In Episode 2 of In At The Deep End, Salim is joined by Dr Mei-Ling Lancashire - GP, cancer survivor, single mum and swimmer. At the peak of her fitness, Mei-Ling discovered a breast lump and, as a GP with a background in breast cancer research, knew instantly what it meant. What followed was an aggressive diagnosis, gruelling chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and the challenge of holding everything together for her two young daughters.

Swimming became her lifeline. From a childhood passion, cut short by societal misconceptions, to a primal fear of deep water and, eventually, open-water sessions at Shepperton Lake, her relationship with the water has been anything but simple. And that's exactly what makes her story so powerful.

Key themes in this episode:

• Childhood swimming talent ended by 1980s attitudes towards women athletes
• Breast cancer diagnosis at peak fitness, and the shock of knowing immediately what it was
• Staying active through chemotherapy and surgery as a single parent
• Fundraising for Cancer Research UK and becoming the face of a national campaign
• Overcoming a deep-rooted fear of open water
• Nerve damage from surgery and chemo, and learning to reconnect with key swimming muscles
• The role of Pilates in unlocking a better swim stroke
• Swimming as the last sport standing when injury takes everything else away
• What it truly means to thrive, not just survive

Useful Links

Swimming & Open Water

• Shepperton Lake — open-water venue mentioned in the episode
• Hampton Pool — where Mei-Ling rediscovered swimming during the pandemic
• Swim Serpentine — open-water event completed during her recovery
• Swim England — Find a Club
• Outdoor Swimming Society

Swim with Saleem

• SwimLab — Learn to swim with Saleem

Cancer Awareness

• Cancer Research UK — the charity Mei-Ling has fundraised for throughout her recovery
• Breast Cancer Now — helpline: 0808 800 6000

Dr Mei-Ling Lancashire

• Follow Mei-Ling on Instagram
• Book life coaching with Mei Ling here: https://www.thethrivologist.com/packages
• Book Dr Mei Ling a speaker here: https://www.thethrivologist.com/speaker
• Donate to Dr Mei Ling's Cancer Research UK fundraising page here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/mei-lings-giving-page

Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...

• Email us: inatthedeependpod@gmail.com
• Use the get in touch form HERE - https://inatthedeepend.transistor.fm/be-a-part-of-the-show
• Send us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/InAtTheDeepEnd

Produced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

In this debut episode of In At The Deep End, host and swim coach Salim Ahmed welcomes his first guest, Dr Victoria Rose - or 'Rosie' as he knows her - a consultant plastic surgeon whose life is defined by two remarkable worlds: the operating theatres of London hospitals and the war-torn hospitals of Gaza.

Rosie shares her journey from dedicated runner to passionate swimmer, how a serious knee injury changed everything and why swimming has become a lifeline - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally - as she processes the harrowing work of treating children with blast, burn, and bullet injuries in one of the world's most dangerous conflict zones.

Key themes in this episode:

• What plastic surgery really involves and why it has such an unfair reputation
• The IDEALS charity and its decades of work supporting surgeons in conflict zones
• Life in Gaza before and after October 2023 - the contrast between restaurants and rubble
• The friendship and responsibility that drives humanitarian volunteers back into danger
• The physiological magic of cold water and the body's response to immersion
• Swimming as community, fitness and mental health support
• Open-water swimming at Shepperton Lake, and the eureka moment
• Swimming for body, mind and soul: resilience, mindfulness and showing up

Useful Links

Swimming & Open Water

• Shepperton Lake — open-water venue mentioned in the episode
• Swim England — Find a Club — find a Masters club near you
• British Masters Swimming
• Outdoor Swimming Society — open-water locations and resources

Swim with Salim

• SwimLab - Learn to swim with Salim

Organisations Mentioned

• IDEALS Charity — supporting surgeons in conflict zones

Dr Victoria Rose

• Follow Rosie on Instagram

Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...

• Email us: inatthedeependpod@gmail.com
• Use the get in touch form HERE - https://inatthedeepend.transistor.fm/be-a-part-of-the-show
• Send us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/InAtTheDeepEnd

Produced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Welcome to In at the Deep End, a new podcast hosted by swim coach Salim Ahmed.

In this trailer you'll get a glimpse into the kinds of stories featured on the show: honest conversations with people whose lives have been shaped by swimming in ways that go far beyond the pool. Stories about resilience, identity, loss, ambition and the moments when the water became a place to think, heal, push on or start again.

If swimming has ever meant more to you than just lengths and times, this is where it begins.

Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...

• Email us: inatthedeependpod@gmail.com
• Use the get in touch form HERE - https://inatthedeepend.transistor.fm/be-a-part-of-the-show
• Send us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/InAtTheDeepEnd

Produced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk