When Tracey Bravo realised she wanted to be a mother but hadn’t met the right person to share that journey with, she made a bold decision - to go it alone.

Without knowing anyone who had taken this path before, she embarked on a deeply personal adventure: choosing to conceive via a sperm donor.

In our conversation, Tracey shares how she navigated the process, from selecting a donor to undergoing IVF. We discuss the societal perceptions of single parenthood, the challenges she faced, and the unexpected joys that made it all worthwhile.

Tracey’s story is one of courage, determination, and defying convention to create the life she dreamed of. She offers insights into the support networks she built, the lessons she’s learned, and advice for anyone considering the same route.

This is an inspiring conversation about rewriting the rules, embracing adventure in all its forms, and proving that there’s no single way to build a family.

Contact Tracey

https://www.facebook.com/traceyjbravo

Mentioned in the Podcast:

The Fertility Show: https://www.fertilityshow.co.uk/

The Donor Conception Network: https://dcnetwork.org/

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority: https://www.hfea.gov.uk/

Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in contact:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcast⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeah⁠⁠

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:20 Olympic life & travels

05:12 Reaching 30s and still not wanting to settle

07:12 Realising current relationship had no future

10:00 Being asked about freezing eggs

13:41 Unpacking the world of fertility

14:36 Co-parenting

21:13 Having conversations with current partner

26:05 Alternative Parenting Show

28:03 Plan B: Adoption

30:38 Stories like this are rare

33:32 Discovering support networks

37:24 Choosing a donor

42:46 Donor numbers

49:48 Go time & injections

56:14 IVF on next cycle

59:39 Two week wait

01:02:09 Explaining this 'alternative news'

01:07:18 People's reaction to news

01:12:00 Sharing all with Isaac

01:18:20 How Isaac deals knowing he doesn't have a father

01:20:25 What Isaac has bought to Tracey's life

01:26:08 Advice to others