Jamie McAnsh went to bed on 6 January 2014 and woke up the following morning with incomplete paralysis.

There had been no accident and no warning. Almost everything Jamie associated with his independence changed overnight, and it took another 13 months before he received a diagnosis and began to understand what his future might look like.

I sit down with Jamie to talk about the mental impact of becoming disabled, losing friendships, surviving a suicide attempt and eventually holding a symbolic funeral for the able-bodied person he used to be.

Jamie explains how adaptive sport helped him rediscover his purpose. He went on to compete under the Welsh flag across wheelchair rugby, hand cycling and squash, before turning his attention to extreme challenges.

His achievements include completing 12 challenges in 12 months, raising £250,000 for charity, reaching Everest Base Camp on crutches, climbing Kilimanjaro and completing Canada’s Grouse Grind using bionic leg supports.

We also discuss assistive technology, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, why waiting for a cure was not an option and how failure can become one of your greatest teachers.

Jamie’s story is about accepting that life has changed without accepting that life is over.

The AGB Show is hosted by me, Joe Edwards, produced by ODGE MEDIA and sponsored by Intec Office Systems.

Follow and find out more:

ODGE MEDIA

https://odgemedia.com/

Intec Office Systems

https://intecoffice.co.uk/

About Going Blind on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/aboutgoingblind/

Subscribe for more honest conversations with people who have faced adversity, navigated change and found a way forward.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At 37, Nikki Scott found a small lump in her breast and went to her hospital appointment alone, convinced it would be nothing.

Instead, just one day after her family buried her brother-in-law following his death from brain cancer, Nikki learned that doctors were deeply concerned.

I sit down with Nikki to talk about the diagnosis that changed her life, the reality of chemotherapy, losing her hair and lashes, and why humour helped her hold on to who she was throughout treatment.

Because Nikki checked herself and acted quickly, the cancer was found before it had spread to her lymph nodes. She explains why knowing your own body matters, why younger patients must be taken seriously and why early detection can completely change the outcome.

We also discuss the impact on Nikki’s husband, parents and daughter, the pressure of staying positive for the people around you, and the support she found through online cancer communities and charities.

Nikki has since used her experience to help others. She joined a CoppaFeel! trek across the Sahara, covering around 130km, and was part of a group that raised more than £800,000 for breast cancer awareness.

Now two years clear, Nikki continues to raise awareness, share what she has learned and encourage people to speak up when something does not feel right.

The AGB Show is hosted by me, Joe Edwards, produced by ODGE MEDIA and sponsored by Intec Office Systems.

Support and information:

Macmillan Cancer Support

https://www.macmillan.org.uk

Breast Cancer Now

https://breastcancernow.org/all-services/services-and-information-at-breast-cancer-now

CoppaFeel!

https://coppafeel.org/

Follow and find out more:

ODGE MEDIA

https://odgemedia.com/

Intec Office Systems

https://intecoffice.co.uk/

About Going Blind on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/aboutgoingblind/

Subscribe for more honest conversations with people who have faced adversity, navigated change and found a way forward.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 4 of The AGB Show, I sit down with former British and IBO lightweight champion Maxi Hughes.

Maxi’s career has been built on hard work, resilience and refusing to give up. We talk about becoming British champion, winning the IBO title at Headingley and the controversial decision against George Kambosos Jr in America.

Maxi also shares what happened when he was turned away at the US border before eventually fighting in Las Vegas, competing without his long-time trainer in his corner and facing setbacks that could have ended his career.

We also discuss approaching the later stages of his boxing career, building a life outside the ring, opening his own gym, starting a gardening business and why he still believes he has another big run left in him.

The AGB Show is hosted by me, Joe Edwards, produced by ODGE MEDIA and sponsored by Intec Office Systems.

Follow and find out more:

ODGE MEDIA

https://odgemedia.com/

Intec Office Systems

https://intecoffice.co.uk/

About Going Blind on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/aboutgoingblind/

Subscribe for more honest conversations with people who have faced adversity and continued moving forward.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.