Stay Home Special

On this stay home special of Talking Bull, we reunite Max Verstappen, Alex Albon and Christian Horner on a Zoom call, we get the lockdown lowdown from legendary cricketer Ben Stokes and we speak to one of the most inspirational people In the world - Ex rugby pro Ed Jackson

**Summary of the Aston Martin Rebel Racing Podcast Episode:**

The podcast begins with a lively conversation between Max Verstappen, Alex Albon, and Christian Horner, hosted by Nicola Hume. They discuss their current quarantine routines, including workouts, gardening, and virtual racing.

**Key Insights and Perspectives:**

* Max Verstappen enjoys spending hours on his bike trainer while watching TV to stay fit during lockdown.
* Alex Albon has been cooking and experimenting with new recipes, including banana bread and blueberry muffins.
* Christian Horner has been training hard and achieved a two-minute plank, which impresses the other hosts.
* The drivers share their experiences with virtual racing, emphasizing the intense competition and the need for practice.
* For a hypothetical island scenario, Max would choose Alex for his cooking skills, Pierre Gasly for his quiet nature, and George Russell as his buddy.
* When asked about their favorite race track, both Max and Alex express their preference for Spa and Zandvoort, respectively.
* Max recommends visiting Thailand and promises to take the hosts on a culinary adventure.
* The drivers discuss the challenges of sneezing while driving, with Max suggesting that the adrenaline rush helps suppress the urge.
* Max admits to being terrible at playing tennis and golf, despite his efforts to learn.
* The hosts reminisce about their early experiences riding bicycles and offer advice to Christian, who is teaching his daughter to ride.
* They unanimously agree that pineapple does not belong on pizza and prefer gherkins in their McDonald's cheeseburgers.
* The drivers express their excitement about the potential first race at the Red Bull Ring and acknowledge that it has been the longest break from racing in their careers.
* Max shares an anecdote about doing a show run at the Red Bull Ring in reverse, highlighting the challenges of driving the track backward.
* Alex mentions his younger brother Luca's impressive speed in online racing, sparking a discussion about the age at which drivers should start their careers.
* Christian reveals that he mowed his lawn for six hours, covering 41 kilometers, showcasing his dedication to maintaining his garden.
* The hosts express their admiration for the Formula One mechanics and engineers who volunteered to create a new ventilator for the NHS, demonstrating the team's engineering capabilities.
* The podcast concludes with a conversation with legendary cricketer Ben Stokes, who shares his experiences participating in the virtual Dutch Grand Prix alongside Alex Albon.
* Ben emphasizes the importance of practice and learning from mistakes in virtual racing and admits to feeling nervous before the race despite its non-competitive nature.
* Ben and Alex discuss the pressure of performing well in front of a large audience and the satisfaction of achieving good results.

**Overall Message:**

The podcast provides an entertaining and informative look into the lives of Formula One drivers and their experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown. It highlights the drivers' dedication to fitness, their passion for virtual racing, and their camaraderie as a team. The episode also showcases the Formula One community's willingness to contribute to society during challenging times. # Podcast Transcript Summary

**Episode Overview:**

This podcast episode features an engaging conversation with former professional cricketer Ben Stokes and ex-rugby player Ed Jackson. The discussion revolves around their personal experiences, challenges, and achievements, highlighting the resilience and determination they have shown in their respective journeys.

**Ben Stokes Interview:**

* Ben Stokes shares his experience participating in a virtual Formula One race organized by Red Bull.
* He describes the immersive nature of the simulation and how it closely resembles a real Grand Prix.
* Stokes discusses the mental and physical skills required for both Formula One racing and cricket, emphasizing the importance of timing, coordination, and focus.
* He acknowledges the high-pressure environment of Formula One racing and draws parallels to the competitive intensity of cricket.
* Stokes reflects on his initial struggles with the Formula One simulator but highlights his rapid improvement with practice.
* He mentions the added challenge of operating the steering wheel controls while maintaining concentration on driving.
* Stokes expresses his newfound respect for Formula One drivers and their remarkable abilities.
* He discusses his involvement in race tactics and strategy during the virtual race.
* Stokes reveals his enjoyment of the competitive aspect of the race and compares it to the thrill of playing cricket.
* He contemplates the possibility of pursuing a career in motorsports but dismisses the idea due to his diverse interests and skills.
* Stokes shares his participation in various challenges during the lockdown, including the "Bring Sally Up Challenge," which involves performing push-ups in sync with a Moby song.
* He describes the grueling nature of the challenge and his initial struggles to complete it.
* Stokes mentions his eventual success in finishing the challenge before his competitor, Paul Collingwood.
* He also discusses his upcoming half marathon and his motivation for raising funds for charity.
* Stokes emphasizes the importance of staying fit and active during the lockdown, despite the lack of competitive cricket.
* He expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to spend extended time with his family during this period.
* Stokes acknowledges the challenges faced by international cricketers due to travel restrictions and the uncertainty surrounding the resumption of matches.
* He emphasizes the priority of ensuring the health and safety of everyone involved before considering the return of cricket.

