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We kick off 2026 with an incredible conversation with Paralympian Jodi Hill — a real sportsperson with a story of grit, courage and rediscovery. After a serious accident in 2001, Jodi spent years battling pain until she chose to have her leg amputated in 2010, a decision she describes as finally finding freedom. Just three months later she stepped into a GB sitting volleyball taster session in Roehampton, and only two years after that she found herself competing on the world stage at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Jodi talks openly about rebuilding her identity in sport, the power of community within sitting volleyball, and why inclusion and visibility matter — especially for women and disabled athletes. She shares stories from competing, playing for the Panthers, and how she is now championing disability sport in new ways (including taking up ice hockey). Jodi’s honesty, humour and resilience make this an inspiring listen for anyone facing adversity or wrestling with who they can be.

Of course, we finish the episode with a round of This or That, and Jodi shares her word for 2026 — the perfect note to start the year on.

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In this powerful Disability History Month special, we dig deeper with Justin Phillips — GB Women’s Sitting Volleyball Head Coach, former Paralympian, and an inspirational figure whose journey in sport began with a life-changing taster session in his late teens.

A double amputee who had tried multiple sports growing up, Justin describes the exact moment he hit the sitting volleyball court for the first time — and how he was instantly hooked. What followed was an incredible progression from complete beginner to representing Great Britain on the world stage at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Justin opens up about the highs of playing for his country, the stories from inside the Games Village, and the surprising reality of how his team missed the opening ceremony due to intense preparation. He then courageously shares the other side of the Paralympic experience — the emotional crash that came afterwards, the challenges to his mental health, and the difficult period of rediscovering identity and purpose.

From that place came growth. Justin takes us through his evolution from athlete to coach, the people who shaped him, and how he ultimately became Head Coach of the GB Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team. He speaks openly about the barriers facing disability sport, the progress still needed, and his big ambitions for the women’s programme.

This episode is honest, vulnerable, inspiring — and a celebration of the athletes and coaches who push disability sport forward. Justin Phillips is a true volleyball legend, a leader with heart, and someone whose story will stay with you long after the episode ends.

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Think of the athlete who never stops showing up. That’s Anne Jarvis—England captain, Hall of Famer, and the nation’s most capped volleyball player—whose story blends grit, curiosity, and a fierce love for the team game. We trace her path from a sport-filled childhood to the senior squad at 18, where pressure drills, tough camps, and diverse coaching styles forged a competitor who prized precision as much as power. Anne explains how being coachable, filtering feedback, and learning to play smart compensated for not being the tallest on court, and why an elite hitter is only as good as the pass and set that come before it.

Travel shaped her game and worldview: a week-long Spring Cup that mixed high-level matches with cultural immersion, a packed Turkish arena so loud she had to watch the ref’s hand to serve, and a lost-baggage saga that ended with borrowed knee pads and a win-at-all-costs mindset. She shares favorite matchups, the thrill of facing Japan, and the joy of helping Ashcombe turn close calls into championships while mentoring juniors to read, pass, and serve under pressure.

At the heart of our conversation is access. Volleyball is a beautiful sport with real costs: hall time, travel, international commitments. That’s why we announce the Anne Jarvis Hardship Fund, a collaboration with Volleyball England and the Volleyball England Foundation to keep talent pathways open to committed athletes who need financial support. Anne’s vision is direct and hopeful: more matches for national teams, stronger club competition, and deeper investment in coaching education to raise standards across the country.

Join us for a rich look at performance, culture, and community from someone who lived it at the highest level. If you believe talent shouldn’t depend on money—and that smarter coaching and more competitive fixtures can change everything—hit play, subscribe, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

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