Extraordinary Life Stories

John Reynolds | Entrepreneur

John Reynolds talks with some of the world’s most extraordinary individuals discussing both the highs and lows of their life stories.

Each ‘lived experience’ is shared in an informal and candid conversation providing inspiration, thought provoking topics and actionable takeaways. Mindset is at the core of these conversations with guests being transparent about how they keep motivated, juggling family, business, mental health and time for themselves.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

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Saturday · 32 min
She Walked Away From Olympic Glory | Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell's Extraordinary Life Story
What happens when you walk away from the dream everyone else expects you to fulfil?Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell was a British swimming champion, a world number one and the first Black woman to swim for Great Britain. Yet, with the London 2012 Olympics approaching, she made the extraordinary decision to leave competitive swimming behind.In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with Rebecca to explore the story behind that decision, the pressures of elite sport and what happens when the pursuit of success begins to come at the expense of your own identity.Her journey took her from the swimming pool to Oxford University and, ultimately, to leading the 10,000 Interns Foundation, where she champions opportunities for underrepresented talent. Through her work and her memoir, These Heavy Black Bones, Rebecca challenges conventional ideas about ambition, achievement and what it really means to succeed.This is an honest conversation about identity, resilience, belonging and the freedom to redefine your life on your own terms.Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai.
Thursday · 29 min
“We Can Make Astronaut Suits, But Not Adaptive Fashion” | Victoria Ann Jenkins on ELS
In this episode, Victoria Ann Jenkins, founder of Unhidden and a pioneering adaptive fashion designer, joins the conversation to discuss her mission to make fashion more inclusive and why the industry has been so slow to change. From her groundbreaking collaboration with Primark, bringing adaptive clothing to the high street across 10 countries, to her own life-changing medical experiences, Victoria shares the personal journey behind her work and the barriers faced by millions of disabled people every day. She speaks candidly about medical misogyny, living with chronic pain, the challenges of raising investment as a founder, and the importance of ensuring disabled people have a seat at the table when decisions are made about their lives. With an estimated £446 billion in spending power represented by the UK's disabled consumers, Victoria challenges brands to rethink what inclusion really means and why adaptive fashion should never have been considered a niche market. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, representation and the determination to leave things better than you found them. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
October 10 · 36 min
The Truth About Building Octopus Energy | Greg Jackson's Extraordinary Life Story
What does it take to challenge an established industry and build a business that changes the rules? In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy and Kraken, joins us to share the experiences, beliefs and decisions that shaped his extraordinary entrepreneurial journey. From programming computer games as a teenager to building one of the UK's most recognisable energy businesses, Greg explains why solving problems matters more than chasing money, why understanding your customers is fundamental to success, and why taking action can be more valuable than having the perfect plan. He also reveals his unconventional approach to leadership, explains how he has worked to build a culture free from corporate politics, and discusses the balance between business, family and personal fulfilment. Looking ahead, Greg shares his thoughts on artificial intelligence, the risks and opportunities it presents, and why businesses should focus on creating lasting value rather than pursuing short-term profits. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: understand what genuinely makes you happy, stop living according to other people's expectations, and have the courage to pursue your own path. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
October 8 · 37 min
“You Cannot Sit There and Wait to Be Spotted” | Siân Welby's Extraordinary Life Story
In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with broadcaster, presenter and Capital Breakfast host Siân Welby for a candid conversation about ambition, authenticity, confidence and the reality behind success. From growing up in a tiny village in the East Midlands dreaming of becoming a presenter, to building a career across television and radio, Siân reveals the years of graft, rejection and unexpected opportunities that ultimately led her to one of the biggest breakfast radio shows in the UK. She talks openly about finding her voice, refusing to compromise her values, becoming a role model for young women, motherhood, managing the relentless demands of a 4am start and why she believes authenticity matters more than ever in an increasingly AI-driven world. There are also some wonderfully funny stories, including the time Siân accidentally walked into the wrong house while trying to interview Elton John. Most importantly, Siân shares her advice for anyone trying to break into the entertainment industry: back yourself, create your own opportunities and don't wait to be discovered. An honest, funny and inspiring conversation about what success really looks like when you strip away the fame and see the graft behind it. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
October 3 · 49 min
“AI Should Teach You, Not Replace You” | Author of The Lean Startup, Eric Ries | Extraordinary Life Stories
