This week Emma is joined by British Ski Cross athlete OllieDavies who is making ski cross history.
In 2021, he became the first British skier to reach the Big Final at the Ski Cross World Championships, in 2022 he competed at his first Olympic Games, and made history once again in 2023 with his first World Cup podium, finishing 2nd in Reiteralm, further cementing his place among the world’s top ski cross athletes.
Ollie shares his ski cross journey – from moving to Francewith his family without speaking a word of French, to the moment he received his first ever Olympic kit in an abandoned house during Covid and now preparing to compete at his second Olympics Games.
He also talks candidly about how he copes with the pressuresof being an athlete, putting the Olympics on the pedestal and how he manages pre-race nerves.
Expect to hear:
Ollie’s passion for ski cross is glorious and incredibly inspiring. You’ll be reaching for the skis after listening this episode.
🎿 Get ready to watch Ollie flying down the track at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Follow Ollie on Instagram and keep up to date with Team GB snow sport on Instagram too.
More about the visuals? Watch the full episode on YouTube.
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Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.
This week Emma is joined by Annika Malacinksi, a rising star in Nordic Combined, a sport which combines ski jumping and cross country skiing.
Competing for the US, Annika is now on the World Cup circuit and has participated in two World Championships in a sport she took up less than a decade ago.
Annika shares how she got into Nordic Combined, what ski jumping feels like, and how the event format works with the two sports. She also explains her training for the two disciplines, and how she manages both the feelings of fear and adrenaline.
Despite the men’s event being part of the very first Winter Olympics, Women’s Nordic Combined is still excluded. Annika shares talks about this ongoing battle with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and what this could mean for the future of the sport.
Expect to hear:
It’s a tale of perseverance, passion and hope.
More about the visuals? You can now watch the episode on YouTube.
Follow Annika on Instagram and watch the video about her battle for equality at the winter olympics here.
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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.
Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on Instagram and sign up to the monthly newsletter here for some epic exclusive content.
Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram, check out her website.
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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast. Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now
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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off
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Thanks to Tune tank for the tunes.
Welcome to the first episode of This is Winter Sports, a series supported by Protect Our Winters UK.
This week Emma is joined by Chemmy Alcott, the first British ski racer to win a run in a World Cup. Chemmy is a four-time Winter Olympian who represented Team GB throughout a 20-year sporting career and reached a career high of 8th in the world. Now presenting BBC Ski Sunday, Chemmy will be at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics taking us through all the action.
Chemmy shares where her passion for ski racing comes from, how she navigated the challenges of being a pro ski racer, and how she beat her top speed in retirement.
She also reveals one of her biggest fears... and it's not what you expect.
Expect to hear:
Chemmy is incredibly inspiring, full of passion for snow sports and offers a ton of brilliant advice too. Follow Chemmy on Instagram.
More about the visuals? Watch the episode on YouTube.
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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.
Keep up to date on all things Passion Stories podcast on Instagram and sign up to the monthly newsletter here for some epic exclusive content.
Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram, check out her website.
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Thanks to Protect our Winters UK for supporting the podcast.Sign the Clean Miles Campaign now
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Purchase a pair of Shokz headphones here and use the discount code EMMACOLE for £10 off
This week Emma is joined by James Shaw, renowned pilates educator and practitioner.
James shares his pilates journey, from starting out thanks to an encouraging hairdressing client, to opening his own classical pilates studio and teacher training academy in Margate.
He shares his views on classical and contemporary pilates as well as why pilates is so popular and common misconceptions. He also talks about the importance of making pilates more accessible and how he makes his classes welcoming especially to neurodivergent people.
James also shares his mindset which has helped him overcome challenges along the way, his thoughts on taking risks, and how pilates helps his ADHD.
Expect to hear:
It’s a story of discovery, self-belief, and a ton of passion, and James is incredibly inspiring.
Follow James on Instagram and keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming book and check out James’s studio in Margate too.
More about the visuals? Watch the full episode on Youtube.
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✨🎙️ Click subscribe or follow now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. We are about to launch the Winter Sports series - get excited!
This week Emma is joined by Jesseca Furness, a presenter at the Running Channel who has set herself the challenge of running 42 marathons this year.
No stranger to pushing her limits having run ultra marathons and Ironman, this year Jess decided to run 42 marathons in honour of her brother Eddie, who would be 42 this year.
Jess has already completed over 35 marathons all over the world, overcoming injury, unexpected mishaps and cancelled events like in South Africa, and she’s also added even more challenges - like running 8 marathons in 8 days.
She reveals why she started running aged 14, and how running has helped her navigate grief after losing both her parents and her oldest brother, as well as boost her confidence.
Expect to hear:
Alongside her challenge Jess is fundraising for Big Moose Charity which has helped her navigate her grief through therapy and the Air Ambulance Service too. Donate here.
You can join Jess on her marathon challenge - head to her instagram to find out more details about her final few marathons.
More about the visuals? Watch the full episode on YouTube.
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The Passion Stories pod wants to hear your views! Complete the audience survey to be in with a chance of winning a mega cool prize: Audience survey link: https://forms.gle/oxn9CHuT4cvkWzDN6
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Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram, sign up to the monthly newsletter and check out her website.
Love running? Check out recent episodes with Zach Friedley, Juliette Denny and ultra running legend Damian Hall.
✨🎙️ Click subscribe or follow now to be in the know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops. They will be coming to your ears in a fortnight!
This week Emma is joined by Zach Friedley, professional trail runner, adaptive athlete, and passionate advocate for inclusion in sport.
From the US, Zach was born missing his right leg above the knee. He founded Born to Adapt, an organisation which aims to create events and space for disabled people all over the world.
He shares his journey with prosthetics, how it felt the first time he had a blade and the differences between being born without part of your leg compared to losing it later in life, and how that affects how you get on with prosthetics.
He also talks about how accessibility in sport is about more than equipment.
Sponsored by On, Zach is a regular at major trail and road events, and will be on the start line of the iconic New York marathon on Sunday 2nd November.
Expect to hear:
This is a wonderfully eye-opening and deeply inspiring episode that explores resilience, visibility in sport, and what it means to adapt.
Follow Zach Friedley on socials and check out Born to Adapt to learn more about the mission.
Want to hear more about trail running? Check out recent episodes with Juliette Denny and ultra running legend Damian Hall.
Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram, sign up to the monthly newsletter and find out more about her on her website.
✨🎙️ Click subscribe or follow now to be in the know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops. They will be coming to your ears in a fortnight!
This week Emma is joined by by Juliette Denny, ultra runner and adventurer. Juliette shares her running journey, from growing up as a footballer to the loss of a close friend and recently taking on the 100km CCC at UTMB in Chamonix, widely regarded as the Mecca of trail running.
Juliette reflects on how she navigates the mental and physical challenges of running seriously long distances, the importance of team spirit and community and ultimately what running means to her.
She also speaks candidly about her own experience of the lack of diversity on the trails, the community of Black Trail Runners, and the change needed to make the outdoors welcoming to everyone.
Beyond running, Juliette talks about the growing popularity of women’s sport, and what it was like to witness history watching the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham last weekend.
Expect to hear:
It is a fascinating conversation, full of insight, honesty and inspiration. Juliette is a brilliant guest and this is not an episode to miss.
Follow Juliette Denny on Instagram and check out Black Trail Runners too.
Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram, sign up to the monthly newsletter and check our her website.
🏃♂️ Into running? Check out our other episodes with ultra running legend Damian Hall and breathwork coach and runner David ‘Jacko’ Jackson.
✨🎙️ Click subscribe or follow now to be in the know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops.
On this week’s episode Emma is joined by Duncan Covey, who recently returned from cycling around the world.
Duncan left London in April 2024, cycling across Europe, Asia, Australia and the US, riding over 36,000km. Alongside his ride he also raised over £19,000 for Big Moose Charity.
He talks about his highs and lows, from experiencing beautiful hospitality like being offered camel milk in the Kazakh Steppe and the sheer joy of being out on his bike cycling through countless countries and places, to battling several bouts of pneumonia and coming face to face with a shotgun in Albania.
On this episode expect to hear:
Duncan is full of inspiration and advice for anyone thinking of taking on a challenge like that and hugely passionate about what it means to take on an adventure.
If you enjoyed this podcast, check out other Passion Stories Podcast episodes with fellow adventures like Mark Beaumont, Alastair Humphreys, Zara Lachlan and Oli France.
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🎧 Listen to the full episode with Duncan Covey wherever you get your podcasts - just search ‘the Passion Stories podcast’ or head to the YT channel.
In this week’s episode Emma is joined by Olivia Caplan, interior designer and social media influencer. Olivia shares her journey from chartered surveyor to interior designer and why she started creating videos offering advice on how to spruce up your home. We discuss everything from fluffy rugs, and panelling to how useful AI is or isn’t and much more. Olivia also shares her top tips and tricks on making sure you choose designs which you want, rather than what the algorithm shows you.
