IF YOU CAN

Louis Alexander has spent years pushing himself to achieve extraordinary things. But what happens when someone who's used to chasing world records starts learning from other people's experiences? In this special episode of If You Can, we're turning the tables. Louis hands the microphone to his producer, Laurence, to reflect on the lessons he's learnt from interviewing entrepreneurs...

Michael Flatman decided to launch a fitness app in one of the most saturated markets imaginable. Today, more than 23,000 people have come through the doors of Edge, but getting there has meant sacrifice, changing direction and learning how to compete against businesses with far more money, experience and resources. Michael joins Louis Alexander to reveal what building a startup actually looks like...

Vincent Van den Broeck has had more reasons to give up than most. After losing his mother, his dream job and multiple businesses — and finding himself hundreds of thousands in debt, Vincent was hit by a car in October 2024. He spent three weeks in a coma and had to relearn how to walk, eat and speak. His rehabilitation was expected to take two years. Months later, he walked out of rehab. In this e...

How close are we to a cure for dementia? Toby Curless is a dementia researcher and science communicator whose work was inspired by watching his grandfather live with Alzheimer’s disease. Today, he researches the genetics behind dementia while sharing the latest science with more than 150,000 people online. Toby joins Louis Alexander to discuss the breakthroughs giving researchers hope, the reality...

How do you make people actually listen to you? Michael Pautsch is the founder of Debate London and an accomplished public speaker who has spent years helping people communicate, think under pressure and disagree constructively. He joins Louis Alexander to explore how to stand your ground, change someone’s mind without starting an argument and become a more confident, persuasive public speaker. I a...

Can you actually learn to be more confident and charismatic? Paul Boross believes you can. Known as The Pitch Doctor, Paul is a Psychologist, Author, Speaker and Communication Expert who has spent decades studying what makes some people command a room and why others struggle to be heard. In this episode of If You Can, Paul joins Louis Alexander to break down the psychology of confidence, charisma...

Waldo Ramsay is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Rebase Recovery, one of London’s leading health and wellness destinations. But getting there meant learning some difficult lessons about business along the way. In this episode of If You Can, Waldo joins Louis Alexander to reveal what actually happens between having an idea and turning it into a profitable business. From launching before ever...

Jaymi Hensley knows what it feels like to live at both extremes. As a member of boyband Union J, he went from The X Factor to a major record deal, sold-out arenas and a life that looked like the dream from the outside... until the band were dropped, the money stopped, and Jaymi found himself trying to keep up an appearance he could no longer afford. But nothing could prepare him for the loss of hi...

In this special compilation episode of If You Can, we're bringing together the moments and mindset lessons that have stuck with us most - on fear, resilience, stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks, and why stress might just be your superpower. Featuring insights from Daren Parr, Jack Jarvis, Vicki Anstey & Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop. I also want to say a HUGE thank you to Bob for backing...

Louis Rudd MBE is the first person in history to walk across Antarctica twice. A former SAS soldier with 34 years of military service who's turned polar exploration into one of the greatest feats of endurance the modern world has seen. In this episode, Louis opens up about joining the Royal Marines at 16 despite everyone telling him he wouldn't make it, passing SAS selection at 22 against...

Nikesh Mehta OBE is His Majesty's British High Commissioner to Singapore — one of the UK's most senior diplomats, with two decades spent navigating conflict zones, counter-terrorism, and crisis leadership from Iraq to South Korea. In this episode, Nick shares how the son of immigrant parents ended up representing Britain on the world stage — from early self-doubt inside the Foreign Office...

Firefighters George Gilbert and Rebecca "Bex" Openshaw-Roe became the first team to ski a new, unsupported route across Antarctica to the South Pole, completing the 52-day, 10-hour, 30-minute expedition after four years of fundraising setbacks, doubters, and a shrinking team. In this episode they take us from Pen y Fan to the bottom of the world: George's nearly 28 years as one of th...

