Episode three - The Southwest and Wales
Category: Press Pack ArticleAmy, Carmarthen
Occupation: Pharmacist
Age: 40
Amy works part-time at a community pharmacy in a village in Wales. She has worked for the same company for the past 18 years and is a pillar of her community.
“My day job is pretty much problem solving. You've got the puzzles walking in through your door, the patient that's worrying about X, Y, and Z. So, a lot of people call me Sherlock. If there is something to solve, I need to solve it.”
What made you apply for Secret Genius?
My husband found the casting call on Facebook and suggested I’d be a good fit. I’ve always loved logic puzzles and am the first person to excitedly shout out the answers at the tv. I liked the look of the puzzles so thought I’d give it a go!
What part of the experience surprised you the most?
How much it increased my ability to have confidence in myself as a person. I struggle with imposter syndrome, although my default is to appear outgoing and confident in my work and close social circles, but I have always had crippling social anxiety, usually only evident after I’ve got home from a new environment or people. This show has changed that a lot for me, and I wasn’t expecting it to have such a lasting effect.
What did you learn about the way your own brain works, and did it change how you see your intelligence?
I’ve always been a talker, but I never really realised just how much I talk through a problem, usually in my head, to solve it. I’m not sure it really changed how I see my intelligence as I’m still a strong believer in the fact that it is only one part of my bigger picture.
What was the moment you felt most proud of yourself during the competition?
My most proud moment, and also one I have the most doubt about, is when Alan asked me after I got through one of the stages if I expected that result. Usually I’d say no, not being falsely modest as such, but I’ve always played my achievements down. In this case I said yes, not out of arrogance, but because I knew I couldn’t have done better in that game, and if I had actually not gone through then I would have been proud to have lost out to one of my fellow contestants.
If someone watching at home doubts their own ability, what would you say to them?
Don’t hold yourself back! We all have obstacles to overcome in life, and I hadn’t realised how much I stood in my own way for a long time.
Sarah, Exeter
Occupation: Stay at home mum, crochet maker
Age: 37
Sarah is a stay-at-home mum to her one-year-old son. