Laura Pond (Part 2) | PTSD, Grief, Losing a Parent, Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (Diabetes Insipidus), Rare Medical Conditions, Trauma, Mental Health, Policing, Organising a Funeral, Resilience & Learning How to Carry On

Laura Pond (Part 2) | PTSD, Grief, Losing a Parent, Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (Diabetes Insipidus), Rare Medical Conditions, Trauma, Mental Health, Policing, Organising a Funeral, Resilience & Learning How to Carry On

🎙️ Episode Description In Part 2 of my conversation with former Metropolitan Police detective Laura Pond, we pick up where Part 1 ended, talking honestly about what policing is really like and the emotional toll it can take on those behind the uniform. From there, the conversation becomes deeply personal. Laura shares her experience of living with PTSD, the invisible impact of trauma, and the long road to being diagnosed with Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (formerly known as Diabetes Insipidus), a rare condition that left her drinking up to 30 litres of water a day before finally getting answers. She also opens up about one of the hardest chapters of her life: losing her dad, becoming the person responsible for everything as an only child, supporting her mum through illness, and learning how to keep moving forward when life changes forever. Despite the difficult subjects, this conversation is full of warmth, humour and honesty. It's a reminder that resilience isn't about never struggling. It's about finding a way through, one step at a time. If you haven't already listened to Part 1, I'd highly recommend starting there to hear Laura's remarkable policing career and the experiences that shaped everything we discuss in this episode. In this episode we discuss: • What policing is really like behind the scenes • PTSD and recognising the signs • The emotional impact of trauma • Living with Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (formerly Diabetes Insipidus) • Receiving a rare medical diagnosis • Losing a parent • Organising a funeral • Grief, resilience and learning to carry on You Can Do Hard Things is a podcast about resilience, extraordinary lives and the people behind the stories. Every conversation is a reminder that even when life feels impossible, we are often stronger than we realise.

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