What the Health?!

This week, Claira is joined by Ruby Tui, Olympic gold medallist, Rugby World Cup winner and former New Zealand Black Fern, to talk women's rugby, mental health, body confidence and the power of sport to change lives.

Ruby reflects on her incredible sporting journey, from winning silver at the Rio Olympics to taking home gold in Tokyo, and how determination, mental preparation and learning from setbacks helped her achieve her dreams.

Ruby tells us about the importance of representation in women's sport, the fight for equal pay and why she believes women's rugby has the power to change the world. She also shares her refreshing perspective on body image, challenging unrealistic beauty standards and encouraging women to celebrate their bodies for what they can do rather than how they look.

She also looks ahead to the historic first-ever British and Irish Lions Women's Tour of New Zealand in 2027, why it's such a significant moment for women's rugby and how supporting women's sport can help create lasting change for future generations.

Guest: Ruby Tui. You can find her on Instagram @rubytui

Producer: Monica Lillis

This week, Claira is joined by Fats Timbo, content creator, comedian, author and disability advocate, to talk mental health, self-confidence and learning to embrace who you are.

Fats opens up about being born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, and the bullying, discrimination and lack of representation she experienced growing up, which had a profound impact on her confidence and self-worth. She shares how therapy and pushing herself outside her comfort zone helped her transform her mindset, going from hiding herself away to becoming an award-winning content creator and working with major brands and appearing in Vogue.

Fats tells us about the importance of disability representation, why confidence is something you build through action rather than something you're born with, and how she's using humour and her platform to challenge stereotypes. She also opens up about her divorce, learning to put herself first and why finding your happy ending doesn't have to mean marriage and children.

Guest: Fats Timbo

You can find Fats on Instagram and other social media platforms at @fatstimbo. Fats' book Main Character Energy is out now.

Producer: Monica Lillis

This week, Claira is joined by Millie Gooch, founder of Sober Girl Society, to talk mental health, drinking culture and learning to enjoy life without alcohol.

Millie shares how she went from struggling with binge drinking to completely giving up alcohol in 2018. She opens up about how she used alcohol to feel more confident in social situations, the cycle of drinking to escape difficult feelings and why becoming sober has been one of the biggest changes she's made for her mental wellbeing. 

Millie tells us about why she founded Sober Girl Society; a community helping women to  connect, socialise and build friendships without alcohol. She shares her tips for navigating sober nights out, dating and social pressure and explains why giving up drinking doesn't mean giving up fun.

Guest: Millie Gooch

You can find Millie and Sober Girl Society on Instagram, and find out more about the community and upcoming events at sobergirlssociety.com.

Millie’s new book ‘Hangxiety: How Alcohol Messes with Your Mind’ is out now. 

Producer: Monica Lillis

This week Claira is joined by Shauna Coxsey, the most successful competition climber in British history and two-time Bouldering World Cup champion, to talk about climbing, determination, mental health, motherhood and what it really takes to be the best.

Shauna opens up about the dedication, intense training and challenges behind her success, why building the right support team was so important, and how she's managed to hold on to her love of climbing despite the pressures of competing at the highest level.

They explore the mental and physical demands of elite sport, the reality of competing at the Olympics during the pandemic and how Shauna dealt with injuries. Shauna also speaks openly about mental health, the importance of finding self-worth outside of your achievements and why staying at the top can be even harder than getting there.

Shauna tells us how becoming a mother has changed her relationship with climbing, the challenges of balancing family life with a professional sporting career and why female athletes still face barriers when it comes to sponsorship and support. She talks about stepping away from competitive climbing, taking on some of the world's toughest outdoor climbs and why it's never too late to push yourself towards a new goal

Guest: Shauna Coxsey. You can follow Shauna on Instagram here.

Producer: Monica Lillis

This week, Claira is joined by Emma Tamsin Hill, founder of The All Body Club, to talk body image, strength, fitness, diet culture, confidence and learning to feel good in the body you’re in.

Emma shares how she went from feeling insecure about her body and initially joining the gym to lose weight, to falling in love with movement and shifting her focus from being skinny to being strong. She talks about embracing body neutrality, why you don’t have to love your body every single day, and how fitness became as much about her mental wellbeing as her physical health.

They explore why society still struggles with the idea that someone can be both fat and fit, why the fitness industry often treats bigger bodies as “before” bodies, and the pressure women face as different body types move in and out of fashion. Emma also opens up about online hate, the return of thinness as a beauty ideal, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and why being confident in a bigger body can feel like a statement in itself.

Emma also shares the story behind The All Body Club, her inclusive wellness community helping people build sustainable relationships with movement and nutrition without toxic diet culture. She explains why lasting change doesn’t happen overnight and why finding movement you actually enjoy can change everything.

Guest: Emma Tamsin Hill 

You can find Emma on Instagram and TikTok @EmmaTamsinHill and on YouTube at Emma Tamsin. You can follow The All Body Club here.

Producer: Monica Lillis

This week, Claira is joined by René Wong, founder of Hills Pay the Bills Run Club, to talk about recovery, running, grief, community and giving back. Renee shares what happened after a serious motorbike accident in 2014 left him with life-changing injuries and in need of blood transfusions, and how discovering he could no longer donate blood himself inspired him to find another way to make an impact.

