Todays guest is Sylvia Mac a child burn survivor, campaigner & the Founder of Love Disfigure.

At the age of 3 Sylvia fell into boiling water through an accident at home. Sylvia almost lost her life twice but miraculously survived being left with 3rd & 4th degree burns to her body. Now aged 50, two years ago she revealed a video on Facebook to share her life with a hidden disability & disfigurement and received hundreds of positive comments.

Spurred on by this she created Love Disfigure to help raise awareness and show support for those with differences. She continues to campaign and was very successful in calling out brands to become inclusive and diverse by sharing her own campaign on ITV’s This Morning (which you can watch here: https://bit.ly/2E1gAMu) & BBC Woman’s Hour (which you can read/listen to here: https://bbc.in/2DZ5iZ6).

Sylvia spent so many years hating her body, until that lightbulb moment where things changed, and she saw herself as a survivor rather than a victim. I love that she now uses her experiences to empower others to embrace their differences and to influence change in the media.

I hope you enjoy the podcast and please do share with someone you think could benefit from Sylvia’s message. As always please do leave us a review if you enjoy the podcast to help others find this podcast too.

Sylvia's Favourite Book: 'Savages' by Shirley Conran (you can get it here: https://amzn.to/2P9mnAQ)

Where You Can Find Out More About Sylvia Mac & Love Disfigure:

- Website: https://www.lovedisfigure.com

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love_disfigure/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567823960076377/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoveDisfigure

- Youtube: https://bit.ly/2ScFprG

Todays guest is Marie Louise, or as you may know her The Modern Midwife, an internationally practicing senior midwife.

By 20 Marie Louise had completed a midwifery degree qualifying as one of the youngest midwives in the U.K. Since then Marie Louise has made it her mission to help women have better births and smoother postnatal periods.

Alongside her role as a midwife her recent work involves delivering antenatal education for Mothercare, volunteering for Child Org as a communications partner, blogging for the Huffington post, becoming an in-house midwife for Emma Buntons company Kit & Kin, becoming a social media influencer and writing clinical guidelines on Neonatal Skincare. She also has her own Podcast (which you can listen to here: https://apple.co/2ASYWYA) where she discusses a range of topics with mothers and healthcare professionals.

She admits her whole world and life revolves around improving maternal and newborn health because babies of today shape the world of tomorrow. What I love about Marie Louise is that she is helping to bring midwives knowledge to the masses which is a luxury we haven’t always had. For many labour was something to fear and know little about whereas Marie Louise is helping to spread her knowledge in a way that is digestible to those who don’t work in healthcare.

Her passion for midwifery really comes through on this podcast and I hope you all find it useful and inspiring. If you know a mother-to-be or future midwife please do pass this on and leave us a review if you enjoyed it.

The Modern Midwife's Favourite Books:

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2zEek9r)

2. The Chimp Paradox by Prof. Steve Peters (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2yXutai)

Where You Can Find Out More About The Modern Midwife:

- Website: https://www.mlmaternity.com

- Huffington Post Blog: https://bit.ly/2SWAmNu

- Instagram: https://bit.ly/2JSsqIY

- Facebook: https://bit.ly/2D5RRp3

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MLMaternity

- Youtube: https://bit.ly/2yXFhW0

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/2qAiniJ

Today’s guest is Sally Nugent, sports reporter and journalist for BBC breakfast.

Sally has been working for the BBC for 15 years, starting as a broadcast journalist at her local radio station - BBC Radio Merseyside, before moving on to report on and read the sports news on BBC North West Tonight.

In 2003 she became a sports reporter for BBC News, appearing on national bulletins, before becoming a sports news presenter on the BBC News Channel (known at the time as BBC News 24).

Since April 2012, she has presented sports bulletins alongside Mike Bushell on Breakfast, when the programme moved to its new home at Media City in Salford.

Sallys current role with the BBC is the product of many years of hard work in what is typically a man’s world – sport. What I love about Sally is that she has managed to break down barriers and carve out an incredible career at a time when there were very few women attending sports press conferences and match coverage.

Sally grew up in a family where you talked about sport no matter what your gender and there was never any doubt in her mind that women could have an opinion on sport.

She is so down to earth, so welcoming and a huge inspiration. I hope you enjoy the podcast and please do let us know what you think by leaving us a review on iTunes or SoundCloud, or by getting in touch on social media.

Sallys Favourite Book: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2yhEWNh)

Where Can You Find Out More About Sally Nugent:

- Twitter: @sallynugent (https://twitter.com/sallynugent)

- Instagram: @sallynugenttv (https://www.instagram.com/sallynugenttv/)

Todays guest is Laura Hoggins (or you may know her as Biceps). Laura is a fully trained Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer who runs her own concept class, LIFTED, at the Ministry of Sound Fitness.

