Welcome to The Blesma "Human, Not Heroic" Podcast — a brand-new series that explores the extraordinary stories and honest conversations of those who’ve served in the military, adapted, and rebuilt their lives. In each episode, we go deeper than headlines and heroics, uncovering the human stories behind military service, injury, and recovery.
Rob served as an RAF parachute instructor before a mid-air collision in 2016 left him tetraplegic. His Blesma interview describes almost four years in hospital and rehabilitation, including nearly a year learning to feed himself again.
4 Aug 2026
Episode 6: Janet Wilkes — A Widow's Story
In this episode, host Harry Bucknall sits down with Janet Wilkes — widow of Keith Wilkes, who served in bomb disposal before joining the Intelligence Corps. Janet shares what it meant to be the person beside him: caring for him through the loss of both legs following an infection, and loving him through the hardest days.
7 Apr 2026
Episode 5: Paul Curless | Losing an Eye, Mental Health and Life After Service
Paul Curless lost an eye while serving in Northern Ireland. He opens up about his injury, life after service and mental health.
12 Mar 2026
Episode 4: Lisa’s Story | From Soldier to Mum
In this episode, Lisa shares her story of service, motherhood, injury and rebuilding her life. From serving in the Army to facing the realities of chronic pain and limb loss, she speaks honestly about identity, resilience and what it means to be a mum through life-changing challenges. It’s a powerful conversation that shows the human story behind the uniform.
5 Jan 2026
Episode 3: Ed Davis | National Chairman, Blesma
Host Harry Bucknall meets Ed Davis, National Chairman at Blesma, to talk about leading the charity, supporting life after injury, and why recovery is about far more than the physical. A candid conversation on resilience, purpose and community.
3 Dec 2025
Episode 2: Mark Smith | Service, PTSD and Finding Purpose
In this episode, host Harry sits down with Mark Smith, someone he has known for more than 30 years. Mark enlisted at 16 as a Junior Soldier, later serving with the Coldstream Guards. Over nine years of service, he carried out ceremonial duties in London and deployed on operational tours during the Gulf War, the Northern Ireland conflict, and in Bosnia. Mark shares his personal journey, including life after injury and mental health struggles. Today, Mark runs his own counselling service ...
29 Oct 2025
Episode 1: Neil Heritage | Rebuilding Life After Iraq
In the first episode, host Harry Bucknall sits down with Neil Heritage, a former soldier who lost both legs in Iraq after an IED attack — and went on to defy every expectation. Neil’s journey from injury to independence has taken him from hospital wards to mountain summits, Ironman triathlons, and global adventures. Together, Harry and Neil explore resilience, mental health, and the power of purpose — showing that recovery is never just physical.
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