In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with Robin Hutson OBE, the visionary behind Hotel du Vin and The Pig

Robin didn’t set out to become one of Britain’s most influential hotel entrepreneurs. In fact, he left school with just two O-levels.

In this episode, Robin shares the remarkable journey that took him from running trays as a waiter at Claridge’s to building some of the UK’s most beloved hospitality brands, including Hotel du Vin and The Pig Hotels.

They discuss:

• How failing at school pushed him into hospitality

• Learning the industry from the ground up

• The moment at 35 he decided to risk everything and start his own hotel

• Putting his house up as collateral to launch Hotel du Vin

• The restaurant critic who changed everything overnight

• The creative skill that helped him transform derelict buildings into extraordinary spaces

• Why understanding your craft matters more than calling yourself an entrepreneur

Robin also reflects on success, stepping away after 50 years in hospitality, and the mindset needed to build something truly original.

This is a conversation about vision, risk, craftsmanship, and building a life doing what you love.

Olympic champion Dame Denise Lewis joins John Reynolds in this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories to share the mindset that carried her to gold and the lessons she learned when the medals stopped.

From visualising victory and overcoming injury before the Sydney Olympics, to navigating the emotional challenge of retiring from elite sport, Denise opens up about resilience, purpose and identity beyond performance.

They explore the power of mentorship, the importance of role models, and why success isn’t always about winning, it’s about living your truth and helping others rise.

A powerful conversation about belief, reinvention, and what it really takes to build an extraordinary life.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with Charles Gordon‑Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond in the historic surroundings of Goodwood House to uncover the remarkable journey behind one of Britain’s most iconic estates and motorsport events.

From growing up surrounded by the legacy of his grandfather, to reinventing that heritage for a modern world, the Duke shares how passion for cars, history, and community led to the creation of the globally celebrated Goodwood Festival of Speed.What began in 1993 as a bold experiment, with little more than a hill, a string line, and fewer than 100 cars, has grown into one of the largest motorsport celebrations on Earth.

In this candid conversation, the Duke reveals the chaos and emotion of that first event, the tragedies and triumphs that shaped it, and the entrepreneurial drive required to sustain a 300 year old estate in the modern age.

The conversation also explores how the Duke has expanded Goodwood into a calendar of world class experiences beyond the Goodwood Festival of Speed. From the nostalgic magic of the Goodwood Revival, where the golden age of motorsport is brought vividly back to life, to the historic sport of Glorious Goodwood at Goodwood Racecourse, the estate continues to celebrate its centuries-old sporting heritage.

More recently, the Duke has even introduced Goodwoof, a joyful festival dedicated entirely to dogs, showing how Goodwood continues to evolve, blending tradition, innovation, and community in ways few places in the world can match.Along the way, he reflects on family legacy, the pressure of stewardship, the magic of bringing legendary machines and drivers together, and why passion has always been at the heart of Goodwood.

This is a story about vision, resilience, and the extraordinary power of following what you love. 🏁

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories with John Reynolds, John sits down with one of the most electric talents in rugby, Ellie Kildunne. Known for her blistering pace, fearless playing style, and remarkable versatility, Ellie has become a standout figure in the world of rugby union.

Ellie shares the story behind her rise from a sports-obsessed kid trying everything from athletics to football, to becoming a star for England and one of the most exciting players in the women’s game today. She opens up about the determination it took to break through, the challenges of elite sport, and the mindset required to perform on the biggest stages.

John and Ellie also explore the human side of high-performance sport, handling pressure, overcoming setbacks, and the passion that drives athletes to keep pushing their limits. Along the way, Ellie reflects on the moments that shaped her career and the future she hopes to help build for women’s rugby.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

In this full length episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with broadcaster, musician, author and campaigner Myleene Klass for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about identity, resilience, and using your voice when it matters most.

Myleene reflects on 25 years in the public eye, from early pop stardom to a career in radio and classical music and why she refuses to stay in one “lane.” She opens up about motherhood across three very different ages, the brutal brilliance of raising teenagers, and the hard-won lessons of boundaries, work ethic, and self-belief.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Myleene speaks candidly about racism, belonging, and allyship, and about her tireless campaigning to transform miscarriage care, from data collection and access to specialist support, to changing how society talks about loss. Alongside the heavy, there’s humour, warmth, and plenty of “TED Talk” moments, including the surprising ways her kids keep her grounded.

An honest, uplifting episode about pivoting with purpose, building community, and turning personal experience into lasting legacy.

In this 30 minute episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with broadcaster, musician, author and campaigner Myleene Klass for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about identity, resilience, and using your voice when it matters most.

Myleene reflects on 25 years in the public eye, from early pop stardom to a career in radio and classical music and why she refuses to stay in one “lane.” She opens up about motherhood across three very different ages, the brutal brilliance of raising teenagers, and the hard-won lessons of boundaries, work ethic, and self-belief.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Myleene speaks candidly about racism, belonging, and allyship, and about her tireless campaigning to transform miscarriage care, from data collection and access to specialist support, to changing how society talks about loss. Alongside the heavy, there’s humour, warmth, and plenty of “TED Talk” moments, including the surprising ways her kids keep her grounded.

An honest, uplifting episode about pivoting with purpose, building community, and turning personal experience into lasting legacy.

At 24, he turned a side hustle at university into a thriving business. By 35, he’d sold it for $10 million.

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, we sit down with Sam to explore how discovering a simple money-making strategy at university led to a decade-long journey building a subscription business that changed thousands of lives. Instead of keeping his success to himself, he picked up a camera, shared his story, and built a powerful personal brand, long before he even knew that’s what he was doing.

We talk about:

• Making £20,000 at university while others graduated with debt
• Turning knowledge into a subscription business- Why people buy people, not companies
• Handling criticism, hate, and even death threats
• Getting comfortable being uncomfortable
• Authenticity, storytelling, and building trust online
• Why success without purpose can lead to emptiness
• Using social media as a force for good

Now focused on teaching others how to monetise their expertise and build meaningful personal brands, Sam shares why chasing goals matters more than chasing retirement and why fulfilment, not flashiness, is the real definition of success.

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds talks with Rory Sutherland.

Rory is a British advertising executive. He is the vice chairman of the Ogilvy & Mather group of companies and social media sensation.

Sutherland writes a fortnightly column in The Spectator and has written several books, including Alchemy: The Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense.

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories John Reynolds sits down with Sir Stephen Fry.

Stephen is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator, and writer, renowned for his wit, intellect, and diverse contributions to entertainment and literature.

In 2025 Stephen was knighted by King Charles III "for services to mental health awareness, the environment and to charity".

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds talks with English rugby legend and former international fly-half, Jonny Wilkinson CBE.