Headstrong

Simon Lycett has spent his life creating floral dreams for royalty and grand stages, but behind the 22-minute high-pressure "scrambles" is a man who finds his peace in the soil. In this episode of Take 10 , Simon opens up about the "magical" visceral connection of flowers, overcoming imposter syndrome after being laughed at for his appearance, and why a garden is the perfect place to be alone with...

Sebby Holmes, the mastermind behind Highbury’s acclaimed Farang , is redefining what it means to be a "Head Chef." In this episode of Take 10 , Sebby gets honest about the "stupidity and luck" of starting a business with £10 to his name, the mental health toll of 100-hour work weeks, and why he now prioritizes a four-day week for his entire team. It’s a conversation about growth, switching off, an...

Emma Campbell (Limitless Em) has faced three cancer diagnoses, but she’s tired of being called "brave." In this unfiltered Take 10 session, Emma explores the transition from frantic survival to true presence. From navigating "anticipatory grief" with elderly parents to the life-changing advice her 15-year-old son gave her during her darkest moment, Emma reminds us that being "limitless" isn't abou...

The Art of the Pivot. Josh Smith spends his life interviewing the world's biggest stars, but today, he’s the one in the hot seat. In this episode of Take 10 , Josh opens up about the "little deaths" that accompany big life changes, his personal struggle with self-belief, and why we need to retire the phrase "man up" for good. It’s a masterclass in staying human in a hectic world. Headstrong Take 1...

The Power of Perspective. Former England rugby hooker Andy Long has faced the highest pressures in sport and the deepest personal trials. In this unfiltered Take 10 episode, Andy discusses his upcoming 270km Marathon Des Sables and why he’s choosing to suffer in the Sahara to support those with Motor Neurone Disease. From finding his father at age ten to the "shame" of being dropped by his country...

Was Cool Runnings actually a manual for survival? Thirty years ago, the world fell in love with a bobsled team. But beneath the comedy and the iconic one-liners, there was a "hidden gem" of a message that we are only just beginning to decode. Today, actor Rawle D. Lewis (the man behind the legendary Junior) joins Headstrong to strip back the character and reveal the raw philosophy of the film. Thi...

In this episode of Headstrong, Jake Graf joins Louis Strong for a deeply honest conversation about identity, resilience and protecting your mental health in a world that can feel increasingly hostile. Jake opens up about growing up trans with no language or representation, the isolation that shaped his early life and the coping mechanisms he turned to just to survive. He reflects on the mental tol...

To mark World Mental Health Day, Louis is joined by garden designers James Alexander-Sinclair and Joe Swift for a bitesize conversation exploring how nature and gardening nurture our wellbeing. They discuss the power of fresh air, community and creativity in the garden - how getting your hands in the soil can bring calm, perspective, and healing. From small urban spaces to sprawling landscapes, th...

Actor, poet and performer Dan Whitlam joins me for a raw & gripping conversation about some of the defining moments of his life, including the traumatic event of being stabbed at the formative age of 16. Dan opens up about meeting his attacker years later, redefining masculinity through vulnerability & transforming pain into powerful art. We also discuss his brand new poetry collection I D...

Fredrik Ferrier rose to fame on Made in Chelsea , but few know the full story behind the screen. In this moving episode, Fred speaks candidly for the first time about his sober journey, the pressures of reality TV, and his deep connection to music. He reflects on redefining success, vulnerability, and breaking away from a party-fuelled culture. This is a raw and inspiring conversation — one that F...

James Marriott joins Louis Strong on Headstrong for an open and powerful chat about his emotional journey through music, therapy, and self-expression. From the raw honesty of his new album Don’t Tell The Dog to navigating burnout, vulnerability, and his relationship with social media, James reveals how creativity became his catharsis. A must-listen for fans who want to hear the man behind the musi...

Maya Raichoora is the world’s leading visualisation expert, and in this episode, she reveals why training your mind is the key to unlocking mental wellness. We dive into the power of visualisation, the dangers of suppressing emotions, and why mental fitness is just as important as physical health. Maya shares her personal journey and practical steps to harness your mind’s full potential. Don’t mis...

Reality star Liv Bentley rose to fame on Made in Chelsea , but behind the glamour, she’s faced real struggles. In this explosive episode, Liv opens up about the mental toll of reality TV , the judgment women face when talking about sex and the gruelling life of running her brand, Jomo . From sex education scandals to trolling nightmares , she shares the hard truths about fame, business and mental...

In this episode of Headstrong, Grace Chatto—one-third of global hitmakers Clean Bandit—opens up about stepping away from the constraints of their major label and embracing true creative freedom. Grace shares what it’s like leading a band that not only racks up Number 1 hits but also supports a growing team behind the scenes. She talks candidly about the pressure of success, the responsibility she...

In this powerful episode of Headstrong, Jake Williamson opens up about his journey from professional footballer to LGBTQ+ advocate. Jake shares the raw truth about coming out as gay, being ostracised by his teammates. But his story didn’t end there. Jake talks about finding his true identity, the life partner who stands by him, and how speaking openly transformed his life. We dive into the challen...

In this episode of Headstrong, I sit down with the incredible Billy Monger—racing driver, Ironman world record-breaker, and the definition of resilience. After a life-changing accident at just 17, Billy refused to let adversity define him. He shares the first words his doctor told him after the crash, his intense journey to recovery and how he got back behind the wheel against all odds. Billy also...

In this episode of Headstrong , I sit down with Bradley Simpson , lead singer of The Vamps , to talk about his brand-new solo album, The Panic Years , and the deeper meaning behind it. We dive into how music has always been his safe space for expressing vulnerability, the mental health challenges of life in a global band and the pressure that comes with constant touring. Bradley opens up about fee...

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Becky Excell , the UK’s leading voice in gluten-free living. We dive into her journey from struggling to find tasty gluten-free options to becoming a best-selling author and advocate for the gluten-free community. Becky opens up about the cost of living crisis , how it’s affecting food choices and the challenges of maintaining a gluten-free diet on a bu...

After a career filled with highs, heartbreaks, and relentless injury battles, Anthony Watson has officially stepped away from professional rugby. But while he may be retired, his passion for the game - and for England - remains as strong as ever. In this episode of Headstrong, Anthony opens up about: 🔹 His decision to retire and the emotions that came with it 🔹 The mental toll of injuries and ho...

In this raw and honest conversation, Millie Mackintosh opens up about her journey to sobriety, self-discovery and healing. After years of struggling with alcohol, she made the life-changing decision to quit drinking, a journey that hasn’t been without its challenges. Millie shares how therapy helped her confront past trauma, navigate personal growth and ultimately find peace. Now, with over two an...

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Fats Timbo, a multi-talented dancer, comedian , model and advocate who inspires countless people worldwide. We dive into her journey of overcoming bullying during her school years and how it impacted her self-worth. Fats opens up about what she would say to her bullies now, the role dance has played in her empowerment and how she challenges societal no...

Welcome to 2025 and Season 13 of Headstrong! Kicking off the new year, I’m joined by fitness and mobility expert Adam Richardson, who shares his insights on the importance of movement in our daily lives. In this episode, we explore how to build sustainable routines, practical hacks to incorporate movement into busy schedules and why looking after our bodies is key to thriving in life. Adam also op...

Warning: This episode contains Christmas chat, so it’s best suited for bigger ears! In this festive special, Ferne McCann joins me to dive into the magic and mayhem of Christmas as a parent. We explore the joys and pressures of the holiday season with kids. Ferne also opens up about preparing for Dancing on Ice in January, a journey filled with excitement, nerves and mental resilience. The convers...

It is the end of the year, and having filmed 30 episodes, I wanted to give you some of the dog answers to the question I ask every guest: What does the word Headstrong mean to you? This bonus episode features Hugo Taylor, Alice Liveing, Jenni Falconer, Armaan Malik, Jim Chapman, Leanne Hainsby-Alldis. Be sure to follow the podcast wherever you are listening and check us out on socials @headstrongp...

What does the word Headstrong mean to you? Vulnerability is a strength. Through open and honest conversations with public figures, Headstrong delves into the deeper meanings behind their stories. Each episode is designed to inspire listeners to believe in themselves, embrace their vulnerabilities and reinforce their self-worth. Join us as we uncover the power of resilience & vulnerability, one...