On this episode expect to hear:
Olivia is incredibly passionate about interior design and making it more accessible to everyone. She’s full of advice and honest opinions with a ton of humour thrown in for good measure too.
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This week Emma is joined by Bertie Gregory, National Geographic explorer and wildlife filmmaker.
Winner of numerous awards, including a BAFTA, EMMY and the 2025 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, Bertie captures wildlife in challenging and intimate environments all around the world.
In his latest show Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory, Bertie aims to dive cage-free with great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. He shares the highlights and challenges of filming these incredible predators, from nature’s unexpected joys to its unpredictability.
Bertie also reflects on his filmmaking journey, from a young wildlife fanatic, to creating shows on Disney+ and being a part of National Geographic.
In this episode Bertie talks about:
Bertie’s passion for storytelling, the natural world and documenting wildlife is unfaltering. He’s full of inspiration and wisdom, and also offers a ton of advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps.
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On this week’s episode Emma is joined by Damian Hall, ultrarunner, and co-founder of the Green Runners.
A record-breaking runner, Damian is often found on a podium at iconic races like the Spine Race, Dragon’s Back Race, the UK Ultra Trail Championships, Mozart 100 and Ultra Tour Monte Rosa, and most recently won the Montane Lakeland 100. He also has a ton of FKTs, but why does he run?
We chat about that very question and much more including:
It’s an eye-opening episode about the beauty of running far, combining your passions, and, most of all, sticking to your values.
Check out Damian on socials @ultra_damo and the Green Runner's @the.green.runners. You can also join the Green Runners here.
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What is textile performance? Why is a sewing machine so loud? Does technology have a place in art?
This week, Emma is joined by Harriet Riddell, a textile performance artist who creates art with her sewing machine. Harriet stitches stories and portraits in public places as she sees them - think life drawing blended with free‑motion embroidery.
Harriet has travelled the world with her sewing machine, stitching in bustling Indian markets, the humidity of Taiwan, and the joyful chaos of Glastonbury festival, as well as many other places.
Her work is spontaneous, she doesn't have a plan before she starts, instead she draws creativity from connection with people and places. To bolster this, people can pedal a bicycle alongside Harriet which powers her sewing machine, and this connection and conversation also influences her creative process.
In this episode Harriet shares:
Harriet’s warmth, passion and energy is contagious, and you don’t need to be into sewing or embroidery to enjoy this episode. By the end, you might just find yourself itching to pick up a needle or try out a sewing machine, or at the very least, look at the world a little differently.
Check out Harriet on socials and explore her website InStitchyou where you can try a free mini class on free motion embroidery.
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This week Emma is joined by breathwork coach, mentor, and former professional rugby player David Jackson, known as Jacko.
After a traumatic brain injury ended his rugby career, Jacko discovered breathwork. Now a Master Oxygen Advantage coach, he’s on a mission to make breathwork more accessible and help others use their breath as a tool for self-connection, healing, and high performance. Based in the rugged beauty of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdonia), Jacko is also an ultra runner who thrives on his local trails.
In this episode, we explore Jacko’s deeply personal journey with breathwork, from his TBI recovery to working with elite athletes, and being present for his father’s final breath. His passion for breathing and breathwork is both powerful and moving.
We dive into:
Whether you're new to breathwork or looking to deepen your understanding of breathing, this episode is absolutely fascinating. Be prepared to be more conscious of your breath even while you listen.
Follow Jacko on instagram @jacko.david.jackson and his Youtube channel @thebreathrunningcoach. You can also access his free foundations of breathwork course here and explore his workshops and other resources here. His book on running and breathwork is out April 2026.
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This week on the Passion Stories podcast, Emma is joined by Dr Sarah Ruggins, who recently smashed the LEJOGLE there and back overall record - cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End and back again in just 5 days, 11 hours, and 14 minutes.
That’s over 2,700 kilometres with 18,000 metres of elevation. Insane.
Sarah beat the men’s record by 6 hours 43 minutes, which was previously held by James MacDonald, and the women’s record by 4 days 17 hours 40 minutes which was held by Louise Harris. She also raised over £18,000 for the Bike Project and Bikes for Refugees at the same time.
In this conversation, we dive into:
It’s a wild and inspiring episode filled with grit, honesty and plenty of heart.
Follow Sarah on instagram @sarah_ruggins to keep up to date with her next challenge.
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✨🎙️ Follow and share the Passion Stories Podcast. Plus make sure you follow your host Emma Cole @emmasecole on socials to find out who the next inspiring and passionate guest is coming to your ears in a fortnight.
Can you be a professional athlete in two different sports?
