Tom Glanfield built a recruitment business from scratch, sleeping in the office, creating an alter ego to overcome being underestimated, and eventually growing the company to 400 employees before selling it through an Employee Ownership Trust. Now he's building a new rosé wine brand (Après Rosé), an ambitious dream home in Sandbanks, and a life centred on family, purpose and legacy.In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds explores Tom's remarkable entrepreneurial journey, the lessons learned from building and exiting a business, why happiness is really about buying back time, and why the biggest risks often lead to the greatest rewards.Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

What would drive someone to walk nearly 5,000 miles, alone, across the entire length of Europe?

In this extraordinary episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, host John Reynolds sits down with Kit Birks just days after she completes her groundbreaking Stride Beyond Silence expedition, a solo journey from Nordkapp, Norway, to Gavdos, Greece, spanning almost a year, ten countries, and countless physical and mental challenges, all in support of suicide prevention charities CALM and James' Place.

But this isn't just a story about endurance.

It's a story about surviving addiction, homelessness, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and multiple suicide attempts, and transforming unimaginable pain into purpose. Along the way, Kit faced Arctic storms, near-fatal accidents, extreme isolation, and over 200 nights camping alone, while carrying a memorial flag bearing the names of hundreds of people lost to suicide.

This is an unforgettable conversation about hope, resilience, recovery, and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. Together, we can help break the silence around mental health and suicide.

Subscribe to Extraordinary Life Stories for more inspiring conversations with people who have overcome the impossible.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

Dr Nik Kotecha OBE arrived in the UK as a six-year-old refugee with his family after fleeing Uganda. Decades later, he built one of Britain's most successful pharmaceutical companies before dedicating his life to creating opportunities for others.In this deeply personal conversation with John Reynolds, Nik shares the untold story behind his extraordinary journey, from starting a business in a garage with nothing more than a phone and fax machine, to building a global healthcare company, mentoring entrepreneurs, supporting young people, and working to improve millions of lives through philanthropy.Together they explore:- Escaping Uganda as a child refugee- Building a business through resilience, not shortcuts- Why purpose matters more than money- The reality of entrepreneurship behind social media- AI, education and the future of work- Helping the next generation find opportunity and hope- Why true success is measured by the lives you improveThis is a conversation about gratitude, leadership and leaving a legacy.Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

From the outside, Toby Anstis has spent decades as one of Britain's most recognisable radio voices, warm, confident and effortlessly entertaining. But behind the microphone lies a deeply personal story of identity, belonging and adoption.

Adopted as a baby alongside his twin sister, Toby grew up in a loving family who celebrated his adoption rather than hiding it.

Yet, as he reveals to John Reynolds, being adopted leaves questions that never completely disappear. He reflects on the quiet search for identity that followed him into adulthood, the lasting impact of feeling different, and how an underlying fear of rejection shaped his confidence, relationships and even his career in broadcasting.

Toby recounts the emotional journey of tracing his birth parents decades later, discovering the circumstances that led to his adoption.

In an open and moving conversation, Toby explores how adoption has influenced every stage of his life, from childhood and self-esteem to love, success and the enduring search for connection.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

What does it take to turn a simple idea into one of Britain's best-known menswear brands?

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories with John Reynolds, John sits down with Peter Higgins, co-founder of Charles Tyrwhitt, to explore the remarkable journey from packing shirts in a basement to building a business that now sells more than 20,000 shirts every day.

Peter shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the early risks, the relentless focus on quality and customer service, and the lessons learned while scaling a startup into an international retail success. Along the way, he reflects on leadership, resilience, decision-making under pressure, and what it really takes to build an enduring brand.

In this episode:

• The origins of Charles Tyrwhitt and its humble beginnings
• Growing from a basement operation to a global brand
• The biggest challenges and turning points along the way
• Building a culture focused on quality and customers
• Leadership lessons from decades in business
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

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An inspiring conversation for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone fascinated by the stories behind iconic companies.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

Actor James Sutton spent over 20 years on British television, building a successful career while privately battling panic attacks, addiction, anxiety and a life that was slowly falling apart.

In this powerful conversation, James opens up about the reality behind fame, how drugs and alcohol became coping mechanisms, losing his marriage, and the moment he realised he had to rebuild his life from the ground up.

Rather than searching for a quick fix, he started with one simple promise to himself: go to the gym. That single habit became the foundation for a complete transformation, helping him rediscover self-trust, purpose and fulfilment.

Now having stepped away from acting, James is on a mission to help other men navigate mental health, identity and meaningful change.

This is an honest conversation about vulnerability, discipline, masculinity, and why it's never too late to reinvent yourself.

If this conversation resonates with you, please like, subscribe and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

From becoming one of the world's most recognisable supermodels to, professional showjumping, polo, racing cars, presenting television and rebuilding life on her own terms, Jodie Kidd has lived an extraordinary life.In this candid conversation with John Reynolds, Jodie opens up about the highs and lows behind the headlines. She reflects on fame at a young age, the pressures of the fashion industry, her passion for motorsport, family life, business, and the lessons she's learned through success, setbacks and reinvention.Warm, honest and full of humour, this is a conversation about resilience, purpose and discovering what really matters.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly Sponsored by IFS.ai

In this fascinating return appearance on Extraordinary Life Stories, comedian, broadcaster, bestselling author and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax sits down once again with John Reynolds for a candid and deeply personal conversation.

Since first becoming a household name through her fearless celebrity interviews and razor-sharp comedy, Ruby has reinvented herself as one of Britain's most influential voices on mental health and mindfulness. Drawing on her own experiences with depression and bipolar disorder, she discusses how a search for answers led her to earn a Master's degree in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford University and dedicate much of her life to helping others understand the workings of the mind.

In this wide-ranging interview, Ruby reflects on her extraordinary career, from the Royal Shakespeare Company and television fame to becoming an award-winning mental health advocate. She explains why mindfulness is often misunderstood, how it can help people navigate stress, anxiety and modern life's relentless distractions, and why she believes training the mind is just as important as training the body.

The conversation also explores the ideas behind her bestselling books, including Sane New World and A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, as well as her ongoing mission to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness with honesty, humour and compassion.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai