Ep 2: Gill Castle : From birth trauma to wild swimming with a stoma

Gill Castle wants to show life can still be lived to the full after a traumatic birth - and she has shown just that. She suffered such rare and irreparable injuries when her son was born that she now has to wear a stoma which is an opening on the tummy that allows waste to leave the body. 

In this podcast Gill shares how she struggled to cope with a new stoma bag, a newborn baby, post-traumatic stress, post-natal depression and having to medically retire from the job she loved as a police officer. 

She told me the experience ruined her life but then also transformed her life for the better. Find out what prompted her to feel that she was too young to give up on life and how taking on tough physical challenges helped her rebuild.

Her most recent feat was to go cold water swimming in a bikini throughout the winter in the North Sea to raise awareness of stomas and birth trauma. She now plans to be the first person to swim the English Channel wearing a stoma and is raising money for the Birth Trauma Association, Colostomy UK and the Jacobs Well Appeal - which sends medical supplies, including stoma products, to developing countries .

She exudes positivity, high energy and an amazing zest for adventure. I’m sure you’ll feel uplifted after you listen to our conversation!