Excel against the Odds

Chronic illness can affect far more than our health. It can change the way we work, the goals we set for ourselves, and the future we imagined. In this episode, I explore the emotional side of career change when you're living with chronic illness. We discuss grief, identity, ambition, confidence, and the challenge of adapting to a different way of working. Whether you're an employee or a b...

Pushing through can feel like the only option when you are running a business, especially when you care deeply about your work. But over time, overdoing it can have a significant impact on both your health and your ability to grow sustainably. In this episode of the Excel Against the Odds podcast, I share personal reflections from my own experience of overworking in my first business and how being...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking to Sara Jubb of Plantfood Coaching. Sara is a coach and wellbeing practitioner, who helps over-extended women and caring workforces restore energy, strengthen resilience, and grow with purpose and clarity, without losing themselves in the process. She co-founded Plantfood Coaching in 2024 to deliver whole-person...

Consistency is often described as the key to success in business. Show up every day. Keep your output steady. Never lose momentum. But what happens when your body does not behave consistently? In this episode of the Excel Against the Odds podcast, we explore why traditional ideas of consistency do not work when you are running a business with a chronic illness and what to focus on instead. This ep...

Running a business with a chronic illness means learning how to navigate the unexpected. Flare ups, periods of illness and sudden drops in energy can interrupt even the best laid plans. In this episode of Excel Against the Odds , we explore how to plan for business interruptions in a way that protects both your health and your livelihood. Drawing on recent personal experience, this episode offers...

Planning for a new year can feel overwhelming when you are running a business alongside chronic illness. Energy fluctuates, symptoms are unpredictable and traditional goal setting often feels unrealistic or even discouraging. In this episode of the Excel Against the Odds podcast , we explore how to plan your year in a way that supports your health rather than working against it. This is a gentle,...

In this episode of Excel Against the Odds , we explore what it really means to grow a business at a slower pace when you live with a chronic illness. If you have ever felt behind, frustrated with your energy levels or pressured by hustle culture, this episode will offer comfort, clarity and practical strategies to help you feel more confident in the way you work. What We Cover: Why slower business...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Georgina Colman. Georgina is the founder of  Purpl , a platform dedicated to helping disabled people save money through meaningful discounts and exclusive offers. Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ADHD, she understands first-hand the financial pressures that come with managing a disability — and she’s...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, i was delighted to interview Natalie Edwards about her experiences of running her craft business, Made in the Button Room, whilst living with complex nerve damage in her spine. Natalie is the founder of Made in the Button Room , small business based in Gloucestershire where playful crochet meets creative planet-kind making. From her sunny spar...

Zoë Chapman is the inventor of the Whizzer, the World’s tiniest toilet. The Bootstrapped Solo Founder, launched her business  during the pandemic. Despite attempting the impossible, she knew how much her product could help millions so sacrificed everything and within a year of launching, she was approached to appear on BBC's Dragons Den. Her episode aired in 2023 leaving the nation tearful aft...

Emily Forbes is a published author, certified coach, and founder of Wylde Wellbeing. Emily has been on a personal journey through chronic illness, surgeries, moving towards wellness and finding ways to improve her wellbeing over the last few years. Emily’s book 'Too Hard to Swallow' is about her personal journey with chronic illness. It’s part memoir, part self-help, and in it, she shares...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I was delighted to interview Debbie-Lyn Connolly Lloyd, the founder of DL Models Ltd. Debbie-Lyn has FND and set up her business DL Models Ltd to empower people who lack confidence, to believe in themselves again and strive for their dreams, by sharing her story and changing standards in the fashion and beauty industry, so that they can feel r...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I was delighted to have the chance to interview Jen Parker, the founder of Fuzzy Flamingo, a book publishing business. Jen is a multi-award-winning business owner, editor and designer. She's passionate about books and her mission is to make publishing more transparent, less intimidating and more accessible for authors. Jen is also a publis...

In this month's episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Pat Porter, also known as Pat the Inventor! Pat is a problem-solving inventor, entrepreneur, and public speaker. As the creator of The Perpetual Bird Feeder and host of the Invisible Me podcast, she tackles everyday challenges—whether in baby products, accessibility, or wildlife care. Her podcast...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting to Kristie Norris, the founder of ETA Girl Friday and Kristie's Sitters. Kristie Norris is an accidental entrepreneur, starting out in business in 2017 as a Travel Consultant after being made redundant.  In 2020 made the change to become a Virtual Assistant and after running online networking sessions and sup...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Joseph Williams, the co-founder of Clu and Access to Funding. In this episode, we discuss his career, the barriers faced by disabled entrepreneurs and the Lilac Review. Joseph’s career began in a call centre, where he was regularly reported for asking too many questions. Autistic and deemed ‘trouble’, he was...

This episode marks four years of the Excel against the Odd podcast! In this episode, I tell you about my story and why I believe that it is important to learn to run your business in alignment with your health, I then take you through the five main ways you can ensure that your business works for you and your health. I hope you enjoy this episode! The Resilient Business Workshop 25/2/25: https://w...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, it was wonderful to be joined by Melissa Smith, the Owner & Founder of Paws In Earnest. Melissa was diagnosed with M.E in 2020 and this led her to starting up her own business.  Website: www.pawsinearnest.co.uk Email: hello@pawsinearnest.co.uk Socials: @pawsinearnest (Instagram, Facebook & TikTok) Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I was delighted to chat to Scott Whitney about his organisation All 4 Inclusion CIC and his future plans. Scott acquired his disability aged 37 in 2020. There was no accident or long term illness, one day he woke up and his body decided to stop working. Since that day, it has continued to regress. Now a fulltime wheelchair user he has used thi...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I had a fascinating discussion with Rachael Mole who has recently completed a research paper on disability and the work place. Rachael is a project management consultant, advisor and disability employment advocate. She works within accessibility and people management, looking at recruitment, onboarding and retention, and has recently completed...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds podcast, I'm celebrating the 5 year anniversary of the Entrepreneurs against the Odds Community! This episode contains my top 5 tips for running a business with a chronic illness. Enjoy! To join the Entrepreneurs against the Odds Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/entrepreneursagainsttheodds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: www.excelagainsttheodds....

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking to Zosia Krajewska about her experience of working whilst living with Ulcerative Colitis. Zosia is an IT professional living in London currently working in global corporate M&A. She is also a disability advocate raising awareness from personal lived experience and implementing inclusion-focused initiatives. ...

In this month's episode I had the honour of interviewing both Victoria Jenkins from Unhidden and Hayley Kellard from Dotty about Braille about the Lilac Review. Victoria is the co-chair of the Lilac Review and both Hayley and I sit on the Steering Board. The Lilac Review is an independent, government-backed review looking at tackling the inequalities faced by disabled entrepreneurs. Launched o...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking to Jacqueline Samm about her experience of running a business as a Virtual Assistant with ME. Jackie is a Cornish Virtual Assistant with a chronic illness, supporting chronic illness coaches with social media and general admin, so they can focus their energy on providing solutions for their clients. In this episo...

In this episode of the Excel against the Odds Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking to Latasha Doyle about her experience of running a business with Marfan Syndrome. Latasha Doyle is the owner of Uncanny Content, a full-service content strategy and copywriting agency. Her agency works with businesses owned by women, POC, disabled, queer, and other marginalized folks to help them amplify their re...