From a horrific cycling accident to now racing motorbikes off road across remote deserts and inspiring millions of people to take on challenges, Vanessa Ruck is a trailblazer.

The first guest in our new series, Vanessa is a motorcycle racer and adventurer, rally driver, content creator and motivational speaker, also known as The Girl On A Bike.

 Hit by a car while cycling in 2014, Vanessa underwent seven years of recovery with seven surgical procedures, before she discovered motorcycles.

Since, she's taken part in countless iconic races including the gruelling 6,000km 2024 Africa Eco Race across the Sahara, all the while navigating chronic pain.

As well as taking part in races, she visits schools to inspire young girls to take part in different sports and is on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough.

 Expect to hear:

• What happened in 2014
• Why she chose to share her journey publicly
• The power of mindfulness
• Getting back on the bike and navigating fear of the road
• Her evolving relationship with risk
• Carving out a future of motherhood, racing and writing a book

Vanessa is incredibly humble, honest and inspiring, full of wisdom and passion. An episode not to miss.

Follow Vanessa Ruck on Instagram

Visit her website

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Check out her ⁠website⁠

 Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes

This week, Emma is joined by trailblazing British snowboarder Katie Ormerod, fresh off her Olympic commentary debut with TNT Sports. 

At 15, Katie became the youngest girl to land a double backflip on a snowboard, and at 16, she made history by landing the first-ever female backside double cork 1080,  one of the most complex tricks in the sport. She’s claimed World Cup victories, won bronze at the X Games, and made history again in 2020 when she came back from a horrific injury and became the first British snowboarder to take home the FIS Crystal Globe in slopestyle. 

In this episode, Katie shares her snowboarding journey, from learning on plastic as a youngster to her greatest achievements so far, what it was like swapping the board for the mic at the Olympics and what her future looks like as a snowboarder, sports commentator and climate change advocate. 

Expect to hear: 

• What it takes to become a world-class snowboarder 
• The details of her nearly career-ending injury 
• Her motivation and evolving mindset
• Her thoughts on the impact of climate change on snow sports
• Career reflections so far and what's next  

Humble and brilliantly passionate, Katie Ormerod is a powerful voice on and off the board, and this episode will get your heart racing and mind thinking. 

More about the visuals? Watch the episode on ⁠YouTube⁠.

Follow Katie Ormerod on Instagram

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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠here⁠ for some epic exclusive content.

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, check out her ⁠website⁠.

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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the winter sports series. ⁠Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now ⁠

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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off  

Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes

The Passion Stories will be taking a two episode break and return in April.

This week Emma is joined by Dani Aravich, a trailblazing cross-country skier and biathlete representing Team USA.

Born missing her left hand and forearm, Dani has been to both Summer and Winter Games. She made her Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020 in the women’s T47 400m, and just six months later, lined up at the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 in biathlon and cross-country skiing. Next stop is the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Dani is an incredibly passionate and talented sportswoman. When she’s not racing Nordic skiing or biathlon, she’s on the trails and using her platform to amplify para sport in mainstream culture and through her media collective, Culxtured.

Expect to hear:

• What biathlon is and how it works
• Dani’s sporting career so far and what she hopes to achieve
• Paralympic classifications explained
• How Dani is changing the narrative on para sport
• Her best bits of advice for chasing big goals (grab a pen and paper, this stuff is gold)

Dani is brimming with passion and infectious energy, and this is an episode not to miss.

Follow Dani Aravich on InstagramFind out more about Culxtured here

Follow the Paralympics on Instagram

More about the visuals? Watch the episode on ⁠YouTube⁠.

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✨🎙️Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠here⁠ for some epic exclusive content.

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and check out her ⁠website⁠.

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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast. ⁠Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now ⁠

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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off  

Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes

Ski mountaineering is a test event at this year’s Olympics, but what exactly is skimo, and what does it take to compete at the highest level?In this episode, Emma is joined by Iain Innes, British ski mountaineering athlete, mountain endurance specialist, and member of the GB Skimo Squad.Ski mountaineering (also known as ski-mo or skimo) combines uphill skiing, fast transitions, technical downhill skiing, and decision-making in the mountains. Iain shares his insight into one of the most physically demanding and historic alpine sports in the world, from how he got into it, to what he loves about it, to where it might take him. Iain also delves into his life as a mountain athlete which includes skyrunning, and his latest passion, paragliding all year round.

Expect to hear

• What ski mountaineering is and how it works
• How Iain came across ski mo and what his first race was like
• How skimo became an Olympic sport, and what it could mean for the future of the sport
• Iain's connection to mountain culture
• His thoughts on protecting the mountains as the sport grows

This episode is full of passion for pursuing your goal – even if that means living in a 2015 van in winter to make it work. Follow Iain Innes on Youtube  @IainInnes  and on instagram Learn more about the GB ski mountaineering team here

More about the visuals? Watch the episode on ⁠YouTube⁠.

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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠here⁠ for some epic exclusive content.

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and check out her ⁠website⁠.

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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast. ⁠Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now ⁠

Follow POW UK on instagram

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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off  

Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

This week Emma is joined by Charlie Guest, a 5x British Slalom Champion, 2x Olympian, and the first British woman to win an Alpine European Cup. Since retiring, Charlie is now a familiar voice in the commentary box and is on the TNT Sports team for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.  

We dive into what she’s most excited about heading into herOlympic commentary debut, the evolution of women’s alpine skiing and the growing impact of climate change on snow sports.

Expect to hear:

• Reflections on her alpine skiing career
• Developing resilience through injury and pressure
• Reality of retirement from elite sport
• Finding purpose beyond competition
• What “squeaky bum time” means
• The impact of the climate crisis

An honest, insightful conversation about performance, identity, and finding your voice, on and off the mountain.

Follow Charlie Guest on socials

Follow POW UK on socials

More about the visuals? Watch the episode on ⁠YouTube⁠.

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✨🎙️Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠here⁠ for some epic exclusive content.

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and check out her ⁠website⁠.

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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast. ⁠Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now ⁠

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Check out the London Lockdown ride here

Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones hereand use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off  

Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

This week Emma is joined by Matt Smith who this year will be at his first Winter Olympics competing in cross-country skiing. 

Matt is not your typical Olympian. From South Africa,  he only took up the sport three years ago and is South Africa’s sole cross-country skier in the Winter Olympics earning himself the nickname 'The Snowbok'.

Also an entrepreneur and a new dad, Matt shares his journey from looking for a way to enjoy a Norwegian winter, to a chance encounter which led him to where he is now - preparing for the biggest stage in sport. 

We also dive into the realities of being an athlete from a non-traditional winter sports nation: limited funding, creative problem-solving, and the importance of community.

Expect to hear:

• What inspired Matt's Olympic dream 
• His two years of dedication
• His highs and lows of the journey 
• The ‘small nation’ community 
• Finding balance and the sacrifices no-one sees

Matt’s story and determination is incredibly inspiring - prepare to be bamboozled by his resilience and ambition, and he could very well inspire your own Olympic dream. 

Here’s to chasing big dreams. ❄️🎿

Follow Matt Smith on Instagram

More about the visuals? Watch the episode on ⁠YouTube⁠.

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✨🎙️Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the nextepisode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠here⁠ for some epic exclusive content.

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and check out her ⁠website⁠.

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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast. ⁠Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now ⁠

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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off  

Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

This week Emma is joined by British Ski Cross athlete OllieDavies who is making ski cross history.

In 2021, he became the first British skier to reach the Big Final at the Ski Cross World Championships, in 2022 he competed at his first Olympic Games, and made history once again in 2023 with his first World Cup podium, finishing 2nd in Reiteralm, further cementing his place among the world’s top ski cross athletes.

Ollie shares his ski cross journey – from moving to Francewith his family without speaking a word of French, to the moment he received his first ever Olympic kit in an abandoned house during Covid and now preparing to compete at his second Olympics Games. 

He also talks candidly about how he copes with the pressuresof being an athlete, putting the Olympics on the pedestal and how he manages pre-race nerves.

Expect to hear:

• How ski cross works
• Why you shouldn’t bet on ski cross
• Why ski cross is better than alpine (in Ollie’s opinion 👀)
• How Ollie stays composed under pressure
• Ollie’s tips and advice for aspiring pros

Ollie’s passion for ski cross is glorious and incredibly inspiring. You’ll be reaching for the skis after listening this episode.

🎿 Get ready to watch Ollie flying down the track at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Follow Ollie on Instagram and keep up to date with Team GB snow sport on Instagram too.

More about the visuals? Watch the full episode on ⁠YouTube⁠.

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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠here⁠ for some epic exclusive content.

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and check out her ⁠website⁠.

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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast. ⁠Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now ⁠

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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off  

Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

This week Emma is joined by Annika Malacinksi, a rising star in Nordic Combined, a sport which combines ski jumping and cross country skiing.

Competing for the US, Annika is now on the World Cup circuit and has participated in two World Championships in a sport she took up less than a decade ago. 

Annika shares how she got into Nordic Combined, what ski jumping feels like, and how the event format works with the two sports. She also explains her training for the two disciplines, and how she manages both the feelings of fear and adrenaline. 

Despite the men’s event being part of the very first Winter Olympics, Women’s Nordic Combined is still excluded. Annika shares talks about this ongoing battle with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and what this could mean for the future of the sport. 

Expect to hear: 

• How Annika got into Nordic Combined 
• What ski jumping feels like 
• How Nordic Combined competitions work 
• Why Women’s Nordic Combined isn’t an Olympic sport 
• Pushing for equality
• Annika’s hopes for the future 

It’s a tale of perseverance, passion and hope.

More about the visuals? You can now watch the episode on ⁠YouTube⁠.

Follow Annika on Instagram and watch the video about her battle for equality at the winter olympics here.

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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. 

Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on Instagram and sign up to the monthly newsletter here for some epic exclusive content. 

Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram, check out her website.

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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast. Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now 

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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off  

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Thanks to Tune tank for the tunes. 

Welcome to the first episode of This is Winter Sports, a series supported by Protect Our Winters UK.

This week Emma is joined by Chemmy Alcott, the first British ski racer to win a run in a World Cup. Chemmy is a four-time Winter Olympian who represented Team GB throughout a 20-year sporting career and reached a career high of 8th in the world. Now presenting BBC Ski Sunday, Chemmy will be at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics taking us through all the action.  

Chemmy shares where her passion for ski racing comes from, how she navigated the challenges of being a pro ski racer, and how she beat her top speed in retirement.

She also reveals one of her biggest fears... and it's not what you expect.

Expect to hear:

• How Chemmy made her pro skier dream a reality
• Chemmy’s evolving journey with fear
• Transition from athlete to presenter
• What to look forward to at the Winter Olympics

Chemmy is incredibly inspiring, full of passion for snow sports and offers a ton of brilliant advice too. Follow Chemmy on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.

More about the visuals? Watch the episode on YouTube.

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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on Instagram and sign up to the monthly newsletter here for some epic exclusive content.

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠Instagram⁠, check out her website.

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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast.Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now

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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off  

This week Emma is joined by James Shaw, renowned pilates educator and practitioner. 

James shares his pilates journey, from starting out thanks to an encouraging hairdressing client, to opening his own classical pilates studio and teacher training academy in Margate.

He shares his views on classical and contemporary pilates as well as why pilates is so popular and common misconceptions. He also talks about the importance of making pilates more accessible and how he makes his classes welcoming especially to neurodivergent people.

James also shares his mindset which has helped him overcome challenges along the way, his thoughts on taking risks, and how pilates helps his ADHD. 

Expect to hear:

• Key principles within pilates 
• The difference between classical and contemporary
• Creating a space where pilates is for everyone 
• Channeling a risk-averse mindset 
• ADHD and pilates 

It’s a story of discovery, self-belief, and a ton of passion, and James is incredibly inspiring. 

Follow James on Instagram and keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming book and check out James’s studio in Margate too.

More about the visuals? Watch the full episode on Youtube. 

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✨🎙️ Click subscribe or follow now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. We are about to launch the Winter Sports series - get excited!