Narrated By Tom Babbage and Jodie Ounsley
Be strong, be brave, be confident.
Gladiator, rugby star and champion of the deaf community Jodie Ounsley wants to show you how to embrace change by telling you about her Olympic dream. Taken from Keep Smashing It, written by Jodie Ounsley and Becky Grey.
If you enjoyed this episode, search Keep Smashing It on Spotify for more practical advice that will inspire you to back yourself and believe in yourself, and smash the barriers that are in your way. For more Positive Affirmations, check out our Rocket Fox page for more Ten Minute Topics.
Author Information
Jodie Ounsley is also known as being Fury from the BBC's Gladiators. She is a trailblazing British athlete, public speaker and advocate for the deaf community. Born profoundly deaf, Jodie has defied the odds and shattered barriers to become a celebrated figure in sports and a role model for many. She became the first deaf female rugby player to play for a senior England side earning her first cap in 2019, and the first deaf player to represent on the sevens stage. Jodie is a patron of registered charity The Elizabeth Foundation. In 2020 Jodie won the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year award and, in 2023, was named Honorary President of UK Deaf Sport and was included in the prestigious BBC Woman’s Hour Women in Sport Power List. In 2024 she was a Paralympics C4 Broadcaster.
Keep Smashing It and Strong Girls are her inspirational guides for children.
Becky Grey is a senior journalist at BBC Sport, who especially enjoys helping inspiring sportswomen tell their stories. Becky has worked at three Rugby World Cups, five Six Nations tournaments, the Commonwealth Games and Wimbledon. She co-produced BBC Elite British Sportswomen’s Studies in 2020 and 2024, discussing the results on Woman’s Hour and BBC Radio 5 Live. Outside of the BBC, Becky sits on the board of gender equity charity Queen Bee Coaching.
