Embark on a gripping journey with Bella Collins, a novice rower turned record-breaking adventurer, on ‘The Resilience Project’ podcast.

Host Wes Linden asks the questions as Bella dives deep into her incredible feat of rowing across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in a small boat alongside three strangers. Despite her initial lack of experience and lifelong battle with self-doubt, Bella shattered not just one, but three world records!

In this episode, Wes uncovers the vital leadership principles Bella harnessed to forge a cohesive and effective team amidst the most extreme, life-threatening conditions. Discover the camaraderie and culture-building strategies that were crucial to their survival and success.

Bella, now recognised globally following her inclusion in the 'Forbes 30 Under 30' list, also reveals how she developed a resilient mindset, which helped her overcome persistent self-doubt and navigate the uncertainties of her daring expeditions. Join us to learn from a true exemplar of determination.

00:00 Intro

01:16 School nerd & unsporty. How did you end up with three world records?

02:44 First record.

03:07 Times you let fear beat you.

05:11: Something that happened when younger that pushed you on this path?

06:14 Attitudes to risk.

08:04 First world record.

10:25 How big is the boat & how confined were you with the others?

11:31 How do you even sleep?!

12:25 Only two hours to rest.

13:43 Cabin fever.15:00 Examples?

16:32 The next world record.

16:49 What did you learn about being around people for that length of time in such a small space?

18:57 Anxiety & mental health.

20:24 World record with The Ocean Sheroes

21:25 Training for the winds and waves.

24:43 Inner strength & resilience to get through the storms at sea.

26:20 How incredible the Pacific challenge is.

27:42 Break

27:55 Family doubting her.

30:34 Finding your people.

31:57 Overcoming anyone close to you that you expected to support you who didn't?

33:22 Overcoming imposter syndrome.

35:08 Why you’re going to go on the oceans again.

36:38 Why am I doing this?!

38:29 Gaps between success and failure.

39:44 Fearing success?

40:55 Attitude changes.

42:01 What would you say you learned from that period that you didn't already know from being isolated on a boat

43:58 Comparing yourself & your achievements.

45:39 Comparison issues.

46:42 Staying in your lane.

47:33 Most common challenges that your experiences can help people overcome?

49:07 How to build culture for a high-performing team that actually wants to work together?

51:12 Succeeding on your own without a team to support you.

51:54 Moving forwards when feeling lost or trapped.

54:14 Prepare mentally for the next world record.

55:58 Is there one question that you thought I might have asked that I didn't, but you've got a great story or answer for?

56:35 Closing

Follow me: beacons.ai/theresilienceproject

Bella's website: bellacollinsadventure.com

Bella on social:

instagram.com/collins_bella

linkedin.com/in/bella-collins

Wes on social:

instagram.com/weslinden

linkedin.com/in/weslinden

Never miss an episode:

weslinden.com/podcast

Celebrities have it easy…Or do they?

Our latest guest, Frank Bruno knows all about getting up after being knocked down.

From being sent to borstal; becoming World Champion Heavyweight Boxer; being avoided in public when news of his mental health issues were mocked by the newspapers; getting sectioned six times; to becoming one of the most famous faces in the country, and eventually recognised as a National Treasure; we speak to Frank on winning his huge battles both in & out the ring.

Host Wes Linden uncovers the grit & determination that we can utilise in order to chase our dreams. Frank Bruno shares straightforward mindset & resilience lessons on getting to the top, hitting rock-bottom and getting back up again - lessons that'll benefit you no matter what path you’re on, sports fan or not.

00:00 Intro

01:15 When you realised you were going to be World Champ?

01:54 What emotions you experienced?

02:07 Leaving family & going to borstal?

02:52 When did you start boxing?

03:23 Borstal a good decision?

03:45 Amateur boxing?

04:07 Was borstal tough?

04:25 “I need to sort myself out”?

04:43 Youngest ever amateur champ?

05:11 Was your success too quick?

05:37 Is instant success a problem?

06:07 You nearly never made it?

06:24 How did you get over knockbacks?

06:56 James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith’s name!

07:54 Your mindset after defeat?

08:27 What can people learn from your attitude?

08:59 Fighting Mike Tyson.

09:34 People suffering knockbacks day to day. What can they learn from your attitude?

10:05 Fighting Tyson a 2nd time in ‘96.

10:32 Losing your eye?

10:48 How you pushed on despite anxiety?

11:31 The world is watching you?

11:55 Making a $20m comeback?

12:16 Your sacrifices?

12:53 Push through doubts?

13:26 Is failing good for you?

14:14 Daily mantra?

14:46 Harder days?

15:03 Disappointments from losing when you could've won.

15:32 Celeb career?

15:44 Side-gig distraction?

17:22 Most famous guy in the country?

18:00 Overcoming imposter syndrome?

18:28 How did you admit your mental health and bipolar conditions?

18:58 Being sectioned?

19:25 Did you have a sense of shame?

19:42 Still shame around the mental health?

20:17 Positive mindset.

20:47 How can listeners take control when they're not feeling great?

21:43 What you said to yourself when struggling with mental health?

22:02 Dreadful headlines about you and mental health.

22:24 Negatives into positives?

22:38 Public crossing the road to avoid you due to mental health?

22:52 Maintaining class amongst critics?

23:14 Phone being hacked by the media?

25:14 Break

25:27 Being one of the first celebs to talk about mental health?

26:54 Advice for people listening struggling with mental health?

27:11 Mental health medication v exercise?

27:38 Your mentors?

28:23 What advice did they give you?

28:34 Muhammad Ali a mentor?

28:54 Ali’s charisma.

29:12 Making people feel good?

31:04 Building your brand?

31:19 Getting recognised?

31:39 Losing negative people?

32:13 Haters, criticism and rejections?

34:29 Overcoming doubters in life?

35:27 Was this journey how you imagined?

35:58 Receiving MBE and awards?

36:27 Meeting celebs?

37:14 Quitting?

38:00 Toughest battles in or out of the ring?

38:46 Most proud of?

39:57 Proudest moment?

40:49 Look at me now!

41:19 Retirement?

41:35 Define success?

42:05 Frank’s Foundation.

43:20 Charity work?

43:30 Seeing people develop?

44:04 Prison?

44:39 Success and defeat?

45:03 Overcoming knocks?

45:50 Resilience?

46:12 Cheery attitude?

47:19 Close

Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject

Frank’s book ‘Let me be Frank’ on Amazon (UK): https://amzn.to/4d29ggU

Frank’s book ‘60 Years a Fighter’ (inc signed copies & memorabilia): https://www.frankbruno.co.uk/product-category/books/

Frank’s foundation: https://www.thefrankbrunofoundation.co.uk

Frank on social:

https://x.com/frankbrunoboxer

https://www.instagram.com/frankbrunoboxer

Wes on social:

Instagram.com/weslinden

LinkedIn.com/weslinden

Never miss an episode: weslinden.com/podcast

What if the toughest days of your life could lead to your BEST ones?

At age 11, a devastating accident changed Michelle Kuei’s life forever, leading her on a path with 13 surgeries and challenges that would intimidate the strongest spirits.

Despite these hurdles, Michelle didn’t just learn to adapt—she thrived. Now standing strong at 4’4", she moves through life with her crutches, a symbol not of limitation but of her unstoppable resilience.

From completing the challenging Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu on crutches to becoming an entrepreneur, author, and inspirational speaker, Michelle’s story isn’t just about overcoming. It’s about transforming adversity into opportunity.

Host Wes Linden asks the questions as Michelle shares her incredible mental strength and strategies for turning negatives into positives. She also reveals the secrets behind her awe-inspiring resilience, with simple lessons that you can apply to your own journey, no matter what field you’re in.

00:00 Intro

01:46 Tell us about the accident and your disabilities?

04:58 Your teenage years must have been a huge test on your mental strength?

06:29 What would you say in hindsight you learned about yourself from that period?

09:58 Is society more accepting of disabilities?

12:15 You’ve suffered from feeling shame. What can people learn from how you overcome this?

16:02 You had other things against you too including being an immigrant into a country without being able to speak, speak their language.

How did you navigate that?

20:39 You have so many tools for dealing with challenges. Can these approaches overlap?

22:37 You challenged yourself to trek up Machu Picchu. How did that come about?

27:53 What happened when you arrived in Peru?

32:18 Was this a time where you felt part of something?

34:48 Thought on how to make people feel good.

37:01 Tell us about the invisibility cloak… do you still have one?

40:04 What do you say to yourself when you think of quitting or stopping or procrastinating?

43:04 Social media shows so much perfection. How can people navigate through that?

46:41 Do you ever have moments of imposter syndrome and how do you get over those?

50:32 Tell us about the Barbie doll you have on display!

52:02 How do you overcome self-pity?

54:37 How can start to turn around any problems they are facing now?

57:53 What question did I not ask that you think I might have done?

59:19 What would you say about resilience that people need to hear?

Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject

Order Michelle’s book ‘Perfectly Normal’ on Amazon (UK): https://amzn.to/4anGLs8

Order Michelle’s book ‘Perfectly Normal’ on Amazon (USA): https://a.co/d/hHVhstr

Find Wes on social:

Instagram.com/weslinden

LinkedIn.com/weslinden

Never miss an episode: weslinden.com/podcast