All About Ability

Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter Chris Bungard!  

Chris is always ready to fight at any time, being very active throughout his career so far, competing 4 times in the first year at Bellator alone. Starting off in style with a first round submission and going on to make history as the first Scottish fighter to headline a major MMA promotion card.  

Named the “The Bad Guy” from events at a young age which he seen as a turning point in his life. Documented on BBC iplayer, overcoming every obstacle to now be on a world stage.  

Chris is a proud ambassador of “Chris’s House” an organisation which provides a centre of help, response and intervention surrounding suicide. Using his platform to raise awareness & break the stigma.  Accomplished so much in and out of the octagon.

What a fun time we had discussing many different topics from what motivates top athletes, news on what’s next for Chris’s career, great stories, MMA, Powerchair football, our shared life for wrestling & much more.  

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The Scottish Greens lead candidate for central Scotland and is running to be an MSP in the Holyrood elections in May

Gillian was diagnosed with a condition called Ménière’s disease at the age of 21 which resulted in Gillian having moderate hearing loss, tinnitus & balance issues. With Ménière’s disease being a progressive condition it’s possible Gillian could eventually loss all her hearing and is learning BSL (British Sign Language).

After completing a Masters degree in marine biodiversity and biotechnology at Heriot-Watt University, Gillian made her way into politics in 2015 through an internship at Holyrood with the Scottish Greens as part of an initiative run by Inclusion Scotland to identify barriers faced by disabled people in politics.

There is currently only one MSP in Scottish Parliament with a disability and Gillian aims to provide better representation to ensure disabled people in Scotland have equal access to work, social and a political life free from discrimination & supported by an equal society.

Gillian's passion is to make a real difference and to help people in so many areas. This really came through in this conversation and left me optimistic! I really hope she gets your vote in the upon coming elections.

Please listen to the subjects covered here, some of which you may not have been aware of before. For equality in society equal representation is needed! Enjoy.

Journalist, actor, presenter, speaker, writer & award-winning disability rights campaigner Adam Pearson.

He has featured in many movies, including  BAFTA-nominated Under The Skin alongside Scarlett Johansson. Starring in Chained For Life, praised for his performance, The New York Times described him as “an actor of great charm.”  

Adam worked as a researcher for the BBC and Channel 4 before becoming a  presenter on the first series of Beauty & The Beast: The Ugly Face Of Prejudice. As well as on the Undateables also on Channel 4 as a casting researcher.

Adam has neurofibromatosis, a condition that affects one in every 2,300 people, which causes non-cancerous tumours to grow on nerve tissue. He has always made the effort to be involved in outreach programmes to prevent bullying associated with deformities. 

 He is a proud ambassador for Changing Faces, Us In A Bus, Jeans For Genes and The Childhood Tumour Trust.

Adam, who was nominated as UK Documentary Presenter of the Year at the 2016 Grierson Awards, has spoken at a number of events for companies and organisations such as the World Health Innovation Summit, Public Service & Criminology Conference, British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, also delivering a TEDx talk. Winning the RADAR Award and a Diana Award for his campaigning work.

 Adam was named in The Shaw Trust Power 100 List of 2020 – a list of the UK’s most influential disabled people.  

The conversation with Adam is exactly what this platform is for, covering subjects close to both our hearts in a real and meaningful way. The way he is able to articulate all of it while making me laugh out loud was really unique and enjoyable, one of the most interesting people I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to. 

A link to our amazing sponsors Kyle Financial Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/KyleFinancialLTD/ 

Enjoy!

Powerlifting & CrossFit athlete Scott Brits.  

Scott competed in powerlifting for many years, winning titles across 3 countries & medals at international events in multiple weight classes.  

Scott would go on to create the amazing battle cancer - The international fitness fundraising movement, raising £1million for 38 different charities worldwide.  

With the creation of Battle Cancer Scott would switch to CrossFit & functional fitness competitions. He has competed in Sanctioned events at the elite level from Ireland, Norway all the way to Miami.  

He has been a regular feature on publications including Men's Health and Esquire, always being an advocate for using fitness as a tool to support mental health and wellness - spreading that message all across the world.  

As an overweight child, Scott discovered fitness through Thai boxing and MMA training. Aiming to use fitness as a way to bring people together, changing and inspiring lives every day.  

A truly incredible human being, from supporting those who have been affected by cancer to his daily work ethic.  

Scott shared his knowledge on so many different areas in one of the most enjoyable podcasts I have had the pleasure of doing. His belief in the All About Ability mission really came through in every aspect and I am forever grateful for how he spoke up. Enjoy!

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Comedian, Actor & Rapper Sir Stevo Timothy.

Stevo burst upon the comedy scene with the hilarious “farmer Michael” sketches, gaining millions of views and fans on social media from all around the world. 

After a traffic accident in 2005 that broke his neck and back made him a wheelchair user, Stevo’s 8 month rehab in hospital left him with incomplete paraplegia, still having limited use of his legs.

Despite limited walking ability with crutches and a leg brace, with strong balance he is able to cycle. On the 30th of may last year Stevo put those legs to good use with a 5k cycle. An incredible  painstaking effort raising thousands in aid of the Irish wheelchair association In memory of his mother who was a service user and wheelchair user. 

