Abel Lifestyle

Adam Abel

Connecting the world through inspiring stories and honest conversations, to encourage an Abel Lifestyle🤝💙

  1. 4d ago

    E21 Elmo Shorland's Story: Builder by Day, Cheerleader by Night. Fatherhood, Overcoming Loss & Breaking Stereotypes

    Today’s guest is somebody with one of the most unique stories we’ve had on the Abel Lifestyle Podcast. By day, Elmo Shorland is a builder. By night, he’s a two-time National Champion cheerleader. On paper, those two worlds couldn’t be more different, but after spending nearly two hours with Elmo, you quickly realise this episode isn’t really about cheerleading. It’s about perspective, resilience and having the confidence to be yourself. We go right back to the beginning, talking about growing up, losing his dad at just eight years old and how that experience shaped the man he is today. Rather than allowing adversity to define his life, Elmo chose to focus on gratitude, positivity and making the very best of every opportunity that came his way. His outlook on life is genuinely one of the most refreshing I’ve come across. We also dive into how he found cheerleading, what it’s really like behind the stereotypes, winning back-to-back National Championships, being named Cheerleader of the Year, appearing on BBC News and even his experience on Channel 4’s First Dates. Alongside that, we explore what becoming a father has taught him, the values he hopes to pass on to his daughters and what success really means away from medals and achievements. This is one of those conversations that simply leaves you feeling better than when it started. It’s honest, uplifting and full of reminders that your circumstances don’t have to define your future. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, worried about what other people think or needed a reminder to see the positives in life, I genuinely think you’ll take something away from this episode. We explore: Losing his dad at just eight years oldChoosing positivity through adversityGrowing up and finding purposeBuilder by day, cheerleader by nightBreaking stereotypes and backing yourselfWinning back-to-back National ChampionshipsBecoming the father he never hadConfidence, resilience and mindsetBehind the scenes of competitive cheerleadingBBC News & Channel 4’s First DatesRaising two daughters

    E21 Elmo Shorland's Story: Builder by Day, Cheerleader by Night. Fatherhood, Overcoming Loss & Breaking Stereotypes
  2. Aug 11

    E20 Laura Hurcombe's Story: From Surviving to Thriving. Overcoming Antidepressants & Building the Life She Always Wanted

    Everyone has someone in their life who changes the way they think. For me, that’s Laura Hurcombe. In this episode of the Abel Lifestyle Podcast, I sit down with one of my closest friends for one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had. Over the past few years, Laura has challenged me to think differently, believe in myself and become a better version of who I am. But behind the positivity and resilience is a journey that hasn’t always been easy. We talk openly about her struggles with mental health, the reality of taking antidepressants, the difficult decision to come off them, and what it really took to rebuild her confidence and create a life she’s genuinely proud of. This isn’t a story about overnight success. It’s about the small decisions, uncomfortable moments and consistent actions that slowly changed everything. We also explore how somebody who once said they’d never complete an endurance event went on to finish a Decathlon 5K, MacTuff, a walking marathon and a 15K inflatable obstacle course, proving that we’re often capable of far more than we believe. Throughout the conversation we dive into friendship, education, confidence, identity, mindset and the people who shape our lives without even realising it. If you’ve ever felt stuck, questioned your self-worth, struggled with your mental health or wondered whether life can genuinely get better, I hope this conversation gives you hope. Because Laura’s story is proof that you don’t have to stay where you are. If you enjoy the episode, please leave a rating, subscribe and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

    E20 Laura Hurcombe's Story: From Surviving to Thriving. Overcoming Antidepressants & Building the Life She Always Wanted
  3. Aug 4

    E19 Dease Kerrison's Story: From Goalkeeper to Ironman, Building DK1GK, Coaching & Never Standing Still

    In this episode of the Abel Lifestyle Podcast, I sit down with goalkeeper coach, teacher and DK1GK founder Dease Kerrison. Having coached together at both Swindon Town Women and Southampton Women, we reflect on over a decade in football, the lessons coaching has taught us, and what it really takes to help young players reach their potential. We discuss the journey of building DK1GK over the past ten years, balancing business with full-time work in education, the biggest misconceptions around goalkeeping, and why coaching is ultimately about people rather than football. We also dive into Dease’s latest challenge, training for his first Ironman. From football fitness to endurance sport, we explore what has surprised him most, how his training has changed, and the mindset required to take on one of the toughest endurance events in the world. Finally, Dease opens up about suffering a broken arm, dealing with setbacks, and how adversity has shaped both his coaching and outlook on life. Whether you’re a football coach, teacher, athlete or simply someone looking to keep improving, there’s plenty to take away from this conversation. In this episode we discuss: Building DK1GK over the last 10 yearsGoalkeeping coaching and player developmentLessons from football and educationCoaching at Swindon Town Women & Southampton WomenBalancing business, teaching and family lifePreparing for an IronmanFootball fitness vs endurance trainingOvercoming setbacks and injuryLeadership, resilience and continuous improvementIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

    E19 Dease Kerrison's Story: From Goalkeeper to Ironman, Building DK1GK, Coaching & Never Standing Still
  4. Apr 15

    E16 Life Catch Up With Mike: The Journey Behind the Goal & the Truth About Success

    After two years away, the podcast is finally back and this isn’t just a return, the journey never stopped This is Episode 16, and it felt right to come back with someone who’s been there from the very beginning. I’m joined by Mike Pyman for a real life catch-up. Not a highlight reel. Not a polished version of events. Just an honest conversation about where we’ve been, where we’re at, and where we’re going. This episode was recorded back in November, capturing a raw snapshot in time, what had already been done, what we were chasing next, and the mindset required to keep moving forward when things aren’t perfect. We get into: Mike’s journey into fighting, the preparation, the pressure, the discipline, and what it actually takes to step into that environmentMy experience completing a 15K Tough Mudder, the physical challenge, the mental battles, and what it really demands when you push yourselfWhat’s still ahead: Mike taking on Endure 24, and me stepping into the Spartan Series, with bigger challenges still to comeBut this episode isn’t really about events. It’s about what sits underneath all of it. We talk about discipline, not the version people post online, but the real version. The early mornings. The tired sessions. The days where nothing feels good and you still show up anyway. We talk about motivation and how it’s not something you can rely on. It comes and goes. It fades. It disappears when you need it most. And that’s where discipline has to take over. We talk about inspiration, how it isn’t found, it’s built. Through reps. Through consistency. Through doing the work long before you feel ready. And then we get into something deeper. What success actually feels like. Because everyone talks about the moment you win. Very few talk about what happens after. What it feels like to chase something for years… To finally achieve it… To stand at the top of the mountain you once looked up at and realise the feeling doesn’t last. The noise fades. The excitement drops. Life gets quiet. And in that silence, you’re faced with a different challenge: Who are you without the goal? What do you do next? And can you keep going when there’s no external reward waiting for you? This episode is about that. About learning to fall in love with the process, not just the outcome. About building something bigger than a single goal. About becoming the kind of person who shows up regardless of how they feel. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about one race, one fight, or one achievement. It’s about who you become in the process of chasing it. No hype. No shortcuts. No pretending it’s easy. Just the reality of what it takes and what it actually feels like along the way. The podcast is back. And this time, we’re building something that lasts.

    E16 Life Catch Up With Mike: The Journey Behind the Goal & the Truth About Success

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Connecting the world through inspiring stories and honest conversations, to encourage an Abel Lifestyle🤝💙