Season One Done!

Well, we actually did it — Season One of The Be Braver Podcast is wrapped! We started this little adventure three months ago and 13 amazing guests later we have learnt such a lot about being braver.

We've heard from people who’ve climbed mountains (literally), beaten the odds, changed careers, reinvented themselves, and found bravery in the everyday. And somewhere in all that, we (Josie and Annie) have learned a thing or two ourselves — like bravery isn’t about being fearless, it’s about doing the scary stuff anyway (Josie's gearing up for gymnastics shows and piano exams and singing in public).

We've learned how important it is to have the right people around you, how powerful it can be to start from the top and work backwards (cheers, John the magician), and how some of the most life-changing lessons come from the quietest acts of courage.

We’ve also faced our own fears — Josie’s got five bold goals before turning 50 and Annie’s on a mission to ditch the “I’m too old” voice in her head and keep showing up bravely in work, life, and on the world’s biggest water slides.

So thank you — for listening, for messaging, for being part of this brave little community. We’ll be back next month with Season Two.

Insta: @bebraverpod

The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Dr Josie Perry and Annie Emmerson and produced by Mark Shardlow.

In this episode of Be Braver, Josie and Annie sit down with the brilliant broadcaster, author, and ultra-endurance athlete Vassos Alexander.

Vassos has been the energetic sports voice from the Christ Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 and Virgin Radio. But as we speak, he's on the brink of a huge life change. He's about to step away from a job he's loved for 14 years without a solid plan for what comes next.

Vassos talks about the decision - with gut telling him to move on whilst his head shouts "Are you mad?!". He calls it letting go of one trapeze before grabbing the next. It's scary, but full of possibility. Not having the answers, but trusting the questions.

The chat goes in to his ultra-running, including a 153 mile event in Greece called Spartathlon. And his love of outdoor swimming which led to his latest book, Swimmingly.

You'll hear how he accidentally launched an acting career in Russia, turned up for his first ironman in cargo shorts and how he trained to swim the English Channel. And he still wants to climb Everest!

There’s wisdom here for anyone teetering on the edge of a big decision or wondering if “good” is really good enough. As Vassos puts it: “You regret staying on the sofa, not trying something big and brave.”

The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Annie Emmerson and Dr Josie Parry.

Annie is a former international triathlete and world champion. She's now a broadcaster and motivational speaker.

Josie switched from being a journalist to become a Chartered Psychologist.

Thanks for listening! The Be Braver Podcast - because life is not a dress rehearsal.

Insta: @bebraverpod

In this very special episode of Be Braver, Annie and Josie are joined by the remarkable David Smith MBE – Paralympic gold medallist, elite athlete, coach, speaker, and all-round warrior for resilience and presence.

David’s story is one of extreme highs and unimaginable lows. He won gold for Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympics in rowing, achieving what many athletes dream of. But what makes David’s story truly extraordinary is what came before – and what came after.

For the past 14 years, David has been living with a rare tumour wrapped around his spinal cord. He’s had multiple major surgeries, faced paralysis, and gone through gruelling recovery after gruelling recovery. And yet, he still wakes up with the mindset of an athlete. He still chases growth, health, and excellence – mentally and physically. As he puts it, he’s not just surviving cancer, he’s thriving with it.

David speaks with his heart on his sleeve but also with a great sense of humour. He tells Annie and Josie about the mental tools sport gave him that has helped him through his illness. And how it feels to see his body failing but his mind getting stronger.

David speaks about the role of routine, meditation and self-discipline to stay reslient and how he stays in the present.

His mantra is : “Be where your feet are.”

When life throws curveballs, as it has done for David time and again, coming back to the present moment is what helps him stay steady. Whether that means feeling the floor beneath him, focusing on his breath, or just doing one small positive thing each day – he’s learned that the present is the only place you can truly live, take action, or find peace. His message is, not to wait for a crisis to start living more fully.

This isn’t just a story about beating the odds – it’s about changing your relationship with the odds altogether. It’s about focusing on what you can do. As David says, “I don’t have control over my tumour, but I have control over how I live with it.”

Don’t forget to follow, share, and leave us a review – it really helps others find the show.

💬 We’d love to hear your thoughts – connect with us on socials @BeBraverPodcast and let us know what you took from David’s incredible story.