No Straight Lines

Laurence Winmill
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship

No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable explores what it really takes to succeed. This isn’t just about the wins — it’s about the effort, the setbacks, and the resilience to keep going when life throws you off course. I'll be talking to leaders from business, sport, entertainment, and the community about their proudest wins, toughest challenges, and the determination that carried them through. Each episode uncovers defining moments, comebacks, and the grit behind the headlines. Real stories of courage, growth, and strength — because success is never a straight line

  1. Series 2 - Episode 6 - Paul Gwilym

    25 Jun

    Series 2 - Episode 6 - Paul Gwilym

    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.

    45 min
  2. Series 2 - Episode 5 - Tim Edds

    10 Jun

    Series 2 - Episode 5 - Tim Edds

    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.

    43 min
  3. Series 2- Episode 4 - Lee Howells

    20 May

    Series 2- Episode 4 - Lee Howells

    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.

    52 min
  4. Series 2 - Episode 3 - Mal Pope

    2 May

    Series 2 - Episode 3 - Mal Pope

    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.

    41 min
  5. Series 2 - Episode 2 - Bethan Dando

    6 Apr

    Series 2 - Episode 2 - Bethan Dando

    Bethan Dando is a rising force in the wellness and fitness industry, blending expertise in personal training, Pilates, strength, and cardiovascular fitness to deliver sustainable performance solutions. In 2022, she founded Pilates Class UK, a recruitment and consultancy platform connecting top instructors with studios, gyms, hotels, and events nationwide — scaling to over 18,000 bookings in 2024 and earning her Business-to-BusinessService Provider of the Year 2025. After navigating early challenges like cash flow, scaling, and burnout, Bethan pivoted with purpose — launching WEL-B, an AI-powered platform designed to optimise timetables and profitability for wellness businesses. Now backed by pre-seed investment and launching across the UK, US, and Dubai, it marks her move into tech-driven solutions. Today, Bethan is focused on building smarter, more sustainable systems for the global wellness industry — using technology to enhance performance, prevent burnout,and strengthen human connection at scale.

    44 min
  6. Series 2 - Episode 1 - Andrew Jenkins

    19 Mar

    Series 2 - Episode 1 - Andrew Jenkins

    “First Responders Said ‘He’s Dead.’ Then He Became a Traitors Finalist | AndrewJenkins” Andrew Jenkins was told he might never walk or talk again after a devastating car crash left him in a coma for four weeks at just 21 years old. Against all odds, he rebuilt his life, became a finalist on BBC’s The Traitors, and later walked 750 miles from Scotland to Wales to raise funds for brain injury charity Headway. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, mental health, purpose, and finding strength when life takeseverything away. In this episode of No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable, Laurence Winmill is joined by Andrew Jenkins,whose life story is a remarkable example of resilience, courage and determination. Many people will recognise Andrew as a finalist in Series 2 of the BBC’s The Traitors, where he finished 4th out of 22 contestants. But long before television, Andrew had already faced a life-changing battle. At just 21 years old, Andrew survived a near-fatal car accident that left him in a coma for four weeks. Doctors warned his family he might never walk or talk again. Against all expectations, hefought his way back — relearning to walk and rebuilding his life while quietly battling mental health struggles for more than two decades. After a successful career in banking and commercial insurance, a reunion with Professor Laing, the doctor whohelped save his life, became a defining moment. That meeting gave Andrew a renewed sense of clarity and purpose and inspired him to begin sharing his story publicly. Following his appearance on The Traitors, Andrew used his platform to raise awareness for mental health and braininjury recovery. In 2024 he completed an extraordinary 750-mile charity walk from Scotland to Wales, walking up to eight hours a day for 42 days, raising funds for Headway, the brain injury charity. Today Andrew is a motivational speaker and founder of Strength In You Ltd, helping others overcome adversity, buildresilience and discover the strength they didn’t know they had. In this episode we discuss: • Surviving a life-changing accident• Living with hidden mental health struggles• Finding purpose after trauma• The reality behind The Traitors experience• Andrew’s incredible 750-mile charity walk• What resilience really means About the Podcast - No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable is hosted by Laurence Winmill and features powerful conversations with people from business, sport, entertainment and the community. Because real success is never a straight line.

    45 min
  7. No Straight Lines - Episode 7 - Lee Ramsay

    24/11/2025

    No Straight Lines - Episode 7 - Lee Ramsay

    In this episode of "No Straight Lines," we explore the theme of resilience in both business and personal life with our guest, Lee Ramsay. Discover how Lee's experiences growing up in a military family shaped his ability to adapt and thrive amidst challenges. From navigating the complexities of running successful businesses to overcoming personal hurdles, Lee shares insights into the grit and determination required to succeed. Join us for an inspiring conversation about bouncing back from setbacks and the power of resilience in shaping one's journey.

    41 min
  8. No Straight Lines - Episode 5 - Jane Blackwell

    23/09/2025

    No Straight Lines - Episode 5 - Jane Blackwell

    Jane Blackwell: From Police Officer to Multi-Franchise Entrepreneur On this episode of No Straight Lines, we explore the remarkable journey of Jane Blackwell — from aspiring actress to police officer, and now a highly successful entrepreneur running a multi-million-pound McDonald’s franchise business. Jane’s story is one of resilience, self-belief, and fearless ambition. From facing the toughest realities of life in the police force to taking bold risks in business, she has proven that success rarely follows a straight line. Jane is living proof that with determination, courage, and hard work, you can break barriers and lead your own story. Tune in for a conversation full of grit, growth, and defining moments.

    42 min
See All (16)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

No Straight Lines: Stories of the Unbreakable explores what it really takes to succeed. This isn’t just about the wins — it’s about the effort, the setbacks, and the resilience to keep going when life throws you off course. I'll be talking to leaders from business, sport, entertainment, and the community about their proudest wins, toughest challenges, and the determination that carried them through. Each episode uncovers defining moments, comebacks, and the grit behind the headlines. Real stories of courage, growth, and strength — because success is never a straight line

Information

  • Creator
    Laurence Winmill
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Laurence Winmill
  • Show Website
    No Straight Lines