ONEOFTHE8

We talk to a young man who became the best in the world at his sport at the tender age of just 16. We hear how Alex Mason turned his hobby into his profession and became crowned Slackline World Champion. We also hear how Alex believes fear and excitement are the same thing, and how by internalising both, he has been able to reach such incredible heights.

We talk to director, designer, animator, filmmaker, author and speaker Gavin Strange. We hear how his love of toys, his fascination with characters, and his belief in ‘side-projects’ are living proof that with true dedication, passion can become profession. We also hear how popping into Aardman Animations for a chat and a ‘cup of tea’ led to something much more permanent and the title sequence of A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.

We talk to former US college tennis player, now writer, rapper and musician Ravi Patel. We hear how the sound of his native London resonated with the young Ravi, and how after his spell in the US, he returned home to launch his career in music. We also hear how his love of tennis, and his love of music, came together brilliantly when he wrote and performed a rap as part of BBC TV’s coverage of Wimbledon.

We talk to International Divers Hall of Fame member, cave diver, photographer, writer and speaker Jill Heinerth. We hear how this intrepid explorer became one of the first ever to dive inside an Antarctic iceberg, and how she almost didn’t live to tell the tale. We also how her passion for exploration has led to Jill discovering secrets of the ancient Mayan civilisation that could influence a better future for our planet and the people on it.

We talk to helicopter pilot and member of ‘The Flying Bulls’, the Red Bull aerobatics team, Aaron Fitzgerald. We hear how as a young boy growing up in Wenatchee he developed a fascination with flying that would lead to a spectacular career. We also hear how his pursuit of perfection has led to Aaron taking part in block-buster movies and working on projects including Felix Baumgartner’s incredible free fall from the stratosphere.

We talk to PR Director, podcast host and expat resident of Dubai, Kelly Harvarde. We hear how, after going in search of the beach, sea and sunshine, she found her true spiritual home, and a multicultural environment in which to raise her daughter. We also hear how Kelly and her family united a community for Ramadan Sharing Fridges, feeding over 1,000 people per night during the 30 days in the Islamic calendar.

We talk to slackliner, base jumper, extreme sports athlete and stunt man Andy Lewis. We hear about his Superbowl performance with Madonna, and how total commitment to his art created a moonwalk like no other. We also hear about the philosophy on life that this Guinness World Record holder lives by, that there’s no better place than here, and there’s no better time than now.

We talk to speaker, strategic thinker and award-winning creative leader, Tim Hughes. We hear how his journey into global television marketing led to becoming an international speaker and to ‘finding a genius’ of his own. We also hear how Tim helped a controversial British artist stop traffic on New York’s 5th Avenue for a famous stunt with the future President of the USA (or someone very like him).

We talk to creative writer and lover of all forms of language, Sandra Quarcoo. We hear how, after moving to the UK from Ghana at the age of 9, Sandra went on to gain a first-class degree in creative writing at the University of Manchester. We also hear how, by grabbing life by the horns, Sandra has turned the twists, turns and challenges of her life into opportunities that have made her who she is today.

We talk to independent designer, strategist, speaker and lecturer, Ben Mottershead. We hear how this talented and award-winning creative believes his early failures helped define him as a person and allowed him to ‘find his water’. We also hear about Ben’s struggles with ADHD and how, by opening up about his disorder, he has seen his support network strengthen and witnessed a transformation in his work.