Imagine yourself in a breathtakingly beautiful bay on the west coast of Ireland, paddling on your board, waiting for that perfect wave - only to find that the weather has other plans. This was a familiar frustration for David Young, but instead of letting the unpredictable conditions get in the way, he saw an opportunity: the need for micro-weather forecasting technology that could help people like him know exactly when to get out on the water. What began as a spark of inspiration on the waves soon grew into an innovative venture that would change the course of his life.

After selling his business importing and exporting Harley Davidson bikes, David was searching for his next move. Little did he know that his passion for surfing would lead him to collaborate with world-class professors and AI experts, working on cutting-edge technology in sustainable commercial shipping.

Along the way, he has been pushed out of his comfort zone, working to hone his presenting and pitching skills, and discovering a new passion: helping others find their inner public speaker. David speaks compellingly about the power of authenticity in public speaking and the courage to believe that we are enough just as we are.

David’s story is one of innovation, passion, and a relentless entrepreneurial spirit. It begins on the water but goes far beyond it.

For more information on David Young and public speaking: https://veespeak.co.uk/

For different ways to listen to One Precious Life https://bit.ly/m/onepreciouslife

The One Precious Life podcast meets Julie Man. Julie recounts her family's immigration journey from Hong Kong to setting up a restaurant business in Britain, and how this helped shape her independent and self-reliant nature.

Julie’s life has taken some interesting turns, from her successful career in video gaming in the pioneering days of the UK games industry, which eventually led her back to her family's Chinese culinary roots.

 Julie shares the story of setting up Juju's Oriental Kitchen, a street food business specialising in Asian fusion cuisine during the pandemic, and how she initially ran her food van from her driveway. Throughout this episode, Julie emphasises the importance of pursuing passions, taking risks, and finding joy in cooking for others. She reflects on her diverse career, offering valuable insights and heartfelt advice. 

One Precious Life Podcast celebrates incredible individuals who follow their passions and do inspiring work. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your career or personal growth, Julie’s story is one of continuous exploration and never giving up, regardless of the challenges, and her philosophy of living life without fear.

Do you have a favourite street you like walking down? You don’t know why: is it the width of the pavement, the way the trees are growing, or the dimensions of the buildings? For Sally Lewis, an urban designer and architect, answering these questions fills much of her day. Originally, Sally's father refused to support her studying architecture at university in South Africa, telling her there were no successful female architects. But she proved that she could, graduating as one of the top students, before going on to win a scholarship to study for an MA in urban design in the UK.

Since then, Sally has transformed her vision into an award winning practice, Stitch, initially refinancing her home to enable the start-up of the business. Her passion didn’t stop there; she also founded a charity, The London Neighbourhood Scholarship Trust, to help underprivileged individuals pursue studies in architecture. Sally is also a published author who continues to indulge in her love of writing whenever she finds a spare moment.

The shortage of housing was a hot issue in the recent UK elections, but it’s also a global concern. Sally’s insights into the challenges of building large-scale housing are both timely and relevant. Listen here for an intriguing journey that takes us from the port of Durban, South Africa, to London via Oxford.

For more information on Sally Lewis: https://stitcharchitects.co.uk

For more information on One Precious Life: https://onepreciouslife.substack.com/

One Precious Life podcast talks to people doing inspiring work. Episode two features the fantastic Liam Plowman. After experiencing a life-altering event that prompted a total re-evaluation of his career, Liam Plowman transitioned from being a joyless salaryman to a joyful entrepreneur, running his own local wine shop Wild & Lees. Liam's story not only offers intriguing insights from a career perspective but also highlights the profound fulfilment that comes from following your passion.

Despite some pretty intense setbacks, from burglary to floods and exploding wine bottles, Liam’s insights about how he can deal with stress so much better really resonate, because as Liam explains, he really “understands what he’s doing and why he’s doing it”.  

We all have just one precious life and most of us spend a significant amount of it working. The question is: are you living your best working life? One Precious Life interviews fabulously regular people doing inspiring work, in or alongside their day jobs.

For more information on Liam Plowman and Wild & Lees: https://wildandlees.com/

For more information on One Precious Life check out One Precious Life on substack:

One Precious Life podcast talks to people doing inspiring work. Episode one features the amazing Paula Warwick. Moscow via Manchester: from Masterchef to Beeswax and Global Television. Against the odds, from humble beginnings, Paula has forged a career in international television alongside setting up a successful natural beeswax skincare business with some unexpected results.

One Precious Life interviews fabulously regular people doing inspiring work, in or alongside their day jobs. These exceptional individuals are finding their calling, making the leap, or following their star at work and beyond.

For more information on Paula and Batch #001: https://batch001.com/

https://onepreciouslife.substack.com

In the next episode of the One Precious Life Podcast, we meet Anna Jacobs—an inspiring artist and designer. Hear her story from escaping a cult, to being in a girl band, to finding liberation through grit and an unshakable vision.

With her vibrant spirit and deep passion for colour, Anna has made creativity her anchor and her form of self-expression. In this unforgettable conversation, she shares the highs and lows of her path, her love for colour as a source of healing, and the courage it takes to leave things behind.

Anna transitioned from a successful corporate career to a thriving artistic life, embracing both the challenges and the joys of building her own creative brand. Anna’s story and words of advice are a wonderful reminder that it’s never too late to create a one precious life filled with colour, freedom, and self-discovery.

For more on Anna Jacobs here: https://annajacobsart.com/

For more on One Precious Life check out my Substack: onepreciouslife.substack.

From Sports Journalist to Game-Changing Inventor - With a Splash of Dancing Queen

What do you do when your dream job no longer excites you?

In the latest episode of the One Precious Life podcast, we meet Dom Cotton, former BBC sports journalist, who spent years covering major sporting events. But when the learning stopped, he didn’t settle, he shifted careers. Then, a chance conversation about cycling safety with his now business partner led them to something extraordinary: the invention of a foldable cycling helmet, solving a problem for cyclists.

What followed was a seven-year rollercoaster from design challenges and financial struggles to navigating an entirely new world - to now working with Brompton Bikes and their helmets being stocked in Selfridges and Halfords.

Dom also opens up about:

* Overcoming personal challenges

* How exercise fuels both mental and physical wellbeing

* The power of networking and staying open to unexpected opportunities

* And yes - how he ended up performing in an ABBA tribute band

This episode is for you if:

You’re drawn to stories of resilience, reinvention, and risk-takingYou’re fascinated by what it really takes to turn an idea into a businessYou want to make the most of your one precious (working) life

The One Precious Life podcast talks to people who have found their calling., exploring purpose and meaning through the lens of work. Listen, read, or watch more here: https://bit.ly/m/onepreciouslifeFind out more about Dom’s work:

https://wearenewlane.com/

It all started with a random encounter on a bus from London to Birmingham…

On this episode of One Precious Life, we meet Michelle Agyeman-Coley. Founder of Future Brand Thinking, a trailblazer who turned the stress of the pandemic into an opportunity to launch her own Communications, PR and Marketing Agency.

Michelle graduated with a law and business degree, destined for a career in courtrooms - until that unexpected bus conversation rerouted her into the world of fashion and lifestyle PR.

Over two decades, she’s smashed ceilings, challenged norms, and built a business grounded in purpose, inclusion, and legacy.

When the pandemic forced her to juggle Zoom calls and homeschooling, Michelle realised the workplace culture around her wasn’t built for women like her - so she created one that was.

From hustling at age 10 to negotiating her first PR salary with zero experience, Michelle’s story is packed with vision, honesty, and resilience.

If you’ve ever thought about how we show up at work — and who we want to be when we do — or you’re just curious about how glamorous (or not) the world of fashion PR really is, this episode is for you.

Virginia Mouseler has lived many lives. She began as a philosopher in Paris, co-founded The Wit - the global TV trend observatory - from her kitchen table, survived serious health challenges, and even learned to fly her own plane.

But it’s her “second life” that is perhaps the most extraordinary: rescuing nearly 500 laboratory beagles and giving them the chance to run on grass for the very first time.

In this episode of the One Precious Life Podcast, Virginia shares her story of curiosity, courage, compassion - and the reminder that our one precious life can hold many chapters. What shines through is her refusal to slow down - after everything, she chooses to live more, not less.

The One Precious Life Podcast shares stories of people who have found, or are finding, their calling - at work and beyond. Listen, read or watch more here: https://bit.ly/m/onepreciouslife

For more on Virginia’s work with the Beagles of Burgundy: beaglesofburgundy.org/

After surviving being hit by a car, everything changed for Melissa Power. What began as rehab became a complete reinvention - building a life as an indoor cycling instructor, studio owner, and founder of an academy that’s trained nearly 1,000 instructors.

In this episode of the One Precious Life podcast, we talk about changing your life after a turning point, building a business from scratch, choosing what you love, even when it comes with doubt, risk, and hard days.

We also talk hustle, motherhood, the loneliness of leadership, and why being kind - and not replying to the email straight away - might be the best advice you’ll hear this month.

Listen, read or watch more here: https://bit.ly/m/onepreciouslife

For more on Melissa: https://melissapower.co.uk