To kick off the Adventure series, Emma is joined by Kenton Cool, world-renowned mountaineer, expedition leader, author and speaker.

Kenton has just summitted Everest for the twentieth time, becoming the first person to do so and surpassing his own record.

He has also climbed many other mountains, guided notable figures up the world’s highest mountain including Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Ben Fogle, and was the first person to climb Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse in one continuous push in 2013.

In this episode Kenton shares his mountaineering journey, his love for the mountain people, the awe of his very first Everest summit, and why he keeps going back today.

He talks about the role and extraordinary skill of the Sherpas, the brutal conditions of the death zone, and what he worries most about on Everest.

He also touches on how he manages (or doesn’t manage) the emotional toll of witnessing tragedy and the very real risks posed by the mountains.

Expect to hear:

• What it’s like summiting Everest for the 20th time
• The conditions in the death zone
• How much it costs for him to be your guide (start saving!)
• His thoughts on the Broad Peak tragedy
• The best advice he has ever received

This is an absolutely fascinating conversation with one ofthe world’s most experienced mountaineers and whose passion for the mountains is infectious.

Prepare to be inspired and start looking for your nearest mountain.

Follow Kenton Cool on Instagram and check out his website

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Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

This week on the podcast, Emma is joined by endurance swimmer Bryony Rowe who is preparing for one of the toughest challenges in sport, swimming solo across the English Channel.

This summer Bryony will swim from Dover to France, an iconic crossing which often described as the Mount Everest of open water swimming.

With just a 60% success rate, swimming across the Channel is no small feat and more people have summited Everest than have swum the Channel.

Bryony’s swim slot opens on 29 July and coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the first woman to ever swim the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle, on 6 August 1926.

Bryony shares all about her swim, from her motivation, training and nutrition to her biggest fears, covering herself in lanolin (gross) and what makes the English Channel such an iconic challenge.

She also talks about what it means to her to share the slot with Gertrude Ederle’s anniversary and how she hopes to inspire more women and girls to try open water swimming.

Expect to hear:

• Bryony’s path to attempt the solo Channel swim
• What it takes to get a slot and organise a Channel swim
• Her training and mindset preparation
• The physical, mental and marine life challenges she’s expecting
• How Bryony hopes to honour Gertrude Ederle and get more women swimming

Bryony’s passion for open water swimming is infectious. After listening to Bryony be prepared to dig out your goggles.

Bryony epitomises everything we love about passionate humans, she’s determined, humble and inspiring. We wish her all the best for her Channel swim this summer.

Follow Bryony and keep up to date with her swim on Instagram.

Bryony is also fundraising for her swim and hoping to raise £4,000 for the charity Athlete Interactions. Check out her fundraiser.

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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram / TikTok / YouTube and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of Passion.

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. ⁠

Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes

This week on the podcast, Emma is joined by Ojie Edoburun, one of Britain’s fastest men. Ojie is a professional sprinter who competes in the 100m and 200m events.

He has had an impressive career on the track with a host of accolades to his name including the British 100 metres champion after winning the 2019 British Athletics Championships and winning a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 4x100 metre relay team.

Ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Ojie reflects on his journey to becoming a professional sprinter, the highs and lows and his proudest moments so far.

He shares brilliant insight into what it’s like being in the call room once the compere is gone before being called out to the track, where the race is won or lost and what goes through his minds in those 10 seconds.

Ojie is also the Ambassador Manager at Puresport and talks about the challenges of being a full-time athlete, maintaining elite performance and choosing the stability of a job.

Expect to hear:

• Ojie’s journey to professional sprinter
• How he has built a resilient mindset through success and setbacks
• The moment he won a Commonwealth Gold
• Why he's thinking carefully about what could be his final year on the track
• A ton of wisdom about personal growth

Ojie’s 100 metres PB is 10.04 seconds, what’s yours?

Ojie brings honesty, positivity and perspective in equal measure. You won't want to miss this one.

Follow Ojie on Instagram.

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✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.

Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

Sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of Passion

Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Check out her ⁠website⁠

Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes