As a proud partner of ParalympicsGB, we send our best wishes to all the para-athletes participating in the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. We are incredibly proud to have supported you on your journey.
Breaking boundaries with ParalympicsGB
A partnership with purpose
Since 2022, we’ve been on a mission to strengthen the exceptional skill and determination of our Paralympians. From funding athletes to keeping them feeling happy and healthy, we’re helping them reach the top of their game.
But more than that, we’re here to inspire a nation of children and adults of all abilities. Pushing the idea of what’s possible further every single day, this includes supporting people on their own journeys. Helping them be healthy – emotionally and physically – on their way to personal glory.
This is what health means to me
As we cheer ParalympicsGB on in the Winter Paralympic Games, we’re exploring powerful contrasts - the extraordinary extremes para-athletes face in sport and the everyday moments that shape their journeys, support their health and enable them to compete.
We’re working with Scott Meenagh, Menna Fitzpatrick, James Barnes‑Miller and Nina Sparks. Each is sharing their personal story - revealing those big and small moments, the determination behind their training, the challenges they navigate, and the small, everyday details that keep them grounded.
Through these stories, we aim to build greater understanding of what it means to support performance and wellbeing in ways that reflect the uniqueness of every health story – because This Is Health. Check their stories out on our Instagram page.
The mental health arena
You don’t need a stadium to show strength. Just a seat opposite someone who’s willing to listen.
Saying I’m not okay, is okay
Step into Paralympic gold medalist, Hollie Arnold’s world as she and her mum explore the pressures that come with living publicly.
From stepping into the spotlight at just 14-years-old, Hollie opens up about her mental health journey and the challenges she’s faced over the years.
Together with her mum, Jill, they reflect on the importance of self-compassion and strong relationships with loved ones, while sharing advice for anyone going on a similar journey.
I think I've always just loved doing sport.
Javelin was just one of them things where I just picked it up and then I threw it and everyone was like, "Can you describe the difference between the pressures you face as an athlete and the pressures you face just as Holly?"
I'm so lucky and privileged to be in the position I am to represent my country.
Sometimes I identify myself as I've got to be this sort of gold medal winning and I've got to do this and I've got to show the world I can do this and want to make people proud of me and be a good role model in one way.
But sometimes you also lose yourself within that and maybe forget that I am just Holly.
I guess that takes us on to social media.
I certainly live in a society now which everyone feels like it's scrutinized with what you put out.
So, I think it's just having that confidence to be like, you know what, this is me.
I'm not perfect.
Can you describe what happened in Paris?
Yeah.
Paris is quite a hard one.
I wanted to get that gold medal and unfortunately I came away with a bronze, which is amazing.
Bronze is just an amazing achievement for myself and my own goals.
I wanted to go out there and win the gold medal.
It was like, you're never going to win a gold medal again.
Like, you've let everybody down.
You've sacrificed so much and you still haven't done it.
It was just heartache.
I felt broken.
And it took a second.
It took a long time to heal.
Mhm.
So, but hey, like it's been a journey and we're still back here and we're still training and you're still fighting.
We're still fighting.
Like there's so much to be happy about.
And one day when I'm old, really old, like I say, when you're a grandma, when I'm really old and hopefully I’ve got kids and grandkids, I can be like, I did that.
Yeah.
This is what I did.
With your mental health journey as well, Jill, do you feel a similar way?
I left my mental health journey way too long before I admitted that I needed help.
I was very broken, but slowly and surely I did get sort of put together, didn't I?
And obviously the family was the glue putting us all together, I suppose, wasn't it?
I feel like maybe as parents you only see yourself as Ashen and Holly's mom.
No, you're Jill.
That's who you are.
How do you feel since you've made the decision to put your hand up and say, "I'm not okay"?
That first step of actually admitting that there's an issue is the biggest step you can take.
And once you've taken that step, then things can only get better.
And I think it's about having an amazing support system around you.
It allows you to open up to be able to do something as simple as having a sit‑down meal with your family or your friends, going for a walk, whatever that may be.
It's just so nice that we get to do this and actually have a conversation together.
Definitely.
Cheers to us.
Let's tuck in.
We are #TeamHealth
In partnership with ParalympicsGB, our #TeamHealth series follows two people on very different, but equally important health journeys.
Join proud mum, Julie, and thriving para-athlete, Emmanuel, as they embrace the importance of being a team and strive to achieve their personal bests over the next year.
Our final #TeamHealth episode catches up with Julie, Emmanuel and their Team Health mentor, Richard Whitehead MBE, as they reflect on the last year and regroup for one final challenge.
share a burning desire
to take control of their physical
and mental wellbeing over the next year
and we're here to support
and cheer them on.
Welcome back to Team Health.
I'm Richard Whitehead,
and today I'm catching up with
Julie in London
who's on her Team Health journey
with Bupa's support.
My big goal is to get fit,
get healthier.
And also seeing how
I can support her.
Clearly, you're looking radiant.
You’re looking
like you’ve made those improvements.
