Hello, we're closing season 2 with a very special episode in which Josie builds a confidence jar for Annie....and at the same time shows how we all can do the same at home.

It's a technique to boost confidence and self-esteem and is easy to replicate.

The jar is for Annie who will start 2026 taking on an endurance challenge and it's there to dip in to when there are moments of doubt.

You'll hear Josie asking Annie about her strengths, skills, setbacks she's overcome and successes she's proud of.

We'd just like to say a big thank you for all of your support during the last 12 months. We wish you a Happy Christmas and a braver 2026! Please keep in touch on insta @bebraverpod and we'll see you in a couple of months.

Today's guest is Richard Whitehead who so many different insights in to bravery and living life with no limits. Richard was born with no legs and has gone on to be a double Paralympic Gold medal winner in 200m, a world record holder in marathon and a competitor in many TV shows such as Hunted and Splash, the celebrity diving show.

His story is one about taking on the norm from an early age. His parents fought hard to get him to be able to do school sport. He then went on to work in sports coaching. He's a charity fund-raiser, an active volunteer and has carried out humanitarian work in some of the world's troubled areas. A great believer in giving back to society.

Thanks for listening and supporting our podcast. You can follow us on instagram too on @bebraverpod

Today's podcast is a really powerful chat with someone Annie has known for a long time. Siri Lindley became World Triathlon Champion whilst she was training alongside Annie. But that's just part of Siri's story.

Siri's family life was shaken as a young girl when her parents separated and she and her sister found their mother trying to commit suicide.

Siri's suffered anxiety and OCD during her life and being diagnosed with acute myeloid eukaemia left her with another harrowing time.

But she remains so positive and wanting to make a difference.

She and her wife set up Believe Ranch and Rescue to save former rodeo horse that were heading to slaughter

So much to take from this - the power of gratitude, redefining fear and looking for meaning.

We'd love you to subscribe and follow the podcast and connect with us on instagram @bebraverpod

Our guest today is someone who has played sport at the highest level!

Charlie Hodgson is a former England international rugby player. He marked his debut with a national record-breaking 44 individual points...just missing out on a world record. He ended up with 38 caps. It would have been many more but he suffered from some serious injuries, including 2 ACL's, which kept him on the sidelines for long periods.

Charlie now uses his elite sport experience to support businesses and he founded rugby buddy, an academy offering mindset training and skills coaching.

He tells Annie and Josie about being brave at rugby, which at times is sink or swim. He draws on his experiences to give thoughts on life, sport and parenting...he's got 5 children! The chat moves on to dealing with pressure, the importance of breathing and taking control.

Thanks for listening. We'd really appreciate a review and rating if you have time. And please keep in touch with us on instagram @bebraverpod

Today's guest is Michael Caulfield who's an experienced sports psychologist with quite a story! It's a special pod for us as we all met in person at a studio in West London and the outcome is a terrific podcast.

Michael has quite a story. He developed an early love of horse racing and went on to work in a stable yard before a chance meeting saw him become Chief Executive of the Professional Jockeys Association.

After 15 years in the job he retrained as a Sports Psychologist following a conversation with champion jockey AP McCoy.

Michael calls himself a 'dustman' in his work - he takes the rubbish away from the clients he works with. He has a very authentic view of life and tries to make it simple...with a great belief in face to face communication and conversation.

We love to hear from you on instagram @bebraverpod

Thanks for listening!

Today's guest comes from a very different world! Joakim Mortensen was a Danish gymnast who is now an artist at the world famous Cirque Du Soleil -the show which combines acrobratics dance and music.

Joakim is one of those who fly through the air doing twists and tumbles and he talks about how he got their and the sort of bravery it takes to perform new skills.

Josie met him when she got an opportunity to visit their training centre and this chat lifts the lid on the acrobatic entertainment world. He talks through the parental support he got as a child and about his motivation to perform potentially dangerous routines every day. It's a very revealing chat!

Thanks for supporting out podcast. Please follow us on Instagram at @Bebraverpod

Today's chat really digs deep into showing bravery and transforming adversity into something empowering.

Dr Liz O'Riordan is a former breast surgeon, who, at the age of 40, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She realised just how little she knew about the treatment she used to offer her patients.

She began using talks and social media to improve the quality of cancer care.

Her own cancer returned and left her unable to move her left shoulder...which ended her career as a surgeon.

Liz talks with great honesty about the challenges she's face having now been diagnosed with cancer 3 times and how she has found purpose in her life.

Liz has written a number of books including The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer, Under the Knife and The Cancer Roadmap.

Thanks for your support and please connect with us on instagram @bebraverpod

Today's guest is Joe Tidy who gives a great insight into life working in the world of cyber crime.

In October 2019 he became the BBC's first Cyber Correspondent - a long way from the early days of presenting on CBBC's Newsround.

Annie first met Joe as a triathlon commentator. Joe's competed in Ironman and talks about how long-distance training has helped him in life.

But he's made his name as a journalist and he gives a fascinating insight into life working in the challenging area of cyber crime including being offered potentially millions of pounds by hackers to infiltrate the BBC IT system.

His journalistic mantra is - if you're not going to be first, be the best.

And his Be Braver tip is something he's used in live TV and in public speaking - it's the Power Pose and Josie explains what this is and how it works.

Joe's book Ctrl+ Alt+ Chaos chronicles the life of a teenage internet hacker who became the most wanted cybercriminal in the world. And his new podcast series on BBC Sounds is Cyber Hack Evil Corp.

We'd love to hear from you - we're on instagram @bebraverpod

Today's podcast is a little different..with a series of tips and insights from across the globe. Josie's at the annual conference of the Association for Applied Sports Psychology and has been chatting to some fascinating fellow delegates.

Dr John Coumbe-Lilley specialises in relationship therapy and sports psychology.

Ceci Craft is the mental performance coach for the Philadelphia Phillies Baseball team.

Dr Peter Olusaga works in high performance looking at burn out, stress and well-being.

Lani Silversides works on building mental health stregth through mental skills.

Lloyd Emeka focuses on chronic pain in endurance athletes.

Jessica O'Kelly works mostly in youth sports and uses self-compassion.

And Marci Sier, a professional squash player who specialises in performance psychology.

Hope you enjoy this content. Annie's back with Josie next week with a special guest.

Please follow us on insta at @bebraverpod

This week’s episode is all about mindset — the power that keeps us moving forward when things get tough. And we've an amazing guest in the incredible Stef Reid.

Stef is a Paralympian, broadcaster, and motivational speaker. Stef talks brilliantly about resilience, self-belief and finding motivation when you don't feel like showing up.

She talks honestly about a terrible boating accident as a teenager which left her needing an amputation. Stef goes on to give her take on what it really means to push through fear.

She shares how setbacks shaped her confidence and how redefining success has helped her stay grounded. For anyone who’s ever doubted themselves or is procrastinating on starting something new, Stef’s words are a reminder that mindset isn’t about being positive all the time — it’s about learning to keep going, even when things don’t look perfect.

Stef has a newsletter based around living with more courage - the Hail Mary Friday Club. Details at www.stefreid.com

Thanks for listening - we'd love you to take a moment to give us a review, a rating and to follow us on instagram @bebraverpod