All About Ability

In episode 1 of All About Ability I shared a journey filled with mental health struggles and how I dealt with them in the hope to help someone else.

I got so many incredible messages saying how much it helped and we’ve went on to have amazing guests and conversations since.

With mental health it has always felt like a battle in my head and while dealing with my issues, getting support through anti depressants therapy and everything in between - I was trying everything and still felt like I was loosing that battle. All the support why am I still getting beat? Why do I still feel there’s no way back? The answer was because despite everything I still didn’t believe in myself.

You can have everything everyone says you need but you need to decide, you need to find that something inside you that believes in the process and believes you can win, you can go on.

One very special person made me realise I could believe, I could overcome and I could win - even when she wasn’t here anymore.

As we experience another lockdown and people are struggling now more than ever I feel the need to share what saved me when at my worst and what I hope you can too - We have to show what we’ve came through and how to help others come forward, help end the stigma.

20th and final episode of 2020.

In Memory of Mary Hannah McGarvey.

Professional and ex Paralympic wheelchair basketball player as well as online nutrition/training coach Dan Highcock!

Dan has travelled the world playing wheelchair basketball at the highest level in Spain Italy Germany and Britain.

First playing for Liverpool Meteors in a 5 year period, leading to representing team GB in 2 world championships and being selected for the London 2012 Paralympics.

Amongst numerous high level tournaments Dan was part of the 2011 European championship winning team.

Dan had a motorbike accident at the age of 5, destroying his hip and pelvis leaving him with a condition called avascular necrosis of the hip. Once told he may never walk again now fully able to do so and dedicates his time to helping others through nutrition and training .

A truly incredible work ethic and mindset it really was a pleasure to talk with Dan, Very motivating and humble - took a lot from this man’s journey, I hope you do too!

Personal trainer and podcast host Caroline Milne.

From nutrition to training plans, setting goals and achieving dreams Caroline’s passion for her clients comes through. 

 “My objective is to provide Client's with the tools they need to build healthy habits & flexible routines to sustain long term changes to their lifestyles. I strive to educate, inspire and motivate to build Client confidence both in the gym environment, and beyond. “  

While building an incredible group, Caroline launched her own successful podcast - Coaching with Caroline - The Extras  Very informative fun discussions relating to all areas regarding health fitness training and lifestyle. I would highly recommend.

Caroline goes through the twists and turns which lead to this path, a really interesting background with a great perspective. 

We cover a wide range of topics on areas that are often not addressed and I personally learn from it!   The way in which Caroline dedicates herself to helping others and building a group of strong confident woman is something that struck me, she really is making an amazing difference!

Like Share and Subscribe, Thank you - Enjoy.

The current host of BBC’s award winning children’s news program, Newsround and former wheelchair basketball Scotland captain Martin Dougan.

In 2010 Martin Applied for a Channel’s 4 competition that were looking for unknown presenters and reporters to lead the 2012 Paralympic Games. He made the final team and covered 5 different sports at the London games.

Following this success Martin would go on to become a journalist on CBBC’s Newsround and has also presented a number of BBC documentaries including, Children BAFTA nominated - Frontline families. Focusing on children having to deal with the stress of a family member or loved one fighting for their country during the Iraq war.

He was approached to work for ABC Network in Adelaide, Australia for 6 months as part of the children’s news program, behind the news.

Following a successful basketball career Martin has travelled the world covering a wide variety of topics from sport events in Brazil to the rising sea levels of the South Specific.

His latest documentary - Climate change: “Rising sea levels on the Pacific Islands” aired earlier this year in September on CBBC.

Breaking barriers, showing the world what disabled people can do in and out of sport!

Was a pleasure talking with Martin and I think you’ll enjoy this one.

International keynote speaker, bestselling author and award winning comedian Gavin Oattes.

Gavin delivers talks on various topics, including -

Creativity and innovation

Mental health and wellbeing

Leadership

Resilience and self belief

He is the Owner & Managing Director at Tree of Knowledge who’s mission is to help others become the best version of themselves. By delivering inspirational training programmes, keynotes and coaching for schools and businesses around the globe, bringing an Entertaining, Enlightening and Educational revolution. His vision is simple…Inspire the World.

Gavin’s new book Life Will See You Now is praised for being truly inspirational and uplifting, I would definitely recommend!

In these difficult times, all of Gavin’s positive spirit comes through here from managing mental health to making the most of yourself.

Everything Gavin says and the way he said it I found very relatable and helpful, I hope you do too.

In 1996 He became Britain's youngest ever track & field Olympic and Paralympic gold medallist at the Atlanta Paralympics. Going on to be undefeated in all competitions until 2005 - 9 years in total, winning 3 Paralympic gold medals in a row.

Known for competing in the Club Throw discipline, Stephen held the world record for the event between 1997 and 2008 .

Stephen was honoured in the 2016 New Years Honours List by the Queen with an MBE and inducted into the Cerebral Palsy Sport Hall of Fame in 2018 at the Sports Awards held on World CP Day for his incredible achievements in para athletics club throwing.

He has represented Great Britain for over 25 years, competing in 6 Paralympic Games, 7 World Championships and 6 European Championships - so far winning 34 international medals. Making Stephen one of Britain’s most Successful athletes.

Outside of competition Stephen and his wife Rachel founded the charity SMILE Through Sport in 2013 that aims to inspire, educate and promote enjoyment of disability sport.

What a journey Stephen has had, truly inspiring and an honour to have the Paralympic hero on!

Jon has being playing Powerchair football for 18 years winning multiple trophies with his club Aspire and captaining England in Several Major tournaments including reaching the World Cup final in Paris 2012.

Most recently captaining England to EPFA Nations cup glory in a historic come back from 2-0 down with 10 minutes to go, 2-2 and beating France on penalties in 2019. One of the best game’s in Powerchair football I’ve ever seen, full of skill and a courage’s fight back from England’s side.

Jon also recently won English Premiership player of year, adding to a list that already makes him one of the best Powerchair football players in the world today,

Jon is a true leader and it was a pleasure having him on. We talk all things Powerchair football, the evolution of the sport and what keeps him striving to be the best so many years on from being introduced to the sport.

From our new studio this Halloween with Scottish comedian and actor Darren Connell.  

Best known his role in Scot Squad as Bobby The role earned him best actor nomination at the 2015 British academy Scotland new talent awards. 

He Also Appeared in the Glasgow trip, trust me and abandoned all hope which he played to a sell out audience at the 2019 Glasgow comedy festival.  

One of funniest people with the biggest of hearts I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. He has overcome his own mental health struggles to now be a full time vegan, sober and always doing fitness challenges💪

What a laugh we had - enjoy!

From homeless youth to world champion, Jessica shows just how much you can achieve with courage, mindset and a will to win.  Listen to Jessica's story and tell me you can't do something, truly inspirational.

Jessica goes into her upbringing, overcoming barriers throughout her life, incredible "No days Off" mindset and preparation's for the up and coming title defence. 

It was a true honour and privilege to hear Jessica’s story and learn from a true champion in and out of the boxing ring🥊

Former WWE superstar Matt Rehwoldt!  

 Matt, with the name Aiden English in WWE was part of the successful tag team - The vaudevillians, winning the NXT Tag Team championships. 

 He went on to team up with fellow wrestler Rusev creating “Rusev day” which was one of the biggest and most over parts of WWE television, loved by fans all around the world. 

We go through his whole career but this is far from your usual wrestling interview.  Matt speaks on disability, inclusion and equality in a really powerful way as well as his mental health and the mindset required for a gruelling WWE schedule as well as what is next in his career.  Enjoy!