In this powerful episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with bestselling author, entrepreneur and The Lean Startup creator Eric Ries for a deeply honest conversation about entrepreneurship, failure, success, AI, leadership and what really matters. Eric reflects on his journey from an introverted software engineer to one of the most influential voices in modern entrepreneurship, revealing why some of his greatest successes came when he was busy pursuing something else. He shares his concerns about AI replacing human thinking, why we should use AI as a teacher rather than a substitute for creativity, and why failure is not something entrepreneurs should try to eliminate, but something they should learn to make less costly. Eric also explores the importance of trust in leadership, the dangers of social media's manufactured version of success, the importance of service, and why building something meaningful may matter far more than building something profitable. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful question: What do you want your children and grandchildren to remember you were working on? From The Lean Startup to his new book Incorruptible, Eric Ries offers a thought-provoking perspective on entrepreneurship, purpose, leadership and what it really means to succeed. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
October 1 · 32 min
"You Can Achieve That And Feel Empty" | WBO World Middleweight Champion Denzel Bentley's Extraordinary Life Story
In this powerful episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with professional boxer and world middleweight champion Denzel Bentley to explore the extraordinary journey that took him from a teenager who had given up on football to the pinnacle of boxing. Denzel started boxing remarkably late, not stepping into a proper boxing gym until he was almost 18. With no traditional amateur background, he had to catch up, walking miles to training, working part-time and eventually leaving university and selling his car to back himself and pursue his dream. He opens up about the moments when he first began to believe he could become a champion, the importance of someone else believing in you, and what it actually felt like to finally achieve the goal he had spent years chasing. But becoming world champion brought an unexpected question: what comes next? Denzel talks candidly about the strange feeling of achieving his ultimate sporting ambition and waking up the next morning to discover that life had not fundamentally changed. He reflects on the beauty of the process, the importance of hard work, fatherhood, masculinity, role models and the pressure facing young men in a world dominated by social media and unrealistic perceptions of success. Now, his definition of success has changed. It is no longer simply about belts, money or status. It is about building a secure future for his family, being there for his son and becoming the kind of father his child can be proud of. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
September 26 · 30 min
Born Different, Never Held Back | Sir James Wates
In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, hosted by John Reynolds, Sir James Wates shares the remarkable story behind his extraordinary career, from growing up as a member of the Wates family and joining the family construction business, to becoming Chairman of Wates Group and Chairman of the Rugby Football Union. Born with one arm, Sir James reflects on how his parents never treated him differently and how that upbringing gave him the confidence and resilience to pursue whatever he wanted in life. He explains why he never saw his disability as a limitation, why he chose not to use a prosthetic, and how his early experiences helped shape his approach to leadership. Sir James also discusses the importance of family businesses, succession and the values he absorbed growing up surrounded by generations of the Wates family. He shares his philosophy that leaders should be judged by what they do, not what they say, and explains why communication, openness and taking people on the journey with you are essential to successful leadership. The conversation also explores his work in construction, the industry's challenges around skills, apprenticeships, mental health and attracting more women, as well as the impact of AI and why he believes construction remains an industry with enormous opportunities for young people. As Chairman of the RFU, Sir James discusses his passion for rugby, the challenges facing English rugby, the importance of its values and his ambition for the future. Above all, this is a conversation about success, resilience, purpose and legacy and Sir James's belief that the greatest measure of success is leaving things better than you found them and creating opportunities for the next generation. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
September 24 · 31 min
From War Zones to the Sports Board Room: The Extraordinary Life of Vicky Gosling OBE
What happens when a career in the Royal Air Force leads to one of the most important sporting movements of the modern era? In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds is joined by Vicky Gosling OBE, whose remarkable career has taken her from 21 years in the RAF and the rank of Group Captain, to helping create the Invictus Games and becoming CEO of the 2016 Games in Orlando. Vicky talks candidly about the experiences that shaped her leadership, the realities of military life and the moment her career took an unexpected turn. She explains how her work supporting injured service personnel through sport ultimately led to the creation of the Invictus Games, bringing together more than 400 competitors from 14 nations. Her story then moves into the world of elite sport, where she became CEO of GB Snowsport and helped drive a new era of ambition for British skiing and snowboarding. She also discusses leadership, resilience, inclusion, the importance of giving people a sense of purpose and what it takes to build high-performing teams. Now Chair of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, Vicky reflects on a career built around service, sport and empowering others and shares the lessons she has learned along the way. A fascinating conversation about leadership, adversity, ambition and the extraordinary twists that can shape a life.
