The second series of chart-topping interview podcast The Starting Line kicked off with an exclusive conversation with star of screen, stage and film, Brian Cox. The interview made global headlines, trended on Twitter and launched the show up the charts.

This week’s episode is with 29 year old Ellie Simmonds, who won a BAFTA on Sunday 12th May for her documentary Finding My Secret Family.

Ellie Simmonds was awarded an MBE at the age of 13 – and still holds the record for being the youngest ever recipient.

She now has an OBE, five Paralympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals and 10 European Championship golds under her belt – alongside last night’s single documentary BAFTA for her documentary Finding My Secret Family, which follows Ellie as she explores the relationship between disability and adoption, having been put up for adoption by her mother at just one day old.

In this interview with swimming star, author and TV presenter Ellie, host Rich Leigh discusses everything from the coach that told her she wasn’t good enough – despite having already won gold, dwarfism and drugs to make children with achondroplasia – the same condition as Ellie – taller, ASMR and surviving on an hour or two’s sleep a night, the importance of role models both in society and on the screen, her upbringing, her drive, world travel, what she’s been up to since retiring, favourite TV shows and more.

When asked:

“You said that being rejected at the start of your life is a big reason why you believe you’ve been successful and made your personality as it is. Has that made you angry?”, Ellie responded with:

“No, it didn’t actually. As soon as you’re born, if you’re placed into a care system, [there can be] a whole rejection feeling, because it can be really traumatic. I think I am naturally very focused and very driven. It’s innate in me that I want to achieve. No matter what I do, I want to do it to the best of my abilities. And if I see something at the end, I’ve got like my blinkers on like a horse, I want to do it. So I think it didn’t really have an impact, but I’ve always been aware. I just have a will to win really. I’m very competitive. So I think just being at the top of my game and being the best athlete that I can be [is my drive].”