Series 2- Episode 4 - Lee Howells

Our guest today knows a thing or two about resilience.From the valleys of South Wales to the pinnacle of international rugby, Mike Ruddock OBE has experienced theextraordinary highs and difficult lows of elite sport.A career-ending injury could have defined his future. Instead, Mike turned adversity into opportunity and went on to become one of rugby’s most respected and successful coaches.From developing future international stars and leading Swansea to famous victories over Australia, to coaching Wales to a Grand Slam and winning provincial titles in Ireland, Mike has spent more than four decades building winning teams, developing people and inspiring leaders.In this episode of No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable, we explore the experiences behind theachievements.We talk about leadership, culture, resilience, setbacks, success and the importance of creating environments wherepeople can perform at their best.Mike shares the lessons he has learned throughout an extraordinary career — and why the journey to success is rarely straightforward.Because sometimes the biggest setbacks become the moments that shape what comes next.Mike Ruddock OBE — welcome to No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable.🎙️ Hosted by Laurence WinmillIf you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe/follow and share it with someone who enjoys rugby, leadership,resilience and inspiring stories.

Few rugby tours have achieved the legendary status of the 1989 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.It was a tour defined by incredible rugby, huge personalities and some of the most brutal physical confrontations the gamehas ever witnessed.At the centre of it was the now-famous “99 call” — the Lions’ signal for coordinated retaliation that sparked one of the most infamous moments in rugby history.And right in the middle of that extraordinary series was Welsh scrum-half Robert Jones, locked in a fascinating battle with Australia’s Nick Farr-Jones.Two outstanding playmakers. Two leaders. Two scrum-halves controlling territory, tempo and composure while the pressure around them reached extraordinary levels.In this episode of No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable, Robert Jones MBE takes us behind the scenes ofone of rugby’s most talked-about tours and reflects on what it was really like to play at the very highest level.We talk about the 1989 Lions, the rivalry withNick Farr-Jones, the infamous “99 call”, leadership, pressure, resilience and the experiences that helped shape an outstanding rugby career.This is a conversation about much more than rugby.It’s about performing under pressure, dealing with adversity and what it takes to remain composed when everythingaround you is going off-script.🎙️ No Straight Lines: Stories of the UnbreakableHosted by Laurence WinmillIf you enjoy the episode, please like,subscribe/follow and share it with someone who loves rugby, leadership, resilience and great stories about elite sport.

No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable | Daniel Hoare – Global Commercial Leader & Founder of RocketFuel StrategiesWhat does it take to build global brands, lead explosive commercial growth and continually reinvent yourself at the highest level?In this episode Laurence Winmill sits down with Daniel Hoare,international commercial leader, founder of RocketFuel Strategies, and one of the driving forces behind the growth of some of the world's fastest-growing challenger brands.Born and raised in Australia, Daniel's journey has taken him across North America, Europe, APAC and the Middle East, building a career founded on resilience, ambition and an unwavering commitment to excellence.Together, they discuss Daniel's remarkable journey - from his early years in retail and fitness to leading international commercial operations with Predator Nutrition and Congo Brands, where he played a pivotal role in the growth of globally recognised brands including Prime Hydration and Alani Nutrition. His experience of launching brands, entering new markets and building high-performing commercial teams has made him one of the UK's most respected commercial growth leaders.Today, through RocketFuel Strategies, Daniel partners with ambitious founders and leadership teams as an external CEOand Chief Commercial Officer, helping businesses scale, transform and unlock sustainable growth through commercial strategy, market expansion and operational excellence.In this episode, we explore:• Building global challenger brands from theground up• The leadership mindset behind commercial success• Scaling businesses across international markets• Learning through adversity and continual reinvention• Why discipline and high standards outperform talent alone• Mentoring the next generation of business leaders• The courage to embrace discomfort and seize opportunityDaniel also shares the personal experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy, the mentors who influenced his life, and why he believes success belongs to those prepared to outwork the competition while empowering the people around them.This is an inspiring conversation for entrepreneurs, founders, business leaders, sales professionals and anyone looking to build a career without limits.Because success is never a straight line.No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable is hosted by entrepreneur, business coach and speaker LaurenceWinmill, featuring candid conversations with high performers from business, sport, entertainment and community leadership. Every episode explores the defining moments, setbacks and breakthroughs that shape extraordinary lives.Follow, subscribe and share to be inspired bymore stories of resilience, leadership and success.

No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable | Sian Winfield – Author, Growth Expert & Motivational SpeakerWhat separates those who achieve extraordinarysuccess from those who never quite fulfil their potential?In this episode Laurence Winmill sits down with SianWinfield—author, motivational speaker and growth expert with more than 25 years of experience helping individuals and businesses unlock their potential, elevate performance and create lasting success.From coaching CEOs, traders and senior executives in London's Square Mile as a personal trainer, to becoming one of the UK's leading experts in mindset, behavioural change and business growth, Sian's career has been driven by one question:Why do some people consistently thrive while others, with equal talent, fall short?That question led her to immerse herself in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), mindset psychology and peak performance, transforming not only her own career but the lives of hundreds of entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs and business leaders.Today, Sian works with ambitious individuals and organisations to help them think bigger, perform better and achieve meaningful growth. Her clients and collaborations include Gymshark, the Peter Jones Foundation, DPD, LMarks, and numerous high-growth businesses and accelerator programmes.She is also the author of Take Your Sh!t to the Next Level, a practical, no-nonsense guide to raising your standards,overcoming self-imposed limitations and creating extraordinary results.In this episode, we explore:• The mindset behind high performance andlasting success• Why talent alone is never enough• Building confidence, resilience and self-belief• The psychology of growth and behavioural change• Lessons from coaching entrepreneurs, CEOs and elite performers• How to overcome fear, imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs• Raising your standards in business and in lifeSian shares practical strategies, honest insights and powerful stories from over two decades of coaching people to breakthrough barriers and achieve more than they ever believed possible.Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, professional or someone striving to become the very best version ofyourself, this conversation will challenge the way you think about growth, success and what's truly possible.Because success is never a straight line.No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable is hosted by entrepreneur, business coach and speaker LaurenceWinmill, featuring candid conversations with high performers from business, sport, entertainment and community leadership. Every episode explores the defining moments, setbacks and breakthroughs that shape extraordinary lives.Follow, subscribe and share for more inspiringconversations about resilience, leadership, growth and success.

Welsh rugby legend Mark Ring joins LaurenceWinmill on No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable.A Triple Crown winner, Rugby World Cup history-maker and one of Welsh rugby’s true cult heroes, Mark reflects on anextraordinary career built on creativity, flair and fearless play.From Cardiff to Pontypool alongside David “The Bish” Bishop, Ring became one of the most entertaining and unpredictableplayers of his generation — earning 32 Wales caps and scoring Wales’ first-ever Rugby World Cup try during the 1987 tournament.In this episode, Mark shares the influence of his boyhood hero Barry John, the mindset behind his unique style of play andwhy his passion for rugby still drives him today through coaching and mentoring the next generation.🏆 Triple Crown Winner🏉 32 Wales Caps🌍 1987 Rugby World Cup🔥 Wales’ first Rugby World Cup try scorerThis is a fascinating conversation about sport, creativity, resilience and legacy with one of Welsh rugby’s most unforgettable personalities.This is No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable.

In this episode of No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable, Laurence Winmill speaks with Ian Owen, Director of Owens Group— one of the UK’s leading family-owned logistics businesses.Ian shares his journey from joining the company after school and learning the business from the warehouse floor,through to helping lead a nationwide operation employing over 1,000 people across transport, warehousing and distribution.The conversation explores leadership, resilience, operational growth, family business culture and the major cyber-attack that threatened the future of the company — and how the business fought back. A powerful discussion on hard work, adaptability and building success from the ground up.

In this episode of No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable, I sit down with Paul Gwilym, Founder and CEO of Boomerang Cardiff — a community-led charity built on dignity, responsibility and practical action.Paul’s leadership is shaped by lived experience. He has faced business failure, financial loss, homelessness and a moment of profound personal crisis that brought him to the very brink.At his lowest point, overwhelmed by pressure and shame, Paul drove to the Severn Bridge intending to end his life. What followed was not a quick fix, but a long and honest journey of recovery built around accountability, support and a complete shift in perspective — moving from fear and ego towards purpose and service.That experience changed everything.After experiencing homelessness himself, Paul began supporting people in his local community, initially funding and building the project independently. What started as a response to homelessness evolved into Boomerang Cardiff — an organisation dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms while treating people with dignity and respect.Today, Boomerang Cardiff supports communities across the city through initiatives focused on homelessness prevention, poverty, in-work poverty — helping individuals and families who are employed but still struggling to make ends meet — community engagement, social isolation, and health and wellbeing. Built alongside volunteers, many with lived experience themselves, the organisation remains grounded in reality and driven by people who understand the challenges first-hand.Paul’s story is one of resilience, purpose, community and stepping forward when doing nothing simply wasn’t an option.This is a powerful conversation about leadership, adversity, rebuilding from rock bottom and creating something meaningful that lasts.Because success is never a straight line.🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more stories ofresilience, leadership and remarkable journeys.

In this episode of No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable, I sit down with Tim Edds, Partner at Browne Jacobson and one of Wales’ leading experts in public and administrative law.Growing up in Milford Haven with no family background in law, Tim discovered his passion through courtroom TV programmes and pursued his ambition with determination — sending over 50 letters to law firms before finally securing atraining contract.Tim’s career journey has taken him through criminal law, in-house government roles and major advisory work with Environment Agency Wales. Along the way, he played a role in significant legal and constitutional matters, including defending the Agricultural Wages Act in the Supreme Court and contributing to Brexit-related legislation.In 2018, Tim became Browne Jacobson’s first Wales-based solicitor, helping establish the firm’s Welsh presence.Since opening the Cardiff office in 2023, he has been instrumental in helping grow the team to over 40 people, supporting elected officials, advising on Welsh legislation and helping shape the next generation of legal talent.Guided by a philosophy of understanding and explaining the Welsh context, Tim is passionate about building something meaningful “in Wales, for Wales.”This is a conversation about persistence, leadership, creating opportunities and forging your own path — proof once again that success is never a straight line.🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more stories of resilience, leadership and remarkable journeys.

Lee Howells shares a raw and powerful story of ambition, addiction, collapse and comeback.From representing Wales in amateur golf to losing a business, a marriage and nearly his life, Lee’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention.Now sober and leading a successful business, he reflects on rock bottom, recovery and the strength it takes to rebuild.A powerful episode about the setbacks that shape us — and why success is never a straight line.

Mal Pope is a Welsh songwriter, composer andbroadcaster whose career spans BBC Radio 1, Abbey Road, chart hits and iconic TV themes.A former John Peel guest and early signing to Elton John’s Rocket Record Company, he has worked closely with Elton John, recorded at Abbey Road, and been part of sessions featuring Pete Townshend and Keith Moon.He has written for Cliff Richard and The Hollies, performed with artists including Bonnie Tyler and Aled Jones, and isthe voice behind Fireman Sam and SuperTed.A true musical storyteller with a career fullof remarkable moments — and no straight line through it.