**Ed Jackson Interview:**

* Ed Jackson shares his remarkable story of recovering from a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.
* He describes the incident that occurred during a swimming pool accident three years ago, resulting in a dislocated neck and a severed spinal cord.
* Jackson recalls the immediate aftermath of the accident, including the fear of drowning and the critical medical interventions that saved his life.
* He highlights the significance of his recovery, considering his initial prognosis that he would never walk again.
* Jackson discusses the physical and emotional challenges he faced during his rehabilitation, including the need for extensive physiotherapy and the adjustment to his new circumstances.
* He emphasizes the importance of setting goals and maintaining a positive mindset throughout the recovery process.
* Jackson shares his motivation for climbing Mount Snowdon, a challenging hike, as a way to inspire others and demonstrate the possibilities of recovery.
* He describes the transformative experience of reaching the summit and the sense of accomplishment it brought him.
* Jackson reflects on the role of his sporting background in shaping his mental resilience and his ability to overcome adversity.
* He highlights the importance of breaking down large goals into smaller, achievable steps and celebrating incremental progress.
* Jackson discusses his involvement with Wings for Life, a charity dedicated to funding research for spinal cord injuries.
* He expresses his support for the organization's efforts to find a cure for spinal cord injuries and improve the lives of those affected.
* Jackson mentions his friend Matt Hampson, a C1 quadriplegic with a permanent ventilator, who exemplifies the hope for a cure.

**Overall Message:**

The podcast highlights the extraordinary journeys of Ben Stokes and Ed Jackson, showcasing their resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. Their stories serve as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of human potential and the ability to overcome challenges with a positive mindset and unwavering perseverance. **Ed Jackson's Extraordinary Stairway Challenge:**

Ed Jackson, a former professional climber who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2017, embarked on a remarkable challenge to raise funds for Wings for Life, a charity dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. Inspired by the cancellation of the World Run, Wings for Life's flagship fundraising event, Ed decided to turn his staircase into a mountain, aiming to climb the equivalent of Mount Snowdon, the first mountain he climbed after his accident.

**The Challenge:**

- Ed's initial plan was to climb the equivalent of Mount Snowdon, which would take approximately six to seven hours.
- However, driven by his determination, Ed extended the challenge to climbing the height of Mount Everest, a four-day expedition involving camping at the bottom of the stairs.
- The challenge involved climbing 2,783 flights of stairs up and then the same again down, totaling over 5,500 flights.
- Ed climbed for approximately 45 hours in total, covering over 89,000 steps.

**Highlights and Insights:**

- Ed's challenge garnered immense support, raising over £50,000 for Wings for Life and the NHS.
- Formula One stars like David Coulthard and Alex Albon reached out to Ed, offering encouragement and even joining him for a few sets of stairs.
- The challenge became a symbol of hope and resilience, demonstrating the transformative power of human spirit in the face of adversity.
- Ed's efforts highlighted the importance of continued research and funding for spinal cord injury treatments, as there is currently no cure.
- The challenge also emphasized the value of community support and the positive impact it can have on individuals facing life-changing circumstances.

**Ed's Reflections:**

- Ed acknowledged the monotony of the challenge but emphasized the motivation he derived from the support and messages he received.
- He spoke about the significance of small gestures of encouragement in bolstering his spirits during difficult times.
- Ed expressed his gratitude for the support of his family and friends, as well as the wider community that rallied around him.
- He shared his hope for continued improvements in his neurological function, highlighting the potential for recovery even years after a spinal cord injury.

**Future Endeavors:**

- Ed plans to continue fundraising for Wings for Life and has established his own charity, the Millimeters to Mountains Foundation, to support disadvantaged people in accessing mountain experiences.
- He is preparing for his next challenge, a 268-mile walk along the Pennine Way, England's longest footpath, which he aims to complete over two weeks.
- Ed hopes to raise awareness about spinal cord injuries and inspire others to push their limits and make a difference in the world.