Stevo has released 3 singles “All in His Head”, “Panic Attack” and his latest “No Chorus” . These very personal and emotional songs have had great success with the aim of raising mental health awareness in Ireland. 

Stevo ventured into acting, starring in Gerard Walsh’s ‘South’ alongside ‘Red Rock’s’ Darragh O Toole. His latest fundraiser takes place on March 17th where he will be shaving his hair off for lust for life, a mental health charity that deals with kids, teenagers and tries to empower them to take control of their own mental health , an amazing cause, donate at the link below. 

 👉🏻  https://gofund.me/c60eeb36  

One of the most relatable podcasts I have done, from mental health to disability and everything in between we covered it all!  Must see episode. I know this will help so many people.   New Episode's out every Sunday. Please subscribe if you enjoy, all support Greatly Appreciated. 

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Award winning comedian Susie McCabe.

Incredibly, Susie fell into comedy following a successful career working in the construction industry and has since became one of the best comedians in the UK.

 Winning best headliner and best solo show at the Scottish Comedy awards for her full length show “Domestic disaster” , also taking the show for a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019.

 Susie has had very high praise from her peers in the comedy world.

 Kevin Bridges said - “A naturally funny storyteller and a genuine stand up.  Highly recommended”  

You can really tell how much of a genuine good person Susie is and I loved our chat. Going through her journey was a pleasure.   Watch out for Susie's shows later on this year (Covid permitting) you won't want to miss out on the laughs! 

 Here is a link to our amazing sponsors Kyle Financial Limited Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/KyleFinancia...

Former WBO cruiserweight, European, British and commonwealth world boxing champion Enzo Maccarinelli.

Professional record of 49 fights 41 wins 8 losses, Enzo reached the pinnacle of his sport competing all around the world for the top prizes.

He runs his own gym training a young group and sharing his love for boxing, Enzo’s passion to help and support all his fighters really comes through in this interview.

During lockdown Enzo has set out to inspire everyone through these tough times with motivational videos every day on his social media .I know it has helped so many keep going.

Enzo talks so openly as we go through not just his boxing career but his personal struggles, dealing with set backs, building a strong mentality and wanting to help others.

One of the toughest guys you’d ever meet, with one of the biggest hearts and I’m very grateful for how he spoke so honestly on a variety of different subjects that I know will help so many.

Oh and he might not be done fighting yet, Enzo speaks of his desire to compete again.

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Ex professional footballer turned bodybuilder/personal trainer and now host of Flip The Mindset podcast, Kenny McKay.

Playing football for a number of clubs including Greenock Morton, Annan Athletic and Queens Park, before his footballing career got cut short through major injuries. 4 knee surgeries and the tragic premature loss of his older brother in 2012. 

Kenny’s attention turned to the gym as he dealt with these heartbreaking struggles, finding his new passion and creating a very successful personal training business.

 Kenny’s desire to help others resulted in the creation of the Flip The Mindset podcast with the aim being to create a platform of hope for people struggling with the pressures of modern society.

 Always speaking from the heart, he is no doubt inspiring thousands to overcome their struggles. 

Myself and Kenny have similar reasons for what we do, we both want to help break the mental health stigma from Flipping The Mindset and showing it’s All About Ability. 

There are so many things in our conversation that I know will help others, as well as being great fun and a good laugh, Kenny’s larger than life personality is clear to see.

We could have talked for hours, enjoy!

These guys took part in an incredible effort of 60km in the one day - 20km run a 20km row and a 20km cycle for the 60 men we lose every hour to suicide world wide each day.

Lewis Irvine Euan Edward Malone and Spencer Brown achieved this raising over £800 for Movember. Great causes including men’s mental health, suicide prevention and prostrate cancer awareness.

3 men who have been on their own journeys,  Lewis who speaks openly on dealing with mental health and his want to help others as well as the path that got him to where he is at with fitness now. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing that progress and looking at what he’s accomplished, now encouraging others to speak out and raise awareness.

Euan Malone, a top personal trainer and one of the most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Intelligent with his way of training and you can always count on Euan to inject some positivity to your day .

Spencer Brown, a professional Muay Thai kick-boxer and current WBC & ISKA European champion, with a record of 28 fights 22 wins and 10KO’s. Athlete competing at the top of his game and always raising awareness for mental health!

Covering a wide range of subjects and there are great points made by these 3 gents regarding, mental health, social group, benefit/impact of sport and much more. Like, subscribe, and share everyone! Thank you.

From our first conversation Shannon’s creativity, care for others and amazing personality always came through and I knew we would have plenty to talk about.

Studying product design at central Saint Martins university of the arts & being a support worker, Shannon shares her experiences and thoughts on a variety of different subjects, I can comfortably say there is something for everyone in this episode.

From Accessibility, politics, mental health, how being a support worker showed her the struggles faced daily by those who need support and how best to help, the handling of COVID situation and much more.

That’s without mentioning the laughs we had, this was a lot of fun and a great way to start 2021.