coach) and Mel Spooner (MD of CAWS)

This is the 3rd and final instalment of this special Battle Cancer mini-series where for 3 episodes, you have heard from some incredible people involved in BC, including some inspirational cancer survivors who have benefited from the work that BC do.
Today you are going to hear 3 different stories – first off is the incredible 19 year old Rob, who is living with an inoperable brain tumour, We then chat to program coach James (26 mins) and the episode ends with speaking to Mel Spooner (42 mins) who is the MD of CAWS (which is an online fitness education company).  This chat with Mel really helps to put these conversations from the BC gang into context as it is her company CAWS who are responsible for co-creating the BC program accreditation.
**Just a reminder again that these were recorded live at the Battle Cancer fitness event in London so please excuse the less than perfect sound quality.

Battle Cancer mini-series 2 - cancer survivor Holly with coach Sam & Pete Williams (co-founder of BC)

In this 2nd instalment of the special Battle Cancer mini-series you will hear from the amazing BC program coach Sam alongside his client Holly who he has been training on one of the BC programs following her breast cancer diagnosis.  It is a real moving listen where you can hear Sam’s motivation and drive that comes from the losses his family has endured due to cancer and how he is channelling that into a positive to be able to assist Holly and others to regain the confidence in their bodies and emerge stronger physically and emotionally after their cancer diagnoses.We then chat to one of the co-founders of Battle Cancer – Pete Williams, whose energy, drive and determination is palpable.
If you have listened to When Life Gives You Lemons before, you will already know that this is a topic that means a lot to me as a cancer survivor myself.  Following my own cancer journey, exercise and movement saved me both physically and emotionally.  So it was a honour to speak to these guys with amazing stories of survival and I hope you can take as much inspiration out of it as I have.
**Just a reminder that these were recorded live at the Battle Cancer fitness event in London so please excuse the less than perfect sound quality. 

Battle Cancer mini -series 1 - cancer survivors Matt & Simon and BC Program Co-ordinator Abby

This is a special Battle Cancer mini-series where for the next 3 episodes, you will hear from some incredible people involved in Battle Cancer including some inspirational cancer survivors who have benefited from the work that Battle Cancer do. 
As a cancer survivor myself this is a topic that means a lot to me.  Following my own cancer journey, exercise and movement saved me both physically and emotionally.  So it was a honour to speak to these guys with amazing stories of survival and I hope you take as much inspiration out of it as I have.
**Just a note that these were recorded live at the Battle Cancer fitness event in London so please excuse the less than perfect sound quality. 
First off in today’s episode you are going to hear from 2 inspirational cancer survivors who share their journey’s and how exercise through Battle Cancer has helped them come back stronger than ever before.   I then chat to Abby who is the BC program co-ordinator and we chat about many things including the importance of mindset, how she managed to run 7 marathons in 7 days and how she got back those amazing abs after having her first baby.

Sarah de Lagarde - double amputee, chief communications officer, author and mother

Sarah de Lagarde's life changed in September 2022 when she had an accident at a tube station where she fell through the gap and and was hit by two tube trains.  This resulted in the loss of her right arm and leg.  Despite this, Sarah’s mindset remains positive and her message is one of optimism and strength.  She is committed to inspiring others and raising awareness of diversity, equality and inclusion.
In this chat Sarah tells us her remarkable story of survival when she was ran over by not one but two tube trains.  Hearing how she was able to focus and control her breathing and emotions in order to keep herself alive despite massive traumatic injuries is utterly inspirational.

Oritse Williams - Musician, member of boyband JLS, Young Carers advocate and MS Trust Ambassador

Oritse Williams is a musician and the creator and founding member of JLS – one of the biggest boybands of recent times.   After becoming the runners up on 2008’s X Factor, JLS went on to become a multi-platinum award winning band selling over 6 million records worldwide, winning 5 brit awards and 2 MOBO awards.  
Oritse is also well known for his charitable work and has recently been made a celebratory ambassador of The Multiple Sclerosis Trust.  He is particularly passionate about advocating for young carers, having been a carer for his mum, who was diagnosed with MS, from a very young age.  
In this episode Oritse recounts the story of how he discovered the other 3 members of JLS, their creation and journey to stardom. We additionally discuss the challenges of growing up as a young carer when his mum was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when he was 12 years old and why he is now such a strong advocate for young carers.

Martine Wright MBE - survivor of 7/7 London terrorist bombings, Paralympian & Motivational Speaker

On 7th July 2005 Martine Wright found herself on the circle line tube travelling to Aldgate station.  That morning she was late to work and so sat in a different carriage to normal – as she sat and read the paper, she was unaware she was sitting just 3 feet away from a suicide bomber.  Martine was one of the worst injured survivors following the 7/7 terrorist attack in London.  She lost both her legs, 80 % of her blood and waited 1 ½ hours to be extrapolated from the chaos by the rescue workers that day.  With life changing injuries, some individuals may have given up.  Not Martine – following a one year stay in hospital, intensive rehabilitation and multiple surgeries, she went on to become a sitting volleyball player – representing Team GB in the London 2012 Paralympic games.   Martine is now a wife, mother, motivational speaker, charity ambassador and has even gained a pilots licence.

Sam Jalloh - Pro Tennis coach, Tedx speaker, BBC Inspirations Award winner and Author

Sam Jalloh has a remarkable story - He grew up in war torn Sierra Leone, where he faced unimaginable adversities and sorrow as a young child.  He survived the brutal civil war and despite what he had been through he managed to find a path forward through his love for tennis.  Regardless of the fact that he learnt to play barefoot and initially with only his hands and then a tennis racquet made from plywood, he was able to make the Sierra Leone National Team and tennis eventually saved his life.Sam is now a professional tennis coach, Tedx speaker, author and winner of the BBC Inspirations Awards 2020.
If you are looking for a massive dose if inspiration, listen to this episode with Sam.  

Michael Gunning - LGBTQ+ campaigner and ex international swimmer

Michael is an international swimmer having represented team GB and Jamaica in his career.  Michael is not only known for his skills in the water – but he is a passionate advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion in sport.  Since retiring from swimming last year he has been busy trying to change the world through his LGBTQ+ campaigning.