Jodie Ounsley on Grief, Gladiators & The Strength You Can’t Train For episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 17, 2026 · 39 MIN

Jodie Ounsley on Grief, Gladiators & The Strength You Can’t Train For

from Just As Well, The Women's Health Podcast · host Women's Health UK

Jodie Ounsley may be known to millions as Gladiators’ Fury — powerful, fearless and unstoppable — but in this deeply honest conversation, she shares the strength that doesn’t come from the gym. . Joining Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson on Just As Well, the Women’s Health UK podcast, Jodie opens up about losing her dad suddenly just weeks before performing on the Strictly Christmas Special. She reflects on navigating grief in the public eye and the emotional mountain challenge she’s taking on in his honour — carrying 56kg, one kilo for every year of his life. . Jodie also discusses: · Becoming the first deaf woman to represent a senior England rugby side · Growing up with a cochlear implant · Body confidence in women’s rugby · Switching between her Gladiators persona and her real self · Redefining what strength really means . A powerful, uplifting and deeply human episode about resilience, identity and vulnerability. . Hosts:  https://www.instagram.com/glouiseatkinson/  https://www.instagram.com/clairesanderson/  Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/   Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jodie Ounsley may be known to millions as Gladiators’ Fury — powerful, fearless and unstoppable — but in this deeply honest conversation, she shares the strength that doesn’t come from the gym. . Joining Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson on Just As Well, the Women’s Health UK podcast, Jodie opens up about losing her dad suddenly just weeks before performing on the Strictly Christmas Special. She reflects on navigating grief in the public eye and the emotional mountain challenge she’s taking on in his honour — carrying 56kg, one kilo for every year of his life. . Jodie also discusses: · Becoming the first deaf woman to represent a senior England rugby side · Growing up with a cochlear implant · Body confidence in women’s rugby · Switching between her Gladiators persona and her real self · Redefining what strength really means . A powerful, uplifting and deeply human episode about resilience, identity and vulnerability. . Hosts:  https://www.instagram.com/glouiseatkinson/  https://www.instagram.com/clairesanderson/  Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/   Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Jodie Ounsley on Grief, Gladiators & The Strength You Can’t Train For

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This episode is 39 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 17, 2026.

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Jodie Ounsley may be known to millions as Gladiators’ Fury — powerful, fearless and unstoppable — but in this deeply honest conversation, she shares the strength that doesn’t come from the gym. . Joining Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson on Just...

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