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 rediscover...
CEO of 'The Ordinary' Opens Up About Her Co-Founder’s Tragic Death
In this episode of Begin Again, Davina McCall sits down with Nicola Kilner, the powerhouse CEO behind beauty empire DECIEM and founder of The Ordinary, to explore the highs and heartbreaking lows of her journey. From co-founding a $2.2 billion beauty empire in her 20s to navigating the tragic downfall of her business partner, Brandon Truaxe, Nicola opens up about the immense challenges she’s faced. She reflects on her father’s struggle with alcoholism, the resilience it instilled in her from a young age, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, loss, and finding purpose in chaos. Raw, inspiring, and deeply personal—this is a story of strength, survival, and redefining success on your own terms.
📢 Drop a comment: What’s your biggest takeaway?
Follow me here:
www.instagram.com/beginagain
https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod
(00:00) Intro
(02:14) Nicola’s Childhood and Her Father’s Struggles with Alcohol
(13:55) Early Entrepreneurial Spirit and the Power of Kindness
(18:40) Meeting Brandon: A Life-Changing Connection
(20:17) The Beginnings of Deciem: A Vision Takes Shape
(23:37) How The Ordinary Was Born
(31:51) (Ancient & Brave Ad)
(33:10) (Adobe Ad)
(34:13) Brandon’s Experimentation with Drugs
(48:16) The Public Downfall
(1:08:17) The Tragic Loss of Brandon
(1:15:55) Recognizing the Signs and Offering Support
(1:20:18) Starting Over and Finding Joy in Life
(1:27:58) Championing Mothers in the Workplace
(1:38:06) Davina’s Final Thoughts
Sponsored by:
Ancient + Brave - https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet
Adobe - https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:43:20
Can Your Diet Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s? The Truth About Alcohol & Brain Health With Dr. Federica Amati
In this episode of Begin Again, Davina McCall sits down with leading medical scientist Dr. Federica Amati to explore the fascinating link between alcohol and brain health. With Alzheimer’s on the rise, Federica unpacks the latest research on how certain drinking habits could protect against cognitive decline—while others may do more harm than we realize. She breaks down the science, busts common myths, and shares practical ways to make smarter choices for long-term health.
Eye-opening, empowering, and packed with must-know insights—this is a conversation that could change the way you think about alcohol.
📢 Drop a comment: What’s your biggest takeaway? Have your views on alcohol changed?
Follow me here:
www.instagram.com/beginagain
https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod
Everybody should know this:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/458947/every-body-should-know-this-by-amati-dr-federica/9780241679616
(00:00) Intro
(02:02) The Impact of Lifestyle on Chronic Illnesses
(03:09) How Where You Live Impacts Your Diet
(06:19) How Much of a Difference Can Lifestyle Change Make?
(07:16) Diet as a Part of Culture
(10:10) The Truth About Ultra-Processed Foods
(13:38) Fear Around Food: Why Are We So Anxious About Eating?
(16:04) Why Nutrition Advice Is So Confusing
(18:35) How Much Fiber Should We Eat & What’s the Best Source?
(23:58) Is Coffee Good for You?
(32:18) Myths About Alcohol: What Science Says
(37:30) Are Carbs Bad for Us?
(38:35) Zoe Ad
(39:57) Why Fruit Is Essential for a Healthy Diet
(41:45) Are Oats Actually Healthy?
(44:41) Do We Really Need Supplements?
(52:13) Allergies & the Microbiome: Can We Train Our Gut for Prevention?
(56:22) Does the Sequence of Food Matter?
(57:55) Have We Lost Our Love of Eating?
(1:02:06) Eating Mindfully: How to Build a Better Relationship With Food
(1:04:59) Teaching Children About Food & Nutrition
(1:08:01) Menopause & Food: What You Need to Know
(1:15:04) How Much Protein Should We Consume?
(1:20:01) How to Build Muscle as You Age
(1:23:09) How Diet Impacts Lifespan & Longevity
(1:25:41) Frederica's Book - "Every Body Should Know This"
(1:27:36) Davina's Final Thoughts
Sponsored by:
Zoe - https://zoe.com and use code DAVINA10
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:32:18
Ed Jackson: How Nearly Losing His Life Gave Him a New Reason to Live
In this episode of Begin Again, Davina McCall sits down with former rugby player Ed Jackson to explore his extraordinary journey of resilience and reinvention. After a devastating spinal injury ended his career, Ed was forced to confront his own mortality—but instead of giving up, he found a new purpose. He shares the mindset shifts that helped him defy expectations, the road to recovery, and how his near-death experience inspired him to live life to the fullest. From scaling mountains against all odds to empowering others to overcome their own challenges, Ed’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and the strength of the human spirit. Inspiring, uplifting, and deeply moving—this is one you won’t want to miss.
