About this episode

Zack George shares his experience of losing his son Leo, who was born prematurely, and discusses the charity launched in his memory.

Welcome to The Borne Podcast, the podcast that brings you stories of research, resilience, and real-life experiences of pregnancy and preterm birth.   Join Ellie Gibson, Caro Tasker and Professor Mark Johnson as they bring together parents, experts, and scientists to share their stories with honesty and compassion. We talk about the science, but we also talk about hope, heartbreak, courage, and the small victories that mean everything. Because every insight, every conversation, and every breakthrough moves us towards a future where more babies can arrive safely, at the right time.   In this episode, Ellie and Caro are joined by Zack George, known to millions of Gladiators fans as Steel. He’s CrossFit athlete, won the title of the UK's Fittest Man in 2020, before joining the Gladiators team in 2024. He lives in Leicester with his wife Samantha and daughter Ivy. In March 2025, their son, Leo, was born prematurely at just 23 weeks, and spent 13 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary before he died. Zack and Samantha have launched a charity in Leo’s memory - Leo and Friends - which supports families facing the challenges of neonatal care…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ellie Gibson, Caro Tasker, Professor Mark Johnson

Guest: Zack George

Topics covered

• premature birth
• neonatal care
• charity
• parenting
• resilience
• health

Keywords

• premature birth
• neonatal intensive care
• Zack George
• Leo and Friends
• parenting
• charity
• resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Leo and Friends

Places: Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary

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