S9 Ep4: Denise Lewis DBE on becoming an Olympic champion, Damehood, and ‘Don’t Rock The Boat’

Monday Mile with Aimee Fuller

On this week’s #MondayMile podcast, I have a lovely little chat with Olympian, sports broadcaster and all-round boss lady Dame @realdeniselewis.
Denise is a legend of British athletics. She specialised in the Heptathlon, and became the first European to bring home the Gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She’s received numerous accolades in her lifetime, and became a Dame in the 2023 New Year Honours. We take a rainy walk around Primrose Hill and speak about this impressive career, starting from her humble beginnings in Wolverhampton, to competing at the highest level of athletics.

These days you’re more likely to find her in a studio than on the track, and we talk about it feels to commentate on those who have come after her. We also touch on representation, and how important it is to see diversity within sport.

I ask Denise about her most satisfying physical challenge – an intense rowing excursion on the TV show ‘Don’t Rock The Boat’. And of course, I couldn’t resist asking the honour of receiving a Damehood. I do agree that Dames should get free parking - seems like a no-brainer.

Denise is a pioneer and a complete inspiration to be around - I loved having her on the pod!

Check it out on your favourite podcast platform!

#mondaymilepodcast #deniselewis #athletics #olympics #heptathlon