In the latest episode Emma is joined by Annabel Fisher who is both a pro gravel cyclist and pro nordic skier. From March to October Annabel rides her bike, and in the winter she cross country skies for Switzerland.
Annabel is a real force, from studying at Cambridge university and flying planes in the RAF, to winning the Gravel Earth Series in 2023 and the British gravel championships in 2024, to skiing for Switzerland, but most of all she’s infectiously passionate about what she does and how she does it.
We chat about who she came to be a professional athlete, her skiing career and her gravel cycling career, why she chose those two sports and how she balances it all.
She also shares about coping with pressure, the importance of giving herself space for opportunities, and, of course, the origin of her formidable nickname, Shotgun.
Annabel is full of energy and incredibly inspiring - listen now on all platforms!
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In this episode, Emma is joined by legendary animator, director, and filmmaker Aaron Blaise, best known for his work on Disney classics including The Lion King, Brother Bear, and Beauty and the Beast.
Hand drawn over three years, Aaron opens up about his latest film Snow Bear which tells the story of a polar bear’s journey through a melting Arctic and explores the themes grief, climate change and resilience.
He also reflects on his 21 years at Walt Disney and co-directing Brother Bear for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.
From bringing iconic Disney characters to life to creating CreatureArtTeacher, Aaron shares how he hopes to inspire others to get involved in animation and hand-drawn storytelling, as well as what continues to drive his passion after decades in the industry.
It’s a a candid and inspiring conversation about creativity and staying connected to your passion, even when the path changes.
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#passionstories #podcast #animation #disney #storytelling #snowbear
Is indoor cycling a cult? Why is spinning so popular but also so divisive? Is there a difference between the two?
This week, Emma is joined by Melissa Power, indoor cycling instructor and founder of Cadence Indoor Cycling in North London. With 17+ years in the fitness industry, Melissa shares what it’s really like on the instructor’s podium, how indoor cycling differs from spin classes, and what it takes to build a thriving fitness community.
We also dive into:
Melissa's passion for group exercise and indoor cycling is awesome, as is her insight into the evolving fitness industry.
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Follow and share the Passion Stories Podcast 💥 Plus make sure you follow your host Emma Cole @emmasecole on socials to find out who the next inspiring and passionate guest is coming to your ears in a fortnight.
This week Emma is joined by Mark Beaumont. Best known for holding the Guinness World record for cycling around the world in under 80 days, Mark has rowed oceans, been to over 130 nations and territories and written 6 books, all of which has cultivated another passion, impact investing. Mark shares how he got into investing early stage companies in science and technology, what he looks for in entrepreneurs and how he mitigates risk. He talks about greenwashing, the evolution of ESG, and why impact investing matters. Mark also shares how his expeditions have formed his view on the world, and what he hopes to achieve now.
It’s a fascinating insight into transitioning from an athlete to business advisor and investor, as well as into the world of ESG and responsible investing.
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Follow, subscribe and share the Passion Stories Podcast 💥 Plus make sure you follow your host Emma Cole @emmasecole on socials to find out who the next inspiring and passionate guest is coming to your ears in a fortnight.
Did you know you can be prescribed a book? Joining me on this week’s episode is Lucy Pearson, a bibliotherapist and journalist known for starting The Literary Edit. Lucy is quite literally a human bookstore with a wealth of knowledge and passion for literature.
Lucy explains all about bibliotherapy, its origins, how it works, and why it works. She also shares how she got into prescribing books as well as some of the books she regularly recommends to clients. We also discuss reading trends and habits, the pros and cons of self-help books, the digitalisation of books and how reading culture has evolved. It’s a truly fascinating insight into the power of books and words.
You can find Lucy on socials @the_litedit
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Follow and share the Passion Stories Podcast 💥 Plus make sure you follow your host Emma Cole @emmasecole on socials to find out who the next inspiring and passionate guest is coming to your ears in a fortnight.
What should you do if a rhino charges you? Joining Emma on this episode is wildlife conservationist and Africa travel specialist Callum Perry. Callum spent over 6 years out in the South African bush and has a host of incredible stories to share. Not least about getting chased by rhinos, more than once (!) but also about the threats African wildlife face as well as those trying to protect them. Callum has also worked as a guide, and explains the protocols within the bush. Having made the move into travel, Callum talks about the role tourism has within conservation and his hopes for the two industries. It’s a fascinating insight into a fragile and beautiful world.
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Follow and share the Passion Stories Podcast 💥 Plus make sure you follow your host Emma Cole @emmasecole on socials to find out who the next inspiring and passionate guest is coming to your ears in a fortnight.