Join Jodie Ounsley and Ashleigh Wilmot for a podcast celebrating athletes who have faced adversity in their careers. Hosted by two women who have been there and done that, Stronger Than You Think presented by Defender is is the essential podcast for sports fans.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
1x08 - Lola Lovinfosse - SHATTERING the Formula 1 glass ceiling
French F1 Academy driver Lola Lovinfosse discusses the recently established F1 Academy as well as what it's like to break down barriers for women in motorsport.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Oct 2025
1x07 - Gill Burns - SMASHING down walls with the PIONEER of women's rugby
Rugby legend Gill Burns opens about pioneering the women's game and discusses her experiences of representing England, winning the Rugby World Cup and the challenges she faced trying to play the game she loves.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
13 Oct 2025
1x06 - Ella-Mae Rayner - The reality of growing up online and its impact on body image
After a successful sporting background in gymnastics and cheerleading, an injury to Ella-Mae Rayner saw her routine turned upside down. Ella-Mae joined us to discuss how her injury affected her body image, why she started going to the gym and how the Covid lockdown helped her grow on TikTok.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
6 Oct 2025
1x05 - Jess Carter - From LOSS to a European Champion Lioness
Lionesses and Chelsea defender, Jess Carter, joined us to discuss winning the euros, playing for her country and why she decided to give up rugby in favour of football. The England international also speaks openly about losing a key figure in her life, her struggles with fitness and how she copes with events away from football.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
2 Oct 2025
2x06 - Kadeena Cox - From a stroke at 23 to FOUR Paralympic medals two years later
Kadeena Cox is a three-time Paralympian, medalling in both cycling and athletics. It hasn't been a smooth journey for the multi-talented sports star, however, with Kadeena battling a slew of medical issues - including a stroke at just 23 years of age!
Kadeena joins Jodie Ounsley and Ashley Wilmot to discuss the highs and lows of her thrilling career to date on Stronger Than You Think, brought to you by Defender.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
29 Sept 2025
1x04 - Hollie Davidson - The HARSH REALITY of sports officiating
Hollie Davidson exposes the hidden world of refereeing and the harsh realities that come with it. After an injury ended Hollie Davidson's dreams of playing rugby for Scotland, she decided to take the bold step to pick up a whistle and start refereeing. Hollie joins us to discuss why she made this decision, how much she enjoys refereeing finals, going to the Rugby World Cup and how she deals with the abuse that officials get.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
25 Sept 2025
2x05 - Safia Middleton-Patel - On the spectrum with Manchester United
Manchester United and Wales goal-keeper Safia Middleton-Patel's life changed when she was diagnosed with autism in 2023. Far from being a setback, the diagnosis enabled Safia to thrive in the world of professional sport. Safia joins the show to talk through the highs and lows she's experienced inside the clubroom and out on the pitch.
Stronger Than You Think is brought to you by Defender.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Sept 2025
1x03 - Milly Pickles - The ELECTROCUTION that started a REVOLUTION
Milly Pickles shares the emotional story of the electrocution that caused her to lose her leg and start life over again. After two months in the hospital, which included
learning to walk again, Milly was discharged and her new life begun.
You can watch every episode of Stronger Than You Think for free on YouTube.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Sept 2025
2x04 - Cindy Ngamba - Making HISTORY as the first Refugee Olympic medallist
In 2024, Cameroonian boxer Cindy Ngamba became the first person to win an Olympic medal for the Refugee Olympic Team. Cindy chats with Ashleigh and Jodie about the challenges she faced growing up and her pathway to the impossible. Stronger Than You Think, brought to you by Defender.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Sept 2025
1x02 - Jen Beattie - Kicking the football, kicking cancer and coming out
Jen Beatie opens up about her battle with cancer, coming out and what it was really like playing for Arsenal. Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Jen Beattie sits down with Ashleigh Wilmot and Jodie Ounsley to discuss playing football in America, coming out to her friends and family, and overcoming breast cancer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Sept 2025
2x03 - Zainab Alema - REWRITING the laws on a rugby pitch
Off the pitch known as a trailblazer and on the pitch known as 'The Bulldozer', Zainab Alema became the first hijabi woman to play in England's Premiership Women's Rugby competition in 2024.
It took a moment of clarity while Zainab was working as a neonatal nurse to propel her to make her dreams a reality. Now, Zainab is a grassroots advocate aiming to increase representation for Black and Muslim women in rugby, challenge stereotypes inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
Stronger Than You Think, brought to you by Defender.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
8 Sept 2025
1x01 - Jodie Ounsley - Conquering a profoundly deaf life and becoming a Gladiator
In this throwback episode, Ashleigh Wilmott and Jodie Ounsley sit down to discuss Jodie's childhood growing up deaf, what it's like living with a 'robot ear', and becoming Fury the Gladiator.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Sept 2025
2x02 - Elinor Barker - Why let pregnancy get in the way of an OLYMPIC MEDAL?
Elinor Barker was in the midst of competing at the 2020 Olympics when she learned she was pregnant with her first child - a shock for many reasons, not the least that she's locked in an ongoing battle with chronic endometriosis. Now a back-to-back Olympic medallist and with a second baby on the way, Elinor sits down with Jodie and Ashleigh to dissect a career of highs, lows and everything in between. Stronger Than You Think, brought to you by Defender.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
29 Aug 2025
2x01 - Portia Woodman-Wickliffe - The undisputed QUEEN of the rugby field
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has conquered all in front of her, whether it's in the game of rugby union or in the compressed sevens format, banking world titles and Olympic gold medals. Across Aotearoa New Zealand she is an inspiration for children and adults alike and is continuing to make a splash on the global stage.
In 2025, Portia will be attempting to help New Zealand go back-to-back in the Rugby World Cup, with her national side travelling to England to take on the best of the best.
Stronger Than You Think, brought to you by Defender.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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