September 19 · 43 min
The Man Who Designs Icons, Ian Callum CBE | Extraordinary Life Stories
Long before he became one of the world’s most celebrated automotive designers, Ian Callum was a schoolboy in Dumfries with a very simple ambition: to design cars when he grew up. He even told his primary school teacher. That childhood ambition went on to become an extraordinary career, producing some of the most recognisable cars of the modern era. In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with Ian Callum CBE to explore the story behind the man who helped redefine British automotive design. From the Ford Escort Cosworth to the Aston Martin DB7 and Aston Martin Vanquish, Ian talks about the risks, frustrations and creative decisions behind some of the world's most iconic cars. His career at Jaguar would go on to produce the XK, XF, XJ, F-TYPE and I-PACE, helping create a new design language for the marque. But this is also a conversation about the future of the car. Ian gives his perspective on Jaguar's dramatic recent rebrand and the enormous shift taking place across the automotive industry as designers move from the world of combustion engines towards EVs. From a schoolboy's dream to the drawing board of the Aston Martin DB7, and from Jaguar's golden era to the future of the electric car, this is the story of a man who turned a childhood obsession into a career designing icons.
September 17 · 46 min
THE CONGO IS MY MOST DANGEROUS CHALLENGE YET | Ash Dykes | Extraordinary Life Stories
What does it take to keep going when your body is telling you to stop? Ash Dykes is a five-time world record holder, explorer and extreme adventurer who has pushed himself to the limits across some of the most dangerous environments on Earth. From crossing Mongolia alone and unsupported to battling dehydration in the Gobi Desert, surviving malaria, facing wolves, bears and armed men, Ash has repeatedly found himself in situations where survival depended on one thing above all else: his mindset. In this fascinating conversation, Ash explains how he prepares for the worst, why the mental battle is harder than the physical one, how he turned extreme exploration into a business, and why he believes adaptability is the key to survival. He also reveals why he once ruled out the Congo Basin as simply too dangerous and why he has now decided to take it on. From a £200 bank balance and training in his parents' garden to world records, global recognition and his next extraordinary expedition, this is a story about resilience, preparation, risk, ambition and the human capacity to keep going. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
September 12 · 30 min
Saving 1 Million Trees: The Cheeky Panda Story | Julie Chen
What happens when you look at one of the most ordinary products in our homes and ask: surely there’s a better way? In this episode, Julie Chen, co-founder and CEO of Cheeky Panda, shares the remarkable story behind the brand that set out to disrupt the toilet paper and tissue industry with bamboo based, sustainable alternatives. Starting the business from her spare room with her husband, Julie tested the idea through crowdfunding, secured their first container and began cold-calling retailers. Today, Cheeky Panda has grown from a niche sustainable brand into a mainstream name, selling through major retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Boots and Ocado, while generating more than £1 million a month through Amazon alone. Julie opens up about the realities behind that growth, including the challenges of raising funding as a female founder, leading teams, making mistakes, finding the right people and learning when to focus on your own strengths. She also explains why the company's ultimate measure of success isn't simply revenue or profit, it's the ambition to save one million trees profitably. We discuss entrepreneurship, sustainability, leadership, self-awareness, family, working with a spouse, building a purpose-driven brand and the importance of pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. A fascinating conversation about challenging conventional thinking, building a business with purpose and proving that sustainability doesn't have to mean compromising on quality, affordability or commercial success. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
September 10 · 31 min
'Moddy' Modestas Mankus on AI, Entrepreneurship | Extraordinary Life Stories
What does success really mean in a world being transformed by AI? In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with entrepreneur, creator and media innovator 'Moddy' Modestas Mankus for a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, resilience and the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence. Moddy shares how his early experiences of financial struggle and watching his hardworking mother shaped his ambition, work ethic and determination to build a different future. From teaching himself graphic design and creating YouTube videos as a teenager, to building media businesses and becoming a sought-after voice in AI and technology, his journey has been anything but conventional. Today, Moddy works with some of the world's biggest brands, including Amazon, Google and Microsoft, who have approached him for his expertise and ability to explain complex technology in a way people can understand. But behind the success are 18-hour working days, burnout, self-doubt, criticism and the difficult decisions that come with building a business without a traditional five-year plan. Moddy also explores the future of AI, why humans need to embrace their imperfections, how creators can stand out in an increasingly AI-generated world, and why authenticity may become more valuable than ever. Most importantly, he explains why his definition of success has changed, from simply building a big company and making money, to creating a life that allows him to be present for his family while continuing to pursue the creativity that drives him. A candid and inspiring conversation about taking opportunities, backing yourself, persevering through setbacks and staying true to who you are. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
September 5 · 31 min
The Secret to Spotting Great Entrepreneurs | Tom Teichman | Extraordinary Life Stories
