In this episode, we listen to lawyer and later-in-life triathlete Mayank Vaid share his incredible wiggly path to winning the Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathlon in 2019. Formerly unhealthy and overweight, Mayank went from barely being able to swim a lap, to becoming the first Indian to win the competition. Today he is also the world record holder for the shortest time taken to complete 10 marathons in 10 days on a treadmill. Mayank's resilience, determination and can-do attitude are a testament to the power we all have within us to strive harder, reach further and fulfill the hidden potential lying beyond our self-doubt. Tune in to learn how he made it all happen.

Co-creator: Barbara Shaw

Interviewer and Co-creator: Jai Rane

Composer: Justin Yau

Thank you to Christoper Reichert for his help with the audio editing!

We dedicate this episode to the countless early career medical professionals across the globe who have had to brave the unenviable transition between medical school and the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join us as we talk to Esther Yewpick Lee Millennium Scholar and Oxford University DPhil Candidate Timothy Tipoe about his experiences during this transformative moment in medical history. Dr Tipoe, or 'Tim', as he is known to his friends, graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2019 and was a medical intern when the pandemic began. His actions while working at Prince of Wales Hospital in 2020 are exemplary of the extraordinary courage that has been shown by thousands of early career healthcare workers the world over. Tune in to learn about the impact these last few years have had on new doctors and how many like Tim have found strength in such challenging times. Please have a listen to show your support.

Music composed by: Justin Yau

In this episode we introduce you to Cliff Scipione, a man whose extraordinary coming out story proves that it is never too late to be who you truly are. At the age of 56, after over three decades of marriage and many years struggling to come to terms with his sexual orientation, Cliff made the brave and difficult decision to tell his wife and kids that he was gay. Now, over twenty years after coming out, Cliff is happily married to the person who helped him make that life-affirming decision. Tune in to hear Cliff share his long and inspiring journey to love and self-acceptance.

Host and Co-creator: Barbara Shaw

Composer and Lead Audio Engineer: Justin Yau

Learn more about the podcast on our website. 

Follow us on Instagram (@thewigglypathpodcast) to keep updated about future episodes.

We talk to renowned ballet dancer Linda Fung, who was one of Hong Kong's first Chinese ballerinas. An alumna of the Royal Ballet School in London as well as the Juilliard School in New York, Linda served as a principal dancer at the Hong Kong Ballet for many years and remains a prominent figure in the Hong Kong ballet scene. Looking at her credentials, few would guess that she had initially faced the disadvantage of having started her training at the relatively 'late' age of twelve. Even fewer could imagine that the seemingly effortlessly graceful Linda was once dismissed as being entirely the 'wrong' frame and build for ballet. Yet both these things are true. Linda's path through the world of ballet and eventually to the art of Tai Chi has been a very wiggly one. 

In this episode Linda describes how she managed to build her career in dance despite her father's objections. She recounts the unexpected way motherhood led her to discover the way of life of Tai Chi, and how the philosophy of Tai Chi helped her navigate the grief of her husband's passing. Her reflections on dance and family, chinese philosophy and martial arts emphasise the importance of marrying mental health with physical health. We believe that Linda exemplifies the ability to achieve a balance of motion between the two. 

Host and Co-creator: Barbara Shaw

Composer and Lead Audio Engineer: Justin Yau

Learn more about the podcast on our website. 

Follow us on Instagram (@thewigglypathpodcast) to keep updated about future episodes.