Extraordinary Life Stories

What does it take to keep going when your body is telling you to stop?

Ash Dykes is a five-time world record holder, explorer and extreme adventurer who has pushed himself to the limits across some of the most dangerous environments on Earth.

From crossing Mongolia alone and unsupported to battling dehydration in the Gobi Desert, surviving malaria, facing wolves, bears and armed men, Ash has repeatedly found himself in situations where survival depended on one thing above all else: his mindset.

In this fascinating conversation, Ash explains how he prepares for the worst, why the mental battle is harder than the physical one, how he turned extreme exploration into a business, and why he believes adaptability is the key to survival.

He also reveals why he once ruled out the Congo Basin as simply too dangerous and why he has now decided to take it on.

From a £200 bank balance and training in his parents' garden to world records, global recognition and his next extraordinary expedition, this is a story about resilience, preparation, risk, ambition and the human capacity to keep going.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

What happens when you look at one of the most ordinary products in our homes and ask: surely there’s a better way?

In this episode, Julie Chen, co-founder and CEO of Cheeky Panda, shares the remarkable story behind the brand that set out to disrupt the toilet paper and tissue industry with bamboo based, sustainable alternatives.

Starting the business from her spare room with her husband, Julie tested the idea through crowdfunding, secured their first container and began cold-calling retailers.

Today, Cheeky Panda has grown from a niche sustainable brand into a mainstream name, selling through major retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Boots and Ocado, while generating more than £1 million a month through Amazon alone.

Julie opens up about the realities behind that growth, including the challenges of raising funding as a female founder, leading teams, making mistakes, finding the right people and learning when to focus on your own strengths.

She also explains why the company's ultimate measure of success isn't simply revenue or profit, it's the ambition to save one million trees profitably.

We discuss entrepreneurship, sustainability, leadership, self-awareness, family, working with a spouse, building a purpose-driven brand and the importance of pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

A fascinating conversation about challenging conventional thinking, building a business with purpose and proving that sustainability doesn't have to mean compromising on quality, affordability or commercial success.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

What does success really mean in a world being transformed by AI?

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with entrepreneur, creator and media innovator 'Moddy' Modestas Mankus for a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, resilience and the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence.

Moddy shares how his early experiences of financial struggle and watching his hardworking mother shaped his ambition, work ethic and determination to build a different future. From teaching himself graphic design and creating YouTube videos as a teenager, to building media businesses and becoming a sought-after voice in AI and technology, his journey has been anything but conventional.

Today, Moddy works with some of the world's biggest brands, including Amazon, Google and Microsoft, who have approached him for his expertise and ability to explain complex technology in a way people can understand.

But behind the success are 18-hour working days, burnout, self-doubt, criticism and the difficult decisions that come with building a business without a traditional five-year plan.

Moddy also explores the future of AI, why humans need to embrace their imperfections, how creators can stand out in an increasingly AI-generated world, and why authenticity may become more valuable than ever.

Most importantly, he explains why his definition of success has changed, from simply building a big company and making money, to creating a life that allows him to be present for his family while continuing to pursue the creativity that drives him.

A candid and inspiring conversation about taking opportunities, backing yourself, persevering through setbacks and staying true to who you are.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

What makes someone an extraordinary entrepreneur and how do you spot that potential before anyone else does?

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds sits down with legendary investor Tom Teichman, whose remarkable career has seen him back some of the most successful entrepreneurs and businesses of the past 25 years, including lastminute.com, Moshi Monsters and Calm.

Tom shares the lessons behind his extraordinary track record, revealing why his investment decisions are ultimately about people rather than businesses, and why listening, honesty, emotional commitment and the ability to adapt matter more than almost anything else.

He reflects on his early career in the relentless world of investment banking, his journey towards becoming a more empathetic and thoughtful leader, and the importance of trusting your instincts when identifying exceptional talent.

Tom and John also explore AI, leadership, mental and physical fitness, the dangers of putting money above everything else, and what true success really means.

A fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, human potential, wealth, legacy and the lessons that come from a lifetime of backing extraordinary people.

In this episode:

- How Tom spotted the potential in lastminute.com
- Why great businesses are built around great people
- The qualities Tom looks for in exceptional entrepreneurs
- Why listening can be more powerful than speaking
- What psychotherapy taught Tom about leadership
- The importance of empathy and treating people as you want to be treated
- Why AI can't yet replace human judgement when it comes to talent
- Lessons from working with founders and investors
- Why wealth isn't necessarily the definition of success
- Family, relationships and the legacy we leave behind
- Tom's approach to staying physically and mentally fit
- His advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai

Nicola Chapman was one of YouTube’s original influencers, long before “influencer” was even a word.

What began as a way to help people learn how to do their makeup became a global online community, millions of views, international travel, a hugely successful makeup brush business and, at its peak, around £20,000 a month in income.

But behind the success was a much more extraordinary story.

In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, Nicola opens up about growing up in a domestic violence environment, losing her father to MS, experiencing miscarriages, becoming a mother, building a hugely successful business and eventually being diagnosed with MS herself.

She talks candidly about undergoing a stem-cell transplant in Mexico, losing her hair, rebuilding her life and discovering that the things she once thought represented success weren't necessarily the things that made her happy.

Nicola also reflects on the changing world of social media, the pressures facing young people online, the importance of authenticity in an age of AI and why she believes being present, making memories and having enough can be far more valuable than constantly chasing more.

This is a powerful conversation about resilience, motherhood, success, social media, illness, humility and finding out what really matters.

Extraordinary Life Stories is proudly sponsored by IFS.ai