Just Meee Podcasts
We’re all stars in our own stories. Just Meee celebrates the extraordinary in everyday people, those who have faced life’s challenges with resilience and come out shining. From mums and dads to daughters and sons, we hear firsthand how they navigate the ups and downs of life, finding strength, hope, and purpose along the way. It’s a privilege to share their journeys, and we hope their stories inspire and uplift you as much as they do us.
Jacqui Lemaitre: “Leading with Heart”
I’ve often wondered what shapes a great leader — and whether it’s something you’re born with, or something you grow into.
What I love about this conversation with Jacqui is the honesty in her journey. School wasn’t easy for her. Learning felt stressful, and she struggled at times to find her place. And yet, through belief, determination, and a desire to make a difference, she went on to earn a degree and become CEO of a multi-academy trust.
Jacqui didn’t go into education for status or recognition. She went into it, as she beautifully says, “to see the joy in other people’s faces.” That says everything.
She is a passionate advocate for second chances and reminds us that education should be about more than passing tests — it should be about people, personality, and potential.
At the heart of her story is a simple but powerful belief: “I always believe I can.”
And maybe that’s the magic ingredient we all need.
Listen to this episode to hear from a leader who truly leads with heart.
#67 Sophie Capewell – True Gold
What does it really take to become an Olympic Gold Medallist?
Not just the medals… but the mindset, the discipline, and the resilience behind it all.
In this episode of the Just Meee Podcast, Sophie Capewell MBE shares an honest and refreshing insight into her journey — what it takes, what it feels like, and what comes next once you’ve reached the very top.
From early inspiration through her family, to the relentless commitment required at elite level, Sophie reminds us that talent alone isn’t enough.
You have to turn up.
You have to put the work in.
And you have to keep going — especially when it’s tough.
What really stood out for me was Sophie’s perspective: “Sport has such a big purpose.”
It’s not just about performance. It’s about understanding yourself, trusting your instincts, and becoming the best version of who you can be.
Whether you’re into sport or not, this is a conversation about life — growth, belief, and showing up when it matters most.
#66 Rebecca Adlington – The Magic Ingredient
What is the magic ingredient behind lasting success?
In this month's Just Meee podcast, Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington OBE reminds us that it isn’t talent alone, it’s belief, resilience, and the people who back you when no one else can see the finish line.
From winning double gold in Beijing at just 19 to building Swim! A national learn-to-swim movement tackling the UK’s childhood water safety crisis, Becky’s journey is about far more than medals. It’s about purpose beyond the podium.
She speaks openly about family support, impostor syndrome, business struggles, miscarriage, and motherhood, and how those experiences reshaped her understanding of success.
If there’s a Magic Ingredient in Becky’s story, it’s this: showing up with heart. For your family. For your community. For the next generation.
Because real gold isn’t always what hangs around your neck, sometimes it’s what you build for others.
#65 Paul Pook – There’s Always Hope!
⚠ Content warning: This episode discusses suicide, loss, and grief. Please take care while listening.
The more I listen to stories like Paul Pook’s, the more I realise how powerful it is when someone turns pain into purpose.
This deeply moving and honest conversation with Paul, CEO and founder of Tackle 360 and Tackle Suicide, is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope can still find a way through.
Paul shares how rugby gave him self-esteem and belonging after a difficult childhood, and how a career in elite sport eventually collided with hidden brain injuries, depression, and years of suicidal thoughts. With extraordinary courage, he speaks about living with disrupted emotional circuitry, the impact of concussion, and the long road back to himself.
What makes this episode so special is not just Paul’s vulnerability, it’s his compassion. Out of his own struggle, he created Tackle Suicide, an initiative dedicated to prevention, connection, and reminding people that they are not alone.
As Paul so beautifully shows us, healing isn’t linear. It’s about reaching in, staying connected, and believing that tomorrow can be different from today.
And when asked to describe himself in one word, Paul chose: “Grateful.”
Wow. That says everything.
Thank you, Paul, for your honesty, your courage, and for reminding us all that there is always hope.
#64 – Looking Ahead 2026: Stories to Carry Us Forward
“What if the most powerful thing we do this year… is choose to begin again?”
As we step into 2026, this episode is a moment to pause and reflect, on the lives that inspired us, the people who shaped us, and the stories that live on.
From icons like Jane Goodall and Cleo Laine, to everyday heroes like Chris and Sarra Hoy, this is a reminder that legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s what we build, share, and live each day.
This isn’t just a look back, it’s a call to look forward.
To live with purpose.
To be kind.
To write the next chapter, intentionally.
Let’s begin.
#63 Best of 2025 – The Just Meee Podcast Highlights
“Some stories stay with us. Some change us. And some remind us of who we are...and what we’re capable of.”
Over the past year, the Meee Podcast has brought together voices from every walk of life, people who’ve faced loss, found purpose, embraced change, and dared to speak from the heart.
In this short highlights reel, we’re sharing just a few of the powerful moments that made us stop, reflect, smile, cry, and most importantly, feel connected.
These are stories of courage, creativity, grief, hope, second chances, and deep human resilience.
We’re so proud to share them with you. Let’s take a moment to listen.
Thank you to all our remarkable guests for reminding us that behind every story is a spark of something we all share…humanity.
#62 Corey Hastings – Love Hard. Laugh Hard. Play Hard.
The more I live, the more I realise that things happen when they’re meant to.
This podcast with the truly inspirational and insightful Corey Hastings is a beautiful reminder that life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you. Corey invites us to follow our hearts, stay positive, and not to fear change. And that change is okay, even when it doesn’t make sense.
This episode is a magical drop of happy tonic, a gentle nudge for all of us to keep reaching for whatever stars we seek.
As Corey beautifully says: “I am worthy of who I am and what I can do!”
Wow. That’s a sentiment we all need to embrace.
Thank you, Corey, for your honesty, your energy, and for reminding us how powerful it is to live with love, laughter, and courage. xxxx
#61 Gaz Jones – Question Everything!
Sometimes, life just takes time.
Gaz Jones was one of the very first attendees on a Meee employment course back in 2016 in North Wales, and he’s been part of our journey ever since.
This podcast is a powerful reminder that life doesn’t follow straight lines. It’s full of twists and turns, some good, some not so good. But what shines through in Gaz’s story is the value of staying curious, open, and kind to yourself along the way.
As Gaz brilliantly puts it: “The answers are always there, you’ve just got to look for them.”
It’s rare that we invite someone who first came through one of our programmes to be a guest on the podcast. But we wanted to show that magical people are everywhere. You don’t need to lead a multinational to be seen, heard, or appreciated.
Thank you, Gaz, for your love, support, and all the brilliance you bring to the Meee family. xxx