You Can Do Hard Things

What happens when football has shaped your entire identity—and injury suddenly takes it away?Lou Roberts is a former Stoke City Women captain and the current Assistant Manager of Peterborough United Women. In this episode, Lou takes us through her journey from playing football when opportunities for girls were scarce to representing Wolverhampton Wanderers, spending 13 years at Stoke City and rebuilding her life after three ACL reconstructions ended her playing career.Lou speaks honestly about identity loss, serious football injuries and finding her way back into the game through coaching. We explore her transition from player to leader, her experiences coaching at Stoke City and Burnley Women, and the realities of working in women’s football before the crowds, investment and recognition it receives today.We also discuss leadership, understanding players as individuals, balancing football with family and running Arc IT Solutions—and why, despite everything, it’s still the balls, bibs and cones that Lou loves most.This is an honest conversation about women’s football, ACL recovery, career-ending injury, resilience, leadership and discovering that when one version of your life ends, there may still be another way back into the world you love.Follow You Can Do Hard Things with Jenny Melling for more honest conversations about resilience, identity and overcoming life’s hardest moments.

What happens when the thing you’ve built your whole life around is suddenly taken away?Courtney Clarke grew up in Peterborough with one dream: football. That dream took her to Arsenal’s academy and on to representing England at youth level, before a serious ACL injury changed the direction of her career and left her facing a much bigger question: who am I without football?In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things with Jenny Melling, Courtney talks about growing up in the Arsenal system, pulling on an England shirt, the reality of suffering a major injury as a young footballer, and the mental battle that comes when you can no longer do the thing that has always defined you.We talk about the difficult road back, further setbacks, rebuilding confidence, and eventually returning to where it all started, with Courtney now playing for her hometown club, Peterborough United Women.Courtney also opens up about the person behind the footballer: the pressure she puts on herself, how injury changed her relationship with the game, and what she has learned about her identity away from the pitch.It’s a conversation about football, but also about resilience, identity, serious injury and what happens when the future you had planned suddenly disappears.If you’ve ever wondered how athletes cope mentally with long-term injury, how you rebuild confidence after an ACL injury, or how you find yourself again when you can’t do the thing you love, Courtney’s story is one you’ll want to hear.🎙️ You Can Do Hard Things with Jenny Melling

What is it really like to be a full-time carer? How do you cope when breast cancer comes back? And how do you keep going when somebody you love depends on you?In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things with Jenny Melling, Jenny talks to Claire Wynne about a life that has repeatedly forced her to find the strength to carry on.Claire's daughter Chloe has autism, a learning disability and epilepsy and requires 24-hour care. Claire talks honestly about caring for an adult child with additional needs, carer burnout and exhaustion, the guilt of needing respite care and the question many parents in her position fear: what will happen to my disabled child when I'm no longer able to care for them?Claire also shares what it was like having a premature baby at 29 weeks, when her son Bradley spent nine weeks in special care, and the fear she experienced when it was finally time to bring him home.She talks about experiencing domestic abuse, leaving an abusive relationship with two young children and becoming a single mum.Then, around the age of 30, Claire discovered a lump in her breast.It was breast cancer.Claire underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy while continuing to care for her children. She talks candidly about what chemotherapy actually feels like, losing her hair during chemotherapy and why finishing cancer treatment didn't mean that cancer suddenly felt “over”.After years of clear mammograms, 18 years after her original breast cancer diagnosis, Claire was told the cancer had returned.What is it like to hear “the cancer's back” after almost two decades? How do you cope with the fear of cancer recurrence? And how do you find the strength to face treatment again?Claire also talks about losing her brother Darren to cancer, grief, family and the reality of carrying on when life doesn't stop to give you time to recover.This is an honest conversation about:• Breast cancer and breast cancer recurrence • Cancer returning after 18 years • Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hair loss • Life after cancer treatment • Caring for an adult child with autism and learning disabilities • Being a full-time, 24-hour carer • Carer burnout and respite care • Autism, learning disability and epilepsy • Premature birth at 29 weeks and neonatal care • Domestic abuse and becoming a single mum • Losing a sibling to cancer and coping with grief • Resilience and how to keep going when life feels too hardWhen Jenny asks Claire what has enabled her to keep going through everything she's faced, her answer is simple:“I don't have a choice. I have to do it.”🎙️ You Can Do Hard Things with Jenny Melling is a podcast about resilience, adversity and the real stories behind how people survive life's hardest moments.Follow or subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and if Claire's story resonates with you, please leave a rating or review and share the episode.If you've been through something difficult and would like to tell your story, or know somebody who should be a guest on You Can Do Hard Things, get in touch.

