Local Heroes Podcast

Send us Fan Mail When we began the podcast, we were excited to learn about Bov, a well respected, no nonsense, disciplined dance tutor at the top of his game. His hip hop and break dancing career spans from dancing with Jason Orange (pre Take That)  appearing on TV shows like the Hitman and Her, touring with artists such as Jocelyn Brown, Durga McBroom (Blue Pearl) , Beats International and to top...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, Tracey Cranshaw shares her journey from battling anxiety and burnout to becoming a pro bodybuilder in her 40s. Tracey talks about navigating perimenopause, discovering fitness as a lifeline, and stepping onto the bodybuilding stage for the first time. She opens up about the challenges of balancing discipline, mental health, and motherhood while self-coac...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Local Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Bonneville (Bonnie Milnes), a multi-talented artist, musician, and actor. Bonnie shares her journey from writing music and fronting her own band to stepping into TV and Film acting during a pivotal moment in her life. The confusion surrounding the first AI-scripted film The Last Screenwriter, which caused some controver...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, Christian from Stand Out Socks shares how he transformed a simple product into a powerful movement. Driven by a mission to provide employment opportunities for individuals with Down’s syndrome, Stand Out Socks is about more than fashion – it’s about empowerment, inclusion, and challenging perceptions. Join us as Christian talks about their journey from t...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of the Local Heroes Podcast , Sarah Halpin, an award-winning presenter and content creator, opens up about her journey from passionate Everton fan to trailblazing media figure in women’s football. Sarah shares her experiences growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, overcoming addiction, and finding purpose in her work with Everton and the England Lionesses. Wit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the world of professional saxophonist Joe Reeve, who shares the reality behind the “rock and roll lifestyle” and the challenges of building a creative career. From starting out with just business cards in hand to establishing a reputation as a touring musician, Joe reveals the strategies, hard lessons, and self-discipline required to succeed in the mu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Jess Davies, the inspiring founder of Messy Babes, a sensory and messy play class for children aged 5.5 months to 4 years. Jess shares her journey from working in nurseries and special education to building her own business, creating a space where children can explore, get messy, and learn through play. We dive into the science behind early childh...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jill Reeves, an experienced reflexologist, shares her journey of working in reflexology for over 21 years and how it became a key part of her life, especially after her daughter’s cancer diagnosis. Jill explains the benefits of reflexology for stress, anxiety, menopause, and even children's mental health. She also offers simple self-care techniques and discus...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Local Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Liam Croker, the charismatic lead singer of the rock  band Winachi. Liam opens up about the band's journey from their early days in Warrington to living out their dreams in LA. Liam also talks about the band’s return home, the evolving music scene in Warrington, and the emotional connection he feels with their fans. It...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Dave Parker, co-founder of Parker Neal, shares his mission to provide cutting-edge cyber security and data governance services, designed to defend against future threats while delivering sustainable business value. With over 40 years of experience, Parker Neal’s specialist team has become a trusted partner to organisations of all sizes, helping them tac...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode, Carleen Leyland, founder of Alexandra George clothing, shares her incredible journey of balancing life as a business owner and carer for her son, George, who has Crouzon syndrome. Carleen talks about the inspiration behind her brand, the challenges of running a small business, and the powerful bond between her children, Alexandra and George. From startin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Local Heroes Podcast , we sit down with Sam Small, a quirky and creative tattoo artist based in Warrington. Sam takes us through his journey—from rocking turquoise skinny jeans and bright pink hair in high school to opening his own tattoo studio. He shares the challenges of starting a small business during the pandemic, his award-winning fine line tattoo work, a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark sits down with Phil Kivell, the passionate founder of Warrington's only calisthenics gym, Body Project. Phil shares his journey from a childhood to becoming a leader in the calisthenics community, and how his gym is transforming lives through the art of bodyweight training. We dive deep into the philosophy of calisthenics, its incredible benefits for all...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Laura Cannon, a personal trainer, nutritionist, and professional Muay Thai boxer who has faced and overcome numerous physical challenges. Laura shares her inspiring story, from battling through severe injuries to launching a successful online business, all while maintaining her relentless drive in the ring. Discover her secrets to balancing a high...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, we delve deep into the life of a dedicated bodybuilder and coach who lives by the principle that bodybuilding isn’t just a sport—it’s a 24/7 commitment. From the discipline required to meticulously plan every meal to the resilience needed to overcome personal adversity, our guest shares the mindset that drives success both in and out of the gym. We explor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Local Heroes Podcast, we dive deep into the world of comprehensive wellness with Martina Bencova, a multi-talented practitioner with expertise in a wide array of therapies. From sports rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and personal training to specialised techniques like cupping, acupuncture, and sports massage, Martina’s approach is all-encompassin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Local Heroes Podcast, we sit down with British weightlifting and performance coach Josh Summersgill. Join us as Josh shares his incredible journey from martial arts to CrossFit and finally into the world of competitive weightlifting. Get ready for some hilarious stories, including an unforgettable Three Peaks Challenge mishap and the spontaneous marathon tha...

Send us Fan Mail In this riveting episode of the Local Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Lucy Patel, a Registered Nutritionist, Certified Health Coach, and Women's Health Specialist who made a bold shift from project management to transforming women's health. Lucy opens up about the challenges of running her own business during a pandemic, her journey of helping women achieve life-changin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Local Heroes Podcast, host Mark Dickson sits down with Neisha and Scott, the dynamic duo behind the revitalisation of Ramp One Skate Park. Join us as we dive into the exciting journey of transforming the largest indoor skate park in Europe under new management by Activity for All. Discover how they overcame challenges, brought the community back together, an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the story behind LoKal Gastro Bar, the vibrant eatery founded by Baby B and Dalma in the heart of Warrington. Discover how Dalma brought her unique vision to life, blending Turkish culinary traditions with modern twists, and how this journey has bridged cultural gaps between Turkey and the UK. From her inspirations to the challenges faced, Dalma share...

Send us Fan Mail In episode 2 of the Local Heroes Podcast, host Mark Dickson sits down with Jess Mills, a seasoned producer at Prism Studios. With years of experience in television, Jess has contributed to some of the industry's most beloved shows. Tune in as she shares her fascinating career journey, offers a unique glimpse into the TV and film industry, and recounts some hilarious behind-th...

Send us Fan Mail In the debut episode of the Local Heroes Podcast, host Mark Dickson, owner of Liberalis Skateboards, sits down with two extraordinary athletes and coaches, Matt 'The Beast' Bonner and Dan Bonner. Matt, a former CW middleweight champion, shares his journey from the ring to coaching. Meanwhile, Dan, who has clinched some of the most prestigious titles in the world and is c...