S1 Ep8 Jez Cox - "It's not who you beat, it's what you overcome along the way" from adversity in childhood to top Sports commentator

Jez Cox accidentally got in to cycling as a 12 year old who loved his neighbour's bike. In this podcast he reveals for the first time that mountain biking took him away from a really difficult and impactful part of his young life. It became his safe space.His need to escape and explore meant he was spending lots of time on two wheels and discovering he was good enough to compete.Jez tells Annie and Josie about the relationship with his dad, who was impassionate and extremely harsh. He was once told he'd never achieve anything in his life. The sentence he remembers to this day. And it led to a need to finding the best way of being the best athlete he could be. A need to prove his dad wrong.Josie's analysis is that Jez has perfectionist tendencies, always setting a high bar. He tells Josie that he believes he has ADHD with a brain that's constantly working. Jez tells the story of how he got in to commentary - again by accident. Now he can be heard at the world's top sporting events....commentating on Breaking and Surfing at the Paris Olympics.His advice on being braver comes from an Abraham Lincoln quote - "Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most".Hope you enjoy this chat!The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Annie Emmerson and Dr Josie Perry.Annie is a former international triathlete and world champion. She's now a broadcaster and motivational speaker. She left school and education at the age of 15 after a family breakdown and that's led to a life of self-improvement.She had a transition from party-girl to a life with purpose after being robbed at knife point. She talks candidly about how she has redefined herself several times.Josie Perry's life first changed when she failed in her A levels which ended her plans to go and study law at a top university. She worked in journalism and communications before becoming passionate about performance psychology which led to a complete career change.So what's your purpose? What's your why? How can we help you on your journey?Thanks for listening!The Be Braver Podcast - because life is not a dress rehearsal. Insta: @bebraverpod