Forging Resilience

Meet Ross Tomkins, a former NHS physiotherapist turned healthcare entrepreneur, who shares his captivating journey from sports enthusiast to founding Alphagenics. Ross sheds light on how his personal experiences with physiotherapy motivated him to create a business that not only addresses his health challenges but also aims to improve healthcare outcomes on a grand scale. Ross also delves into the...

Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of David O'Neill, a former London Fire Brigade officer with over three decades of experience, now at the helm of the Institute of Search and Technical Rescue and the charity FireAid. From leading search and rescue teams across the globe to pioneering the redistribution of fire equipment to countries in need, David's story is one of resilience...

Rich, a high-performance coach who found his calling after an unexpected injury, shares his incredible journey Discover how his unique experiences, cultural immersions, and passion for teaching winter sports led him to work with top teams like the Leeds Rhinos and even take on roles as head of human performance for England. His story is a compelling testament to the power of adaptability, passion,...

Join us as we welcome Oli France, an international adventurer and founder of the Wild Edge.  Oli shares how pushing personal boundaries in remote locations fosters not only physical transformation but profound self-exploration. He uncovers the thrill of high-intensity environments and how they've sharpened his problem-solving skills, offering an inspiring perspective on the balance between mi...

Join me in a captivating conversation with Dr. Nick Wadsworth, a distinguished sports performance psychologist and director of MAP Performance Limited, where we unpack the profound influence of early life events on careers. Nick shares his inspiring evolution from a passionate young sports enthusiast to a leader in sports and corporate psychology, drawing from his transformative experiences at a P...

Join us on a riveting journey with Andy McKenzie, the esteemed strength and conditioning coach behind No Weak Links. Hear firsthand how a life-altering accident reshaped his mission, steering him toward coaching and mentoring with newfound zeal. By embracing mistakes and learning continuously, Andy has forged an inspiring path that underscores the importance of resilience, much like the steady gro...

Primarily this is an opportunity for me to say thanks to all of the incredible people that allowed me to take some of their valuable time to talk.  I am deeply blessed to have sat in the presence of some awesome human beings, not just for what they have done, but who they are.  My intention was to have interesting conversations, with interesting people in the hope I could learn and be inspired and...

Join us on Forging Resilience as we sit down with Rosie Steevenson, a former RAF navigator Rosie's journey into aviation began at age 12, driven by an inspiring newspaper advert, and has taken her from navigating the Tornado F3 during the post-9/11 era to co-running a business focused on human performance and organizational efficiency. In this episode, Rosie shares her unique experience from...

Richard Mann's incredible journey from the Royal Marines to elite private security and ultimately to transformative leadership training is  inspiring.  In our latest episode, Richard’s metamorphosis, driven by an obsession with psychology and high-performance states, offers a unique perspective on adaptability and continuous self-improvement. Richard's stories are not just about physical...

Can you juggle multiple careers while pursuing your creative dreams? Our latest episode of "Forging Resilience" brings you the inspiring story of Ryan, a boxing gym owner, coach, vice chairman of Repton Boxing Club,  harbors a deep passion for filmmaking.  We dive into Ryan’s daily struggle to balance his many responsibilities and explore how he can align his professional commitments wit...

What drives a young boy from Doncaster to overcome tremendous adversity and become a renowned leader in covert operations? Join us on "Forging Resilience" as Mike Bates, a former Royal Marine Commando, shares his extraordinary journey of resilience and personal growth. From the moment his father left, igniting a fire inside him to his triumphant achievements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and be...

What if celebrating your achievements could be the key to unlocking sustained success and happiness?  Join us as we welcome John, a remarkable individual juggling careers in both coaching and policing, to discuss the struggle many of us face: truly valuing our accomplishments. Despite receiving positive feedback and creating numerous opportunities, John finds himself questioning the satisfaction t...

Experience the evolution of Andy Brown, as he transitions from a lone officer patrolling Scotland's vast Highlands and Islands to an international hostage negotiator, adept at defusing the tension beyond our understanding. Andy unveils how his foundational principles of adaptability, respect, and community policing in resource-scarce environments have shaped his negotiation skills, proving cr...

