Should I have children? Ellie Simmonds on genetic disability diagnoses
About this episode
<p>What beliefs, hopes, worries, and questions would you have if your unborn baby was given a diagnosis of a disability? It’s something retired paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds has spent a lot of time considering.</p><br><p>In this chat with Fearne, Ellie explains what she’s learnt from talking to both her parents and her birth mum about their experience of her dwarfism, as well as debating the pros and cons of modern genetic testing.</p><br><p>They also chat about Ellie’s decision to retire from swimming: how will you know when it’s time to call something quits, and how can you then cultivate new passions? Plus, how to untangle self-worth and self-esteem from achievements...</p><br><p>Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? will be available to watch on ITV from the 27th of May.</p><br><p>CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about baby loss and abortion, so do take care while listening.</p><br><p>If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:</p><br><p><a href="https://pod.fo/e/2d0aa1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Liberty Mills</a></p><br><p><a href="https://pod.fo/e/112ccd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sophie Morgan</a></p><br><p><a href="https://pod.fo/e/132092" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Samantha Renke</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Should I have children? Ellie Simmonds on genetic disability diagnoses from Happy Place gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Caitlin Moran: "I’m two years anxiety-free!” How I finally calmed my nervous system Sep 14, 2026
- Fearne: Why your 40s are ace and how to cope with imposter syndrome Sep 10, 2026
- What if the universe is trying to tell you something? How to trust your intuition Sep 7, 2026
- Monty Don: Get out of your bubble! Immerse yourself in a new culture on holiday Sep 3, 2026
- “I did things I’d never do sober” Consent concerns and social anxiety, with Millie Gooch Aug 31, 2026
- Book Club Meets: Holiday romance and friendship in your 40s, with Chloe Ashby Aug 27, 2026
- Joe Lycett: "Nerves and excitement are the same!" How to reframe anxiety Aug 24, 2026
- “Wear the OTT dress!” Fearne’s got wardrobe and dating advice Aug 20, 2026
- My OCD gave me existential dread! Finding meaning in difficult times, with poet & actor Lucas Jones Aug 17, 2026
- Chris McCausland: “Dependence is exhausting!” Holidaying with a disability Aug 13, 2026
- Ruby Wax: “I was addicted to rage!” How to respond instead of reacting Aug 10, 2026
- Feeling stressed? You’re probably dehydrated! Make hydration a habit, with Phizz Aug 6, 2026
- Book Club Meets: Fertility pressures, medical racism, and hen parties, with Candice Carty-Williams Aug 3, 2026
- Making sense of big feelings and busy brains, with Paul Whitehouse & Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE Aug 3, 2026
- Sam Thompson: "My mind doesn’t switch off!" People pleasing and ADHD hyperfocus Jul 27, 2026
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor: “I want my kids to be intrepid!” How to make your holiday magical Jul 23, 2026
- "Little Joe would’ve watched Heartstopper in secret!" Joe Locke: queer representation matters Jul 20, 2026
- Fearne on the loneliness of chronic pain and why she likes breaking rules Jul 16, 2026
- My work makes me a better parent! Coping with mum guilt and taking the pressure off Jul 13, 2026
- Overwhelmed and exhausted? Decompress with this breathwork session from Self Space Jul 9, 2026
- Are you ditching your values to fit in? Todd Rose on avoiding peer pressure Jul 6, 2026
- I love chatting to strangers! Fearne’s being spontaneous and sleeping better on holiday Jul 2, 2026
- Adam Kay: "I was told to man up!" Coping with PTSD and mental health stigma Jun 29, 2026
- Book Club Meets: I wrote a loveable psychopath! Race and female rage, with Imani Thompson Jun 25, 2026
- Are you a witch? Believe in your magic and the power of ritual, with Poppy Jamie Jun 22, 2026
- “Outrageous, saucy behaviour!” What’s going down in Fearne’s WhatsApp groups? Jun 18, 2026
- "Life's too short for bad sex!" Grace Campbell is speaking up about pleasure and shame Jun 15, 2026
- Yoga! Shopping! Talks! DJs! How the Happy Place Festivals come to life Jun 11, 2026
- Ashley Roberts: If you don’t scream your body will! Anxiety, insomnia, and Pussycat Dolls' comeback Jun 8, 2026
- Book Club Meets: Tradwives and the manosphere, with Caro Claire Burke Jun 4, 2026