🎙️ Episode DescriptionIn Part 2 of my conversation with former Metropolitan Police detective Laura Pond, we pick up where Part 1 ended, talking honestly about what policing is really like and the emotional toll it can take on those behind the uniform.From there, the conversation becomes deeply personal.Laura shares her experience of living with PTSD, the invisible impact of trauma, and the long road to being diagnosed with Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (formerly known as Diabetes Insipidus), a rare condition that left her drinking up to 30 litres of water a day before finally getting answers.She also opens up about one of the hardest chapters of her life: losing her dad, becoming the person responsible for everything as an only child, supporting her mum through illness, and learning how to keep moving forward when life changes forever.Despite the difficult subjects, this conversation is full of warmth, humour and honesty. It's a reminder that resilience isn't about never struggling. It's about finding a way through, one step at a time.If you haven't already listened to Part 1, I'd highly recommend starting there to hear Laura's remarkable policing career and the experiences that shaped everything we discuss in this episode.In this episode we discuss:• What policing is really like behind the scenes• PTSD and recognising the signs• The emotional impact of trauma• Living with Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (formerly Diabetes Insipidus)• Receiving a rare medical diagnosis• Losing a parent• Organising a funeral• Grief, resilience and learning to carry onYou Can Do Hard Things is a podcast about resilience, extraordinary lives and the people behind the stories. Every conversation is a reminder that even when life feels impossible, we are often stronger than we realise.

What is it really like to spend almost 20 years policing London?In Part 1 of this conversation, I sit down with one of my closest friends and former Metropolitan Police colleague, Laura Pond.From the outside, policing is often reduced to headlines and headlines rarely tell the full story.Together we look back on our time in the Met, talking honestly about Hendon training school, response policing, becoming detectives, Counter Terrorism, Professional Standards, major incidents and the unseen pressures that come with wearing the uniform.Laura shares how she nearly never joined the police because of anxiety, how putting on the uniform transformed her confidence, and how she went on to work in Counter Terrorism, helping improve the UK's response to victims following the Tunisia terrorist attack.This isn't a conversation about sensational stories.It's about the people behind the badge.It's about responsibility, resilience, friendship, humour, and the things police officers rarely get the opportunity to talk about once the cameras are off.Whether you've worked in policing, know someone who has, or you've simply wondered what life inside the Met is really like, I hope this conversation gives you a perspective you may never have heard before.In this episode we discuss:• Joining the Metropolitan Police• Hendon Police Training School• Life on response policing• Becoming a detective• Counter Terrorism Command• The Tunisia terrorist attack• Professional Standards (DPS)• War crimes investigations• Public perception of policing• Why good officers leaveIf you enjoy honest conversations about resilience, leadership and the experiences that shape us, please follow You Can Do Hard Things wherever you listen to your podcasts.Part 2 is coming soon... and trust me, you won't want to miss it.

What are the warning signs of meningitis?Can meningitis cause memory loss, brain fog and speech problems years later?How quickly can meningitis become life-threatening?In Part 2 of my conversation with Holly, we explore the life-changing impact of meningitis, grief and survival.Holly shares her terrifying experience of developing meningococcal meningitis, from repeatedly collapsing at Stansted Airport to being rushed to hospital after a meningitis rash appeared and ultimately helped save her life.She opens up about the symptoms she experienced, the treatment that followed, and the lasting effects she continues to live with today, including memory problems, speech difficulties and brain fog.We also discuss the devastating loss of her best friend Rachel, the mental health battles that followed, moments when Holly questioned whether she wanted to carry on, and an unexpected visit to a psychic medium that left her questioning everything.This is a raw, honest and emotional conversation about trauma, resilience, loss and finding a way forward when life changes forever.Topics covered:• Meningococcal meningitis • The early warning signs of meningitis • The meningitis rash • Long-term effects of meningitis • Memory loss, speech difficulties and brain fog • Mental health and suicidal thoughts • Grief and losing a best friend • A psychic medium and unexplained experiences • Type 1 diabetes awareness • Living4RachIf sharing Holly's story helps just one person recognise the signs of meningitis sooner, this conversation was worth having.

