Podcast
You Can Do Hard Things
Hosted by Jenny Melling · EN
You Can Do Hard Things isn’t about perfect lives — it’s about what happens when everything falls apart.
If you’ve ever been tested by life and wondered if you’re strong enough, this is where you find out you are.
You Can Do Hard Things isn’t about perfect lives or polished success stories — it’s about what happens when things fall apart.
Hosted by Jenny Melling, this podcast is built on real, unfiltered conversations with people who’ve faced pressure, failure, loss, and doubt — and kept going anyway. Because the truth is, resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build when life doesn’t go to plan.
From elite athletes and high performers to everyday people with extraordinary stories, each episode goes beyond the highlight reel and into the moments that actually shape us. The setbacks. The turning points. The decisions made in the dark when no one else is watching.
This is where you’ll hear what success really looks like — not the glossy version, but the version that’s messy, uncomfortable, and earned. The version that comes after rock bottom, after rejection, after things don’t work out the way you thought they would.
We talk about mental health, mindset, identity, pressure, and what it takes to rebuild when everything feels uncertain. We talk about proving people wrong, but also about proving something to yourself. About finding strength when you feel like you’ve got none left. About showing up anyway.
Whether it’s dealing with loss, navigating change, chasing something bigger, or simply trying to get through a tough season, this podcast is for anyone who’s ever felt tested by life — and wondered if they’re strong enough to keep going.
Because doing hard things isn’t just about surviving them. It’s about what you become in the process.
Expect honest conversations, powerful stories, and moments that stay with you long after the episode ends.
No fluff. No filters. No pretending.
Just real people, real experiences, and real proof that you can do hard things.
Follow and subscribe to You Can Do Hard Things so you never miss an episode — and if something resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Holly shares the story of her best friend Rachel, their 20-year friendship, her journey with Type 1 Diabetes, and the devastating loss that changed everything. A powerful conversation shared in memory of Rachel and support of #Living4Rach.
1w ago00:50:17Tap to summarizePart 1 of 2Rachel was Holly's best friend for over 20 years.In this deeply personal episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Holly shares Rachel's story. From growing up with Type 1 Diabetes, through years of health challenges, to the devastating phone call that changed everything.Together we discuss the realities of living with Type 1 Diabetes, the impact of Diabulimia, DKA, Charcot Foot, friendship, family support, and the strength it takes to keep going when life feels impossible.More than anything, this is a story about friendship, resilience and remembering someone who meant the world to those around her.This episode is shared in memory of Rachel and in support of #Living4Rach, helping to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes, Diabulimia and the importance of education and understanding.In this episode:• Rachel and Holly's friendship spanning more than 20 years • Growing up with Type 1 Diabetes • The hidden reality of Diabulimia • DKA and repeated hospital admissions • Charcot Foot, sepsis and the threat of amputation • Relationships, family support and finding hope • Pregnancy, future plans and new beginnings • The heartbreaking phone call that changed everythingThis is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.In Part 2, Holly shares her own incredible story of surviving meningitis, nearly losing her life, and how both experiences changed her perspective forever.💙 In memory of Rachel 💙 #Living4RachYou Can Do Hard Things is a podcast sharing real stories of resilience, adversity and ordinary people overcoming extraordinary challenges.
