For the final episode of series two, we wanted to end with something light-hearted, funny and full of personality — and Brian and Melvyn were the perfect people to do that.

Otherwise known as “Hat and Suitcase”, these two brothers brought humour, heart and complete chaos to the race in equal measure. From Glastonbury flags and Elvis impressions to golf clubs from charity shops, smelly shoes in hotel fridges and arguments about whether Melvyn’s suitcase was really a suitcase, this episode is full of laughs from start to finish.

But underneath all the banter is something much more powerful.

Brian and Melvyn talk honestly about what BBC's Race Across the World taught them — about getting older, trying new things, losing control, coping when life feels uncomfortable and finding confidence in yourself again. They reflect on the experience of travelling together in their sixties, the moments when they wanted to give up, the kindness of strangers, and how the race brought them closer together.

There are also brilliant behind-the-scenes stories from the series itself, including:

• The now-famous Brian and Melvyn Appreciation Society flag at Glastonbury
• Why Melvin’s shoes had to be stored in hotel fridges
• What really happened when they met Caroline and Tom during the race
• The jobs that never made the edit, including bakery work, cleaning a spa and lobster fishing
• Their very different approaches to golf, spending money and life in general
• What it was really like filming 24/7 and living out of one suitcase

As always, this episode is about much more than a television show.

It is about what happens when we keep saying yes to life, even when we are older, even when it feels uncomfortable and even when we have no idea what we are doing.

Brian and Melvyn remind us that you do not have to be the fittest, the fastest or the most prepared person in the room to do something extraordinary.

You just have to be willing to have a go.

Brian and Melvyn’s NVNG Top 3

1. Never be afraid of failure because success always feels sweeter when you know what it is like to lose.
2. Keep trying new things, whatever your age.
3. Sometimes the best experiences come when you stop trying to control everything.

A huge thank you to Brian and Melvyn for helping us end series two in such a funny, honest and uplifting way. Follow them on Instagram

And thank you to everyone who has listened, supported, shared and encouraged us throughout this series.

We will be back soon.

Please follow us on Instagram for lots of fun, adventures and behind the scenes antics.

NVNG is hosted by Rebecca Rees and Caroline Bridge. Rebecca is an ICF PCC Executive Coach and Co-Founder of Peak 15 Coaching, passionate about how our brains work and helping people unlock possibility. Caroline won BBC’s Race Across the World 2025 with her son Thomas — a series watched by over six million and shortlisted at the National Television Awards.

🎯 Our Mission: To help people pause, see beyond what holds them back, and discover new possibilities for greater happiness and wellbeing.

📩 Contact Us : We’d love to hear your questions, ideas, or stories of stepping outside your comfort zone: WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447375220027

Instagram @nothingventuredpodcast

👉 Please follow, share, and be part of the NVNG adventure — it all starts with daring to try.

Rebecca and Caroline explore what happens when stepping outside your comfort zone means not only travelling across countries with a backpack — but also facing difficult conversations, old wounds and the parts of family life that are hardest to talk about?

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained, we meet sisters Elizabeth and Letitia from Race Across the World. Their time on the series gave viewers plenty of laughter, warmth and memorable moments, but behind the scenes there was also a much deeper story about family, relationships and learning to understand each other in a different way.

Elizabeth and Letitia talk openly about what it was like to take on such a huge challenge together, especially when they had not always been close. They reflect on the realities of travelling under pressure, the moments that brought them together, and the difficult conversations that helped them build a stronger relationship.

It is an honest, funny and moving conversation about sisterhood, trust and what can happen when we stop avoiding the conversations that matter most.

As always, Rebecca and Caroline also explore the simple science behind why stepping outside our comfort zone can change us. Sometimes confidence does not come before we do something difficult — it comes afterwards.

We are back with a new series of Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained. Please follow us on Instagram for lots of fun, adventures and behind the scenes antics.

NVNG is hosted by Rebecca Rees and Caroline Bridge. Rebecca is an ICF PCC Executive Coach and Co-Founder of Peak 15 Coaching, passionate about how our brains work and helping people unlock possibility. Caroline won BBC’s Race Across the World 2025 with her son Thomas — a series watched by over six million and shortlisted at the National Television Awards.

🎯 Our Mission: To help people pause, see beyond what holds them back, and discover new possibilities for greater happiness and wellbeing.

📩 Contact Us : We’d love to hear your questions, ideas, or stories of stepping outside your comfort zone: WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447375220027

Instagram @nothingventuredpodcast

👉 Please follow, share, and be part of the NVNG adventure — it all starts with daring to try.

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Outen MBE — adventurer, author and now psychotherapist — whose story is as extraordinary as it is deeply human.

At just 23, Sarah became the first woman and youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean. She then went on to complete her London to London expedition — travelling over 40,000km under her own human power by rowing oceans, cycling continents and kayaking coastlines.

Today, her life looks very different. She now works as a psychotherapist — often alongside her herd of donkeys — helping people reconnect with themselves in a way that’s quiet, grounded and surprisingly powerful.

In this conversation, we explore both sides of Sarah’s story.

The extraordinary expeditions… and what followed.

The storm after the storm — when pushing through was no longer sustainable. Illness, burnout, emotional struggle… and the realisation that surviving isn’t the same as living well.

Sarah speaks with remarkable honesty about what she’s learned — from the cost of “just keep going”, to the importance of rest, emotional awareness and finding safe connections with others.

Because as Sarah shows us, adventure doesn’t stop — it evolves.

What once meant crossing oceans now means understanding herself, helping others, and working out what kind of life she truly wants to live.

Sarah’s NVNG Top 3:

• All of it can be true at once
• Be here now
• Kindness — to yourself, others and the world

It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes joy and struggle sit side by side… and sometimes the bravest thing we can do is turn towards ourselves.

Find out more about Sarah's work at Seen and Herd Therapy

We are back with a new series of Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained. Please follow us on Instagram for lots of fun, adventures and behind the scenes antics.

NVNG is hosted by Rebecca Rees and Caroline Bridge. Rebecca is an ICF PCC Executive Coach and Co-Founder of Peak 15 Coaching, passionate about how our brains work and helping people unlock possibility. Caroline won BBC’s Race Across the World 2025 with her son Thomas — a series watched by over six million and shortlisted at the National Television Awards.

🎯 Our Mission: To help people pause, see beyond what holds them back, and discover new possibilities for greater happiness and wellbeing.

📩 Contact Us : We’d love to hear your questions, ideas, or stories of stepping outside your comfort zone: WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447375220027

Instagram @nothingventuredpodcast

👉 Please follow, share, and be part of the NVNG adventure — it all starts with daring to try.