The Resilience Project Podcast

Embark on a gripping journey with Bella Collins, a novice rower turned record-breaking adventurer, on ‘The Resilience Project’ podcast. Host Wes Linden asks the questions as Bella dives deep into her incredible feat of rowing across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in a small boat alongside three strangers. Despite her initial lack of experience and lifelong battle with self-doubt, Bella shattered not just one, but three world records! In this episode, Wes uncovers the vital leadership principles Bella harnessed to forge a cohesive and effective team amidst the most extreme, life-threatening conditions. Discover the camaraderie and culture-building strategies that were crucial to their survival and success. Bella, now recognised globally following her inclusion in the 'Forbes 30 Under 30' list, also reveals how she developed a resilient mindset, which helped her overcome persistent self-doubt and navigate the uncertainties of her daring expeditions. Join us to learn from a true exemplar of determination. 00:00 Intro 01:16 School nerd & unsporty. How did you end up with three world records? 02:44 First record. 03:07 Times you let fear beat you. 05:11: Something that happened when younger that pushed you on this path? 06:14 Attitudes to risk. 08:04 First world record. 10:25 How big is the boat & how confined were you with the others? 11:31 How do you even sleep?! 12:25 Only two hours to rest. 13:43 Cabin fever.15:00 Examples? 16:32 The next world record. 16:49 What did you learn about being around people for that length of time in such a small space? 18:57 Anxiety & mental health. 20:24 World record with The Ocean Sheroes 21:25 Training for the winds and waves. 24:43 Inner strength & resilience to get through the storms at sea. 26:20 How incredible the Pacific challenge is. 27:42 Break 27:55 Family doubting her. 30:34 Finding your people. 31:57 Overcoming anyone close to you that you expected to support you who didn't? 33:22 Overcoming imposter syndrome. 35:08 Why you’re going to go on the oceans again. 36:38 Why am I doing this?! 38:29 Gaps between success and failure. 39:44 Fearing success? 40:55 Attitude changes. 42:01 What would you say you learned from that period that you didn't already know from being isolated on a boat 43:58 Comparing yourself & your achievements. 45:39 Comparison issues. 46:42 Staying in your lane. 47:33 Most common challenges that your experiences can help people overcome? 49:07 How to build culture for a high-performing team that actually wants to work together? 51:12 Succeeding on your own without a team to support you. 51:54 Moving forwards when feeling lost or trapped. 54:14 Prepare mentally for the next world record. 55:58 Is there one question that you thought I might have asked that I didn't, but you've got a great story or answer for? 56:35 Closing Follow me: beacons.ai/theresilienceproject Bella's website: bellacollinsadventure.com Bella on social: instagram.com/collins_bella linkedin.com/in/bella-collins Wes on social: instagram.com/weslinden linkedin.com/in/weslinden Never miss an episode: weslinden.com/podcast

