We are 46 episodes down now on the plan positive podcast and I have got to tell you, every time I speak with a professional athlete, I get pumped, and my next guest did not fail to deliver. Enter Sarah Lavin.Sarah is an Irish Olympic hurdler, a dream chaser, go getter, an under 8second - 60 metre hurdler, ranked 7th in the world …oh and beautiful human being with bundles of positivity.In this episode we cover Sarah non negotiables, how she has overcome huge amounts of adversity in potentially never being able to compete again, the importance of goal setting and making plans, and of course, the importance of Positivity!If you enjoy this episode, it greatly helps if you can subscribe and rate the show.Feel free to reach out on Instagram as well:Sarah Lavin: @ sarahlavin_ John Pierce: @Plan_Positive.Email: [email protected] the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

If you look in the dictionary for  words like Hard work, Dedication or commitment – you will see a picture of my latest guest on the Plan Positive podcast… enter… Ken Rideout. Ken by his own standards is an average guy that just knows the value of Hard work.Translated, his hard work has led him to not just win marathons a running events, but to absolutely DOMINANTE them Since the age of 35, he's set at least one new PR every year. The Boston-born fighter is now 50 and faster than ever. He ran a 1:10 half-marathon, just two weeks after running the New York City Marathon. At New York, he ran a 2:33, not only winning the 50-54 age group (by 16 minutes!) but, also, winning the overall Master’s division for athletes over 40.He is also the co-host of 'The Fight Podcast' with legendary boxing trainer - Teddy Atlas. The list of accomplishments is ongoing and as Ken gets ready to tackle and KO the Boston marathon, we had the fortune of speaking with him. In this episode, we discuss the importance of Hard workHis non negotiables, the importance of goals – the importance of your social circle’s pus much more. This is Plan Positive. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

The whole purpose for me setting up Plan Positive was to track down inspiring, optimistic and positive people, and on this, our 45th episode, I think I have found the gold standard.Enter Rudy Reyes. Rudy has battled throughout his entire life.From growing up in an orphanage to fighting on the streets in America, to becoming a martial artist to fighting at Elite level with arguably one of the most formidable forces in the world - the American Force Recon Marines.In 1998, Reyes joined the United States Marine Corps and was ultimately selected for (and passed) Marine Recon training.To put that into context out of 300,000 marine troops, only 300 would be selected for Marine Recon.He served in Afghanistan and took part in the Iraq war.After leaving the military in 2005, Reyes has continued as a keynote speaker, a martial artist, and a model. His acting roles included playing himself in Generation Kill. He also co-founded Force Blue, which seeks to unite the community of Special Operations veterans with the world of marine conservation for the betterment of both.AND most recently he has been appointed the role of Head instructor on the TV show ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’Alongside Jason Fox, Billy Billingham and now Remi AdelekeIn this episode we cover Rudy’s non negotiablesThe importance of goal setting, his proudest achievements, how he keeps motivated and much more.This is Plan Positive.Rudy Reyes.Instagram: @realrudyreyesForce Blue: www.forceblueteam.orgJade Struck.Instagram: @jadestruckJohn Pierce.Instagram: @Plan_PositiveEmail: info@Plan_Positive.co.ukSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

As a 4 x Winter Olympian, a career high ranking of 8th in the World, 7 x British National Overall Champion and the only British female skier to ever win a run in a World Cup, Chemmy Alcott is widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest ever skiers.In a time where competing at a Winter Olympics was unusual for a British athlete, Chemmy defied the odds and pioneered a skiing movement that has inspired a generation. Resulting in not just skiers, but British Winter Sport athletes as a whole seeing the Winter Olympics as a realistic and achievable goal.Since retiring from competing on the world stage after The Sochi Olympics in 2014, Chemmy has immersed herself in the world of TV & media, where she now presents for the BBC on Ski Sunday and commentates on the World Cup Ski Series for Eurosport amongst being a guest on many other show. Furthermore, she competed in ITV Dancing on Ice in 2012, where she finished 5th.In addition to her TV commitments and hosting events and despite retiring, Chemmy continues to constantly push her body to the limit, competing in multiple physical challenges including the World’s Toughest Ski Race in Greenland, the 100-mile road race in London and climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, raising over £800,000 for charity in the process.Charity work is very important to Chemmy, where she acts as an active ambassador for Right to Play, Ski4Cancer, SnowCamp and United Learning. She has visited multiple under-developed countries such as Rwanda and Tanzania, raising money for areas of conflict resolution and also to promote sport and play to educate ‘over one million children in some of the world’s poorest communities.’Chemmy is an inspiration to all, having broken 49 bones in her life including her neck aged 11. She is no stranger to adversity and remains committed to inspiring the next generation and educating people from all over the world through sport. Most notably, she created the ‘X-Elle’ scheme, which aims to develop girl’s confidence through sport. Part of her passion involves travelling the world, visiting countries such as Dubai and New Zealand, in addition to her travel across the UK, telling her story and inspiring others. From school pupils to businesses, she helps give them the confidence to create big dreams and do everything humanly possible to achieve them.Chemmy Alcott:Instagram: @chemmyskiJohn Pierce:Instagram: @Plan_PositiveSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

In today’s hectic and heavily saturated world, trying to get an edge on life can be a tall order.Thankfully the world of Biohacking and Nootropics is a booming business and there are some real pioneers at the forefront of it.Enter Gareth Jones. Gareth is the Founder of Onnor and his journey into nootropics started well over 25 years ago. The company utilise natural ingredients used by ancient civilisations for centuries.  And They look help optimise focus, mental performance and memory, deep sleep, and greater immunity & stress management.He is however probably the least likely E-commerce entrepreneur on the planet. The original idea for Genius Coffee was born at a time when he was sleeping rough during addiction. The earliest days of the company saw him trying to perfect the perfect nootropic blends from my kitchen whilst helped by my daughter Emily.  So ·      What are nootropics? ·      How would a novice like me get into them?·      How could we optimise our days better?·      What Does Positivity mean to him?·      How important are goals? All great topics we cover in this episode. If you are looking for an extra edge on life, this is an episode for you. This is Plan Positive­Gareth Jones:Instagram: @thegeniuscoffeeguy and  @onnorWebsite: www.onnorlife.comJohn Pierce:Instagram: @Plan_PositiveEmail: [email protected] the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

Now that Daniel Craig has graciously stepped away from the 007 franchise, I think I have found a suitable replacement. At 6ft 6inch, a former Abercrombie & Fitch model, turned Olympian, who is also an active Dr on the frontline of the NHS with a thick set Irish accent… I mean seriously….  In this episode I was blessed to pinch some time with the legend that is Philip Doyle. This was recorded late in a weekday evening and Philip was getting ready to tackle another 12-hour night shift at the hospital but still managed to carve out some time to talk to us. ·      What made him get into rowing?·      How does he manage 12-hour work shift and training?·      How many calories does he have to eat?·      How important are goals?·      What are his non-negotiable? All questions we cover… This is Plan PositiveSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

Getting married is supposed to be one of the most joyful occasions of your life.For women, picking up your wedding dress is one of the highlight moments.But trying to get married at the start of the Covd-19 would have naturally add to complications.Now imagine on the day of picking up your wedding dress, at 38 years old, you receive the news that you have breast cancer… When we hear the words breast cancer, for most of us, we assume that a lump would have been found either at home or on a routine scan.Well Lobular cancer is one of many types of breast cancers and one of its distinctive traits, is that it does not produce the tell tail signs of a lump. Lobular breast cancer is a distinct disease that behaves differently from other breast cancerstumours grow more like a spider’s web in straight lines and rarely form a lump, making it much harder to see on scans. As a result, people are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage of the disease.Lobular breast cancer and how it responds to treatment is not properly understood and it’s an under-researched disease.In this episode, we talk to the amazing Elaine as she shares her journey. It was an absolute joy to speak to this incredible woman and I know for a fact, you will enjoy this episode.Elaine - Instagram: @lobularlaineSupport: https://lobularbreastcancer.org.uk John Pierce - Instagram: @Plan_PositiveEmail: [email protected] the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

In England, around one in eight men have a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). As with many mental health statistics, it’s hard to know if the figures really represent what is happening. They can only tell us about mental health problems that have been reported – many cases may go undiagnosed. This may be especially true when it comes to men’s mental health. Three times as many men as women die by suicide.Men aged 40-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK.Men report lower levels of life satisfaction than women according to the Government’s national wellbeing survey.Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women: only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men Enter – James O’KeefeJames has like most of us, gone through an experience trauma in his past. Today, he is on a path to help as many men as possible.Regardless of age or background, no one man is exempt from the stats I have just read.James has assembled a bunch of specialists within their chosen fields and has launched the Unguarded warrior retreat.A complete emersion retreat designed for men.This is seriously going to help to change the landscape of how we – men – see mental health. As a parting note, this is a real, honest, and frank conversation and swearing can be heard throughout.If you are listening to this in a car with minors, please keep this in mind. I was so eager to get this out we recorded this episode at 14:00pm and its now 19:00pm on the same day… So without further a due, let’s get into it!­­­­­­James O'KeefeInstagram: @unguardedwarrior & @jamesokeefenrgWebsite: https://www.unguardedwarrior.comJohn Pierce:Instagram: @Plan_PositiveEmail: [email protected] Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

Damian Browne!For the last 24 years he has been driven by a passion and purpose to pursue his human potential. He was once a professional rugby player, journeying the pitches of Europe's 3 major leagues, winning some of club rugby’s biggest prizes including the Heineken Cup during a 16 year career.An incredibly fruitful life chapter and a deep journey of exploration, learning and experience into the potential and power of the human body and mind, that only a warrior sport like rugby can allow.Since retirement he has  continued his search at the edges of life, through challenge and adventure. As an extreme adventurer he has  taken on an array of the world’s hardest challenges, continually exposing himself to toil, hardship and suffering for personal evolution and extraordinary experiences. With a constant eye on improving his methods to continually achieve the remarkable in a wide range of disciplines.Damian has completed the Marathon Des Sables, Climber 5 of the 7 tallest peaks in the world, SOLO rowed his way across the Atlantic Ocean, started a climb on mount Everest before catching Covid-19 had way up and is now getting ready to row as a team of two, from New York to Galway in Ireland!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)

Addiction and recovery. In some cases, these two words will never meet, and if they ever do, it’s a bittersweet relationship.Thankfully we have more ways of sharing and helping one another then at any other time in history.Enter, Abi Feltham.Abi is an addiction recovery advocate who shares her journey to thousands on social media, helping to create a non-judgemental space for anyone and everyone, her videos will leave you bent over with laughter and her stories and advice will help to lift any form of stigma that someone may have had prior to watching.Abi’s candid and heart open approach is one of the most refreshing and Positive that I have had the fortune of meeting over these past 2 seasons. Please note, this episode may be triggering for some listeners. This is Abi Feltham, I am John Pierce – and this is Plan Positive.Instagram: @Plan_Positve + @abi.felthamEmail: [email protected] the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/civewodeja)