Part 1 of 2Rachel was Holly's best friend for over 20 years.In this deeply personal episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Holly shares Rachel's story. From growing up with Type 1 Diabetes, through years of health challenges, to the devastating phone call that changed everything.Together we discuss the realities of living with Type 1 Diabetes, the impact of Diabulimia, DKA, Charcot Foot, friendship, family support, and the strength it takes to keep going when life feels impossible.More than anything, this is a story about friendship, resilience and remembering someone who meant the world to those around her.This episode is shared in memory of Rachel and in support of #Living4Rach, helping to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes, Diabulimia and the importance of education and understanding.In this episode:• Rachel and Holly's friendship spanning more than 20 years • Growing up with Type 1 Diabetes • The hidden reality of Diabulimia • DKA and repeated hospital admissions • Charcot Foot, sepsis and the threat of amputation • Relationships, family support and finding hope • Pregnancy, future plans and new beginnings • The heartbreaking phone call that changed everythingThis is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.In Part 2, Holly shares her own incredible story of surviving meningitis, nearly losing her life, and how both experiences changed her perspective forever.💙 In memory of Rachel 💙 #Living4RachYou Can Do Hard Things is a podcast sharing real stories of resilience, adversity and ordinary people overcoming extraordinary challenges.

Ashley Watson returns for Part 2 of this powerful conversation on You Can Do Hard Things.From representing Jamaica at the Winter Olympics to the reality of life inside the Olympic Village, Ashley opens up about the moments most people never hear about.We discuss:What REALLY happens inside the Olympic VillageThe pressure of competing on the world stageJamaica’s bobsleigh journey and the Cool Runnings comparisonsMedia attention and representing a countryThe emotional comedown after the OlympicsPost Olympic depression and identity lossAthlete mindset, resilience and disciplineBuilding success beyond sportAshley also shares stories about Olympic parties, elite athlete culture, travelling to Beijing 2022 and the hidden side of chasing a lifelong dream.This is an honest conversation about ambition, sacrifice, mental health and what happens after achieving the thing you thought would change your life forever.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.#AshleyWatson #Olympics #OlympicVillage #JamaicaBobsleigh #PostOlympicDepression #YouCanDoHardThings

In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Jenny Melling sits down with Ashley Watson, Olympian, British athlete and member of the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team at Beijing 2022.Ashley shares the real story behind his Olympic journey, from growing up in Peterborough and chasing football dreams with Peterborough United and Norwich City, to the disappointment of rejection, moving into athletics, discovering bobsleigh and eventually representing Jamaica on the Olympic stage.The conversation explores resilience, identity, self-coaching, sacrifice and what it really takes to keep going when the obvious route doesn’t work out.We also talk about the reality behind the famous Cool Runnings image of Jamaican bobsleigh, and what life in the sport actually looks like behind the scenes.Please forgive the audio issues that kick is part way through - if anyone can fix it - holla at me!In Part 1:Football trials with Peterborough United and Norwich CityBeing released as a young footballerSprinting and athletics ambitionsDiscovering bobsleigh almost by accidentGB Bobsleigh and Olympic qualificationFunding struggles in elite sportBalancing training, business and a Masters degreeWhy representing Jamaica meant so muchHosted by Jenny Melling. Podcast: You Can Do Hard ThingsPart 2 coming soon - want to know what really happens in the Olympic Village? Best subscribe so you dont miss out!

He didn’t run away… he ran towards it.In Part 2, Tom Gray (That Guy Gray) opens up about being at the centre of the London Bridge terror attack in November 2019, where he was one of the people who helped stop the attacker.But this isn’t just about that day.It’s about what it says about you when everything kicks off. How you process it. And how life just carries on afterwards.We also get into something very real between us… After I cut Tom’s future short on The Summit, can you actually build a genuine bond after something like that? Does he blame me? And the question I had to ask — do I regret it… and am I sorry?In this episode, we talk about:Tom Gray’s first-hand experience of the London Bridge attackWhy he ran towards dangerWhat happened in those moments on the bridgeHow he processed it afterwardsWhy he never wanted to use it for attention or “clout”The reality of being recognised as “That Guy Gray”Whether there’s any bad blood after The SummitRegret, decisions and living with the choices you makeDealing with pressure, failure and self-worthWhy happiness isn’t always what we think it isThis is Part 2 — if you haven’t seen Part 1 yet, go back and watch it first. There’s more coming as well.I genuinely appreciate every single person who watches, listens, shares or messages me about these. I do this because I love it — and because I hope these conversations resonate, make you think, or help you feel a bit less alone.At the end of the day, we’re all just people.And something someone said to me recently really stuck:You are your superpower. No one else can be you. So own it, be proud of it, and live your life — your truth.#TomGray #ThatGuyGray #LondonBridgeAttack #LondonBridge #YouCanDoHardThings #TheSummitUK #Resilience #Mindset #PodcastInterview #MentalHealth #SelfWorth #TrueStory #UKPodcast #RealTalk

Thomas Gray, also known online as That Guy Gray, joins me for Part 1 of our You Can Do Hard Things conversation.You might know him from The Summit UK, his viral “As You Were” videos, his automotive content, or his very impressive moustache… but this episode goes far beyond the online persona.In this first part, Tom talks openly about where That Guy Gray came from, how “As You Were” became his signature phrase, building a following of around 800,000 people, imposter syndrome, mental health content, self-doubt, relationships, dating apps, and what really happened during his time on The Summit UK.We also get into the behind-the-scenes reality of The Summit, including the first challenge, the edit, the cast dynamics, Dockers, Patrick’s lack of screen time, Tom’s fear of heights, and the moment he knew he was probably going home.This is funny, honest, awkward in places, and properly human.

What happens when the person who's always supposed to save the day… can't?In this powerful episode of You Can Do Hard Things, I sit down with Joel Fearon. Olympian, Team GB athlete, one of Britain's fastest sprinters, and a contestant on BBC's The Summit UK. What started as a conversation about reality TV quickly became one of the most honest and emotional discussions I've had on the podcast.Joel is often seen as someone who stays strong under pressure. But behind the medals, elite sport and television appearances is a story of loss, identity, resilience and the constant search for purpose.We explore what really drives high performers, why success doesn't always bring happiness, and how growing up with ADHD and dyslexia shaped Joel's determination to prove himself.Joel also shares the devastating story of losing his sister, the guilt he still carries, and the moment he realised he couldn't "save the day". A moment that completely changed the way he sees himself, his family and his future.Along the way, we also lift the lid on what really happened behind the scenes of The Summit UK, discussing the cast, the friendships, the strategy, the votes and how everyone's relationships changed once filming ended.In this episode we discuss:• What it's really like to compete as an Olympian and Team GB athlete• Life as one of Britain's fastest sprinters• The pressure of always being "the strong one"• Growing up with ADHD and dyslexia• Losing his sister and the guilt that still follows• Survivor's guilt and learning to live with grief• Why success never quite feels like enough• The reality behind elite sport and chasing validation• What happens when your identity is built on being needed• Finding purpose after trauma• Mental resilience and overcoming adversity• The truth about life behind the scenes of The Summit UK• Trust, friendships, strategy and difficult decisions on reality TV• The lessons Joel has learned from sport, loss and lifeThis is a conversation about resilience, purpose, grief, identity and what it really means to keep moving forward when life doesn't go to plan.It's raw, honest and, at times, uncomfortable... but it's exactly what You Can Do Hard Things is all about.If you enjoy conversations about resilience, mental health, elite sport, personal growth, ADHD, grief, Olympic athletes, reality TV and extraordinary life stories, make sure you follow You Can Do Hard Things for new episodes