Stephanie Davies is a Laughter Psychologist, stand-up comedian, Author, and one of the UK's leading experts on happiness, resilience, and human behaviour. Long before wellbeing became a buzzword, Stephanie was helping people understand the science behind happiness. Over the last two decades, she's worked with organisations including HSBC, Virgin, O2, Nespresso, and First Direct, helping le...

Emanuele Calabrese is an Osteopath, Performance Coach, and Pain Specialist who works with CEOs, elite athletes, and high performers to help them perform at their best. In this episode of If You Can, Emanuele explains why stress isn't the enemy and how, when understood and managed properly, it can become one of your greatest strengths. He shares practical advice on how stress affects the body,...

Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop is an explorer, educator, and founder of one of the world's most innovative environmental education platforms. Jamie's life has taken him from teaching English in the Dalai Lama's monastery to trekking through the Himalayas and even being held at gunpoint for standing by his values. In this remarkable conversation, Jamie shares the lessons he learned from spending...

Christian Hewgill is a Formula 1 presenter, broadcaster, author, and host of two of the sport's biggest podcasts. From reporting in the F1 pit lane to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in motorsport media, Christian has built a career around the sport he loves. But behind the scenes, the journey has been far from straightforward. In this episode, Christian opens up about the challen...

Harry Whelan held the record for the feastest time to kayak around Great Britain as part of a 3 man team, as well as the record for the fastest time to circumnavigate Ireland solo in a kayak. In this episode of If You Can, Louis joins Harry on an eye-opening Thames journey from Battersea to Greenwich, as he kicks of his training ahead of his next Kayking challenge. If you'd like to find out mo...

Vicki Anstey is world record-holding adventurer, resilience coach, entrepreneur, and former SAS: Who Dares Wins finalist. Vicki has rowed across the Pacific Ocean, raced 3,000 miles across America, and completed ultra-endurance events in some of the world's harshest environments. But her story didn't begin with adventure. After leaving a long-term relationship that had left her with little...

Jack Jarvis is a former British soldier and the first person in history to row solo, unsupported from mainland Europe to North America. Over 111 days, Jack covered 4,630 miles alone at sea, facing storms, exhaustion, isolation, and some of the harshest conditions the Atlantic Ocean could throw at him. But this challenge was about more than setting a world-first. It was driven by a deeply personal...

Louis sits down with Daren Parr, a London cab driver who rowed over 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. Daren shares the reality of spending 60 days at sea, battling exhaustion, huge waves, and the temptation to quit, while raising money for charity. A fascinating conversation about resilience, teamwork, and what ordinary people can achieve when they refuse to give up.

Today on If You Can, Louis sits down with Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Sally Gunnell. One of the most dominant athletes Britain has ever produced. Over an extraordinary 24-month period, Sally won every major title available to her while breaking British, European and World records in the 400m hurdles. But behind the medals and success was relentless discipline, pressure, sacrific...

Calum Sharma is a performance coach who works with, not only the rich and famous, but also me as I begin my strength and conditioning training ahead of my next big adventure. I also want to say a HUGE thank you to Bob for backing If You Can. They supported my last adventure across Australia, and this project wouldn’t exist without that belief and trust. It means a lot to have partners who care abo...

Lucy Charles-Barclay is a Professional Triathlete and three-time Ironman World Champion. In this episode, we talk about the moments that shaped Lucy's journey, from the struggles and failures to the mindset that pushed her through. If you’re considering a leap, change of direction, or figuring out your next step, this conversation will leave you with practical lessons you can actually use! I a...

Matt Martin is a serial entrepreneur who's launched three successful businesses across three different industries. In this episode, we dive into Matt's story and I ask him the Top 5 most Googled questions about starting a business. If you’re considering a leap, change of direction, or figuring out your next step, this conversation will leave you with [number] practical lessons you can actu...

Ben Cook, a former Royal Marine Officer, now spends his time living well outside the realms of military discipline, and instead dedicates his life to adventure and discovery. We talk about the moments that shaped Ben's journey, from what inspired his military career, to what he discovered about himself on the Silk Road. If you’re considering a leap, change of direction, or figuring out your ne...