I love the fact now that we are podcasts of encouraging people, want to speak more so that lots of people can listen and go, do you know what, I'm not alone?

Hello and welcome to the podcast Castaway. A podcast about about podcasts, across between a goggle box and

Desert Island discs of podcasts. I'm Laura Whitmore, broadcaster, performer, chancer, and podcast

lover. I've been on a mission to get my next fix of podcast recommendations. Every week, I'll be

talking about all things podcasts, but people

who love podcasts, many of whom have podcasts themselves. Many times can I say podcasts in one sentence?

I reckon a few more. So whether you're looking for podcasts about mental health or comedy,

love, crime, or your next fictional series to binge listen to. My guests have got you

covered. You may also be surprised by what some folk are listening to. And from that, a springboard

into some really interesting discussions. Welcome to Cast away.

Today's podcast is a special one because we welcome our first Dame to the show. Yes we do.

Dame Kelly Holmes is a double Olympic champion, an honorary colonel in the British Army,

an author, podcast host and one of the UK's most respected athletes. She's also warm, funny, and has wicked style. Today we discuss how to

embrace vulnerability and failure, what the word feminism means to her, and the inspiration for

Kelly launching her very own podcast, What Do I Do, Mental Health and Me?

Which led her to an interview in Alistair Campbell's bathroom and him playing the bagpipes while she was sitting on the loo.

It will all make sense.

This is a very powerful listen.

Welcome to Castaway, Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes. I saw you at the Pride of Britain

Awards a few weeks ago. Yes. And because I'd been listening to quite a lot of your podcasts, you were in

front of me when you do the red carpet. Oh yeah. I ran out the red carpet. You're the quickest

runner off that carpet. And I was like, it's sad. to come off. But I remember seeing you and I was like,

...