Today's guest is Geoff Thomas, leukaemia survivor, former Crystal Palace(amongst others) and England footballer and incredible charity fund-raiser.

Geoff is about to head off on his 7th trip to ride the Tour de France route...and aims to raise another £1 million pounds for Cure Leukaemia.

He speaks with Annie and Josie in the week when Crystal Palace won the FA Cup. Geoff was a special guest, having captained the side on their last Cup Final appearance.

Geoff tells us he was training to be an electrician when he was spotted by a football scout and signed for Rochdale. A move to Port Vale followed before the signficant transfer to Crystal Palace. He talks about recovering from a career-threatening injury. He retired from football in 2002 but just a year later was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer. Geoff was given three months to live but after receiving pioneering stem cell treatment and a transplant from his sister Kay, he went in to remission.

Geoff talks to Annie and Josie about his resilience and where he drew his strength from after such a shocking prognosis. His mantra is just dig in.

In 2015 he was persuaded to do a charity bike ride on the Tour de France route. He hadn't ridden since he was 7. It was gruelling. But he's done it many times since and this year is the 20th anniversary of that first ride.

His efforts and charity fund-raising saw him awarded the MBE and winning the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Here are details of his Tour de France adventures

www.thetour21.co.uk

And London to Paris

https://www.l2prevolution.com/

The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Annie Emmerson and Dr Josie Perry.

Annie is a former international triathlete and world champion. She's now a broadcaster and motivational speaker. She left school and education at the age of 15 after a family breakdown and that's led to a life of self-improvement.

She had a transition from party-girl to a life with purpose after being robbed at knife point. She talks candidly about how she has redefined herself several times.

Josie Perry's life first changed when she failed in her A levels which ended her plans to go and study law at a top university. She worked in journalism and communications before becoming passionate about performance psychology which led to a complete career change.

So what's your purpose? What's your why? How can we help you on your journey?

Thanks for listening!

The Be Braver Podcast - because life is not a dress rehearsal.

Insta: @bebraverpod

Today's guest is Rebecca Levett who gives us a glimpse in to the world of sports psychology and gives us tips on what we can take in to every day life.

Rebecca has worked with international athletes from many sports and has just become a new mum.

She talks about how to embrace nerves and anxiety. Annie tells her that in her days as a GB triathlete she was frequently paralysed with fear on the start-line.

Rebecca tells Josie and Annie how alot of the tools she talks about are transferable to work and home life. And how to constantly change and evolve and recognising why being braver is important and understanding when moving out of the comfort zone is warranted.

One technique that has proven to work well is the confidence bank - and Rebecca gives an introduction to this concept. There's also a chat about self-identity and self-worth.

Josie's killer question is asking what skills Rebecca has brought from sports psychology to being a mum!

There are so many take-aways in this episode. And you can find more out about Rebecca at www.sporting-success.com

In the show Annie talks about the 20th anniversary of the death of her dad and using the day to reflect on his life and also where she is in life. Her father was put in to an orphanage on the day he was born and never got to know more about his family circumstances which led to it.

Josie talks about what she learnt going to her daughter's swimming gala with a discussion on healthy competition and dealing with fear.

The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Annie Emmerson and Dr Josie Perry.

Annie is a former international triathlete and world champion. She's now a broadcaster and motivational speaker. She left school and education at the age of 15 after a family breakdown and that's led to a life of self-improvement.

She had a transition from party-girl to a life with purpose after being robbed at knife point. She talks candidly about how she has redefined herself several times.

Josie Perry's life first changed when she failed in her A levels which ended her plans to go and study law at a top university. She worked in journalism and communications before becoming passionate about performance psychology which led to a complete career change.

So what's your purpose? What's your why? How can we help you on your journey?

Thanks for listening!

The Be Braver Podcast - because life is not a dress rehearsal.

Insta: @bebraverpod

Today's guest has a remarkable story, turning round his life from armed robber to professional athlete.

John McAvoy tells a redemption story that is compelling to listen to. He tells us about a childhood which began with the sudden death of his father just weeks before he was born.

At the age of 8, his step-sister's dad came into his life and brought him in to the criminal world. John didn't know this at the time. But when he found newspaper clippings he discovered a background of crime and armed robbery.

John tells us that watching a film about a £26million gold bullion robbery, which involved his uncle, glamourised the criminal world. As a teenager, he decided to join it and bought himself a firearm.

18 months later he was arrested, place on remand in a high security prison and eventually jailed.

John's life changed when he started using the gym and embarked on an intense fitness programme which led him to breaking World Records for indoor rowing and becoming a professional Ironman athlete sponsored by Nike.

He talks about the impact of a prison warden called Darren and how his life now includes addressing politicians and working with young people.

John's book is called Redemption.

The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Annie Emmerson and Dr Josie Perry.

Annie is a former international triathlete and world champion. She's now a broadcaster and motivational speaker. She left school and education at the age of 15 after a family breakdown and that's led to a life of self-improvement.

She had a transition from party-girl to a life with purpose after being robbed at knife point. She talks candidly about how she has redefined herself several times.

Josie Perry's life first changed when she failed in her A levels which ended her plans to go and study law at a top university. She worked in journalism and communications before becoming passionate about performance psychology which led to a complete career change.

So what's your purpose? What's your why? How can we help you on your journey?

Thanks for listening!

The Be Braver Podcast - because life is not a dress rehearsal.

Insta: @bebraverpod