Yeah, last week,
I had my health check with Bupa.
It was really good.
Is this your first time with us? - It is!
So you go in and you get introduced
and they do your blood tests,
height and weight, And then I saw a doctor.
My name is James, the lead physician.
And certainly
because I know you're at the age
where you might be going through the menopause,
and that can really affect your weight and...
Everything.
Other things....
Do you want to talk to me about that?
I've got brain fog.
I used to be able to remember anything.
Libido’s, obviously gone to the floor.
You know, it is a bit of a female battle
because I'm menopausal stage.
I've dieted I've done
health and weight doesn't seem to move.
Very, very hard to lose
weight around the menopause
just with the change in the hormones.
And I find that
probably the hardest thing. Yeah, I mean
It can be so, so hard.
Yeah,
Kind of the overarching thing
to lose weight
is to have a calorie deficit.
So, to be using more calories in a day
than your taking into your body.
Yeah.
So, here are some simple tips I can offer you
for managing your weight
during menopause.
So often it's a lot of portion control -
a wrap rather than a sandwich
because that's going to have fewer calories in it
And having that conversation at home saying,
I'm really trying to do this.
Can we maybe look at...
They have been very good.
The second one I'd say, exercise is very, very good.
I feel better for doing the gym and things definitely
without a doubt, feel better about that.
Even if you lose a couple of pounds here.
that is excellent.
But I have to say, I have lost half a stone, so that’s...
Well done!
It's just beginning to show
and I’m the kind of person that
I need to see some results,
and this has been a big booster now.
Every day is a learning experience
and every day is a new Julie.
Yeah, it was brilliant
I've got some things to work on
which I need your help for.
So I had to go on a bike -
I had to go on a Watt bike
a Watt what?
a Watt bike
and he told me not to be scared.
Okay,
why would you be scared of the Watt bike then?
I don't know, I didn’t know ‘Watt’ it was.
Don't feel like
you are having to force, this new form of you.
You've got an end goal
of every day being better
but treat it as every day
and don't feel that you
you have to really hurry that journey.
Yeah.
Myself as a mentor but also Team Health
are proud of you and what you're doing so...
Bupa has been brilliant.
So, keep on that.
Class of ParalympicsGB
Our latest Class of ParalympicsGB episode sees seven-time Paralympic champion, Hannah Cockroft in the hot seat. Hannah takes questions from twin sisters, Elena and Ilaria, who came very prepared!
Watch the siblings quiz Hannah on all things wheelchair racing, control, winning, losing and inspirations as they learn more about her journey through sport and disability.
Are you going to do the snap?
Action!
Hi, I'm Ella, and I'm nine years old, Anya - and I'm six.
He has black hair.
He's a fencer.
So the other way around Yeah.
Perfect.
Very kind.
Joyful.
Class of Paralympics GB Mine.
As you know, my name's Ella and my name's Anya.
And we’re gonna ask you a few questions If you don't mind?
Great.
Thank you.
We met earlier but my name's Oliver Lam-Watson I’m a Paralympic wheelchair fencer.
And I'm hoping that your questions aren't too hard and you're not going to grill me too much!
But, yeah, I'm excited.
Let's go!
Do you have any siblings?
Yes, I do.
I've got one brother and two sisters, but they're all older than me, so I'm the youngest.
Did they ever annoy you when you were younger?
Are they going to watch this?
A little bit, maybe.
Anya is my sister.
She talks a lot and she gets up quite early.
Anya.
How old were you when you started fencing?
I actually started fencing really late.
I started after university at 25.
Do you support a football team?
I don't actually watch a lot of sport.
Like I'm not actually a big sports person.
Maybe Arsenal.
Manchester?
Leeds?
Newcastle - is the best team!
They’re one of my favorite teams!
What is your favourite food?
My favourite food I would have to say is my mum's tuna pasta Jalapeños in it - so it’s a little bit spicy and it was absolutely wonderful it was like my comfort meal What about you guys - what do you like?
Chilli wraps!
Chilli wraps?
Like as in - chilli con carne?
It’s chilli, rice.
in a wrap!
Did you like sports when you were younger?
I think sport when I was younger because of my leg and my disability had a great way of.
highlighting my differences and kind of showcasing what I couldn't do compared to some of the other kids.
I was always picked last for the football team and I really hated sport for that reason and I think now it's become a way of me sort of taking back control of my body and my leg again and kind of redefining what's possible living with a disability.
So, sport’s really given me a lot and it’s changed my life massively.
Have you guys got any more questions for me?
Working together to champion inclusive workplaces
As the Official Healthcare Partner of ParalympicsGB, we're proud to be working together to make workplaces more inclusive for disabled people.
We want to create more opportunities for businesses to play their part to champion change.
Start your own journey
Mental health and wellbeing
Looking after your mental health
Exercise & fitness
Seven inclusive sport activities
Mental health and wellbeing
One month of mindfulness
Exercise & fitness
Why is exercise important?
1 OnePoll, 2024.
