In 2002, Dan’s scuba diving holiday in Croatia turned to tragedy when one of the group got trapped in an underwater cave, and then a navy diver died in the rescue operation. Dan and a fellow diver were falsely accused of murder and thrown into custody. Grieving the loss, they had to summon the energy and mindset to fight for the truth and their freedom.

Dan has also published a book called ‘The Cave’ detailing the story.

Buy The Cave book

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David Smith MBE is a British adaptive rower who won gold at the 2012 Paralympics. He underwent surgery in 2010 to remove a tumour inside his spinal cord. However, during surgery 4, David was left paralysed on his left side.

In 2025, David found out he had three tumours inside his brain, losing his hold on life. David was fighting between death and survival.

Staying fit and healthy, David’s outlook on life is tremendous, and he constantly reminds himself that ‘he can do hard stuff’.

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Ever since he heard announcer Johnny Olsen say "Get ready to match the stars!" while in the audience of the TV show Match Game, Corey knew that broadcasting would be his calling. Embarking upon a career that has spanned successful radio DJ gigs to breaking news as a Producer, to ensuring the quality of TV and radio in Master Control, Corey has fulfilled dreams of being a part of the entertainment industry.

Corey was diagnosed with two cancers at once, and then had a stroke, which took partial eye vision away.

Corey has faced his fears and challenges head-on, not letting them end him.

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Charlotte Evans MBE is a British skier, sighted guide and Paralympian. After an ACL injury ended her career, Charlotte was forced to examine her identity, questioning who she really was if she wasn’t a skier anymore. 

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In 2020, Matt had an emergency nine-hour lifesaving operation for bowel cancer. Now five years cancer-free, Matt believes that cancer has given him a voice to talk about his experience both as a cancer survivor and the signs to look out for.

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Donate to Matt and Holly's Himalayas Trek

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Alex Brooker was born with hand and arm deformities, with his fingers on each hand fused, and without a bone in his right leg, resulting in his leg being amputated. Navigating self-doubt, co-hosting The Last Leg, playing in Soccer Aid and working in television, explore how what we go through shapes us.

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Rob Hosking joined the police force at age 22, and through the traumas he witnessed on the job, this began the start of a 5 year cycle of poor mental health, PTSD and struggling to never open up, leaving him with where he felt he had no other options.. 

Witnessing first hand the negative stigmas surrounding male mental health, and stuck in a macho culture within the Police, Rob felt like he couldn’t open up about his feelings and depression, which led to a deterioration in his mental health where he felt he had no other options..

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Dr Shanali Perera studied medicine, and whilst specialising in rheumatology, she developed vasculitis, a rare autoimmune condition. Losing herself to illness, she struggled with image and identity.. until she found art. Expressing herself through art transformed her life..

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From an early age, Paddy Rafter lived a life of addiction and trauma.

A musician, singer, painter, former college lecturer and racehorse trainer, Paddy has now brought his knowledge and experience in a book called ‘The 48 Acts, Live your life a better, deeper way’.

Taken to dark places, feeling alone, hopeless and misunderstood, Paddy has found a way out of the hell that was his everyday life, discovering a new way of life and discovering true peace and happiness.

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Buy ‘The 48 Acts, Live your life a better, deeper way’

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Ellen R. B. Smith’s story is one of facing isolation, rejection and seeking attention with acts of rebellion – shoplifting, drinking, fighting during the struggles of adolescence, Ellen was yearning for belonging, identity, and independence.

We all have a power within waiting to be unleashed.

Buy Ellen’s book: Memoirs of a Suburban Troublemaker  

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