You Can Do Hard Things

di Jenny Melling

Stagione 2

Inside the Met Police: The Stories Officers Rarely Get the Chance to Share | Laura Pond (Part 1)

What is it really like to spend almost 20 years policing London? In Part 1 of this conversation, I sit down with one of my closest friends and former Metropolitan Police colleague, Laura Pond. From the outside, policing is often reduced to headlines and headlines rarely tell the full story. Together we look back on our time in the Met, talking honestly about Hendon training school, response policing, becoming detectives, Counter Terrorism, Professional Standards, major incidents and the unseen pressures that come with wearing the uniform. Laura shares how she nearly never joined the police because of anxiety, how putting on the uniform transformed her confidence, and how she went on to work in Counter Terrorism, helping improve the UK's response to victims following the Tunisia terrorist attack. This isn't a conversation about sensational stories. It's about the people behind the badge. It's about responsibility, resilience, friendship, humour, and the things police officers rarely get the opportunity to talk about once the cameras are off. Whether you've worked in policing, know someone who has, or you've simply wondered what life inside the Met is really like, I hope this conversation gives you a perspective you may never have heard before. In this episode we discuss: • Joining the Metropolitan Police • Hendon Police Training School • Life on response policing • Becoming a detective • Counter Terrorism Command • The Tunisia terrorist attack • Professional Standards (DPS) • War crimes investigations • Public perception of policing • Why good officers leave If you enjoy honest conversations about resilience, leadership and the experiences that shape us, please follow You Can Do Hard Things wherever you listen to your podcasts. Part 2 is coming soon... and trust me, you won't want to miss it.

S2 · E7

26 giu 2026

1:45:13

Holly's Story: Meningitis, Memory Loss, Grief, a Psychic Medium & Learning to Live Again (Part 2)

What are the warning signs of meningitis? Can meningitis cause memory loss, brain fog and speech problems years later? How quickly can meningitis become life-threatening? In Part 2 of my conversation with Holly, we explore the life-changing impact of meningitis, grief and survival. Holly shares her terrifying experience of developing meningococcal meningitis, from repeatedly collapsing at Stansted Airport to being rushed to hospital after a meningitis rash appeared and ultimately helped save her life. She opens up about the symptoms she experienced, the treatment that followed, and the lasting effects she continues to live with today, including memory problems, speech difficulties and brain fog. We also discuss the devastating loss of her best friend Rachel, the mental health battles that followed, moments when Holly questioned whether she wanted to carry on, and an unexpected visit to a psychic medium that left her questioning everything. This is a raw, honest and emotional conversation about trauma, resilience, loss and finding a way forward when life changes forever. Topics covered: • Meningococcal meningitis • The early warning signs of meningitis • The meningitis rash • Long-term effects of meningitis • Memory loss, speech difficulties and brain fog • Mental health and suicidal thoughts • Grief and losing a best friend • A psychic medium and unexplained experiences • Type 1 diabetes awareness • Living4Rach If sharing Holly's story helps just one person recognise the signs of meningitis sooner, this conversation was worth having.

S2 · E6

19 giu 2026

33:19

Holly shares the story of her best friend Rachel, their 20-year friendship, her journey with Type 1 Diabetes, and the devastating loss that changed everything. A powerful conversation shared in memory of Rachel and support of #Living4Rach.

Part 1 of 2 Rachel was Holly's best friend for over 20 years. In this deeply personal episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Holly shares Rachel's story. From growing up with Type 1 Diabetes, through years of health challenges, to the devastating phone call that changed everything. Together we discuss the realities of living with Type 1 Diabetes, the impact of Diabulimia, DKA, Charcot Foot, friendship, family support, and the strength it takes to keep going when life feels impossible. More than anything, this is a story about friendship, resilience and remembering someone who meant the world to those around her. This episode is shared in memory of Rachel and in support of #Living4Rach, helping to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes, Diabulimia and the importance of education and understanding. In this episode: • Rachel and Holly's friendship spanning more than 20 years • Growing up with Type 1 Diabetes • The hidden reality of Diabulimia • DKA and repeated hospital admissions • Charcot Foot, sepsis and the threat of amputation • Relationships, family support and finding hope • Pregnancy, future plans and new beginnings • The heartbreaking phone call that changed everything This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. In Part 2, Holly shares her own incredible story of surviving meningitis, nearly losing her life, and how both experiences changed her perspective forever. 💙 In memory of Rachel 💙 #Living4Rach You Can Do Hard Things is a podcast sharing real stories of resilience, adversity and ordinary people overcoming extraordinary challenges.

S2 · E5

29 mag 2026

50:17

Ashley Watson: Inside The Olympic Village, Jamaica Bobsleigh & Post Olympic Depression | Part 2/2

Ashley Watson returns for Part 2 of this powerful conversation on You Can Do Hard Things. From representing Jamaica at the Winter Olympics to the reality of life inside the Olympic Village, Ashley opens up about the moments most people never hear about. We discuss: What REALLY happens inside the Olympic Village The pressure of competing on the world stage Jamaica’s bobsleigh journey and the Cool Runnings comparisons Media attention and representing a country The emotional comedown after the Olympics Post Olympic depression and identity loss Athlete mindset, resilience and discipline Building success beyond sport Ashley also shares stories about Olympic parties, elite athlete culture, travelling to Beijing 2022 and the hidden side of chasing a lifelong dream. This is an honest conversation about ambition, sacrifice, mental health and what happens after achieving the thing you thought would change your life forever. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. #AshleyWatson #Olympics #OlympicVillage #JamaicaBobsleigh #PostOlympicDepression #YouCanDoHardThings

S2 · E4

20 mag 2026

49:00

Ashley Watson: From Peterborough United Rejection to the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team at Beijing 2022

In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Jenny Melling sits down with Ashley Watson, Olympian, British athlete and member of the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team at Beijing 2022. Ashley shares the real story behind his Olympic journey, from growing up in Peterborough and chasing football dreams with Peterborough United and Norwich City, to the disappointment of rejection, moving into athletics, discovering bobsleigh and eventually representing Jamaica on the Olympic stage. The conversation explores resilience, identity, self-coaching, sacrifice and what it really takes to keep going when the obvious route doesn’t work out. We also talk about the reality behind the famous Cool Runnings image of Jamaican bobsleigh, and what life in the sport actually looks like behind the scenes. Please forgive the audio issues that kick is part way through - if anyone can fix it - holla at me! In Part 1: Football trials with Peterborough United and Norwich City Being released as a young footballer Sprinting and athletics ambitions Discovering bobsleigh almost by accident GB Bobsleigh and Olympic qualification Funding struggles in elite sport Balancing training, business and a Masters degree Why representing Jamaica meant so much Hosted by Jenny Melling. Podcast: You Can Do Hard Things Part 2 coming soon - want to know what really happens in the Olympic Village? Best subscribe so you dont miss out!

S2 · E3

13 mag 2026

50:51

I RAN TOWARDS IT!!! Tom Gray on the London Bridge Terror Attack, The Summit UK & Regret Part 2/2

He didn’t run away… he ran towards it. In Part 2, Tom Gray (That Guy Gray) opens up about being at the centre of the London Bridge terror attack in November 2019, where he was one of the people who helped stop the attacker. But this isn’t just about that day. It’s about what it says about you when everything kicks off. How you process it. And how life just carries on afterwards. We also get into something very real between us… After I cut Tom’s future short on The Summit, can you actually build a genuine bond after something like that? Does he blame me? And the question I had to ask — do I regret it… and am I sorry? In this episode, we talk about: Tom Gray’s first-hand experience of the London Bridge attack Why he ran towards danger What happened in those moments on the bridge How he processed it afterwards Why he never wanted to use it for attention or “clout” The reality of being recognised as “That Guy Gray” Whether there’s any bad blood after The Summit Regret, decisions and living with the choices you make Dealing with pressure, failure and self-worth Why happiness isn’t always what we think it is This is Part 2 — if you haven’t seen Part 1 yet, go back and watch it first. There’s more coming as well. I genuinely appreciate every single person who watches, listens, shares or messages me about these. I do this because I love it — and because I hope these conversations resonate, make you think, or help you feel a bit less alone. At the end of the day, we’re all just people. And something someone said to me recently really stuck: You are your superpower. No one else can be you. So own it, be proud of it, and live your life — your truth. #TomGray #ThatGuyGray #LondonBridgeAttack #LondonBridge #YouCanDoHardThings #TheSummitUK #Resilience #Mindset #PodcastInterview #MentalHealth #SelfWorth #TrueStory #UKPodcast #RealTalk