Celebrities have it easy…Or do they? Our latest guest, Frank Bruno knows all about getting up after being knocked down. From being sent to borstal; becoming World Champion Heavyweight Boxer; being avoided in public when news of his mental health issues were mocked by the newspapers; getting sectioned six times; to becoming one of the most famous faces in the country, and eventually recognised as a National Treasure; we speak to Frank on winning his huge battles both in & out the ring. Host Wes Linden uncovers the grit & determination that we can utilise in order to chase our dreams. Frank Bruno shares straightforward mindset & resilience lessons on getting to the top, hitting rock-bottom and getting back up again - lessons that'll benefit you no matter what path you’re on, sports fan or not. 00:00 Intro 01:15 When you realised you were going to be World Champ? 01:54 What emotions you experienced? 02:07 Leaving family & going to borstal? 02:52 When did you start boxing? 03:23 Borstal a good decision? 03:45 Amateur boxing? 04:07 Was borstal tough? 04:25 “I need to sort myself out”? 04:43 Youngest ever amateur champ? 05:11 Was your success too quick? 05:37 Is instant success a problem? 06:07 You nearly never made it? 06:24 How did you get over knockbacks? 06:56 James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith’s name! 07:54 Your mindset after defeat? 08:27 What can people learn from your attitude? 08:59 Fighting Mike Tyson. 09:34 People suffering knockbacks day to day. What can they learn from your attitude? 10:05 Fighting Tyson a 2nd time in ‘96. 10:32 Losing your eye? 10:48 How you pushed on despite anxiety? 11:31 The world is watching you? 11:55 Making a $20m comeback? 12:16 Your sacrifices? 12:53 Push through doubts? 13:26 Is failing good for you? 14:14 Daily mantra? 14:46 Harder days? 15:03 Disappointments from losing when you could've won. 15:32 Celeb career? 15:44 Side-gig distraction? 17:22 Most famous guy in the country? 18:00 Overcoming imposter syndrome? 18:28 How did you admit your mental health and bipolar conditions? 18:58 Being sectioned? 19:25 Did you have a sense of shame? 19:42 Still shame around the mental health? 20:17 Positive mindset. 20:47 How can listeners take control when they're not feeling great? 21:43 What you said to yourself when struggling with mental health? 22:02 Dreadful headlines about you and mental health. 22:24 Negatives into positives? 22:38 Public crossing the road to avoid you due to mental health? 22:52 Maintaining class amongst critics? 23:14 Phone being hacked by the media? 25:14 Break 25:27 Being one of the first celebs to talk about mental health? 26:54 Advice for people listening struggling with mental health? 27:11 Mental health medication v exercise? 27:38 Your mentors? 28:23 What advice did they give you? 28:34 Muhammad Ali a mentor? 28:54 Ali’s charisma. 29:12 Making people feel good? 31:04 Building your brand? 31:19 Getting recognised? 31:39 Losing negative people? 32:13 Haters, criticism and rejections? 34:29 Overcoming doubters in life? 35:27 Was this journey how you imagined? 35:58 Receiving MBE and awards? 36:27 Meeting celebs? 37:14 Quitting? 38:00 Toughest battles in or out of the ring? 38:46 Most proud of? 39:57 Proudest moment? 40:49 Look at me now! 41:19 Retirement? 41:35 Define success? 42:05 Frank’s Foundation. 43:20 Charity work? 43:30 Seeing people develop? 44:04 Prison? 44:39 Success and defeat? 45:03 Overcoming knocks? 45:50 Resilience? 46:12 Cheery attitude? 47:19 Close Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject Frank’s book ‘Let me be Frank’ on Amazon (UK): https://amzn.to/4d29ggU Frank’s book ‘60 Years a Fighter’ (inc signed copies & memorabilia): https://www.frankbruno.co.uk/product-category/books/ Frank’s foundation: https://www.thefrankbrunofoundation.co.uk Frank on social: https://x.com/frankbrunoboxer https://www.instagram.com/frankbrunoboxer Wes on social: Instagram.com/weslinden LinkedIn.com/weslinden Never miss an episode: weslinden.com/podcast

What if the toughest days of your life could lead to your BEST ones? At age 11, a devastating accident changed Michelle Kuei’s life forever, leading her on a path with 13 surgeries and challenges that would intimidate the strongest spirits. Despite these hurdles, Michelle didn’t just learn to adapt—she thrived. Now standing strong at 4’4", she moves through life with her crutches, a symbol not of limitation but of her unstoppable resilience. From completing the challenging Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu on crutches to becoming an entrepreneur, author, and inspirational speaker, Michelle’s story isn’t just about overcoming. It’s about transforming adversity into opportunity. Host Wes Linden asks the questions as Michelle shares her incredible mental strength and strategies for turning negatives into positives. She also reveals the secrets behind her awe-inspiring resilience, with simple lessons that you can apply to your own journey, no matter what field you’re in. 00:00 Intro 01:46 Tell us about the accident and your disabilities? 04:58 Your teenage years must have been a huge test on your mental strength? 06:29 What would you say in hindsight you learned about yourself from that period? 09:58 Is society more accepting of disabilities? 12:15 You’ve suffered from feeling shame. What can people learn from how you overcome this? 16:02 You had other things against you too including being an immigrant into a country without being able to speak, speak their language. How did you navigate that? 20:39 You have so many tools for dealing with challenges. Can these approaches overlap? 22:37 You challenged yourself to trek up Machu Picchu. How did that come about? 27:53 What happened when you arrived in Peru? 32:18 Was this a time where you felt part of something? 34:48 Thought on how to make people feel good. 37:01 Tell us about the invisibility cloak… do you still have one? 40:04 What do you say to yourself when you think of quitting or stopping or procrastinating? 43:04 Social media shows so much perfection. How can people navigate through that? 46:41 Do you ever have moments of imposter syndrome and how do you get over those? 50:32 Tell us about the Barbie doll you have on display! 52:02 How do you overcome self-pity? 54:37 How can start to turn around any problems they are facing now? 57:53 What question did I not ask that you think I might have done? 59:19 What would you say about resilience that people need to hear? Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject Order Michelle’s book ‘Perfectly Normal’ on Amazon (UK): https://amzn.to/4anGLs8 Order Michelle’s book ‘Perfectly Normal’ on Amazon (USA): https://a.co/d/hHVhstr Find Wes on social: Instagram.com/weslinden LinkedIn.com/weslinden Never miss an episode: weslinden.com/podcast

