Ashley Watson: From Peterborough United Rejection to the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team at Beijing 2022

Inside the Met Police: The Stories Officers Rarely Get the Chance to Share | Laura Pond (Part 1)

What is it really like to spend almost 20 years policing London? In Part 1 of this conversation, I sit down with one of my closest friends and former Metropolitan Police colleague, Laura Pond. From the outside, policing is often reduced to headlines and headlines rarely tell the full story. Together we look back on our time in the Met, talking honestly about Hendon training school, response policing, becoming detectives, Counter Terrorism, Professional Standards, major incidents and the unseen pressures that come with wearing the uniform. Laura shares how she nearly never joined the police because of anxiety, how putting on the uniform transformed her confidence, and how she went on to work in Counter Terrorism, helping improve the UK's response to victims following the Tunisia terrorist attack. This isn't a conversation about sensational stories. It's about the people behind the badge. It's about responsibility, resilience, friendship, humour, and the things police officers rarely get the opportunity to talk about once the cameras are off. Whether you've worked in policing, know someone who has, or you've simply wondered what life inside the Met is really like, I hope this conversation gives you a perspective you may never have heard before. In this episode we discuss: • Joining the Metropolitan Police • Hendon Police Training School • Life on response policing • Becoming a detective • Counter Terrorism Command • The Tunisia terrorist attack • Professional Standards (DPS) • War crimes investigations • Public perception of policing • Why good officers leave If you enjoy honest conversations about resilience, leadership and the experiences that shape us, please follow You Can Do Hard Things wherever you listen to your podcasts. Part 2 is coming soon... and trust me, you won't want to miss it.

Holly's Story: Meningitis, Memory Loss, Grief, a Psychic Medium & Learning to Live Again (Part 2)

What are the warning signs of meningitis? Can meningitis cause memory loss, brain fog and speech problems years later? How quickly can meningitis become life-threatening? In Part 2 of my conversation with Holly, we explore the life-changing impact of meningitis, grief and survival. Holly shares her terrifying experience of developing meningococcal meningitis, from repeatedly collapsing at Stansted Airport to being rushed to hospital after a meningitis rash appeared and ultimately helped save her life. She opens up about the symptoms she experienced, the treatment that followed, and the lasting effects she continues to live with today, including memory problems, speech difficulties and brain fog. We also discuss the devastating loss of her best friend Rachel, the mental health battles that followed, moments when Holly questioned whether she wanted to carry on, and an unexpected visit to a psychic medium that left her questioning everything. This is a raw, honest and emotional conversation about trauma, resilience, loss and finding a way forward when life changes forever. Topics covered: • Meningococcal meningitis • The early warning signs of meningitis • The meningitis rash • Long-term effects of meningitis • Memory loss, speech difficulties and brain fog • Mental health and suicidal thoughts • Grief and losing a best friend • A psychic medium and unexplained experiences • Type 1 diabetes awareness • Living4Rach If sharing Holly's story helps just one person recognise the signs of meningitis sooner, this conversation was worth having.

Holly shares the story of her best friend Rachel, their 20-year friendship, her journey with Type 1 Diabetes, and the devastating loss that changed everything. A powerful conversation shared in memory of Rachel and support of #Living4Rach.

Part 1 of 2 Rachel was Holly's best friend for over 20 years. In this deeply personal episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Holly shares Rachel's story. From growing up with Type 1 Diabetes, through years of health challenges, to the devastating phone call that changed everything. Together we discuss the realities of living with Type 1 Diabetes, the impact of Diabulimia, DKA, Charcot Foot, friendship, family support, and the strength it takes to keep going when life feels impossible. More than anything, this is a story about friendship, resilience and remembering someone who meant the world to those around her. This episode is shared in memory of Rachel and in support of #Living4Rach, helping to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes, Diabulimia and the importance of education and understanding. In this episode: • Rachel and Holly's friendship spanning more than 20 years • Growing up with Type 1 Diabetes • The hidden reality of Diabulimia • DKA and repeated hospital admissions • Charcot Foot, sepsis and the threat of amputation • Relationships, family support and finding hope • Pregnancy, future plans and new beginnings • The heartbreaking phone call that changed everything This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. In Part 2, Holly shares her own incredible story of surviving meningitis, nearly losing her life, and how both experiences changed her perspective forever. 💙 In memory of Rachel 💙 #Living4Rach You Can Do Hard Things is a podcast sharing real stories of resilience, adversity and ordinary people overcoming extraordinary challenges.

Ashley Watson: Inside The Olympic Village, Jamaica Bobsleigh & Post Olympic Depression | Part 2/2

Ashley Watson returns for Part 2 of this powerful conversation on You Can Do Hard Things. From representing Jamaica at the Winter Olympics to the reality of life inside the Olympic Village, Ashley opens up about the moments most people never hear about. We discuss: * What REALLY happens inside the Olympic Village * The pressure of competing on the world stage * Jamaica’s bobsleigh journey and the Cool Runnings comparisons * Media attention and representing a country * The emotional comedown after the Olympics * Post Olympic depression and identity loss * Athlete mindset, resilience and discipline * Building success beyond sport Ashley also shares stories about Olympic parties, elite athlete culture, travelling to Beijing 2022 and the hidden side of chasing a lifelong dream. This is an honest conversation about ambition, sacrifice, mental health and what happens after achieving the thing you thought would change your life forever. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. #AshleyWatson #Olympics #OlympicVillage #JamaicaBobsleigh #PostOlympicDepression #YouCanDoHardThings

Ashley Watson: From Peterborough United Rejection to the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team at Beijing 2022

In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Jenny Melling sits down with Ashley Watson, Olympian, British athlete and member of the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team at Beijing 2022. Ashley shares the real story behind his Olympic journey, from growing up in Peterborough and chasing football dreams with Peterborough United and Norwich City, to the disappointment of rejection, moving into athletics, discovering bobsleigh and eventually representing Jamaica on the Olympic stage. The conversation explores resilience, identity, self-coaching, sacrifice and what it really takes to keep going when the obvious route doesn’t work out. We also talk about the reality behind the famous Cool Runnings image of Jamaican bobsleigh, and what life in the sport actually looks like behind the scenes. Please forgive the audio issues that kick is part way through - if anyone can fix it - holla at me! In Part 1: * Football trials with Peterborough United and Norwich City * Being released as a young footballer * Sprinting and athletics ambitions * Discovering bobsleigh almost by accident * GB Bobsleigh and Olympic qualification * Funding struggles in elite sport * Balancing training, business and a Masters degree * Why representing Jamaica meant so much Hosted by Jenny Melling. Podcast: You Can Do Hard Things Part 2 coming soon - want to know what really happens in the Olympic Village? Best subscribe so you dont miss out!