Redefining what’s possible
with Milly Pickles and Ellie Simmonds
Episode 3 - Redefining what's possible
When life throws you the most terrifying of setbacks, you can crash, consumed with bitterness, or, against all odds you can come back stronger, and seize every moment. Today we hear from two guests who refused to let their disability define them and proved they can do much more with the gift of living than the limits set by others.
Milly Pickles
Inspirational amputee and fitness influencer, Milly Pickles, was electrocuted during an accident aged 20. The accident caused her to lose her right leg below the knee, and two toes on her left foot. She spent over two months in hospital before learning to walk with a prosthetic leg, and run with a blade. Presenting at the Paralympics in Paris 2024, was an incredible achievement for someone with no former broadcasting experience. Milly, 28, ran the London Marathon for the second time in 2025 and is the first amputee to compete in the world’s steepest race; the Red Bull 400. Calm, composed and beyond practical, she has spoken about wanting prosthetics to be as accepted as reading glasses.
Ellie Simmonds MBE
Ellie Simmonds’ life journey exudes pure positivity, after bravely coming to terms with dwarfism (achondroplasia), being adopted at birth and even bullying by a minority of coaches. Aged 13, the eight-time Paralympic medallist was competing in the Beijing Paralympics, the second youngest competitor to win not just a medal, but two golds.
Hear from the expert
In this episode, we’re joined by Boots Opticians optometrist John Hopcroft, who talks us through the Boots Opticians Ultimate Eye Test and how optomap can help monitor not just our vision but our overall health too.
"The eyes are a window to our health and our general health, helping us look for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Attending an eye check is essential so that we can look for those signs at the back of the eye."
— John Hopcroft
Optometrist and Clinical Services Manager
Frames featured in episode