What makes someone an extraordinary entrepreneur and how do you spot that potential before anyone else does? In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with legendary investor Tom Teichman, whose remarkable career has seen him back some of the most successful entrepreneurs and businesses of the past 25 years, including lastminute.com, Moshi Monsters and Calm. Tom shares the lessons behind his extraordinary track record, revealing why his investment decisions are ultimately about people rather than businesses, and why listening, honesty, emotional commitment and the ability to adapt matter more than almost anything else. He reflects on his early career in the relentless world of investment banking, his journey towards becoming a more empathetic and thoughtful leader, and the importance of trusting your instincts when identifying exceptional talent. Tom and John also explore AI, leadership, mental and physical fitness, the dangers of putting money above everything else, and what true success really means. A fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, human potential, wealth, legacy and the lessons that come from a lifetime of backing extraordinary people. In this episode: - How Tom spotted the potential in lastminute.com - Why great businesses are built around great people - The qualities Tom looks for in exceptional entrepreneurs - Why listening can be more powerful than speaking - What psychotherapy taught Tom about leadership - The importance of empathy and treating people as you want to be treated - Why AI can't yet replace human judgement when it comes to talent - Lessons from working with founders and investors - Why wealth isn't necessarily the definition of success - Family, relationships and the legacy we leave behind - Tom's approach to staying physically and mentally fit - His advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
September 3 · 37 min
Nicola Chapman | From YouTube Pioneer to Surviving MS | Extraordinary Life Stories
Nicola Chapman was one of YouTube’s original influencers, long before “influencer” was even a word. What began as a way to help people learn how to do their makeup became a global online community, millions of views, international travel, a hugely successful makeup brush business and, at its peak, around £20,000 a month in income. But behind the success was a much more extraordinary story. In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, Nicola opens up about growing up in a domestic violence environment, losing her father to MS, experiencing miscarriages, becoming a mother, building a hugely successful business and eventually being diagnosed with MS herself. She talks candidly about undergoing a stem-cell transplant in Mexico, losing her hair, rebuilding her life and discovering that the things she once thought represented success weren't necessarily the things that made her happy. Nicola also reflects on the changing world of social media, the pressures facing young people online, the importance of authenticity in an age of AI and why she believes being present, making memories and having enough can be far more valuable than constantly chasing more. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, motherhood, success, social media, illness, humility and finding out what really matters. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
August 29 · 39 min
Sir Ben Ainslie: The Relentless Pursuit of Winning | Extraordinary Life Stories
From being pushed out onto the water alone as an eight-year-old boy to becoming the most successful Olympic sailor in history, Sir Ben Ainslie’s life has been defined by competition, resilience and an extraordinary determination to win. In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with one of Britain’s greatest sporting icons to explore the journey behind the medals, the fame and the historic comebacks. Sir Ben opens up about the lessons he learned from his father, being bullied at school, the transition from individual athlete to leading some of the biggest teams in world sport, and why honesty and empathy have become two of the most important values in his leadership. He also reflects on the incredible 8–1 comeback in the America’s Cup, the evolution of sailing into a high-speed global spectacle, the challenge of stepping away from elite competition and how he now balances ambition, business and family life. This is a conversation about much more than sailing. It’s about learning to take responsibility, handling pressure, adapting to change and continuing to chase excellence when the next challenge is always on the horizon. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
August 27 · 35 min
She Went Viral Overnight, Now She’s Taking Over Sport | Extraordinary Life Stories
What happens when relentless ambition meets an unexpected moment that changes everything? In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with Jolie Sharpe, the sports presenter and digital creator whose passionate interview with England fans during the Euros went viral, changing the trajectory of her life almost overnight. But Jolie’s story started long before that moment.From growing up surrounded by sport with her two brothers, to dropping out of university and building a successful marketing agency at just 21, Jolie has always refused to accept the word no. After sending countless emails to broadcasters offering to work for free, she found herself at the Euros with a microphone, a camera and a determination to create her own opportunity. Then one spontaneous interview changed everything.Jolie shares the reality behind going viral, the pressure of building a career at extraordinary speed, working across football, Formula 1 and boxing, and why saying no has become just as important as chasing every opportunity. She also opens up about losing a close friend at 19, the lessons that changed her perspective on life, the importance of protecting her privacy, managing burnout and why she believes you have to be “delusional enough to think it’s possible, but smart enough to make it happen.” This is a conversation about ambition, resilience, positivity, hard work and what happens when you refuse to stop chasing the life you really want. Jolie Sharp’s story is only just getting started. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
