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Extraordinary Life Stories

Extraordinary Life Stories

By: John Reynolds
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About this listen

John Reynolds talks with some of the world’s most extraordinary individuals discussing both the highs and lows of their life stories. Each ‘lived experience’ is shared in an informal and candid conversation providing inspiration, thought provoking topics and actionable takeaways. Mental health is at the core of these conversations with guests being transparent about their mindset, how they keep motivated, juggling family, business and time for themselves.John Reynolds Economics
Episodes
  • Nimsdai Purja | "Nothing is impossible" | Extraordinary Life Stories
    Jan 31 2026

    In this extraordinary conversation, John Reynolds sits down with Nimsdai Purja, the record-breaking Nepalese-British mountaineer whose feats have reshaped the world of high-altitude climbing. From humble beginnings in Nepal to serving in the elite Brigade of Gurkhas and UK Special Boat Service, Nimsdai’s journey is defined by resilience, discipline, and a relentless belief that nothing is impossible a phrase that became the title of his hit Netflix documentary, 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible .


    Discover how he shattered the record for summiting all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in just six months and six days, led the first winter ascent of K2 with an all-Nepalese team, and now champions mountain communities through his foundation. This is a conversation about courage, leadership, teamwork, and the transformative power of setting audacious goals.

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Maxine Laceby | From Kitchen Table to Beauty Powerhouse
    Jan 29 2026

    In this inspiring episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, host John Reynolds sits down with Maxine Laceby, co-founder and CEO of the hugely successful wellness brand Absolute Collagen.


    Starting her entrepreneurial journey later in life, Maxine turned a kitchen-table experiment into one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty supplement companies, all without any prior business experience.


    She opens up candidly about her winding path: rediscovering herself at 50, combining creativity with science alongside her daughter Darcy, and harnessing the power of curiosity, resilience and bold decision-making. From navigating ADHD to building a multi-million-pound brand that empowers women worldwide, this conversation offers raw insights into passion, reinvention and redefining success on your own terms.

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    33 mins
  • Ruby Wax | Extraordinary Life Stories
    Jan 12 2026

    In this episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds talks with Ruby Wax.


    Ruby is an American-British actress, comedian, writer, television presenter, and mental health campaigner. A classically-trained actress, Wax came to prominence as a comic interviewer, playing up to British perceptions of the strident American style on television shows including The Full Wax. She was a script editor for the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.


    In 2013, Ruby gained a master's degree in mindfulness based cognitive therapy from Kellogg College, Oxford. In 2015, she was appointed a Visiting Professor in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Surrey.


    Wax was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2015 Special Honours for services to mental health.

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    30 mins
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