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Embracing Individuality Ruth Patterson has always had a passion for music. As the lead singer of Holy Moly and The Crackers she's played some of the biggest stages in the UK and across Europe. On top of that 2020 has seen her get the opportunity to work as an artist-in-residence at The Sage in Gateshead. And as an ambassador for Attitude Is Everything, she also uses her own experiences to help improve access to the music industry for deaf and disabled people. In the season two finale join her for 30minutes of Mat Talk on shifting attitudes, perfectionism and hot water bottles.  

Finding Connection As the artistic director of Dash Dot Dance Vicki Busfield champions inclusivity in the dance world and is involved with multiple projects around the arts and mental health. During lockdown she also became a film producer creating a socially distant film called Are We Floating or Falling?, which saw the dancers involved create work in their own homes to be shown at a virtual arts festival. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk on the importance of connection, valuing the arts and an unexpected podcast suggestion     Watch Are We Floating or Falling? by following this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo0UshQxBNE

Breaking Boundaries Manisha Tailor MBE is a woman who is not afraid to challenge the status quo Having originally trained as a teacher and headteacher she moved into coaching, gaining her UEFA B Licence and setting up Swaggarlicious which uses football to create cohesion by engaging with diverse community groups and organisations. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk on being bold, breaking down stereotypes and why mum's cuppa is always the best.

Striking a New Balance Over her sporting career cyclist and swimmer Kiera Byland has picked up six gold medals at the Special Olympics. And now she's giving talks to schools and colleges championing the power of sport and taking her experiences from the competitive arena into the boardroom, working as an athlete representative for Special Olympic Great Britain. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk on developing resilience, re-discovering forgotten talents and cake appreciation.

Celebrating Success Kirsty Day and Grace Dyke are two women on a mission. Passionate about diversifying the media, through their Media Cubs workshops for seven to eleven year olds they not only introduce young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to the skills required to work in a newsroom, they also encourage them to broadcast their confidence and raise their voice. Join them for 30 minutes of Mat Talk on social enterprise, opening doors to opportunity and "Win Walls"   Find out more about Kirsty, Grace and Media Cubs here https://www.mediacubs.co.uk

Doing the Hard Thing While sipping her first hot cuppa since having her son actress and entrepreneur Vanessa Boland had a spark of genius and turned it into successful business. Now a hit on social media and with renewed ambitions to return to the stage after two and half years away she's looking forward to a future combining both of her passions - the arts and business. Join her for 30 minutes of mat talk on smashing through the insta-perfect lifestyle myth, the importance of self-care and coconut cappuccino.

Planting Acorns Olivier Award winner Pippa Stacey is a writer who really took the quote “if there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it” quite literally. Using her own experiences of navigating higher education with a chronic illness she's created the guide for students she wished she'd had when she was heading off to university. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk on making progress, listening to other perspectives and the power of a onesie.   Connect with Pippa and find out more about her book here: https://www.lifeofpippa.co.uk

Beacons of Hope Kgothatso 'KG' Montjane is one of the women to watch on court. She didn't even pick up a racket, or know about tennis for that matter, until she was nineteen but has gone on to break into the top eight of the women's wheelchair tennis rankings, compete at the Grand Slams and travel to three Paralympic Games - Beijing, London and Rio. And now a title contender, whilst we won't see her at the US Open this year having opted not to play the 2020 event, she's back in South Africa training hard and still aiming for her first Grand Slam title and a podium position at the rescheduled Tokyo Games in 2021. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk on the importance of changing things up a bit, raising your voice and the value of kindness.

Pressing Reset Swimmer Tully Kearney should have been out in Tokyo this week competing for a place on the podium at what would have been her first Paralympics. But with the Games rescheduled to 2021, the seven-time World Champion has been giving back to the community and raising money for the charity she is patron of instead. In our Dystonia Awareness Month special join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk about ignoring the doubters, establishing new goals, and creating a water park in your garden.   Follow Tully's fundraising challenge here: https://www.dystoniaaroundtheworld.org/fundraisers/tullykearney/around-the-world Find out more about dystonia here: https://www.dystonia.org.uk

Discovering New Talents  Award-winning comedian Katie Pritchard was due to do her debut hour at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer, well until the country went into lockdown a few months before it was due to happen. With all her live gigs cancelled since March, she's set about discovering her artistic talents and for a small fee she can "ruin" your photo or "spoil" your t-shirt, all in the name of keeping you smiling. Join her for our season two premiere as she gives us 30 minutes of Mat Talk on adapting her style of comedy for online, lasagna and getting harshly critiqued by your parents.   Connect with Katie: https://linktr.ee/katiepritchards Have a go at her cultural exchange: https://www.facebook.com/Chichifitwithlauren  

Living in the Present Hannah Rankin and Ellie Scotney are among Britain's ones to watch when it comes to talent in the ring. History-making Hannah is not only Scotland's first female boxing World Champion but also a talented musician who, with her quintet, takes concerts into schools and care homes.   And proper brew loving Ellie, who was due to make her professional debut at the O2 just as the UK went into lockdown, is currently working nine to five as a keyworker - although she'd say she isn't one! Join them for our season one finale as they give us 30 minutes of mat talk on staying motivated, looking to the future, and getting KO'd by unconventional sparring partners.

Taking Time   The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q and Hairspray - just some of the shows you may have seen Etisyai Philip in over the years. On stage she wows the world with with her pitch perfect comedy timing, and off it she's passionate about diversity in the arts and encouraging the next generation of theatre industry talent. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk about taking time for yourself, challenging unconscious bias, and channelling her inner Bond girl on a coffee mug. 

Play, Fight, Win Rachel Morgan is one of Britain's top tennis talents. During the pandemic though, the current World No.1 (B1 classification) on the visually impaired tennis circuit has put down her racket to focus on her career as a keyworker, swapping the baseline for the frontline in the fight against CoVid-19 Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk on giving your best in difficult situations, treasuring the little moments that make you happy, and unusual coffee mugs.

Divine Storms Jordanne Whiley is unique among British tennis players because she's the only one to have achieved a Calendar Grand Slam. During lockdown, with no Roland Garros this week, the wheelchair tennis tour on hold, and the Paralympics delayed by a year to 2021, the eleven-time Grand Slam Champion has spent lots of quality time at home discovering new skills and having lots of proud mummy moments with her son. Join her for 30 minutes of mat talk on looking out for divine storms, parenting during lockdown and finding out which Madagascar character is her spirit animal.

Seize The Day   Ella Beaumont has been passionate about sport and fitness since she was young and after scouring the internet for fitness sessions for wheelchair users during lockdown and finding nothing that motivated her she took matters into her own hands and launched Ella's Wheelchair Workout. Not only is she broadcasting her sessions to thousands on YouTube, merely asking people to have their broomsticks and tights handy to join in, but she's also keeping her wheelchair basketball and rugby teammates in shape over Zoom and delivering online sessions for charities and gyms across the country. So stand aside Joe Wicks there's a new fitness guru in town and she's determined to make staying active at home inclusive. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk about women in sport, grabbing every opportunity, and binge-watching Australian soaps

Within the White Lines Football has been a constant for St Ives Town Ladies player Ruth Fox since she was young, in fact she would even go so far as to say that the sport saved her life. Now ready to write the next chapter, the central midfielder and campaigner is undertaking a 28 day cycling challenge to raise awareness of mental health in sport, and mental health in general, by visiting places that have played an important role in her recovery. In our special episode for Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk about the beautiful game, why kindness matters and unexpected detours. EPISODE NOTE: As well as the usual chat you expect from us here at The Constant Cheerleader, Ruth and I also talk openly and honestly about our experiences with mental health. If you find you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast there is help out there. Among them are some amazing charities such as The Samaritans, who work to make sure there’s always someone there for you. Call them free anytime, day or night, on 116 123

Pushing the Boundaries If there's a gap in the market it's almost guaranteed entrepreneur and athlete Chantal Epp will spot it. In business she's used her love of music and knowledge of the music industry to break down traditional barriers. And as one half of Wheelchair Partner Stunt, she's helped champion inclusivity in cheerleading across the globe. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk about the importance of perseverance, being open to finding innovation in any situation, and mat-talking your kettle.  

Re-creating the Magic The art of storytelling runs through the veins of animator and puppeteer Lizzie Cresswell. And during these uncertain times she's been using that skill to bring a smile to people's faces, producing a number of short films, including one re-creating the Disney World experience from her sofa.  Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk about following her dreams, defying expectations, and freezing on stage in front of Kurt Russell.

Play, Create and Learn Vicki Hargreaves is the director and choreographer of Commotion Dance but after theatres went dark almost overnight she quickly morphed from that into online educator. Join her for 30 minutes of Mat Talk about her work, the vital importance of connection during what is quite an isolating time, and her thoughts on the current and future challenges for the theatre industry.

Mugs of Rebellion, refusing a dishwasher and facing Twitter tumbleweed when sharing David Tennant GIFs Just a few things that make life interesting for writer, Miranda Dickinson. In the first ever episode of The Constant Cheerleader we catch up with the six-time Sunday Times bestselling author for thirty minutes of Mat Talk about her life, writing, and of course coffee.