Born and raised in Surrey, Laura developed her passion for lifting after discovering a CrossFit box in Hammersmith over three years ago. Inspired by the community of individuals whose priority was athletics and not their aesthetic, Laura quit her office job and moved into fitness full time.

Her career started under the tutelage of Ben Gotting at The Foundry, London and she now teaches a mix of modified strongman, strength and conditioning circuits across the city at London’s top fitness venues.

Laura has worked with British Women’s Lifting, Women in Sport and This Girl Can to spread a campaign that she supports that ’strong is not a size’.

What I love about Laura is that she has bridged the gap between what women have previously thought about weight lifting, and the reality. I feel she is making it safer, more accessible and less intimidating.

I hope you enjoy the podcast!

Laura's Favourite book: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2OaQiZr)

Where to find out more about Laura Hoggins:

- Website: https://www.lifted.fitness

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabiceps/

Todays guest is Becky Young, founder of the Anti-Diet Riot Club.

The Anti-Diet Riot Club hosts events and meet-ups, in London and the UK, that connect people struggling with diet-cycling, poor body image, and disordered eating.

Their aim is to spread the message of body acceptance, radical self-love and fat positivity. Becky is very open about her personal experiences of body acceptance and I think this really helps her to relate to the community she has built.

Body positivity has had somewhat of a boom recently but its roots can get easily confused or diluted. In this podcast we discuss what and who body positivity is really for and how we can all support the movement, no matter our size.

Becky is absolutely amazing, I instantly loved her and she is passionate without being aggressive. She is changing peoples perspectives using positivity, not negativity.

I really hope you enjoy the podcast and please do share it with loved ones you feel may need to hear her message. Lets spread the love.

Becky Young's Favourite Book: A Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell (you can buy it HERE: https://amzn.to/2Q8KcdI)

Where to find out more about Becky Young and The Anti-Diet Riot Club:

- Website: http://antidietriotclub.co.uk

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antidietriotclub/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antidietriotclub/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/antidietriot

Today’s guest is Kimberley Wilson, a Chartered Psychologist and visiting lecturer working in private practice in central London.

Kimberley is a current Governor of the Tavistock & Portman NHS Mental Health Trust and the former Chair of the British Psychological Society's Training Committee in Counselling Psychology - The group responsible for monitoring and assessing the standards of Counselling Psychology training across the UK. She also formerly led the therapy service at HMP & YOI Holloway, Europe’s largest women’s prison.

A former finalist on The Great British Bake Off, she is also an occasional TV presenter, food writer, contributor to radio, print and online media on food, psychology and the interaction of the two.

What I love about Kimberley is she has taken her two passions (food and psychology) and created a successful and fulfilling career from both.

In this podcast we discuss her impressive career path, the role of social media in mental health, and the lack of inclusion and diversity in the wellness industry.

I hope you enjoy it and please do leave us a review if you get chance. If any of the topics in this podcast resonate with you, or someone you know please do share the podcast on your social channels to help us spread the amazing positive advice this strong woman shares.

Kimberley's Two Favourite Books:

- Man's Search For Meaning by Victor Frankl (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2MqOJtu)

- The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscasr Wilde (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2BsarIF)

Where to Find Out More About Kimberley Wilson:

- Website: https://www.kimberleywilson.co

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodandpsych/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoodAndPsych

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodandPsych/

Today’s guest is Pip Stewart, an adventurer, journalist and presenter.

After studying History and Politics at Oxford University Pip subsequently worked in Asia for five years as an anchor and reporter in Hong Kong and Malaysia. She reported on the Malaysian election and produced political and travel multimedia stories for The Telegraph, BBC, CNN and South China Morning Post, amongst others.

In 2013, Pip cycled home from Malaysia to London, as you do, covering 10,000 miles and 26 countries in a year on her bike. In 2016 Pips adventures took her on a 3,000 mile cycle, boat and plane journey exploring Brazil and Peru to raise awareness of the environmental issues in the region.

In February this year Pip took on a world first – paddling the entire length of The Essequibo, South America's third largest river, from source to sea alongside fellow ‘Strong Women’ podcast guest Laura Bingham (you can listen to Laura's episode here: https://bit.ly/2niX7fD).

There is absolutely no stopping Pip and I love how passionate she is about sharing stories from people all over the globe. She has challenged herself time and time again and that fascinates me.

This podcast is for anyone who has an itch they want to scratch, she’ll inspire you to just do it. If you enjoy the podcast please do share it with others or leave us a review on iTunes or Soundcloud.

Pips Favourite Book: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2vGmXy4)

Todays guest is Holly Hill, a GB rower who I met during the Oxford Cambridge boat race this year.

Holly is 24, from Gloucestershire and started rowing in September 2013 with the GB Start Scheme in Cambridge where she was studying for a degree in Human, Social and Political Sciences.

In 2015 Holly rowed in the inaugural Women’s Boat Race alongside the men on the Tideway, the first time the women’s team had been able to do so, and again in 2017 where Cambridge won, and set the women’s course record.

She has since won various medals competing for her country and is currently training full-time with the GB Rowing Team in Caversham. Furthermore, she has been selected in the Women’s GB Eight for this season.

I was lucky enough to record this podcast at the National Rowing Training Centre which you’ll hear when we are interrupted half way through by a member of the team. Holly showed me around and I was so impressed with the facilities our athletes have been given.

In this podcast we discuss what it’s like to be a GB athlete and how Holly personally entered the professional rowing scene. I found Holly beyond inspiring. When she talks about rowing her face completely lights up and her passion for it is infectious.

This podcast is for you if you want to know more about the life of a professional athlete, you’re interested in joining a team sport or you want to know more about the mindset needed to win.

I loved interviewing her and if you enjoy the podcast please do share it with your friends and family on your social channels or leave us a review. This will help The Strong Women Podcast to grow.

Hollys Favourite Book: Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2v2ylEZ)

Where You Can Find Out More About Holly Hill:

- Online: https://www.britishrowing.org/athlete/holly-hill/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holly.hill123/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hollyhill123

Todays guest is Bella Younger, a comedian, journalist, script writer, social media influencer and brand consultant who you'll probably know best as Deliciously Stella (http://www.bellayounger.com).

Deliciously Stella is the satirical instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/deliciouslystella/) that began as a parody of the 'eat clean and 'fitspo' movements we all have a love/hate relationship with.

She has written a book (which you can buy here: https://amzn.to/2LnbMkl), hosts a podcast that has been downloaded over 100,000 times (listen here: https://bit.ly/2uDKzTF) and has performed two sold out live shows at the Edinburgh Festival.

She has been a speaker and panelist at numerous events including Stylist Live and her favourite topics include, building an online brand, self-acceptance, and navigating internet fame.

I first started following Bella over a year ago and I think she came at a time when people were really starting to get fed up of the smug, occasionally damaging picture of health Instagram stars seemed to be endorsing – Kim Kardashian I’m looking at you. She taught us to laugh at ourselves and also see how ridiculous certain claims or aspirations really were.

Her rapid rise to fame did not come without it’s challenges, particularly for Bella’s mental health and in this podcast she talks candidly about her struggles.

This is a great podcast for anyone looking to work as an influencer, or within the wellness industry in general, as she gives some great advice on how not to burnout.

I love Bella and I particularly love how she is a completely open book. If it will help other women there is nothing she won’t say, do or admit. Enjoy the podcast everyone and please do share your feedback by reviewing us on apple podcasts or soundcloud or by sharing this podcast in your own social channels to help other women who may need access to this advice.

Bella's favourite book: Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2zVLWD9)

Where can you find out more about Deliciously Stella / Bella Younger:

- Telegraph Article: https://bit.ly/2uBQZ5q

- Guardian Article: https://bit.ly/2LoPmzi

- Website: http://www.bellayounger.com

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliciouslystella/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeliciouslyStella/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bellayounger

Today’s guest is Gemma Hillier-Moses.

Gemma is the founder of Move Charity (https://www.movecharity.org) and is also a competitive runner, having ran for her country numerous times.

Move Charity devotes its time and energy to educating young people living with cancer on the importance of moving and keeping as fit as possible during and after cancer treatment. After studying sports science at Loughborough University Gemma went on to work with Nike. At the age of 24 Gemma begun to notice a lump on her neck which, after much misdiagnosis, was diagnosed as Stage 3 Berketts Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. After aggressive treatment, and in between rounds of chemo, Gemma ran the Great North Run and this was the start of her mission to spread the word of the importance of movement and strength in other cancer sufferers.

Move Charity has grown extraordinarily, and the charity now runs events and workshops, educates health professionals on the psychological effects of treatment and provides online support for children facing cancer.

I first met Gemma at Fit as a Fiddle (http://www.fitasafiddlefestival.co.uk), a fitness festival raising money for Move and I was blown away by her passion and honesty.

If everything that happens has a reason then Gemma’s experiences have created a beautiful soul on a mission to help others.

Gemma's Favourite Books:

1. Behind Closed Doors by B A Paris (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2Ktkzos)

2. Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor (you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/2KzhEtX)

Where You Can Find Out More About Gemma:

- Website: Move Charity (https://www.movecharity.org)

- Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/gemhilly_moses/

- Instagram (Move Charity): https://www.instagram.com/movecharity/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgetCancerLetsMOVE

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MOVEcharity

Donate to Move Charity here: https://www.movecharity.org