Episode 64: From pavement to hospital bed: The brutal moment that changed Cat Neill’s life forever
PRsonalShow Notes
In this episode of the PRsonal Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Cat Neil, a mortgage advisor whose life was turned upside down in February 2024 — and who has since emerged as a powerful voice for resilience, vulnerability, and healing. Cat was nearing the end of a 5K training run when she was suddenly hit by a car while on the pavement — an incident so severe it left her with an open fracture to her leg, sparking a medical journey that would involve nine operations, including two 11-hour limb-saving surgeries, skin grafts, leech therapy, and blood transfusions. But as harrowing as her physical injuries were, it’s Cat’s mental and emotional resilience that shines brightest in this deeply moving conversation. She shares, with raw honesty, the silent battles she fought behind closed doors: learning to depend on others for basic needs, grieving the loss of her old body and identity, and the exhausting mental energy of navigating a world that expects visible healing. Her story exposes the often unseen reality of life after trauma — where the hardest work is done quietly, long after the headlines fade. Despite it all, Cat’s mindset is nothing short of extraordinary. A lifelong journaler, she turned to writing, mantras like “safe, happy, healthy, loved”, and the grounding belief that “your mind is limitless” to carry herself through. With emotional intelligence, she speaks candidly about the importance of therapy, support systems, self-compassion, and the power of showing up — even imperfectly. But this is not just a story about survival – it's a raw and unfiltered exploration of resilience, mindset, and healing. Cat speaks with remarkable vulnerability about: • Facing trauma and physical recovery head-on • The quiet power of journaling and mindset work • Grieving her former self and rediscovering confidence • How trauma impacts relationships and intimacy • The emotional weight of relying on others and regaining autonomy • Her evolving relationship with her body, and the strength it still carries Cat’s message is clear: You are stronger than you think. And even in your darkest moments, you can choose to keep going — hour by hour, day by day. Whether you're navigating your own healing journey or supporting someone who is, this episode is a powerful reminder that recovery isn’t linear, and that resilience is a daily decision. PRsonal socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast Harvey & Hugo’s socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo
More from PRsonal
Paul Woodhouse has hit rock bottom. And in this deeply honest episode of PRsonal, he talks about how a battle with alcohol almost cost him his life - but how he's bounced back. Paul admits drinking nine bottles of wine each day just to detox, while at his lowest ebb, he suffered frostbite while rough sleeping. Five years sober, Paul now helps others live a better life. Via PLW Fitness, he helps business leaders and their teams improve their bodies and minds with his unique set of qualifications, including counselling and personal training. Sitting down with host Charlotte, Paul shares his journey with identity, grief, addiction and recovery - and how he's living proof that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
For someone written off as 'thick' by his teachers, Sir Peter Vardy really has defied all expectations. A businessman and philanthropist, Sir Peter is a true North East success story - turning a single Ford dealership into a £500m business. On this PRsonal episode, he sits down with host Charlotte Nichols to discuss his incredible life story. From becoming the world's leading Aston Martin dealer, to growing a business with six staff into a team of 6,000 and how he now receives 150 requests a month from charities - Peter's story is unlike anyone elses. A must-watch episode featuring one of the region's greatest living businessmen. PRsonal socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast Harvey & Hugo’s socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo
PRsonal - are you ready?! In the latest episode, Charlotte is joined by a TV legend. In the 90s, Diane Youdale - aka Jet - was one of Britain's most famous faces when she starred on the ITV show, Gladiators. She discusses that experience, from the famous Lycra to signing her face on a duvet. PRsonal socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast Harvey & Hugo’s socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo
As founder of Mira Marketing, Stuart Bramley is one of the North East's leading young entrepreneurs. Before being a businessman, though, he was a very promising footballer playing for the likes of Blyth Spartans. However, in this episode of PRsonal he opens up about his lung collapsing not once but twice. He shares with host Charlotte about the challenges that brought him - especially as he was preparing to become a dad. From playing football in the USA to his first failed business - and why he now sees that as a 'blessing'. PRsonal socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast Harvey & Hugo’s socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo
Michelle Sheekey admits most of her childhood was 'pretty traumatic'. Living with an abusive and violent dad, Michelle had no idea what home would be like when she got home. Her dad would strip the house of all furniture. Sometimes he would use his belt to beat her mum. It was so bad, Michelle admits that as a very young child, her and her siblings would hide in bed and plot how they could kill him. In this emotional episode, Michelle shares the story of her harrowing upbringing - including the devastating death of her brother and being kicked out of home at 16 - and how it shaped a remarkable career. A successful coach and owner of the North East's biggest independent nursery, Michelle has defied the odds time and time again. PRsonal socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast Harvey & Hugo’s socials: Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo