In this episode of Begin Again, global pop icon and actress Rita Ora sits down for her most open conversation yet. She reflects on the intense scrutiny she’s faced, the pressure of fame, and why speaking her truth now matters more than ever.
Rita shares how Beyoncé’s support helped her through a time when her identity and integrity were under attack. She speaks honestly about the journey to feel seen on her own terms, the impact of tabloid pressure in her twenties, and how she finally feels more grounded, more herself, than ever before.
The episode dives into her marriage to Taika Waititi, the joy and complexity of becoming a stepmother, and what it means to fully embrace her sexuality. With warmth, wisdom, and clarity, Rita reveals how she’s built a more peaceful, authentic life—one shaped by self-trust, real love, and personal growth.
🎙️ Drop a comment: What’s Your Biggest takeaway?
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(00:00) Intro
(00:04:26:10) Celebrating Confidence & Sexuality
(00:07:03:02) False Headlines
(00:10:04:17) Rita’s Fanbase: The Ritabots
(00:11:53:19) Rita’s Work Ethic & Refugee Life
(00:17:38:19) Signing with Jay-Z’s Label
(00:22:11:24) 'Hot Right Now' Global Success
(00:24:19:00) Love-Hate Relationship with the Press
(00:28:01:00) Media Impact on Mental Health
(00:31:42:23) Ridiculed for Embracing Sexiness
(00:33:37:19) The Masked Singer Journey
(00:35:09:12) Rita's Acting Career
(00:36:48:10) Ancient & Brave Ad
(00:38:35:14) Friendship With Beyoncé
(00:43:44:23) Rita’s Relationship with Taika
(00:58:17:07) Overcoming Challenges
(01:00:00:06) Becoming a Stepmother
(01:05:01:24) Rita’s Proposal to Taika
(01:08:14:14) Plans for the Future
(01:09:30:02) Mental Health & Hypochondria
Sponsored by:
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1:16:37
Shaolin Master: The Hidden Mental Trap You Fall Into Daily! Why You’re Always in Fight or Flight
In this episode of Begin Again, Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi reveals the hidden mental trap that keeps millions of us stuck in fight-or-flight mode. He shares how modern life quietly poisons our peace of mind—and why stress, anxiety, and overwhelm have become our default state. Through the lens of ancient Shaolin wisdom, Shi Heng Yi offers a powerful alternative: mastering the breath, reconnecting with the body, and breaking free from inherited emotional patterns.
The conversation explores how discipline, self-reflection, and stillness can transform even the most chaotic life. From his own journey growing up in a refugee household to becoming a Shaolin Master, he explains why inner mastery—not escape—is the path to true peace. You'll learn the real reason you're exhausted, the unconscious habits keeping you disconnected, and how to begin again with clarity, purpose, and calm.
Whether you're navigating burnout, trauma, or simply feeling lost in a noisy world, this episode offers deep insight, grounded philosophy, and tools to reclaim your mind.
🧘♂️ Drop a comment: What mental habit are you ready to break?
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Shaolin Spirit: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/464095/shaolin-spirit-by-yi-shi-heng/9780241715192
(00:00:00:00) Intro
(3:51) Shi Heng Yi: Becoming a Shaolin Master
(6:50) Dangers of a Scattered Mind
(10:34) Legacy, Self-Assessment & Growth
(15:15) Building True Self-Perception
(19:23) Unity Through Breath Awareness
(24:22) How to Master Breathwork
(29:50) Ancient & Brave (Ad)
(31:18) How to Handle Stress Effectively
(35:31) Taking Ownership for Self-Mastery
(37:38) Letting in the Light: Breaking the Cycle
(43:28) Two Common Mistakes on the Path to Truth
(46:27) Burnout Recovery: From Robots to Nature
(49:01) Clarify & Live Your Core Values
(51:03) How to Build Discipline in 21 Days
(55:11) Reviving Shaolin Temple Europe
(56:01) Experiencing the Shaolin Lifestyle
(1:00:37) Transforming Self-Perception
(1:03:00) Learning to Truly Let Go
(1:09:31) Gratitude & Discovering Your Unique Path
Sponsored by:
Ancient + Brave - https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet with code BEGINAGAIN
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1:16:35
Mel Robbins: These 2 Words Will Fix Your Relationships!
In this episode of Begin Again, Mel Robbins reveals how she escaped £800,000 in debt, overcame crippling anxiety, and rebuilt her life using a simple tool known as the 5 Second Rule. She opens up about hitting rock bottom, the moment that sparked her transformation, and why waiting to “feel ready” is a lie. Mel also shares the science behind breaking bad habits and how small, consistent actions create real change.
The conversation also dives into Mel’s viral “Let Them” Theory—a powerful mindset shift that’s helping millions let go of control and heal their relationships. From navigating marriage struggles and parenting challenges to building inner peace, Mel offers hard-earned wisdom, practical tools, and emotional honesty. This is a must-watch for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to begin again.
🎙️ Drop a comment: What’s Your Biggest takeaway?
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"Let Them" Available here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Let-Them-Theory-Life-Changing-Millions/dp/1788176189/ref=tmm[…]1OoSw1UBXmoh1rOflxcVGDm_jVjrYTds--OUYM&qid=1749572663&sr=8-1
(00:00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:03:02) Coming Up...
