Episode Summary:

What does it take to transition from Olympic rowing tobuilding a disruptive start-up? In this episode of Define Your Success, host Abigail Irozuru speaks with Olympian and Daylilies co-founder Jennifer Casson about resilience, mental health, and innovation.

Jennifer shares her unexpected Tokyo 2021 Olympic qualification story, the lessons learned from supportinga teammate through anxiety, and the reality of navigating life after elite sport. She also reveals how frustration with traditional bras inspired Daylilies, a brand on a mission to revolutionise bras for modern, athletic women. From patenting and 3D printing to building in public and joining the IOC Business Accelerator, Jennifer reveals the transferable skills that fuel her journey and why failure is never the end.

If you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or anyone curious about turning setbacks into stepping stones or how to leverage your network for new opportunities, this episode is packed with insights on failure, adaptability, and defining success on your own terms.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite platform.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔ The highs and lows ofJennifer’s Olympic journey and what it taught her about resilience
✔ How to support teammates through mental healthchallenges in high-pressure environments
✔ The challenges of transitioning out of elite sportand finding a new identity
✔ Why Daylilie is disrupting the bra industry forathletic women
✔ Transferable skills from sport to entrepreneurship – and why feedback is your friend
✔ The power of networking and partnerships inbuilding a business
✔ Jennifer’s definition ofresilience and success

Connect with Jennifer & Daylilie:

• Instagram: @Daylilie_bras
• Website: https://www.daylilie.com/
• LinkedIn: Jennifer Casson

Listen & Subscribe:

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.
👉Don’t forget to rate, review, and share if you enjoyed this episode!

Connect with Abigail and the podcast:

Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message 

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ 

Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK 

Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/ // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru 

Show Notes

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Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com 

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License(CC BY 3.0)

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A compelling conversation hosted by Olympian, Abigail Irozuru, with Team GB and British athletics trailblazer, Kelly Sotherton MBE, a triple Olympic medallist and CEO of the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA).

Key takeaways from the conversation include:

1. Reshaping the Athlete Journey: Kelly's mission is to make the athlete's path smoother and more pleasant, ensuring they gain crucial life skills that extend beyond sport.

2. The BEAA's Vital Role: As CEO, Kelly oversees the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), which offers essential support (for issues like selection, safeguarding), athlete representation, and fosters a strong athlete community.

3. Addressing Modern Sport Challenges: Kelly highlights social media as a primary challenge for athletes, stressing the importance of authentic communication and directing concerns to the "right people" for impactful change, rather than just social media.

4. Athlete Identity & Transition Advice: For developing athletes, Kelly advises fostering "dual identities" to prevent post-sport identity loss and building "good links" (networking) for smoother career transitions.

5. Defining Success Beyond Medals: Kelly defines personal success not solely by achievements, but fundamentally by health (mental and physical), integrity, honesty, and authenticity – values that shape daily behavior and personal growth.

British Elite Athletes Association BEAA - https://www.britisheliteathletes.org/ 

Instagram: @KellySotherton https://www.instagram.com/kellysotherton/?hl=en 

Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message 

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ 

Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/ 

Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ 

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com 

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Welcome to the loooong-awaited Season 4 premiere of Define Your Success! We kick off this new season with an incredibly inspiring conversation with Lewis J. Richardson, an Olympian who medalled at the 2024 Paris Games and recently made his pro debut (June 2025). Lewis takes us on a raw, honest, and truly profound journey, offering a rare glimpse into the complex world of professional boxing and the personal battles fought outside the ring.

In this episode, Lewis delves into:

• The Transformative Leap from Amateur to Pro: Discover the dramatic differences between amateur and professional boxing, not just in terms of round duration (from 3 to 4-12 rounds), but especially the business aspect. Lewis likens the transition from being "employed" by GB Boxing (funded by the National Lottery and offering a holistic program) to becoming "self-employed" and building your entire support team from scratch.
• The Unforgettable Moment of Olympic Qualification: Hear the goosebump-inducing story of Lewis's "absolute highlight" – securing his Olympic qualification on May 31st, 2024. He reveals why this moment meant more to him than even an Olympic medal, highlighting the notoriously difficult qualification process in boxing where only one person per country can qualify per weight category, and his light middleweight division was the most highly contested.
• Overcoming Adversity and Silencing the Naysayers: Lewis transparently shares the relentless doubts he faced throughout his career – "He's not strong enough. He's not big enough. He's not fit enough. He's not good enough". He details significant challenges, including a bad back injury in 2018 and the difficult Tokyo Olympic cycle where he faced the world number one on his 23rd birthday.
• The Gut-Wrenching Weight Category Dilemma: Learn about the crushing blow when his long-standing 75kg Olympic weight category was removed, forcing him to consider moving up or down. Having boxed at 75kg since he was 16, the decision to drop to 71kg seemed nearly impossible, sparking widespread disbelief. Lewis shares how he defied these expectations, proving his doubters wrong at every step.
• Rediscovering Purpose in the Crossroads: Lewis openly discusses the "lack of direction" and "lack of purpose" he felt in 2022-2023 when his Olympic dream seemed over and the professional path wasn't aligning. He credits working with a clinical psychiatrist and taking a "Powered by Purpose" course and the True Athlete Project with helping him "look within" and "rediscover himself".
• The Power of a Trustworthy Team and Loyal Sponsors: Lewis emphasises the critical importance of surrounding yourself with "people you trust" in the "shark's business" of boxing. He outlines the essential team members, from a good coach, manager, promoter, and lawyer to a nutritionist and psychologist. He also passionately highlights the vital role of loyal sponsors like Maldon Demolition (since 2016) and Datum Group (since 2017), emphasising the importance of deep, non-transactional relationships.
• Beyond the Ring: Life, Hobbies, and Humility: Get to know Lewis beyond his athletic prowess and his commitment to being a positive role model for the next generation.
• Post-Paris Highlights of a Hometown Hero: Lewis gushes about his incredible experiences since Paris, including turning on the Christmas lights in Colchester (his hometown) and meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience – defined by Lewis as "being able to grow, being able to come back from adversity, and being a better person off the back of it". Lewis' story is a testament to the power of unwavering self-belief and the profound impact of having the right support system when defining your own success.

Connect with Lewis:

• Instagram: @LewisJRichardson

• TikTok: @LewisJRich

Website - https://lewisrichardson.org/

Email the podcast at [email protected]

🚀 We delve into the world of sports law, anti-doping, selection policies, commercial contracts for athletes and the journey of athletes navigating these challenging arenas. 🎙️

In this episode, Olympian Abigail Irozuru has the pleasure of speaking with Imani, a dedicated athlete and aspiring sports lawyer. We cover:

🔹 How We Met: Training after an injury led to deep conversations and mutual respect.

🔹 Imani's Journey into Law: From her love of sports to understanding the impact of sports lawyers on athletes and teams.

🔹 Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs): Discussing notable cases like Diane Modahl's and CJ Ujah's, and the principle of strict liability.

🔹 Balancing Motherhood and Career: Unique challenges and opportunities in sports law.

🔹 Selection Policies: Insights on fair criteria for the Paris Olympic Games.

🔹 Commercial Contracts: Key tips for navigating kit contracts.

🔹 What Sports Law Encompasses: From endorsements to regulatory compliance and transfer agreements.

Imani's journey from a what she refers to as a "mid-level athlete" to a sports lawyer provides invaluable insights and inspiration. Her definition of success? Wait to the end to find out. 🌟

#SportsLaw #AthleteJourney #AntiDoping #LegalInsights #PodcastEpisode #ImaniSpeaks

Transgender women's inclusion in women's sport has been a contentious, divisive issue for several years. Listen to an expert's perspective on this episode hosted by Abigail Irozuru with Sharron Davies - a broadcaster, author, former ITV Gladiator and Olympic swimmer who is passionate about fair sport. 