He talks openly about both the physical and emotional challenges of recovering in hospital, losing his independence and learning to use movement as part of his recovery. René tells us how he went from being someone who never saw himself as a runner to building a running community centered around challenging yourself and supporting others.

René also shares how losing his uncle inspired the creation of Hills Pay the Bills, why running became a way of processing grief, and how the club has grown into a community built around connection and shared experiences. He also talks about his 31-day July running challenge, which saw him run a very hilly 10k every day to raise awareness of blood donation and support NHS Blood and Transplant.

Later on in the show, Claira also speaks to Kirsty Thomson, Head of NHS Blood and Transplant Charity, to learn why blood donations are more important than ever. 

Guests:

René Wong. You can find Hills Pay the Bills Run Club on Instagram here.

Kirsty Thomson, Head of NHS Blood and Transplant Charity. You can sign up to give blood here.

Producer:

Monica Lillis

This week, Claira is joined by Sarah Jayne Dunn, actress, content creator and fitness instructor, best known for playing Mandy Richardson in Hollyoaks for almost 25 years, to talk about confidence, identity and taking back control of your life.

Sarah shares what it was like starting out as an actress at just 14, how leaving Hollyoaks helped her discover who she was and what she wanted, and why turning 40 marked a pivotal moment in finding her voice and becoming more comfortable with being seen.

She also talks openly about her choicee to join OnlyFans, the backlash that ultimately led to her leaving Hollyoaks, and why she still sees the decision as one of the best she's ever made. Sarah discusses body image, sexuality, challenging stereotypes around women over 40, and the importance of finding a form of exercise and a community that makes you feel strong, confident and empowered.

Guest: Sarah Jayne Dunn. You can find her on Instagram here.

This week, Claira is joined by Nana Crawford, founder of JiggleFiTT, to talk about finding confidence through movement, reconnecting with her body and her love of Samba. 

Nana shares how at the start of her journey, she was disconnected from her body and thought that the only way to keep fit was to go running or to go to the gym. But during lockdown, she discovered Samba and launched herself into online classes, posting online at the same time to hold herself accountable.

What started as a personal fitness journey has since grown into a community of more than 200,000 people, with JiggleFiTT creating spaces for people of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds to move, have fun and celebrate their bodies.

Nana tells us about dealing with hateful comments about her body, the importance of representation and curating the content and spaces around you, and how learning what her body was capable of helped her develop a more loving relationship with herself. She also explains why confidence doesn't mean feeling great every day and why self-love can be found in small acts of showing up for yourself.

Guests: Nana Crawford, founder of JiggleFit. You can follow her on Instagram here.

Producer: Monica Lillis

This week, Claira is joined by Yasmin Toseafa, model, Miss Universe Great Britain finalist and star of the third season of Love Is Blind UK, to talk about her experience of living with vitiligo and the impact it had on her self-confidence.

She shares how she went from hiding her vitiligo for years to embracing it openly, and tells us how seeing other people with the condition represented in the media, such as Winnie Harlow, helped her realise that a different way of living was possible. She also talks about the decision to go on Love Is Blind UK, becoming more comfortable with vulnerability, and why taking chances and refusing to count yourself out can be so powerful.

After the break, we speak to Dr Amit Patel, a visually impaired activist, former trauma doctor and father, who joins Claira to talk about Guide Dogs' First Hello campaign. The pilot scheme transforms standard 20-week ultrasound scans into lifelike 3D tactile sonograms, giving blind and visually impaired parents and loved ones the opportunity to experience and connect with an ultrasound image through touch. Amit shares his own emotional experience of receiving a tactile sonogram of his son, and explains why accessibility is about more than technology - it's about making sure people aren't left on the sidelines of important moments in their own lives.

Guests:

Yasmin Toseafa, Model, Miss Universe Great Britain finalist and Love Is Blind UK star

Dr Amit Patel, visually impaired activist, former trauma doctor and father

Producer: Monica Lillis

This week we're asking whether living a healthier life really means giving up the foods we love and how we can make eating well feel more realistic, enjoyable and sustainable. Claira Hermet is joined by Dr Saima Ajaz, clinical director at Harley Longevity Clinic, to talk about why people of South Asian heritage can be at higher risk of type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and cardiovascular problems, and the role genetics and lifestyle play. She tells us why that doesn’t necessarily mean that South Asian food needs to be taken off the menu. She explains how simple changes to portions and preparation can make a difference, without losing the cultural connection that makes food so important.

We continue the conversation with chef Mehak Kansal, founder of Bindas Eatery. She tells us about her own health transformation and the process of completely rethinking her relationship with food. She discusses learning to make healthier choices without depriving herself of the flavors of her heritage, the emotional connection to food, and how to become more conscious of what we're eating. 

Later on in the show, we turn to Padel; the world’s fastest growing sport. Team GB padel player Nikhil Mohindra joins Claira to explain how he went from discovering the sport at his local leisure club to competing at elite level. He also talks to us about why he thinks padel has become such a phenomenon and why its accessibility and emphasis on fun makes it a great way to get moving. He also shares what he's learned about mindset from playing alongside sporting legends including Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry.

Guests: 

Dr Saima Ajaz, Clinical Director of Harley Longevity Clinic

Mehak Kansal, founder of Bindas Eatery. You can find her on Instagram here

Nikhil Mohindra, Team GB Padel Player. You can find him on Instagram here

Producer: Monica Lillis