Dive headfirst into the wisdom of Brendan Chaplin, a renowned performance coach and entrepreneur who's mastered the art of impactful teaching and education. Brendan takes us behind the scenes, sharing candidly the challenges and triumphs of his pursuit to make a lasting impression through his passion for coaching, balancing the scales between personal ambition and the commitment to family lea...

WARNING: Listener discretion is advised.  This episode discusses a suicide attempt. Liz McConaghy was a former RAF loadmaster. Our latest episode unpacks  raw and riveting transformation from ramps of a Chinook, to a beacon of hope as a mental health advocate. Her journey, detailed in "Chinook Crew Chick" and echoed in her keynote speeches, reveals the grueling reality of physical injuri...

Vix Anderton, a former intelligence officer turned coach, understands the feeling all too well. On our latest episode, she takes us on a personal journey, from the disciplined world of the Royal Air Force to confronting burnout head-on in the international development sector. A discussion about the damaging effects of "pernicious not enoughness" and how Vix's military precision and...

WARNING: Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains the harrowing details of  a traumatic grizzly bear attack and mentions a suicide attempt.  When the wilderness speaks, Jeremy Evans listens—but nothing could have prepared him for the day nature's ferocity answered back. In a candid and gripping conversation, Jeremy, a seasoned outdoorsman turned author, recounts the visceral terr...

Our latest episode features Tom Foxley, an inspiring former Royal Marine who redefined himself as a coach for elite athletes and entrepreneurs. His gripping tale weaves through childhood adversities and physical challenges, emerging into a profound understanding of mental fortitude and leadership. As Tom shares his experiences, we discover the powerful synergy between sensitivity and strength and...

Dan Lowes, our guest who takes us from the cockpit of an RAF fighter jet to the frontlines of leadership consultancy. From member of the elite Red Arrows, and now, a mentor guiding sports teams and leaders in the relentless pursuit of excellence. Peer into the intricate dance of debriefing, not just routine but an art form that can mean the difference between success and failure. Daniel's viv...

Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes they come at you fast and hard. Just ask Josh Fletcher, as a former rugby player turned F2 and F3 motorsport strength and conditioning coach, Josh's journey is a masterclass in redefining success and finding balance amidst chaos. Ever feel like the world's weight is squarely on your shoulders? Josh's encounter with burnout and his...

When Ben Medlock, co-founder of SwiftKey, stepped into our "studio", we unearthed the layers of an entrepreneur's journey that often stay shrouded in the glamour of success.  His story is more than a tech marvel; it's a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, leadership growth, and the tug-of-war between professional ambition and personal fulfillment.  Ben and I traverse the...

I sit down with Lindsay Bruce for a casual chat and decide to record it just in case...just as well we did. Lindsay is ex SAS and founder of the Modern Warrior Project, empowering men to unlock their full potential and create lasting  transformation. In our conversation, we unpack the nuances of using our military background as a springboard in our professional endeavors. Our dialogue traverses th...

Embark on a psychological expedition as we join forces with Professor Martin Jones, a distinguished sport and exercise psychologist, who walks us through the intricate dance of mental and physical performance. From the rigor of athletic fields to the unpredictability of military operations, Martin offers a treasure trove of knowledge on sleep, fatigue, and resilience. His insights illuminate the i...

When the heart races and palms sweat, it's the unmistakable signature of fear—a universal sensation. Our conversation peels back the layers, exposing how the brain processes threats and the strategies used to face them, from the concrete dangers of the battlefield to the abstract trepidation against judgment and deadlines. Our dialogue darts through the shadows of the psyche, illuminating the...

Jade Heuson, a former Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer, graces us with her story of pirouetting from the disciplined world of dance into the arms of mentorship. Once the preserve of elite performers, the Royal Ballet School was Jade's crucible, where the fusion of ballet and academics forged the steel of her character. She recounts the rigors of her training,  and the emotional crescendo of liv...