From neonatal nurse to inspirational rugby player | Zainab Alema
Release Date: 10/25/2021
Navigating a Good Divorce: Insights and Wisdom from Sarah Armstrong
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My guest is the fabulous second curver Sarah Armstrong, a trailblazing businesswoman and author of the book . Like many couples, Sarah and her husband faced challenges that led to her considering divorce. They both knew it was not an easy decision, but they were determined to make the best out of the situation, especially for Grace. Sarah witnessed ugly divorces among friends and knew she needed to approach her own situation differently. As a result, she focused on making Grace the priority throughout the process. We discussed her book, "The Mom's Guide to a Good...
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Embracing Reinvention: The power of micro steps and taking the leap with Sahar Hashemi
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Sahar Hashemi is just the greatest! You will want to hear every piece of wisdom from ultimate second curver . A hugely inspiring serial entrepreneur, author and speaker, she is known for her remarkable journey and contributions to the world of business and entrepreneurship. In her best-selling book, Anyone Can Do It, she advocates that anyone who really wants to be an entrepreneur can be one. We discuss the power of small steps and micro shifts in moving forward and how second curvers can apply her motto of leap and the net will appear. It is all about making the first step and...
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Frances Atkins, legendary chef on resilience building at any age, never looking back and trusting your instincts
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You will love my guest, Frances Atkins, mega chef and Second Curver. She shares her incredible journey to becoming to a renowned British chef. We discuss her early passion for cooking and her determination to follow her culinary calling despite societal expectations. From starting as a dishwasher in a male-dominated kitchen at the Box Tree restaurant to honing her skills in renowned establishments across Europe, Scotland Frances shares her relentless pursuit of culinary excellence and the key life learnings she adopted on the way. She puts passion at the centre of it all, "passion...
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How to unleash the Power of Transformation at Any Age
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My guest is the fabuIous Second Curver , fitness entrepreneur and wellness coach who shares her inspiring journey and how she motivates individuals of all ages to become the best version of themselves. Bobbi shares some of her second curving secrets which I hope will also motivate you. We cover all bases on challenging times from the menopause to major upheavals in her marriage. Despite the obstacles, Bobbi discovered strength through fitness and exercise, which became her guiding light. Bobbi’s story is a reminder to me and hopefully to you of the power of perseverance, the...
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Pivoting to Climate Tech for Greater Impact with Eliot Brooks
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I had the best time talking to , an amazing human being and serial entrepreneur. Eliot and I met a long time ago when he joined our programme at . Eliot began his career in finance and technology before co-founding , looking for a solution to his own health problem. Today Thriva is a prominent UK home diagnostics company. Over 7 years as COO, Eliot helped scale the company to over 100 employees, with a turnover exceeding £150m. In 2021, he gained recognition on Forbes 30 Under 30 for Thriva's role in COVID-19 antibody testing. In late 2022, Eliot turned his attention to the climate...
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Unpacking the Journey of Self-Transformation with Tracy Woodward
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I am so excited for you to hear in direct from my incredible and inspiring guest, major Second Curver , a trailblazer of the beauty and wellness industry. Get ready for some practical learning on self-talk, the importance of telling yourself you can and why self-care is truly healthcare. Tracey is a highly respected titan in the world of wellbeing. She is an industry thought leader, sits on multiple boards and is an active investor in the space. She is also Co-creator for . Tracy's journey from working on a beauty counter to becoming a renowned wellness expert is a...
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How Not Knowing Can Be A Superpower? - with Sian Sutherland
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I absolutely love Sian Sutherland! In this episode I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with serial Second Curver, the incredible , co-mastermind behind and . You are going to get some vital types for embracing what you don’t know and how this can be your new superpower. Sian has been second curving since her early twenties, guided by her instinct, her passions and applying ‘radical naivety’ and the spirit of why not to all her ventures. She has jumped in fearlessly since her first venture launching a restaurant, which won a Michelin-star restaurant within a...
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How Animals Asia Became a Force for Change and the power of not giving up
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I am so delighted to welcome Second Curver Jill Robinson and share her inspiring journey to end the bear bile industry in Asia. Her life changed in 1993 after a harrowing visit to a South China bear bile farm. Jill took a stand and launched , an organization committed to raising global awareness about bear bile farming and to ending it for good. We delve into the challenges Jill faced, navigating cultural and financial obstacles while striving for meaningful change. She emphasizes the importance of trust and collaboration and to not giving up, attributing the success of Animals Asia to...
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An Entrepreneurial Journey: Exploring New Second Curves with Tom Arden
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Tom’s entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of inspiring. His transformation from a biology student to a thriving entrepreneur who co-founded PENGARNA has been a tale of determination and sheer hard work. Yet, what strikes me most about our conversation is his decision to step back and take a much-needed break from the business. Tom shares his reflections on the evolution of his work life. He talks about the intense effort that went into the launch and growth of PENGARNA, as well as the incredible learning period in the agency's early years. My conversation with Tom serves...
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Unlocking the Power of Everyday Creativity with Accidental Icon Lyn Slater
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I love Lyn Slater. That is it! She is the ultimate second curver. An academic, an author, a model, a stylist and , Lyn has appeared on the cover of world-renowned magazines and modelled for some of the biggest names in fashion and luxury including Valentino, Dior and Uniglo. Lyn speaks about her journey from being an academic to becoming a global fashion icon. She emphasises the importance of embracing unconventional ways to express yourself, being open to new experiences and learning, and the ability to adapt and evolve, second curving from one role to another....
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Zee is a British-born Ghanaian, a wife, and a mother of three very young children. After her career playing rugby and working at night full-time as an intensive care neonatal nurse, she is now focused on rugby full-time, playing for Richmond, and aspiring to represent her country.
She has gone through much change and seeks to be an agent of change, breaking through stereotypes in the world of competitive sport and beyond.
Zee fell in love with rugby at the age of 14, when she didn’t even know women played rugby. She has played ever since, with highs and lows along the way.
She was different from her teammates and at times felt lonely, so she nearly quit, but knowing that there are other black female rugby players in the world, such as Maggie Alphonsi, helped her keep going and move forward.
Zee shared with us how she managed to create her own path, the one that no one took before her. Today things have changed and she plays in the most diverse team she has ever played.
We talked about the importance of Ghanaian culture to Zee and how it adds another dimension to her identity. She explained her nickname Bulldozer, both as a rugby position and a metaphor for her ability to smash stereotypes.
Zee also shared her biggest challenges and how she managed to find the balance in her life. Currently, she is working on her dream of playing for England, whilst inspiring many people of different colours, cultures and beliefs to chase their dreams as well.
Points of discussion:
Introduction (01:25)
The moment you fell in love with rugby (01:55)
Almost giving up at University (03:06)
How did you find the physicality of being on the pitch? (05:38)
Did you ever want to no longer wear the headscarf in order to fit in? (08:13)
What sort of reception did you get as a young person on the field? (10:40)
Are people more inclusive and accepting today? (13:37)
Ghanaian tradition and background (15:31)
About smashing stereotypes (17:22)
Do you think you are re-inventing rugby? (20:06)
How do you feel when you are on the pitch? (21:45)
What was the biggest challenge for you? (22:18)
About balance (23:17)
What have you brought from your nursing career to the pitch? (25:16)
Being a role model (26:29)
Dream of playing for England (28:12)
How do you think taking the leap has changed you? (32:55)
Where do you think you will be in 5 years? (36:59)
Do we need more change? (38:50)
A piece of advice (41:20)
Key takeaways from the interview by Dee (43:00)
Additional Resources:
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