During Sharron’s swimming career, she and her colleagues personally experienced the damaging effects of unfair sport through East Germany's dominant era, as a result of their state-sponsored doping regime. Sharron ultimately sees transgender inclusion in the women’s category as another example of unfair sport, which she also expresses in her most recent book - Unfair Sport, the battle for Women’s sport, co-authored with Craig Lord. 

This is a conversation in 3-parts

https://www.sharrondavies.com/

Podcast Link - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success // Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7ntkYxL444R6mOtlyQmcYn // Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/define-your-success/id1595377040 

Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message 

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ 

Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK 

Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru 

Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ 

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com 

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US 

Connect with Sharron Social Media / Email Connect with Abigail and the podcast:
Show Notes

A captivating conversation with Team Fiji Olympic athlete Danielle Alakija, as she shares her remarkable journey from childhood running superstar to becoming an Olympian at just 16 years old. Beyond the track, we delve into Danni’s passion for climate advocacy, particularly her efforts to amplify the voices of the Global South in discussions around climate change solutions. She's reimagining the UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure inclusivity and fair representation, addressing historical inequalities and uplifting marginalised communities through her passion project - SOLI. 

And here’s our call to action for athletes and listeners passionate about climate advocacy - you can get involved with her latest project - SOLI - by sharing letters and information about personal experiences of climate change. 

Email: [email protected] 

Social Media (Instagram, etc): @daniellealakija

Web: www.soli.earth 

Throughout our discussion, Danielle's creativity, resilience, and commitment to making a difference shine through, inspiring us all to pursue our dreams and create positive change in the world. 

And, of course, stay tuned until the end to hear Danni’s definition of success and personal experiences of resilience in her own world. 🌍✨

Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message 

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ 

Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK 

Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru 

Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ 

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com 

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

Connect with Abigail and the podcast:
Show Noteshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson is a Canadian Olympian and a Performance Lifestyle Advisor with the UK Institute of Sport, working with British Athletics and British Shooting World Class Performance Program athletes. 

The second key conversation of the 2024 season with Define Your Success is between host Abigail Irozuru and Erika, a member of the elite high performance team. 

Key Discussion Points:

Useful Resources Discussed:

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Podcast Link - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success // Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7ntkYxL444R6mOtlyQmcYn // Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/define-your-success/id1595377040 

Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message 

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ 

Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK 

Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru 

Credits

Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ 

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com 

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US 

Second of the two-part conversation hosted by Olympian, Abigail Irozuru with Team England Commonwealth Games' rhythmic gymnast, coach and business-owner Mimi-Isabella Cesar.

Key takeaways from the conversation include:

1. Aesthetic sports like gymnastics involve subjective judging based on the athletes' appearance and execution.

2. Collaboration with experts in various fields is crucial for athletes' holistic development.

3. MIC Gymnastics offers tailored training programs and a supportive community for athletes of all ages and levels.

4. Mimi's multifaceted career includes coaching, commentating, and aspirations in media, property, and investment.

5. Embracing challenges and using personal experiences to drive positive change is essential for growth and success.

Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message 

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ 

Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK 

Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru 

Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ 

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com 

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US 

Show Notes

The first episode after a year-long hiatus (sorry - I went AWOL!)

Conversation with 2 x Team England Commonwealth Games representative in rhythmic gymnastics, Mimi-Isabella Cesar. 

In this first part, we speak about the highs and lows of Mimi’s competitive career and lead into her journey into entrepreneurship, inspired by righting the wrongs she experienced to be a better coach and leader to the next generation of rhythmic gymnasts. 

Some topics explored:

At the end of the episode, we lead into what the second part will feature - introduce MIC and entrepreneurship, her growth and how MIC started during COVID, her global reach and extensive support network for gymnasts of all age ranges on MIC, her media and broadcasting work, and her vision for the future.

Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ 

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com 

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ 

Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/