Follow me here:
www.instagram.com/beginagain
https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod
(00:00) Intro
(01:38) Childhood and Beginnings in Rugby
(06:51) The Power of Luck
(08:33) Parenting: Nature vs. Nurture
(14:26) Rugby Career
(16:30) Falling in Love
(19:01) The Accident That Changed Everything
(30:36) Confronting Death and Embracing Life
(36:38) Adobe Ad
(37:54) Life360 Ad
(39:03) Falling in Love With Being Alive
(44:59) Paralysis and His Time in the Hospital
(48:13) How My Support Network Saved My Life
(51:02) Finding Motivation and the Road to Rehabilitation
(54:06) The Recovery Journey
(1:03:06) The Role of Friends and Family in Recovery
(1:13:13) Millimeters to Mountains: A New Mission
(1:27:25) Almost Dying on a Mountain
(1:37:59) My Most Important Life Lessons
(1:42:09) Being a Role Model and Redefining Masculinity
(1:46:05) Final Thoughts with Davina
Adobe - https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/
Life360 - https://www.life360.com/uk/ Download Life360
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:53:35
How To Have A Great Sex Life: The Secrets We Are Never Told! With Cindy Gallop.
In this episode of Begin Again, Davina McCall sits down with the fearless and refreshingly honest Cindy Gallop to dismantle the myths, taboos, and outdated narratives around sex. Cindy, the powerhouse behind Make Love Not Porn, reveals the crucial lessons we aren’t taught about intimacy, desire, and how to build a truly great sex life—at any age. From unlearning shame to embracing open communication, this conversation is an eye-opening deep dive into pleasure, empowerment, and why it’s never too late to rewrite the rules. Bold, insightful, and utterly liberating—you won’t want to miss this.
Follow me here:
www.instagram.com/beginagain
https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod
(00:00) Intro
(00:46) Who Is Cindy Gallop?
(02:44) Cindy Gallop on Her Upbringing & Sexual Awakening
(05:43) Why You Don’t Need to Find "The One"
(11:37) Why Cindy Dates Younger Men
(13:55) How to Find the Right Dating Site for You
(17:23) Unlocking Your Sexual Confidence
(26:37) Cindy Gallop’s Guide to Successful Online Dating
(36:52) Adobe Ad
(37:58) Marriage vs. Sex Life – What You Need to Know
(46:50) The Story Behind Make Love Not Porn
(54:42) The Truth About Sex Education
(1:08:38) Masturbation & How to Reach Climax
(1:13:26) The Language of Sex & Porn
(1:15:49) How Porn Affects Young People
(1:16:40) What You Can Do to Make a Difference
(1:20:11) Menopause, Lubrication & Intimacy
(1:23:48) Cindy’s Hopes for the Future
(1:27:00) Davina’s Final Thoughts
Adobe - https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:32:52
Richard E. Grant: Richard E. Grant: Losing The Love Of My Life & Growing Up With An Alcoholic.
In this episode of Begin Again, Richard E. Grant opens up about his turbulent childhood—growing up with a narcissistic mother, an alcoholic father, and the lasting impact of both. He reflects on finding true love with his wife Joan, their deep connection, and the grief of losing her four years ago. A raw and moving conversation about survival, love, and navigating life after loss.
Follow me here:
www.instagram.com/beginagain
https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod
(00:00) Intro
(02:34) Childhood and Early Life
(03:18) Guilty Pleasures
(04:41) How to Find Excitement
(06:22) Overcoming a Difficult Childhood
(19:28) Growing Up in Apartheid South Africa and Taking Risks
(26:33) Meeting His Wife, Joan
(32:16) Mother, Relationships, and Reconciliation
(40:23) Forgiveness and Coping With His Wife’s Passing
(1:09:00) Life Lessons From Richard E. Grant
(1:11:03) Falling in Love
(1:20:05) Living With Grief
(1:24:22) What's Next? A Pocketful of Happiness
(1:26:33) Davina's Final Thoughts
–
Adobe - https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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/
New Zealand