Discover resilience and success insights from an Olympic Gold medal winner who became Co-CEO of a business with over one million customers and two billion in annual turnover. In this episode of The Resilience Project podcast, host Wes Linden explores Andrew Lindsay MBE's journey from the Olympic Gold podium with Team GB to the helm of UW, a hugely successful market-disrupting business (Utility Warehouse/Telecom plus PLC). Uncover Andrew's resilience, mindset, shutting out distractions and leadership strategies which you can apply to your own journey too. 00:00: Intro 01:06: When did you realise you were going to win Olympic Gold? 02:06: What went through your head in the moments before winning Olympic Gold? 03:23: Who keeps you motivated? 04:01: Feelings crossing the finish line? 04:59: Had you always aspired to win Olympic Gold? 06:05: How long had you been on that journey? 06:14: How do you make the switch from uncertainty to certainty? 07:20: How to sustain motivation amidst distractions? 08:38: Solo success vs. team success? 09:38: Keys to becoming the best? 10:50: Did you enjoy the journey or hate it? 11:56: Balancing the need for instant success with incremental improvement? 12:49: How to maintain focus during incremental changes? 14:25: When achievers say ‘I always knew I’d do XYZ’ do you believe them?! 16:17: Battling imposter syndrome and wondering if you’re good enough? 18:19: Navigating success amidst today’s distractions such as social media & 24/7 news? 19:58: Is it true a teammate choose you for the final place in the team over his best friend? 21:22: What’s the mindset behind choosing success over friendship? 22:00: Coping with self-doubt and preparing to quit? 24:26: What happened when your girlfriend dumped you at your low point? 25:41: Advice for overcoming setbacks? 26:39: Instilling resilience in your kids? 28:13: A favour please! 29:07: What big challenge surprised you most? 31:21: Recognising when to move on? 32:34: Avoiding living off past glory & finding new goals to push on with? 34:28: Coping with post-success blues? 36:00: Why did you quit a high salary job for one with much lower pay? 36:51: Did you always want to be a CEO? 37:37: Stepping back for future advancement? 38:32: Why did you join UW’s leadership team? 39:16: Applying Olympic lessons to business? 41:20: Resilience lessons for day-to-day work? 43:56: How to maintain resilience during tough times? 47:21: How close are failure & success to each other? 49:00: Managing the impact of negativity around you? 49:44: What’s your daily success mantra? 51:06: What would you say to those contemplating giving up on what they’re doing? 53:21: What happened to the girlfriend?! Follow us: beacons.ai/theresilienceproject Watch this episode on YouTube: youtu.be/0kc6klyBlfw Andrew's Team GB Olympic Gold winning race: youtu.be/J1zl-vwn3Ak?si=FUosytKZdEFtEqih Olympic podium: youtu.be/I81oYKqVmGk?si=WlM0vZ7okIkpuAsU Connect with Wes: Instagram.com/weslinden LinkedIn.com/weslinden Subscribe for future updates: weslinden.com/podcast

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