Abby I met, of all places, at the gym; I was her personal trainer and she made every session together enjoyable. Over 18 months we learnt a lot about each other and were quick to take advantage of a good catch up. From Abby's job in first midwifery then negligence (and now on to a degree in sign language), to her passion for running and dogs, and, of course, gossiping about dating and what to expect after going through a divorce in 2020. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?

If you have any questions for Abby, or feedback about the podcast - or if you want to be a guest - please email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

Eddy I had the pleasure of meeting in 2023 when he very kindly lent me furniture he was not using for my new house. Fast forward three years and a lot has changed! Not only have we become friends but he has recently become a father, changed careers into property - after a near spell of us going into business together - and looks forward to his retirement dream of opening up a restaurant and being a chef. But as we know, life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it; is this what he planned for or hoped would happen in his life?

If you want to learn more about Eddy or follow his journey - the link to his Instagram is ⁠www.instagram.com/eddygaelkabran⁠.

Any other questions or feedback about the podcast - or if you want to be a guest - please email: ⁠[email protected]

To kick off series two - Laura O'Sullivan funnily enough I went to school with; fifteen (plus) years later, we reconnected to share her whereabouts and experiences from then to now. Including losing her dad at at 25, separating from her husband due to betrayal, two miscarriages, and finding her true purpose in life by understanding now what she is passionate about.

As well as being a mum of two both children and dogs, Laura is a freelance marketeer and loves nothing more than binge watching a series with her favourite dinner. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?

If you have experienced similar to want to follow Laura's journey - the link to her Instagram is www.instagram.com/lifewithlauramay

Any other questions or feedback about the podcast - or if you want to be a guest - please email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening to series one of This Is Not How I Made It. If you have any feedback, questions, or words of wisdom, please let me know by emailing [email protected].

Alternatively, if you want to be a guest on the podcast - even better! I have zero lined up for series two (and hopefully this isn't the end...).

Friend, colleague(ish), (and that's just talking for myself) - and proud father of two - my guest today is Mike Drover. At the age of just 20 he joined the army, he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013, in total he served for 15 years before deciding to leave. Now, he's a level four personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach at Pure Gym, and recently, very excitingly, he got married to his second wife in 2025. But is this what he planned for or hoped would happen in his life?

Follow Mike on Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/mdfituk

Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Wife, mum, and pretty good cook - her words not mine - my guest today is Paulomi Debnath. Born in Kolkata, India, she studied sales and marketing and started her career in hotel sales. In 2004 she met the love of her life; they got married in 2006 and shortly after moved to London. Now, she is a textile jewellery designer and the face behind Handmade by Tinni, which is a business she set up in 2020. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?

Learn more about Handmade by Tinni - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.handmadebytinni.com/⁠⁠

Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Sister, wife, and mum to two children, as well as two cats - my guest today is Alicia Drabble-Castellano. Half Spanish and half English (Yorkshire), she is a former primary school teacher for over 15 years until ill health meant she had to stop. Now, she is the founder of Single Swan, a clothing brand that focuses on helping women feel good every day. When not working on growing the business, she is a keen reader of Agatha Christie, and keen eater of cheesy puffs... But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?

Learn more about Single Swan - ⁠⁠https://www.singleswan.co.uk/⁠

Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Mum, to a miniature daschund, keen student of life, and Jane Austen enthusiast - my guest today is Laurine Hanquez. Originally from France, she has a passion for travel and has used her studies (of political science and cinema, for example) to live in various countries, including Canada and Belgium. Now, firmly planted in the UK, she works full-time in sales and is the co-founder of Blōma, a supplement brand redefining the wellness space. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?

Learn more about Blōma - ⁠https://wearebloma.com/

Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Mum, divorcee, and former employer of Tony Blair - my guest today is Eva Thorne. She grew up in New York City, got her doctorate in political science before becoming a university professor, and then realised her heart was not in it. Now she is the founder of Garden of Eva, an idea that came to her on a trip to the supermarket to buy unwaxed lemons; they make condiments from the American South. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?

Learn more about Garden of Eva - https://www.gardenofeva.co.uk/

Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Mum, wedding photographer, and two-time café owner in Ibiza! My guest today is Rachel Mason. After studying design and marketing at University, she always knew she was going to do something creative, advertising or interior design was her goal. At the age of 30, unexpectedly she found out she had stage three borderline ovarian cancer and needed a full hysterectomy. Now she is the founder of Our Remedy, an award-winning CBD for women brand. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?

Learn more about Our Remedy - ⁠https://ourremedy.co.uk/⁠⁠

Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠[email protected]