August 22 · 51 min
Sir Martin Sorrell | Business Growth, Hostile Takeovers & the Future of AI
In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories legendary advertising executive and founder of WPP, Sir Martin Sorrell, sits down with John Reynolds to reflect on his iconic career, business strategy, and the future of commerce. From utilising a wire basket manufacturing shell company to launch WPP, to executing massive takeover deals and navigating financial leverage, Sir Martin shares the key lessons learned across decades at the top of the global ad industry. He also breaks down the five key ways artificial intelligence is currently restructuring corporate organisations, why Jensen Wang's management style at Nvidia represents the modern ideal, and his strong opinions on sports financing, work ethic, and leadership. Topics covered: - The foundational career advice Sir Martin received from his father - The aggressive growth and hostile takeover strategy behind WPP - Real-world applications of AI in ad personalisation, copy, and media buying - The impact of shifting economic power from Western nations to emerging markets - Why staying active mentally and professionally is essential past traditional retirement age Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
August 20 · 32 min
Abi Hookway | Single Mum to Multi-Million Property Investor | Extraordinary Life Stories
From a single mum with two young children and £24,000 of credit card debt to building a property portfolio worth more than £10 million, Abi Hookway’s story is one of resilience, ambition and refusing to accept the limits placed upon her. In this inspiring episode of Extraordinary Life Stories with John Reynolds, Abi shares how financial hardship, divorce and depression became the catalyst for completely changing her life. She discusses her first steps into property investing, the mistakes that nearly cost her dearly, and the lessons she learned about ego, risk and resilience along the way. Abi also opens up about the importance of financial education, why the traditional path through school, university and employment may no longer work for everyone, and how AI is changing the future of work and property investing. With a social media reach of around 25 million people a week, Abi is now focused on helping others take control of their financial futures. She also discusses burnout, leadership, being a woman in business, her recent experience of exploring politics, and why she believes success is ultimately about finding inner peace. A powerful conversation about property, entrepreneurship, financial freedom, failure, purpose and believing that your starting point does not define where you can end up. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
August 15 · 49 min
The Future of Leadership, AI & Success | Dr Nicola Hodson | Extraordinary Life Stories
What does it take to lead at the highest level in a world being transformed by AI? In this episode, John Reynolds sits down with Dr Nicola Hodson, former Chair of IBM UK and Ireland, for a fascinating conversation about leadership, technology, curiosity, personal success and the rapidly changing world of work. Nicola shares insights from a remarkable career spanning engineering, the nuclear industry, Microsoft and IBM, exploring how her lifelong commitment to learning and curiosity has shaped her approach to business and leadership. Together they discuss the impact of AI on jobs and skills, why reskilling will become increasingly important, and how leaders can help their teams embrace change without losing sight of the human element. Nicola also opens up about her own approach to leadership, including the importance of self-awareness, empathy, trust and creating an environment where people can perform at their best. She talks candidly about mentoring, finding the right support network, maintaining balance and how she defines success beyond simply hitting financial targets. From leadership lessons and the future of technology to parenting, wellbeing, motorbikes, reading and the importance of backing yourself, this is a wide-ranging and highly personal conversation with one of the UK's leading technology leaders. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai
August 8 · 45 min
Marisa Peer | Everything Changes When You Believe You're Enough | Extraordinary Life Stories
What if the biggest factor determining your happiness, relationships and success is one simple belief: "I am enough." In this deeply insightful episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with world-renowned therapist, bestselling author and creator of Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT), Marisa Peer, for a conversation that has the power to change the way you think about yourself. Marisa explains why self-worth sits at the heart of everything, from parenting and relationships to addiction, achievement and mental wellbeing. She shares the simple principles that can transform a child's confidence, reveals why so many successful people still struggle with feeling "not enough", and explains how our thoughts and language shape our reality. Together, John and Marisa discuss: Why self-esteem is the foundation of success The three parenting habits every child needs The hidden psychology behind addiction How to overcome limiting beliefs The science of manifestation and self-worth Why resilience matters more than perfection How changing your words can change your life Marisa also opens up about her own journey, including surviving cancer twice, recovering from a life-changing accident, building a global movement that has reached schools around the world, and why curiosity remains her greatest teacher. This is an inspiring and practical conversation packed with life-changing insights that will leave you questioning the stories you've been telling yourself, and show you how to rewrite them. Extraordinary Life Stories is hosted by John Reynolds, bringing you powerful conversations with remarkable people whose experiences inspire, educate and challenge the way we see the world. Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

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