Matt Hampson

In this episode we talk to former rugby player and charity founder Matt Hampson. At 21, Matt was a rising rugby star with a glittering future ahead of him. All that changed in March 2005 when a catastrophic training accident ended his career and turned his life upside down. Now paralysed from the neck down, Matt has to use a ventilator twenty four hours a day, but he doesn't let that stop him living his best life. We chat to Matt about the accident, learn what made him a 'nightmare child' and find out how Matt pulls the sympathy card to get the last chocolate bar. In 2011 Matt founded the Matt Hampson Foundation, a charity which gives life-changing support to those with debilitating disabilities. In 2018 the charity opened the Get Busy Living Centre, a rehabilitation clinic where people can access physiotherapy and connect with others who have similar stories. To find out more and donate to Matt's charity, go to www.matthampsonfoundation.org Sponsors: We’d like to thank our sponsors Yamaha for supporting the podcast. To find out more about the Yamaha E700A headphones go to yamahamusiclondon.com/E700A     Matt’s 3am questions: Favourite Book – Rainbow Warrior by Francois Pienaar Favourite Film – The Shawshank Redemption Favourite Song – Live Forever by Oasis     We want to hear from you. If you have a brilliant 'Did You Know?' fact, a question for us, a jingle you’ve written or a voice note you want to share, get in touch. We’ll choose a few messages and include them in the audio version of every podcast. You can tweet us your message using the hashtag #normalnotnormal or email us at normalnotnormalpodcast@gmail.com    Remember, if you’re sending us a voice note or jingle and you’re under eighteen, please get permission from a parent or guardian.     Follow us on Twitter: @OliverPhelps      @James_Phelps @Hambofoundation     Normal Not Normal is a Stabl production. Produced by Alice Homewood. YouTube version edited by Oliver and James Phelps. Music: 'Not Normal' by Sebastian Forslund, 'Let Go' by Conditional and 'Bobby Swing' by The Bladwerk Band  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Om Podcasten

James and Oliver Phelps (aka Fred and George Weasley) talk to a star-studded selection of friends, colleagues and personal heroes who stepped into the limelight at a young age, and find out what “normal” means to them. As identical twins who grew up on the Harry Potter film set as Fred and George Weasley, you could never say that the pair had a “normal” start to life. But recently, they’ve been thinking: what does “normal” mean anyway? Ready your ears for behind-the-scenes Potter revelations; outrageous rants; frank conversations about mental health; and even the odd, ‘did-you-know?’ Stabl production (Formerly the Double Trouble podcast)