Welcome to the first episode of This is Winter Sports, a series supported by Protect Our Winters UK.

This week Emma is joined by Chemmy Alcott, the first British ski racer to win a run in a World Cup. Chemmy is a four-time Winter Olympian who represented Team GB throughout a 20-year sporting career and reached a career high of 8th in the world. Now presenting BBC Ski Sunday, Chemmy will be at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics taking us through all the action.

Chemmy shares where her passion for ski racing comes from, how she navigated the challenges of being a pro ski racer, and how she beat her top speed in retirement.

She also reveals one of her biggest fears... and it's not what you expect.

Expect to hear:

• How Chemmy made her pro skier dream a reality
• Chemmy’s evolving journey with fear
• Transition from athlete to presenter
• What to look forward to at the Winter Olympics

Chemmy is incredibly inspiring, full of passion for snow sports and offers a ton of brilliant advice too. Follow Chemmy on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.

More about the visuals? Watch the episode on YouTube.

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This week Emma is joined by James Shaw, renowned pilates educator and practitioner.

James shares his pilates journey, from starting out thanks to an encouraging hairdressing client, to opening his own classical pilates studio and teacher training academy in Margate.

He shares his views on classical and contemporary pilates as well as why pilates is so popular and common misconceptions. He also talks about the importance of making pilates more accessible and how he makes his classes welcoming especially to neurodivergent people.

James also shares his mindset which has helped him overcome challenges along the way, his thoughts on taking risks, and how pilates helps his ADHD.

Expect to hear:

• Key principles within pilates
• The difference between classical and contemporary
• Creating a space where pilates is for everyone
• Channeling a risk-averse mindset
• ADHD and pilates

It’s a story of discovery, self-belief, and a ton of passion, and James is incredibly inspiring.

Follow James on Instagram and keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming book and check out James’s studio in Margate too.

More about the visuals? Watch the full episode on Youtube.

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Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram , sign up to the monthly newsletter here and check out her website.

✨🎙️ Click subscribe or follow now to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. We are about to launch the Winter Sports series - get excited!

This week Emma is joined by Jesseca Furness, a presenter at the Running Channel who has set herself the challenge of running 42 marathons this year.

No stranger to pushing her limits having run ultra marathons and Ironman, this year Jess decided to run 42 marathons in honour of her brother Eddie, who would be 42 this year.

Jess has already completed over 35 marathons all over the world, overcoming injury, unexpected mishaps and cancelled events like in South Africa, and she’s also added even more challenges - like running 8 marathons in 8 days.

She reveals why she started running aged 14, and how running has helped her navigate grief after losing both her parents and her oldest brother, as well as boost her confidence.

Expect to hear:

• The ups and downs of running 42 marathons in one year
• How Jess balances the marathons around work and everyday life
• How Jess pushes through the toughest moments
• The greatness of community

Alongside her challenge Jess is fundraising for Big Moose Charity which has helped her navigate her grief through therapy and the Air Ambulance Service too. Donate here.

You can join Jess on her marathon challenge - head to her instagram to find out more details about her final few marathons.

More about the visuals? Watch the full episode on YouTube.

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The Passion Stories pod wants to hear your views! Complete the⁠ audience survey⁠ to be in with a chance of winning a mega cool prize: Audience survey link: ⁠https://forms.gle/oxn9CHuT4cvkWzDN6⁠

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Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram, sign up to the monthly newsletter and check out her website.

Love running? Check out recent episodes with Zach Friedley, Juliette Denny and ultra running legend Damian Hall.

✨🎙️ Click subscribe or follow now to be in the know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops. They will be coming to your ears in a fortnight!