What does it really take to build a life online… and what happens when it all disappears overnight?In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, I sit down with Patrick — content creator and my fellow cast member from The Summit — for a conversation that’s as honest as it is entertaining.We go behind the scenes of the show and beyond the highlight reels to talk about:The real journey from engineering degree to 400K+ followersHow social media actually works (and how he turned it into a full-time income)Trolling, online hate, and why “the comments are brutal”Losing his TikTok account and the reality of relying on platforms you don’t controlWhat really happened on The Summit — including the injury that forced him outThe mindset it takes to keep going when things don’t go to planPatrick also shares how he built brand deals from scratch, why not everyone is cut out for content creation, and what he’s building next — including plans to take things to YouTube in a big way.This is a raw, funny, behind-the-scenes look at both reality TV and the creator world — and a reminder that doing hard things doesn’t always look the way you expect.

Sean Heath joins me for a raw, honest and surprisingly funny conversation about what it really means to be underestimated.You may know Sean from The Summit UK, but this episode goes far beyond the mountain.We talk about how he ended up on the show, what it was like being judged before people really knew him, and the reality of pushing himself through one of the toughest experiences of his life. But we also get into the things that matter far more than TV.Sean opens up about discovering his identity at a young age, the darker side of being groomed, the grief of losing family members in quick succession, the toll that took on his mental health, and what rebuilding life has looked like since.This is a conversation about resilience, loss, confidence, humour, survival and learning to back yourself when other people do not.In this episode, we cover:Sean’s journey onto The Summit UKBeing constantly underestimatedIdentity, sexuality and growing upGrooming and vulnerability at a young ageGrief, family loss and depressionWhat success really meansWhy sometimes just getting through the day is enoughThe mindset that helped him keep goingSean is warm, open, hilarious and brutally honest in all the best ways. This episode is for anyone who has ever been written off, misunderstood or forced to find strength the hard way.

Miranda first came into the public eye on ITV's The Summit, but this conversation goes far beyond reality television.She shares the shocking moment a persistent mouth ulcer became a life-changing cancer diagnosis, the surgery that followed, and how the experience completely changed her outlook on life.We also lift the lid on what really happens behind the scenes of The Summit, the friendships formed in New Zealand, why resilience is about so much more than physical strength, and why being underestimated has become one of Miranda's greatest advantages.This is an honest conversation about courage, recovery, friendship and discovering that life's toughest mountains are often the ones nobody else can see.

In part two of Jenny Melling’s conversation with Lyle Taylor, the discussion goes deeper into football, identity, injury, reputation, and what comes next after the game.Lyle speaks openly about leaving Colchester, joining Chelmsford City, the realities of dressing room culture, how football shapes the person you become, and why stepping away from playing could be one of the hardest things he ever has to do.This episode also explores ego, leadership, success, Pink October, life after football, and the difference between how people see a footballer and who that person really is away from the pitch.An honest, funny and thoughtful conversation about football, change, ambition, and doing hard things.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, I sit down with Lyle Taylor for a brutally honest chat about football, mindset, reputation and what it really takes to keep going when people doubt you.We talk about the drive that shaped his career, the pressure of professional football, dressing room culture, proving people wrong, and the challenge of building an identity beyond the game. Lyle also reflects on key moments from his journey and opens up about success, ambition, failure and the mentality that kept him moving forward.This is a thoughtful, sharp and revealing conversation with someone people often think they know, until they actually hear him speak.

In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Jenny Melling speaks to Iain Crawford about football, business, family, and resilience.With deep links to Peterborough United, involvement in football ownership, and a background as a former professional golfer and entrepreneur, Ian shares the journey that brought him to where he is today. From his relationship with Darragh MacAnthony and favourite Posh memories, to his involvement with Spalding United, business lessons, retirement at 45, and the realities of success, this is an honest and thoughtful conversation with plenty of humour along the way.This episode covers:Peterborough United and life around footballco-owning a football clubfootball stories, players, and Wembley memoriesbusiness, risk, and entrepreneurshipresilience, illness, and familywhat success really looks likeA real conversation about doing hard things, on and off the pitch.👉 Follow and subscribe to You Can Do Hard Things for more real conversations on resilience, mindset, and overcoming life’s toughest moments.