This Is Not How I Made It.

To kick off series two - Laura O'Sullivan funnily enough I went to school with; fifteen (plus) years later, we reconnected to share her whereabouts and experiences from then to now. Including losing her dad at at 25, separating from her husband due to betrayal, two miscarriages, and finding her true purpose in life by understanding now what she is passionate about.As well as being a mum of two both children and dogs, Laura is a freelance marketeer and loves nothing more than binge watching a series with her favourite dinner. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?If you have experienced similar to want to follow Laura's journey - the link to her Instagram is www.instagram.com/lifewithlauramayAny other questions or feedback about the podcast - or if you want to be a guest - please email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening to series one of This Is Not How I Made It. If you have any feedback, questions, or words of wisdom, please let me know by emailing [email protected], if you want to be a guest on the podcast - even better! I have zero lined up for series two (and hopefully this isn't the end...).

Friend, colleague(ish), (and that's just talking for myself) - and proud father of two - my guest today is Mike Drover. At the age of just 20 he joined the army, he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013, in total he served for 15 years before deciding to leave. Now, he's a level four personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach at Pure Gym, and recently, very excitingly, he got married to his second wife in 2025. But is this what he planned for or hoped would happen in his life?Follow Mike on Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/mdfitukAny questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Wife, mum, and pretty good cook - her words not mine - my guest today is Paulomi Debnath. Born in Kolkata, India, she studied sales and marketing and started her career in hotel sales. In 2004 she met the love of her life; they got married in 2006 and shortly after moved to London. Now, she is a textile jewellery designer and the face behind Handmade by Tinni, which is a business she set up in 2020. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Handmade by Tinni - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.handmadebytinni.com/⁠⁠Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Sister, wife, and mum to two children, as well as two cats - my guest today is Alicia Drabble-Castellano. Half Spanish and half English (Yorkshire), she is a former primary school teacher for over 15 years until ill health meant she had to stop. Now, she is the founder of Single Swan, a clothing brand that focuses on helping women feel good every day. When not working on growing the business, she is a keen reader of Agatha Christie, and keen eater of cheesy puffs... But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Single Swan - ⁠⁠https://www.singleswan.co.uk/⁠Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Mum, to a miniature daschund, keen student of life, and Jane Austen enthusiast - my guest today is Laurine Hanquez. Originally from France, she has a passion for travel and has used her studies (of political science and cinema, for example) to live in various countries, including Canada and Belgium. Now, firmly planted in the UK, she works full-time in sales and is the co-founder of Blōma, a supplement brand redefining the wellness space. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Blōma - ⁠https://wearebloma.com/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Mum, divorcee, and former employer of Tony Blair - my guest today is Eva Thorne. She grew up in New York City, got her doctorate in political science before becoming a university professor, and then realised her heart was not in it. Now she is the founder of Garden of Eva, an idea that came to her on a trip to the supermarket to buy unwaxed lemons; they make condiments from the American South. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Garden of Eva - https://www.gardenofeva.co.uk/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Mum, wedding photographer, and two-time café owner in Ibiza! My guest today is Rachel Mason. After studying design and marketing at University, she always knew she was going to do something creative, advertising or interior design was her goal. At the age of 30, unexpectedly she found out she had stage three borderline ovarian cancer and needed a full hysterectomy. Now she is the founder of Our Remedy, an award-winning CBD for women brand. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Our Remedy - ⁠https://ourremedy.co.uk/⁠⁠Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

Author, baker, and keen ocean swimmer - my guest today is Lara Solomon. After running various startups, including a personalised children's book business and a social media agency. Now, she is the founder and CEO of Hoopsy - they are trying to eliminate plastic from diagnostic tests. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Hoopsy - https://hoopsy.com/⁠Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠[email protected]

Wife, of 35 years (she thinks), mother of two grown children, and former solicitor - my guest today is Hannah Sutter. After studying English and History of Art at University of East Anglia, she thought she was going to be a writer; prior to this, she was keen on the army. Now, she makes ketogenic food for the NHS, working with doctors, dieticians and nutritionists. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Natural Ketosis - https://www.naturalketosis.co.uk/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, stepmum, loving nan - and known for her fun-loving spirit and infectious laugh - my guest today is Rachel Watkyn. From growing up in a children's home, and becoming a Hell's Angels girlfriend, to earning a business degree and joining the John Lewis graduate scheme - now she is the CEO and founder of Tiny Box Company, and owns Know The Origin, a sustainable lifestyle brand. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Tiny Box Company - https://tinyboxcompany.co.uk/Know The Origin - https://knowtheorigin.co.uk/To book a Tiny Box Clinic for business help and/ or support, please visit https://www.tinyboxcompany.co.uk/tiny-box-clinicAnd if you want to pre-order Rachel's and her sister's new book, The Baronesses, you can find it on Amazon and WaterstonesAny questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, mother, of both one son and three cats, and 'political slactivist' - my guest today is Emily Pomroy-Smith. Former employee in the retail and property management industries, in 2020 she was made redundant whilst on maternity leave. Now, she is the award-winning founder of BamBonn, handmade organic bamboo jersey hair wraps and towels. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about BamBonn - https://www.bambonn.com/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Sister, keen exerciser and (her words not mine) soon-to-be fiancé - my guest today is Sarah English. Former student at London College of Fashion, after a six year career stint in interior design - now she is the founder of Wintour, luxury travel jewellery boxes. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Wintour - https://wintour.uk/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, YouTuber, and soon-to-be mother - my guest today is Lucy Jeffrey. Former student of biology, with a want to cure cancer, now she is the founder of Bare Kind, socks that save animals, and co-creator of a marketing agency with her husband. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Bare Kind - https://barekind.co.uk/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, mother and keen meditator and sportswoman - my guest today is Esra Kökel. Former accountant, with 13 years of experience working for some of the world's largest companies, now she is the founder of Bebekish, a brand that creates organic and natural baby essentials. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Bebekish - https://bebekish.com/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, mother, to both humans and pet dog and rescued labrador, and keen crocheter - my guest today is Rachel Campbell . Former probation officer for the civil service, now she is the founder of Gooseberry Fool, a natural baby clothing. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Gooseberry Fool - https://www.gooseberryfool.co.uk/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, dancer, and champion of self-care and personal development - my guest today is Jayna Kerai. Former student of human resources, now she is the founder of REIKA, a haircare brand created after her own experience with hair loss. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about REIKA - https://reikabotanics.com/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, mother and keen CrossFitter - my guest today is Rosie Winter. Former senior nurse; now, at 40 years old, she is director of Eden Treats, award-winning gifts and hampers. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Eden Treats - https://www.edenandcohampers.com/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, mother and Sikh immigrant from Tanzania - my guest today is Jaspreet Kalley. Former accountant, now she co-owns Mixala, a luxury chai brand, with her husband. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Mixala Chai - https://www.mixala-chai.com/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Wife, mother and avid Married At First Sight Australia watcher - my (first, ever) guest today is Jacqui Taylor. Former teacher and hotel industry worker, now, at 60 years old, she owns her own company, Taylor's CBD. But is this what she planned for or hoped would happen in her life?Learn more about Taylor's CBD - https://taylorscbd.co.uk/Any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: [email protected]

Welcome to This Is Not How I Made it. This is a podcast inspired by the typical 'success' stories we all see and know about - except I want to shed light on the stories that may otherwise remain unknown; real people reflecting on where they thought they were going to be at this stage and age; and what do you do when the life you imagined or expected does not go to plan?Follow and subscript for a new episode every Sunday.If you have any questions or feedback - or if you want to be a guest on the podcast - please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected].