In this deeply moving episode of The Resilience Project, Wes Linden speaks with Gillian Millane OBE, a mother, campaigner, and extraordinary woman whose life was torn apart when her daughter Grace never came home.

In December 2018, Grace Millane, a bright and adventurous 22-year-old, was murdered while travelling in New Zealand by a man she met on Tinder. The case shocked the world and exposed deeply uncomfortable truths about violence against women and the narratives too often used to excuse it.

Rather than allowing grief to consume her, Gillian chose to turn devastating loss into purpose. Her victim impact statement was seen across the world. She went on to campaign tirelessly to help end the so-called 'rough sex' defence in UK courts, contributing to landmark legal change. Alongside Grace’s cousin Hannah, she co-founded Love Grace, a charity that has now supported tens of thousands of women escaping abuse across multiple countries.

Gillian also reflects on losing her husband David, receiving an OBE from Prince William, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking to Everest Base Camp, and what resilience truly means when life delivers its harshest blows.

An amazing way to start Season 2, this is a powerful conversation about grief, justice, kindness, courage, and what it really takes to keep going.

🔗 Useful Links

Love Grace Charity: ⁠https://www.lovegrace.co.uk⁠

Support the Love Grace appeal: ⁠https://www.lovegrace.co.uk/donate⁠

Follow Wes on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/weslinden⁠

Follow Wes on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslinden⁠

Never miss an episode: ⁠https://www.weslinden.com/podcast⁠

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome to The Resilience Project
02:49 Who Grace was and why she was so special
03:50 Favourite childhood memories of Grace
04:53 Learning of Grace’s disappearance and what followed
07:04 Delivering the victim impact statement
08:21 Campaigning to change the “rough sex” defence
10:50 Losing her husband David and navigating compounded grief
13:14 You cannot change circumstances, only how you respond
15:08 The power of family, friendship and global support
16:55 Why the world is not as dark as social media suggests
18:15 The global impact of Grace’s story and the vigils
19:47 Founding the Love Grace charity with Hannah
22:38 The growing reach and impact of Love Grace
23:52 Future plans for the charity
25:08 How listeners can support Love Grace
26:59 Receiving an OBE from Prince William
27:48 Climbing Kilimanjaro
29:38 What the mountains taught about resilience
31:56 One foot in front of the other
32:47 Turning grief into action and rebuilding purpose
34:55 Balancing self-care with honouring Grace
36:10 How physical training supports mental health
37:13 Advice for those feeling overwhelmed
37:30 Mindsets that keep you moving forward
39:57 How Grace should be remembered
41:11 Choosing kindness in everyday life
43:16 The meaning behind the climbs and fundraising
44:29 The difference each of us can make
45:51 Advice for anyone who feels stuck
47:14 What resilience truly means
47:49 Final reflections
48:38 Closing

From a jail cell in his teens to becoming one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and a global prosperity icon, Randy Gage’s story is a jaw-dropping testament to resilience!

Growing up in poverty, battling addiction, surviving a shooting, and losing everything to the IRS, Randy hit rock bottom - hard. Yet, he rose to become a New York Times bestselling author, world-renowned speaker, and prosperity expert, inspiring millions with his no-nonsense approach to success.

His journey is packed with raw wisdom forged through real-world struggles—insights no ‘guru’ course can match. In this episode of The Resilience Project, host Wes Linden dives into the mindset shifts and principles that transformed Randy from a life of crime and despair to one of abundance and impact (and a rock-star in the network marketing space). Learn how to shatter self-limiting beliefs and turn setbacks into epic comebacks!

00:00 Start

01:10 Intro

02:26 Armed robbery.

03:16 Were you anti rich?

04:09 What did time in jail teach you?

06:41 Finding someone who saw your potential.

07:47 What was your single biggest lesson about resilience that you learned from these experiences?

12:45 These are the good old days.

16:30 You talk about most people are programmed to fail by the age of 8. How could people kind of rewire themselves in adulthood?

23:56 Understanding how we’re being manipulated.

34:05 Getting shot.

36:52 They said you were going to die. You said otherwise.

40:58 Tax authorities closing your restaurant down.

44:48 Losing everything.

46:24 Break

46:36 What can people learn from the resilience you used go pull through?

50:01 Putting the difficult times to good use.

51:28 Reframing failure.

58:32 Realising it’s you who is at the scene of the crime every time something goes wrong in your life.

01:05:33 Spotting negative programming.

01:10:04 Overcoming HIV positive diagnosis.

01:17:32 Reprogramming yourself when you are thinking negative thoughts.

01:25:24 Final advice in terms of resilience?

01:30:38 Closing

Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject

Randy's Properity TV channel: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@randygage⁩

Randy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randygage/

Randy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randy_gage/

Randy's website: https://randygage.com

Wes on social:

https://www.instagram.com/weslinden

https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslinden

Never miss an episode: https://www.weslinden.com/podcast

Having already faced death twice on Mount Everest by the age of 19, having survived two of the deadliest disasters in the mountain's history, Alex Staniforth shares how his greatest challenges weren't on the world's highest peak - they were much closer to home.

Battling epilepsy, a lifelong stammer, bullying, and mental health issues, Alex's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. From a struggling youth to becoming a record-breaking adventurer, author, and charity founder, his story is one of transformation and inspiration. In this episode of The Resilience Project, host Wes Linden delves into Alex's extraordinary life, uncovering the mindset that drove him to climb all 100 UK county tops in just 72 days, covering an astounding 5,000 miles by human power alone. Alex shares his experiences of turning adversity into opportunity, raising over £100,000 for charity, and founding Mind Over Mountains - a groundbreaking charity that uses nature to restore mental well-being.

Packed with powerful insights on overcoming personal 'Everests', this conversation explores how Alex harnessed his challenges to fuel his success. From surviving avalanches to battling inner storms, Alex's story offers practical wisdom on building resilience, redefining success, and finding strength in vulnerability. Whether you're facing your own mountains or seeking inspiration to push beyond your limits, Alex's journey from a stammering youth to an ultra-endurance champion and mental health advocate will motivate you to take that first step towards conquering your own peaks. Join us for an episode filled with adventure, courage, and the transformative power of nature in building mental resilience. 00:00 What’s coming up? 00:56 Introduction 01:55 Your first Mount Everest disaster 03:02 Your second Mount Everest disaster 06:10 What’s going through your mind during near-death experiences? 07:12 At what point do you realise, “I think I've survived this?” 10:43 Being stranded 12:43 Psychological guilt complex over those who died 16:48 What motivated you to put yourself into extreme scenarios? 20:18 Moving on from your bullies 21:29 How listeners can overcome bullies and turn adversity into a driver? 24:19 Taming your stammer 30:11 The cost of reaching Everest 33:01 The dedication to achieve 34:36 Break 34:48 Overcoming failure 37:28 Beating other challenges 39:52 Helping people improve their mental wellbeing 45:45 Mental health stats 46:41 Meeting the Queen 47:05 Receiving an award from The Prime Minister 48:17 How to push through when you feel like giving up 51:35 What advice would you give to people who are struggling to move forwards? 53:23 What would you say to your younger self? 55:07 Avoiding doomscrolling 57:35 Mindfulness 58:25 You've written two books so far - 'Icefall: The True Story of a Teenager on a Mission to the Top of the World' and 'Another Peak: Everest Is Not The Only Summit'. What message do you hope readers would take away from those books? 59:58 Closing thoughts for someone who for whatever reason, life isn't going their way right now? 01:02:00 How can people donate to Project 500 or even be part of it? 01:02:43 Will you go back to Everest? 01:03:25 Closing Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject Alex’s book ‘Another Peak: Everest Is Not The Only Summit’ on Amazon (UK): https://amzn.to/4a2pGEN Alex’s book ‘Icefall: The True Story of a Teenager on a Mission to the Top of the World’: https://amzn.to/40eTsD6 Alex’s charity: https://www.mindovermountains.org.uk Donate to Project 500: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/project500 Alex's speaking website: https://www.alexstaniforth.comAlex on social: https://www.instagram.com/alexstaniforth_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstaniforth/ Wes on social: https://www.instagram.com/weslinden https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslinden Never miss an episode: https://www.weslinden.com/podcast

The year is 1967, and Kathrine Switzer is about to change the world of sports for women - and women's rights - all over the globe.

Fighting with organisers, the press and even her own partner as they tried to physically remove her from running the Boston Marathon, Switzer stood firm and continued irrespective of the detractors, and joins us on The Resilience Project podcast and shares the touching truths of what it took, to redefine sports for generations of women.

Her story is one of personal resilience, standing up against the odds, and pushing through barriers that seemed insurmountable at the time.

Kathrine shares key lessons from her life with host Wes Linden, including the mindset needed to overcome obstacles (sometimes physical), stay determined in the face of adversity, and how to build a legacy that inspires others - plus some incredible advice for parents who want to inspire their children to greatness! Her story is packed with inspiration and resilience lessons that will motivate you to tackle your own challenges with new vigour - and she also shares some incredible insights on forgiveness and how she was able to do so with the man responsible for her darkest moment.

02:24 How did it start?

06:35 Applying for the Boston Marathon.

08:19 Having someone believe in you.

09:04 Preparing for greatness.

10:29 The famous number 261.

10:45 What happened next?

18:06 Changing society.

20:03 Breaking the rules.

21:01 Your boyfriend - hero or zero?

23:16 Continuing despite the haters.

28:38 Break

28:51 Advice for people facing doubters.

30:40 The Rule of 100.

32:00 Getting the Women's Marathon into the Olympic Games.

34:03 Ignoring other people's opinions.

36:26 Approach towards bad behaviour from others.

37:02 Keeping focus and showing forgiveness.

37:36 The importance of patience.

37:45 Succeeding even if you're not the most talented.

38:27 Great parenting lessons.

41:50 Doing the Boston Marathon 50 years later.

45:20 Changing the world for millions.

46:13 Are you a Pankhurst/suffragette?!

47:44 Advice for people who feel they can't get ahead and they're getting in their own way.

48:47 What is resilience?

49:11 How will people talk about you in 100 years time?

49:40 Closing

Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject

Kathrine’s book & audio: ‘Marathon Woman’ on Amazon (UK): https://amzn.eu/d/6lMr99E

Kathrine’s 261 Fearless programs: https://www.261fearless.org

Kathrine's website:

https://kathrineswitzer.com

Kathrine on social:

https://www.instagram.com/kathrineswitzer

Wes on social:

Instagram.com/weslinden

LinkedIn.com/weslinden

More about Wes: weslinden.com

Never miss an episode: weslinden.com/podcast

From delivering pizzas aged 31 to becoming one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, Brad Burton has an extraordinary story, that not even he can believe! Having grown up in a rough council estate, Brad was shot at twice and had to relocate his life overnight to the other side of the country. In debt and claiming benefits, he decided enough was enough. He went from delivering pizzas in an old car, barely making the minimum wage - to running a business that was turning over more than two million pounds, as well as become an inspirational speaker and an author of four best-selling books including 'Get Off Your Arse' and 'Now What?' Brad’s extraordinary story is full of wisdom, that you can only learn from having been through the trials and tribulations yourself, and success stories you won’t ever hear from a ‘guru’ selling an expensive course (who have generally never actually built a solid business themselves!) - in fact, I’d go as far as to say, you’ll get all the wisdom you will need to help you unlock your struggles and start taking action by listening this podcast. In this episode of The Resilience Project, host Wes Linden looks to uncover the mindset and resilience principles that took Brad from a life destined for prison, to now being able to live a lifestyle he could only ever dream of, for him and his family. 00:00 Intro 01:25 How did you get from pizza delivery to where you are now? 02:33 At what point did you know you had to change? 03:19 Would you have ended up in prison? 03:44 How did you get out of your situation? 05:39 People will relate even if they haven’t had bullets through the window! 07:38 So how did you go from pizza guy to business owner? 09:26 Resilience & tough times. 10:18 Desperate for instant success. 13:42 Irritating ‘gurus’ selling courses. 16:47 Making choices. 17:28 People kidding themselves. 21:00 How close can a goal be even if it seems far away? 22:55 So you were delivering pizzas in your early thirties. How did your business come from there? 27:55 Not focusing on negativity. 28:46 Imposter syndrome. 29:43 4N 31:03 Importance of building relationships. 33:35 People judging you on how you dress. 36:18 Break 36:31 Is news and social media stealing hope and belief from people? 38:43 Avoiding the news. 39:40 4N was a big thing. 41:40 What's the difference between burnout & breakdown? 43:04 Enthusiasm. 47:34 Success & failure. 49:48 How to stop yourself and others quitting. 53:44 Reaction to success. 56:05 You selling your business. 01:03:48 The Lurpak! 01:07:01 Control the controlables. 01:10:33 What would you say to people about keeping going? 01:12:32 How will people remember Brad Burton? 01:13:10 How do people get through not feeling like they’re enough? 01:14:04 Closing Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject Brad’s books on Amazon (UK): https://t.ly/h8KyK Brad on social: https://www.instagram.com/bradburton Wes on social: https://www.instagram.com/weslinden https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslinden Never miss an episode: https://www.weslinden.com/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