Chancing My Arm

This week on Chancing My Arm, I’m joined by Zoe Smith – para surfer, competitor, and someone who quietly redefines what resilience really looks like. After a life-changing injury, Zoe didn’t just adapt – she paddled back out. Into cold water, heavy waves, setbacks, and the kind of self-doubt that doesn’t show up on highlight reels. What followed is a story about identity, patience, and finding freedom again in the ocean. We talk about surfing as therapy, learning to trust your body again, and what it means to chase joy rather than limitations. This isn’t just a conversation a...

This week on Chancing My Arm, I’m joined by Ric Jupp — one of the founding members of Elbow.
We talk about the early days of the band, finding your voice creatively, and what it really takes to keep going in a long career built on collaboration, trust, and timing. Ric shares reflections on music, life beyond the spotlight, and the quieter moments that shape the work just as much as the big ones.

It’s a grounded, thoughtful conversation about creativity, commitment, and chancing your arm when the path ahead isn’t clear.

Episode 3 – Chancing My Arm with Andrew Pringle of Surf City Cycles

In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Pringle — the energy behind Surf City Cycles and a champion of surf-moto culture. We dive into the roots of his brand, the creative spark that shaped it, and how he’s built a business that feels authentically coastal, community-driven, and just the right amount of rebellious.

From big ideas about revitalising the high street, to surprising hot takes on mobility scooters, we explore what local commerce could (and should) look like i...

Turning Tide: Repurposing Plastic with Matt Nott of One Blue Eye Cornwall

In this episode of Chancing My Arm, I’m joined by Matt Nott, the founder of One Blue Eye Cornwall, who’s on a mission to turn single-use plastics into something with purpose.

Matt talks about how the idea began, the creative process of transforming discarded plastic into meaningful products, and why tackling waste at a local level matters. We dig into his hands-on workshops in schools, how he’s inspiring the next generation to rethink rubbish, and th...

 In this opening episode of Chancing My Arm – The Pod With Purpose, I share how life after amputation and sarcoma led me to rebuild with intention, launching Dawn Patrol Coffee and creating a platform for honest conversations about recovery, purpose and community. This episode sets the scene for what’s to come — real stories, inspiring people I’ve met since losing my arm, and the journey of turning adversity into something meaningful. 

This is the final episode of Chopped: Strength through Vulnerability, although not the last podcast I'm doing - as it's my intention to continue podcasting, but with a new project with a slightly different dynamic. 

This final episode is the first half of a conversation I recently had with Steve Gwenin, the founder of the Surfers Life Club and of the Facebook community, Work Less Surf More. Steve titled that chat, Only One Way Back

The second half of the conversation will be available in my new podcast, which I'm calling Purpose. More to come o...

Guess who's back... In this first episode of the new season I'm joined by rap sensation Eminem who kindly offered to spit some rhymes at the start of this week's offering to kick things off. 

In essence this episode is reflection of the last twelve months.  I also talk about life after a cancer diagnosis and how it is coming to terms with the treatment and the effects that has on the mind, body and soul. I share the experiences of fellow cancer survivors I've met during the last year. I also pay tribute to kneeboarder Kyle Ab...

In this episode I talk to personal trainer Mike Tooth about how he found his place in the world. Amongst other things we spoke about Iron Man events, 90s Alpha Males, ego and approaching life from a place of  abundance.

The first podcast I’ve done not in my studio (the kitchen) and also the first time I’ve recorded an episode following Strong First training. Let me know your thoughts in the comments or reviews.

In this episode I’m joined by ex motorcycle rocker, Doc Martin exporter, surf shop owner and local councillor Oliver Monk. The longest episode to date, we talk about growing up in the 70/80s, how he set up his surf shop empire in Manchester and what he did after he’d had his shops. An interesting insight into the surf industry in the 90s. Please like, subscribe and share and let us know your thoughts in the comments or reviews.

In this episode I’m joined by my wife - to talk about how it is living with someone who’s told they have cancer and that that person is also going to have their arm amputated.

The first episode where I’ve been joined by a guest. Enjoyed having a guest on and it was really inter to hear ‘the view from the other side.’

A pod of two halves. A celebration of the joy to be had riding a board across water and the first thing that came to my mind when I found out my arm was being amputated. Plus another random poem.

This episode begins with some poetic nonsense, an Otter with a Trotter. The theme of this episode is anniversaries. More of the usual waffling and wittering  - and this week is no different. 

In this episode I share a few tales from the Saturday of the Spring Classic. There’s more tuneless singing, more free t-shirt Indo Board challenge giveaways and plenty of mistakes where I can’t get my words out. 

In the episode I pay tribute to Joanne Edwards. A stalwart of the tribe who sadly and tragically passed in the early hours of Sunday 11th June. 

In this episode I talk about the Spring Classic giving shout outs to all the people who’ve been helping me along on this journey. How the grooms brought the stoke and some of the people I met on day one. The wife and I had an evening out last night so you might be able to tell I’m feeling the after effects of midweek cocktails.

So in this episode I talk about finding acceptance, knowing when to fight and when to find acceptance. There’s a few little tales thrown in there too and an update on my dealings with the DWP - which I’m hoping isn’t as dry as it sounds. Let me know your thoughts in the comments or reviews.

In this episode I speak about our recent 26 mile coastal hike, The Big Wander. My feelings around taking Chopped out onto the streets. How my visit to my sons class was and the results from my most recent CT Scan.

In this Episode I speak about a recent trip to London to meet Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, a.k.a The Black Farmer. What I’ve learnt from Wilfred’s book, Jeopardy and how I’m hoping to embrace jeopardy and being an outsider to achieve my dreams.

In this episode I give an insight into the savagery of sarcoma but how as a result of of my own sarcoma experience I’ve met some genuinely good people. Tribes I am a part of ones that might not be for me. There’s also some hopelessly out of tune singing and some woeful Spanish. 

In this episode I talk about the many things I’m grateful for and an inspiring episode of the BBC documentary Storyville. 

In this episode I speak about things you might find hard to do when you’ve only got one arm. How I’m getting on learning to surf again and what I’m learning along the journey. I also make numerous references to my new online shop. Before sharing my  surfing and business analogy.

This is a re-recorded version as I’d forgotten  to plug in the mic 🙈 Much better sound quality 👌🏽🪓💪🏼

Busy week with it being the Easter holidays and having the kids at home - so bit late with showing up this week, but just about made my own Thursday deadline. 

Tried to weave in a few yarns amongst the fabric of speaking about what it’s like being one of them disableds. Give it a listen, let me know your thoughts and if you like it - be grateful if you can share the pod. 

#theonearmedsurfer #a...

In this week’s instalment I talk about what it’s like being disabled, sword brandishing robbers, big waves in the bay but not for me and random acts of kindness from a bloke called Whiskey. 

In this Ronseal style episode, I talk about what it’s like telling people; your wife, your children,  your parents and your friends - that you have cancer. I talk a lot about the lead up to getting a confirmed cancer diagnosis.

I also share further Northern Colloquialisms for Hello, a big plug for our sponsored walk ‘The Big Wander,’ plus updates on my efforts to get back surfing. This episode culminates with an exciting cliff hanger regarding a recent trip to London.

In this episode, I talk about my first time back in the sea surfing an adapted kneeboard. I go on to explain the origins of my brand, Chopped - the rationale and reasons behind  it. There’s also an explanation  around the movement and Tribe I’m hoping to create associated to the brand ethos of Strength through Vulnerability. 

In this episode, I talk about the moments immediately before surgery and then coming round after the operation. My initial thoughts and feelings, and what it’s like waking up minus an arm.

Recording podcasts is all new to me, so I’m learning. You’ll notice an improvement on the sound midway through this episode. I’ve learnt - admittedly this came halfway through recording this, a little trick - which vastly improves the sound quality. 

Rest assured listeners, future pods will benefit from this learning. 

In this, my first attempt at a Podcast, I share the journey from finding a lump in my neck, to the moment I went down to surgery. Knowing if I woke up with my left arm still in place, it was a death sentence.