(00:01:12:07) Gratitude
(00:01:40:02) Becoming Mel Robbins
(00:07:05:17) Mel's Personal Journey and Finding Motivation (00:14:33:09) How I Got Out of $800,000 in Debt
(00:17:44:17) Being the Villain of Your Own Story
(00:19:09:21) Talking About Family
(00:20:14:17) 5 Second Theory
(00:27:52:07) Ancient & Brave Ad
(00:29:21:16) TEDx Talk in 2011
(00:33:47:06) Science Behind the 5 Second Theory
(00:35:59:05) Understanding Motivation and What Holds Us Back (00:37:57:13) Let Them Theory
(00:41:16:00) Control, Power, and Relationships
(00:47:52:05) When 'Let Them' Becomes 'Let Me'
(00:52:36:12) Mel on Working with Her Daughter & Breakups
(01:00:54:12) Applying the Let Them Theory to Children
(01:04:52:06) Dealing with a Fight or Flight Mentality
(01:12:56:23) Navigating Adult Friendships
Sponsored by:
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1:23:20
Katie Piper: From Surviving an Acid Attack to Finding Faith & Love
In this powerful episode of Begin Again, Katie Piper opens up about her remarkable journey following the horrific acid attack in 2008. She reflects on her path to survival, the deep emotional and physical challenges she faced, and the profound transformation that followed. From struggling with agoraphobia and navigating countless surgeries to discovering her faith, Katie shares how she rebuilt her life. Alongside this, she reveals the moments of humour and strength that helped her endure.
Katie also discusses how she found faith in her 20s, a journey that’s shaped her perspective on life and healing. She opens up about finding love, building a deep connection with her husband, and the joy of navigating motherhood—experiences that have been pivotal in her recovery. With raw honesty, she speaks about the loneliness of recovery and how she learned to embrace her new identity.
This conversation is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, the power of faith and love, and the ongoing process of healing as Katie navigates life after trauma. Her story is one of profound strength, transformation, and the importance of embracing the complexities of life’s challenges.
Katie’s Book ‘Still Beautiful’ - https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241722596-still-beautiful/
Upcoming Events for Katie - https://www.katiepiper.co.uk/book-tour
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(00:00:00) Coming up…
(00:01:02) Davina's Introduction
(00:02:18) Meeting Katie Piper
(00:05:21) Katie on Finding Her Faith
(00:10:51) Katie's Acid Attack Story
(00:18:03) Who Was Katie Before the Attack?
(00:24:37) Immediate Aftermath & Hospital Life
(00:30:25) The Impact of Loneliness After Trauma
(00:31:26) Identity & Physical Appearance Post-Attack
(00:36:33) Life in Rehab
(00:38:40) Mental Health Impact After Being Attacked
(00:43:16) Katie Isolating Herself After the Attack
(00:49:48) Katie’s Mum's Diary Entries: A Personal Look
(00:58:09) Overcoming Mental Health Struggles
(01:02:50) Drawing Confidence from Suffering
(01:05:03) Dealing with Misogyny & Inspiration from Deborah James
(01:09:34) Finding Comfort in Aging
(01:13:27) Navigating Dating
(01:18:49) Meeting Her Partner & Finding Romance
(01:28:07) Pregnancy & Parenting After Trauma
(01:33:38) Letter from Katie’s Mum
(01:37:01) Parenting Through Trauma & Healing
(01:41:19) Katie’s Foundation: Giving Back & Raising Awareness
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1:47:38
Women's Health Expert: It's Not Just Hormones! Why Doctors Get It Wrong For Women. Dr. Hazel Wallace
In this episode of Begin Again, Davina McCall sits down with women's health expert Dr. Hazel Wallace to have the candid conversation too many women are still waiting to hear. Hazel opens up about the personal loss that led her into medicine, why she made the bold decision to freeze her eggs, and how her own health struggles reshaped her career.
Together, they unpack the systemic issues that continue to leave women misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and overlooked in healthcare. From PCOS and painful periods to fertility, hormones, and beyond—this is an eye-opening and empowering conversation that challenges what we've been taught to accept as 'normal.' With raw honesty and hard facts, Hazel shines a light on what every woman deserves to know about her body.
🎙️ Drop a comment: What part of Hazel’s story resonated with you the most?
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Buy 'It's Not Just a Period' NOW: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Just-Period-Reclaim-Hormones/dp/1035049597
(00:00) Intro
(00:00:56) Davina Intro
(00:01:53) Meeting Hazel and Her Background
(00:02:56) Losing Her Dad and Starting a Career in Medicine
(00:08:35) Finding Reliable Health Advice Online
(00:11:43) Leaving Medicine to Study Nutrition
(00:13:37) Why I Chose to Freeze My Eggs
(00:16:57) What You Need to Know About Egg Freezing
(00:21:16) How to Talk About Fertility With Others
(00:22:35) How and Why Women Are Overlooked in Medicine
(00:31:04) Understanding a PCOS Diagnosis
(00:35:16) More Than Just a Period: Rethinking Menstrual Health
(00:39:59) What Hazel Discovered Through Her Research
(00:43:39) Thank You to Hazel
(00:44:27) Davina Outro
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This show is dedicated to empowering people to embrace midlife as their most transformative era yet. Davina’s guests will share stories of growth and rediscovery, letting you in on their own life journeys - many of which have challenged outdated narratives and ideas. Whether it's through expert insights, candid discussions, or real-life inspiration, Begin Again will be a supportive community for everyone to explore the revitalising second act of life. Davina wants everyone to know that midlife is not the start of the end; instead, it's the perfect opportunity and time to Begin Again.
Instagram: @beginagain
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davina-mccall-82204a19b/
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