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Ashley Watson: Inside The Olympic Village, Jamaica Bobsleigh & Post Olympic Depression | Part 2/2
2w ago00:49:00Tap to summarizeAshley Watson returns for Part 2 of this powerful conversation on You Can Do Hard Things.From representing Jamaica at the Winter Olympics to the reality of life inside the Olympic Village, Ashley opens up about the moments most people never hear about.We discuss:What REALLY happens inside the Olympic VillageThe pressure of competing on the world stageJamaica’s bobsleigh journey and the Cool Runnings comparisonsMedia attention and representing a countryThe emotional comedown after the OlympicsPost Olympic depression and identity lossAthlete mindset, resilience and disciplineBuilding success beyond sportAshley also shares stories about Olympic parties, elite athlete culture, travelling to Beijing 2022 and the hidden side of chasing a lifelong dream.This is an honest conversation about ambition, sacrifice, mental health and what happens after achieving the thing you thought would change your life forever.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.#AshleyWatson #Olympics #OlympicVillage #JamaicaBobsleigh #PostOlympicDepression #YouCanDoHardThings
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Ashley Watson: From Peterborough United Rejection to the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team at Beijing 2022
3w ago00:50:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Jenny Melling sits down with Ashley Watson, Olympian, British athlete and member of the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team at Beijing 2022.Ashley shares the real story behind his Olympic journey, from growing up in Peterborough and chasing football dreams with Peterborough United and Norwich City, to the disappointment of rejection, moving into athletics, discovering bobsleigh and eventually representing Jamaica on the Olympic stage.The conversation explores resilience, identity, self-coaching, sacrifice and what it really takes to keep going when the obvious route doesn’t work out.We also talk about the reality behind the famous Cool Runnings image of Jamaican bobsleigh, and what life in the sport actually looks like behind the scenes.Please forgive the audio issues that kick is part way through - if anyone can fix it - holla at me!In Part 1:Football trials with Peterborough United and Norwich CityBeing released as a young footballerSprinting and athletics ambitionsDiscovering bobsleigh almost by accidentGB Bobsleigh and Olympic qualificationFunding struggles in elite sportBalancing training, business and a Masters degreeWhy representing Jamaica meant so muchHosted by Jenny Melling. Podcast: You Can Do Hard ThingsPart 2 coming soon - want to know what really happens in the Olympic Village? Best subscribe so you dont miss out!
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I RAN TOWARDS IT!!! Tom Gray on the London Bridge Terror Attack, The Summit UK & Regret Part 2/2
May 200:43:54Tap to summarizeHe didn’t run away… he ran towards it.In Part 2, Tom Gray (That Guy Gray) opens up about being at the centre of the London Bridge terror attack in November 2019, where he was one of the people who helped stop the attacker.But this isn’t just about that day.It’s about what it says about you when everything kicks off. How you process it. And how life just carries on afterwards.We also get into something very real between us… After I cut Tom’s future short on The Summit, can you actually build a genuine bond after something like that? Does he blame me? And the question I had to ask — do I regret it… and am I sorry?In this episode, we talk about:Tom Gray’s first-hand experience of the London Bridge attackWhy he ran towards dangerWhat happened in those moments on the bridgeHow he processed it afterwardsWhy he never wanted to use it for attention or “clout”The reality of being recognised as “That Guy Gray”Whether there’s any bad blood after The SummitRegret, decisions and living with the choices you makeDealing with pressure, failure and self-worthWhy happiness isn’t always what we think it isThis is Part 2 — if you haven’t seen Part 1 yet, go back and watch it first. There’s more coming as well.I genuinely appreciate every single person who watches, listens, shares or messages me about these. I do this because I love it — and because I hope these conversations resonate, make you think, or help you feel a bit less alone.At the end of the day, we’re all just people.And something someone said to me recently really stuck:You are your superpower. No one else can be you. So own it, be proud of it, and live your life — your truth.#TomGray #ThatGuyGray #LondonBridgeAttack #LondonBridge #YouCanDoHardThings #TheSummitUK #Resilience #Mindset #PodcastInterview #MentalHealth #SelfWorth #TrueStory #UKPodcast #RealTalk
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Tom Gray Opens Up: The Summit UK, That Guy Gray, Imposter Syndrome & “As You Were” | You Can Do Hard Things Podcast by Jenny Melling - Part 1/2
Apr 2500:46:39Tap to summarizeThomas Gray, also known online as That Guy Gray, joins me for Part 1 of our You Can Do Hard Things conversation.You might know him from The Summit UK, his viral “As You Were” videos, his automotive content, or his very impressive moustache… but this episode goes far beyond the online persona.In this first part, Tom talks openly about where That Guy Gray came from, how “As You Were” became his signature phrase, building a following of around 800,000 people, imposter syndrome, mental health content, self-doubt, relationships, dating apps, and what really happened during his time on The Summit UK.We also get into the behind-the-scenes reality of The Summit, including the first challenge, the edit, the cast dynamics, Dockers, Patrick’s lack of screen time, Tom’s fear of heights, and the moment he knew he was probably going home.This is funny, honest, awkward in places, and properly human.
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Joel (The Summit): ‘I Was Meant to Save Her… But I Didn’t’ | You Can Do Hard Things
Apr 2401:52:49Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the person who’s always supposed to save the day… can’t?In this powerful episode of You Can Do Hard Things, I sit down with Joel — Olympian, The Summit UK contestant, and one of the most complex people I’ve met — for a conversation that goes far beyond reality TV.We talk about:The pressure of being “the strong one”Losing his sister — and the guilt that still followsWhy success never quite feels like enoughThe reality behind elite sport and chasing validationAnd what happens when your identity is built on being neededJoel opens up about the moment he realised he wasn’t able to “save the day”… and how that changed everything.This is raw, honest, and at times uncomfortable — but it’s exactly what You Can Do Hard Things is all about.
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PatzMB - From Engineering Degree to 400K Followers – The Summit’s Patrick on Trolls & Fame
Apr 2001:47:26Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to build a life online… and what happens when it all disappears overnight?In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, I sit down with Patrick — content creator and my fellow cast member from The Summit — for a conversation that’s as honest as it is entertaining.We go behind the scenes of the show and beyond the highlight reels to talk about:The real journey from engineering degree to 400K+ followersHow social media actually works (and how he turned it into a full-time income)Trolling, online hate, and why “the comments are brutal”Losing his TikTok account and the reality of relying on platforms you don’t controlWhat really happened on The Summit — including the injury that forced him outThe mindset it takes to keep going when things don’t go to planPatrick also shares how he built brand deals from scratch, why not everyone is cut out for content creation, and what he’s building next — including plans to take things to YouTube in a big way.This is a raw, funny, behind-the-scenes look at both reality TV and the creator world — and a reminder that doing hard things doesn’t always look the way you expect.
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Sean Heath on The Summit, Grief, Grooming, Mental Health & Resilience
Apr 2000:56:46Tap to summarizeSean Heath joins me for a raw, honest and surprisingly funny conversation about what it really means to be underestimated.You may know Sean from The Summit UK, but this episode goes far beyond the mountain.We talk about how he ended up on the show, what it was like being judged before people really knew him, and the reality of pushing himself through one of the toughest experiences of his life. But we also get into the things that matter far more than TV.Sean opens up about discovering his identity at a young age, the darker side of being groomed, the grief of losing family members in quick succession, the toll that took on his mental health, and what rebuilding life has looked like since.This is a conversation about resilience, loss, confidence, humour, survival and learning to back yourself when other people do not.In this episode, we cover:Sean’s journey onto The Summit UKBeing constantly underestimatedIdentity, sexuality and growing upGrooming and vulnerability at a young ageGrief, family loss and depressionWhat success really meansWhy sometimes just getting through the day is enoughThe mindset that helped him keep goingSean is warm, open, hilarious and brutally honest in all the best ways. This episode is for anyone who has ever been written off, misunderstood or forced to find strength the hard way.
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Miranda: Cancer, Resilience and Life After The Summit
Apr 801:19:09Tap to summarizeMiranda’s story is about far more than what viewers saw on The Summit.In this episode of You Can Do Hard Things, Miranda opens up about resilience, mental strength, being underestimated, and the real-life experiences that shaped her long before reality TV. She talks honestly about her time on The Summit, the friendships formed under pressure, the moment injury ended her journey, and how she really feels about some of the cast.But this conversation goes much deeper than the mountain.Miranda also shares her shock cancer diagnosis, the surgery and recovery that followed, how it changed her perspective, and what success means to her now. We talk about motherhood, friendship, survival, fear, loyalty, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going when life does its best to knock you flat.This is raw, funny, emotional and full of truth
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Lyle Taylor on Football, Ego, Chelmsford & Life After the Game | Part 2
Apr 801:19:09Tap to summarizeIn part two of Jenny Melling’s conversation with Lyle Taylor, the discussion goes deeper into football, identity, injury, reputation, and what comes next after the game.Lyle speaks openly about leaving Colchester, joining Chelmsford City, the realities of dressing room culture, how football shapes the person you become, and why stepping away from playing could be one of the hardest things he ever has to do.This episode also explores ego, leadership, success, Pink October, life after football, and the difference between how people see a footballer and who that person really is away from the pitch.An honest, funny and thoughtful conversation about football, change, ambition, and doing hard things.
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