When Life Gives You Lemons

When Max Thorpe attempted to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, the unimaginable happened.On day nine, leading the pairs race and ahead of world record pace, a 40-foot wave capsized their boat. What followed was a fire in the cabin, a night barricaded in a storage space the size of a suitcase, and a rescue by a 110,000-tonne oil tanker that nearly killed them both. Max was separated from the boat in the middle of the Atlantic at night, in a storm, with nothing to hold onto. He survived by grabbing the last foot of a stepladder in the darkness.He came home, processed the experience, and then unbelievably decided to go again.Two years later, Max crossed that same finish line in Antigua - breaking the world record by just 14 minutes after 37 days at sea.This is one of the most extraordinary stories of resilience, decision-making under pressure and the power of refusing to be defined by your worst moment that you will ever hear.In this episode:·      Why a sporty kid with something to prove ended up rowing the Atlantic·      The nine days of brutal conditions before everything went wrong·      The capsize, the fire, and the night barricaded in a cabin the size of a suitcase·      Being separated from the boat in the dark and grabbing a rope with his last strength·      Coming home and deciding to go again and why·      The second row - breaking oars, rebuilding them at sea, and a two-hour sprint finish·      Breaking the world record by 14 minutes·      How facing his own mortality changed the way he lives🎧 When Life Gives You Lemons. New episode out now.  Available on all podcast platforms.

Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu was on the path to becoming a professional footballer when at 15 years old, a tackle ruptured all his knee ligaments. After two gruelling surgeries and two years of rehabilitation, the club doctors handed him a prescription for painkillers and told him to get on with it. But his body rejected the painkillers and he was in agony every morning.So Thomas and his father did something remarkable. They started researching. They looked at ancient cultures, Ayurvedic practices, herbs and spices used as medicine for centuries. They went on to create a homemade golden elixir from whole raw ingredients; turmeric, ginger, pomegranate, watermelon, that within six weeks left Thomas completely pain free for the first time in years.What followed was a Premier League football career, an iconic goal at Euro 2016 for Wales and eventually, the founding of The Turmeric Co, one of the most exciting health drinks businesses in the UK.But this episode is about much more than turmeric. It's about rejection, reinvention, purpose, and what the world could look like if we put prevention before treatment.In this episode:Two ACL ruptures at 15 and the surgeon who told him to find a new careerHow his father's Nigerian grandfather, a herbalist, inspired the remedy that changed everythingThe Premier League career nobody thought he would have and the iconic Euro 2016 goalWhat professional football teaches you about rejection that most people never learnWhy reinvention isn't luck - it's a decisionThe truth about the juice industry and why fresh doesn't always mean freshWhat the world would look like if the NHS put prevention before treatmentWhy sugar is the biggest drug in the world🌿 Find out more: @theturmericco on instagram🎧 When Life Gives You Lemons available on all podcast platforms

What does it take to be the best in the world and keep coming back every time life knocks you down? Lucy Charles-Barclay is one of the most dominant athletes in the history of long-course triathlon. A 2023 Ironman World Champion, two-time 70.3 World Champion, and the fastest swimmer in the sport, Lucy's journey to the top has been anything but straightforward.She started as an elite competitive swimmer, trialled for the London 2012 Olympics, and when she didn't make it, walked away from the sport entirely. She then signed up for an Ironman almost on a whim and what followed is one of sport's most remarkable stories of reinvention.But it's not just the victories that make Lucy's story so compelling. It's everything in between. Stress fractures, a calf tear on mile one of the marathon at the very race she went on to win, a life-threatening DNF in Kona when her husband and coach Reece pulled her from the course. Then, just four weeks later she was back on top of the podium as 70.3 World Champion in Marbella.And through all of it, she recently received a diagnosis of coeliac disease that explained years of unexplained injuries and finally gave her the answers she'd been searching for.This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, the power of a great team, and what it really means to never stop coming back.In this episode:Missing out on the London 2012 Olympics and how it accidentally led to triathlonWhat a peak training week really looks like - 30 hours, 5am starts and very little sleepThe coeliac disease diagnosis that changed everything and explained years of injuriesBeing pulled from the Kona World Championships by her husbandFour weeks later winning the 70.3 World Championships in Marbella when the world had written her offThe mental strategies that get her through the darkest moments in a raceWhat still drives her at the very top of the sportHer big goal for October 2026 - returning to Kona to go one better🎧 Follow Lucy on Instagram @LucyCharles93 and on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@LucyCharlesBarclay🌐 Follow When Life Gives You Lemons — available on all podcast platforms

How do you rebuild your life when a split second changes everything forever?Darren Edwards was an experienced climber, adventurer, and thrill-seeker when a rock collapse at a cliff face called World's End sent him falling 350 feet, breaking his back and leaving him paralysed from the chest down.What followed is one of the most extraordinary stories of resilience, reinvention, and raw human courage you'll ever hear. In this conversation, Darren takes us from that terrifying moment on the cliff face and the best friend who threw himself on top of Darren to stop him falling to his death. Through the heartbreak of rehabilitation, the pursuit of Paralympic glory, and the record-breaking expeditions that followed; including kayaking 1400km from Land's End to John O'Groats and attempting to sit-ski to the South Pole.Darren is living proof that adversity isn't the end of the story. It can be the beginning of an even greater one.In this episode:·      The moment at World's End that changed everything and the friend who saved his life·      What it truly feels like to be told you will never walk again·      Hitting rock bottom in rehab and the physio whose words lit the way back·      Why it took four years to stop wishing the accident had never happened·      Kayaking 1400km around the British coastline with four friends who had each faced life-changing trauma·      Seven marathons, seven days, seven continents and why it was the worst week of his life·      The South Pole expedition and what "failure" really meansFind out more at https://redefiningimpossible.co.uk/

Dame Kelly Holmes is a double Olympic gold medallist and a true symbol of resilience. In this milestone 100th episode, Kelly shares her incredible journey from overcoming injuries and personal challenges to becoming a leading advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.In this honest conversation, Kelly opens up about her struggles with mental health, including her experiences with self-harm and the pressures of being a high-performing athlete. She reflects on her groundbreaking achievements at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she made history as the first British female athlete to win two gold medals at the same Games.Kelly also discusses her time in the military, the challenges of discovering her sexuality in an environment where being gay was illegal, and the impact of societal expectations on her life. She shares her decision to come out publicly in 2022, emphasising the importance of living authentically and the freedom that comes with it.This episode is not just about sports; it's about resilience, identity, and the power of community. Tune in to hear Kelly's inspiring story and the lessons she's learned along the way. You can now subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts which allows you to listen to the full episode ad-free and enjoy some bonus Behind The Scenes content.Don't forget to please follow the show and leave a review to help us grow.This episode is sponsored by @physiquemgmt. Use code lemon10 for a 10% discount on their website. (Discount codes cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or promotions, and exclusions apply to select high-value items.)Follow Dame Kelly Holmes on Instagram @damekellyholmesFollow the podcast on Instagram @lifelemonspodcastEmma’s Website: https://emmalevy.me

This week I welcomed two legends in the health and fitness world. Tyler Saunders is a coach, personal trainer and wheelchair basketball athlete. Tyler was born with his right leg missing from the hip, yet still manages to compete with 1 leg in Hyrox, Crossfit, Turf Games and was previously a Ninja Warrior. Daniel Bourne is someone I have known for a little while. In fact he trained me towards my first Hyrox. Dan is a gym owner, coach, personal trainer, Hyrox champion and last summer he actually ran the whole length of the UK.  In just 30 days he ran from John O’Groats to Lands End – a distance of almost 900 miles.  He did this crazy challenge in memory of his friend Bradley who sadly lost his life to cancer, raising money for the hospice that looked after him.These two legends have now come together and will be launching their own podcast early 2026 called Chasing Ceilings.You can now subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts which allows you to listen to the full episode ad-free and enjoy some bonus Behind The Scenes content.You can find this episode wherever you listen to your podcasts or watch on YouTube. Don't forget to please like, follow and leave a review to help us grow.Follow Tyler on Instagram @iamtylersaundersFollow Dan on Instagram @danbourne_Follow the podcast on Instagram and Tik Tok @lifelemonspodcastEmma's website: https://emmalevy.meThis episode is sponsored by @physiquemgmt. Use code lemon10 for a 10% discount on their website. (Discount codes cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or promotions, and exclusions apply to select high-value items.)

Emma Pooley is an incredibly accomplished endurance athlete. With a diverse sporting career that includes cycling, road racing, triathlon, and mountain running, Emma has represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games three times, winning a silver medal in the time trial at the Beijing Olympics and becoming a world time trial champion.In this episode, Emma shares her journey from being labelled "not sporty" in school to discovering her passion for running and then transitioning to cycling after injury. She opens up about overcoming fears, the challenges of success and failure, and her experiences with eating disorders and the importance of proper fuelling as a female athlete. Emma also discusses her advocacy for gender equality in cycling, including her role in campaigning for the Women's Tour de France.Additionally, we dive into her new book, Oats to Joy, which combines memoir and recipes, showcasing her love for food and its role in athletic performance. Emma shares some of her favourite recipes and the importance of nourishing the body for optimal performance.Whether you're an athlete, a sports enthusiast, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights on resilience, mindset, and the power of self-compassion.You can now subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts which allows you to listen ad-free and enjoy some bonus Behind The Scenes content.You can find this episode wherever you listen to your podcasts or watch on YouTube. Links in the bio above. Don't forget to please like, follow and leave a review to help us grow.This episode is sponsored by @physiquemgmt. Use code lemon10 for a 10% discount on their website. (Discount codes cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or promotions, and exclusions apply to select high-value items.)Follow Emma Pooley on Instagram @pooleyemmaFollow the podcast on Instagram @lifelemonspodcastEmma Levy's Website: https://emmalevy.me

James Roffey is a high-performance and mindset coach who at 17 years old, developed an eating disorder that consumed a decade of his life, leading him to weigh only five and a half stone.In this episode James opens up about his upbringing, the pressures of youth sports, and the devastating impact of rejection when he was told he wasn't good enough to pursue a professional football career. As he navigated the challenges of adolescence, the loss of his grandmother and the onset of his eating disorder, James reveals how he struggled with feelings of inadequacy and isolation.Through a candid discussion about his experiences with anorexia and bulimia, James highlights the importance of seeking help and the long road to recovery. He shares how therapy, self-acceptance, and a newfound purpose helped him reclaim his life and transform his struggles into a source of strength.Now, as a mindset coach, James empowers others to bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be. He emphasises the significance of resilience, accountability, and the power of mindset in achieving personal growth.Join us for this inspiring conversation that explores the complexities of mental health, the impact of societal pressures and the journey to self-discovery.Subscribe to our channel for more stories of turning lemons into lemonade. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and share your thoughts below.You can now subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts which allows you to listen ad-free and enjoy some bonus Behind The Scenes content.You can find this episode wherever you listen to your podcasts or watch on YouTube. (This is an audio only episode due to technical difficulties).This episode is sponsored by @physiquemgmt. Use code lemon10 for a 10% discount on their website. (Discount codes cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or promotions, and exclusions apply to select high-value items.) Follow James on Instagram @james.roffeyFollow the podcast on Instagram @lifelemonspodcastEmma’s Website: https://emmalevy.me