S2 · E2

2 mag 2026

43:54

Tom Gray Opens Up: The Summit UK, That Guy Gray, Imposter Syndrome & “As You Were” | You Can Do Hard Things Podcast by Jenny Melling - Part 1/2

Thomas Gray, also known online as That Guy Gray, joins me for Part 1 of our You Can Do Hard Things conversation. You might know him from The Summit UK, his viral “As You Were” videos, his automotive content, or his very impressive moustache… but this episode goes far beyond the online persona. In this first part, Tom talks openly about where That Guy Gray came from, how “As You Were” became his signature phrase, building a following of around 800,000 people, imposter syndrome, mental health content, self-doubt, relationships, dating apps, and what really happened during his time on The Summit UK. We also get into the behind-the-scenes reality of The Summit, including the first challenge, the edit, the cast dynamics, Dockers, Patrick’s lack of screen time, Tom’s fear of heights, and the moment he knew he was probably going home. This is funny, honest, awkward in places, and properly human.

S2 · E1

25 apr 2026

46:39

Stagione 1

Joel (The Summit): ‘I Was Meant to Save Her… But I Didn’t’ | You Can Do Hard Things

What happens when the person who’s always supposed to save the day… can’t? In this powerful episode of You Can Do Hard Things, I sit down with Joel — Olympian, The Summit UK contestant, and one of the most complex people I’ve met — for a conversation that goes far beyond reality TV. We talk about: The pressure of being “the strong one” Losing his sister — and the guilt that still follows Why success never quite feels like enough The reality behind elite sport and chasing validation And what happens when your identity is built on being needed Joel opens up about the moment he realised he wasn’t able to “save the day”… and how that changed everything. This is raw, honest, and at times uncomfortable — but it’s exactly what You Can Do Hard Things is all about.

S1 · E7

24 apr 2026

1:52:49

PatzMB - From Engineering Degree to 400K Followers – The Summit’s Patrick on Trolls & Fame

What does it really take to build a life online… and what happens when it all disappears overnight? In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, I sit down with Patrick — content creator and my fellow cast member from The Summit — for a conversation that’s as honest as it is entertaining. We go behind the scenes of the show and beyond the highlight reels to talk about: The real journey from engineering degree to 400K+ followers How social media actually works (and how he turned it into a full-time income) Trolling, online hate, and why “the comments are brutal” Losing his TikTok account and the reality of relying on platforms you don’t control What really happened on The Summit — including the injury that forced him out The mindset it takes to keep going when things don’t go to plan Patrick also shares how he built brand deals from scratch, why not everyone is cut out for content creation, and what he’s building next — including plans to take things to YouTube in a big way. This is a raw, funny, behind-the-scenes look at both reality TV and the creator world — and a reminder that doing hard things doesn’t always look the way you expect.

S1 · E6

20 apr 2026

1:47:26

Sean Heath on The Summit, Grief, Grooming, Mental Health & Resilience

Sean Heath joins me for a raw, honest and surprisingly funny conversation about what it really means to be underestimated. You may know Sean from The Summit UK, but this episode goes far beyond the mountain. We talk about how he ended up on the show, what it was like being judged before people really knew him, and the reality of pushing himself through one of the toughest experiences of his life. But we also get into the things that matter far more than TV. Sean opens up about discovering his identity at a young age, the darker side of being groomed, the grief of losing family members in quick succession, the toll that took on his mental health, and what rebuilding life has looked like since. This is a conversation about resilience, loss, confidence, humour, survival and learning to back yourself when other people do not. In this episode, we cover: Sean’s journey onto The Summit UK Being constantly underestimated Identity, sexuality and growing up Grooming and vulnerability at a young age Grief, family loss and depression What success really means Why sometimes just getting through the day is enough The mindset that helped him keep going Sean is warm, open, hilarious and brutally honest in all the best ways. This episode is for anyone who has ever been written off, misunderstood or forced to find strength the hard way.

S1 · E5

20 apr 2026

56:46

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