HAZEL GARDINER: I Quit My Dream Job & Won Two RHS Chelsea Golds

<p>When Hazel Gardiner became seriously ill at 27, she was forced to confront the thing most of us fear most - and it completely changed the way she approached the rest of her life.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of New Chapters Podcast with Isabel Webster, Hazel opens up about being diagnosed with a rare cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and how gardening became an unexpected lifeline during treatment.</p><p><br></p><p>Before her diagnosis, Hazel had built a career in television and fashion that looked brilliant on paper. But behind the scenes she was deeply unhappy, struggling with relentless stress and anxiety and, later, PTSD. She describes simply pushing it all down, carrying on and telling herself she was fine.Unable to read or even watch television during treatment, Hazel found there was one thing she could still do - garden. That connection with nature would eventually help lead her towards an extraordinary new career and the creation of her botanical design studio, Hazel Gardiner Design.</p><p><br></p><p>Today, Hazel is a botanical designer, broadcaster and writer who has won three RHS Gold Medals - including two at the Chelsea Flower Show - and even heard Monty Don describe her work as one of his favourite things.</p><p><br></p><p>She explains why facing mortality completely changed her relationship with fear - and gave her the courage to take risks, change direction and stop worrying so much about what might go wrong.</p><p><br></p><p>Hazel also speaks movingly about her mother’s dementia and the strange grief of losing someone who is still physically here, the dangers of comparison, and why the things that don’t quite go to plan are often the ones we learn most from.</p><p><br></p><p>This is a hugely uplifting conversation about finding the courage to change direction, learning from what goes wrong and discovering what can grow when life doesn’t go to plan.</p><p><br></p><p>Season Two of New Chapters is proudly sponsored by El Pepito, bringing handcrafted Andalusian ceramics and Mediterranean style into the home.</p><p><br></p><p>Don&#39;t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE.</p><p><br></p><p>➡️ Follow me on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/isabelwebstertv/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@isabelwebstertv<br></a></p><p>📹 Watch more on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newchapterspodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@newchapterspodcast</a><br></p><p>🌿 Find Hazel: <a href="https: