“When I was a kid, my monsters were real”

Growing up on a Teesside council estate, Garry Bell faced years of violence, abuse and adversity that could easily have defined the rest of his life. Instead, he found strength through martial arts, using discipline, resilience and an unwavering mindset to forge a completely different path. 

In this powerful episode of Local Heroes, Garry opens up about surviving a traumatic childhood, building successful businesses from the ground up, becoming a multiple-time British and European kickboxing champion, mentoring others, writing a book, and stepping into the world of film and acting. 

This is a story about overcoming the odds, taking control of your future, and refusing to let your past determine who you become.

"It's all about empathy"

Jo shares her extraordinary story of living with Usher syndrome, a progressive condition causing both hearing and sight loss. Born deaf and later diagnosed with a condition that would gradually take her vision, Jo opens up about identity, isolation, empathy, and learning to navigate a world not designed for invisible disabilities.

After her cochlear implant activation went viral in 2014, millions watched Jo hear sound in a completely new way for the first time. But beyond the viral moment is a much deeper story about resilience, positivity, accessibility, and the power of human connection.

Jo speaks openly about disability awareness, raising children, losing independence, slowing down in life, and why empathy matters more than ever.

Her message is slow down, be kind, understand that everybody is carrying something you cannot see, and to inform more people that a red stripe on a cane means a hearing impairment as well as visual.

“What’s stopping you saying that”

Hazel shares a powerful and deeply personal journey from corporate burnout to becoming a coach helping others break free from the same cycles. After years of pushing herself to the limit, driven by a need for validation rooted in childhood experiences.

Hazel found herself trapped in patterns of self-sabotage, people-pleasing, and emotional exhaustion that eventually manifested in serious physical illness.  

Through coaching, she began to understand that burnout wasn’t a personal failure, and combined with her lived experience Hazel is now helping others.

Hazel opens up about the internal narratives that hold people back, the impact of bullying and rejection, and how small mindset shifts and daily habits can create lasting change.

Now, Hazel is on a mission to help others realise they’re not broken, and that with the right tools, awareness, and support, they can take back control of their lives.

“That tunes the way your brain sees the world”

Mark is an evolutionary psychologist exploring the realities of modern masculinity, from mating and competition to men’s mental health and the rise of the manosphere. A lecturer at the University of Sunderland, his work dives into online dating, involuntary celibacy, and influential figures like Andrew Tate, all shaping how young men see the world today.

This was a conversation I was genuinely drawn to. We unpacked the patterns behind how men think and behave in a rapidly changing world, the powerful role social media now plays, and the impact of largely unregulated content on the next generation. While society has progressed in many ways, there’s a clear undercurrent of pushback, and it raises a bigger question, like where’s it all heading.

“They go after anybody who speaks out about scientology”

Alex was kicked out of Scientology. He is now using his experiences to raise awareness and has a YouTube, Apostate Alex, a channel dedicated to doing so. 

His is an activist to out the truth, show the abusive practices, himself and others have suffered at the hands of Scientology. There is even a website dedicated to openly attack Alex, trying to stop him and his purpose helping others. 

Alex is fighting the only way he knows how, but using his public platform to help change the law, and signpost anyone in need of help towards The Aftermath Foundation.

A fascinating insight from an expert in the field of Scientology.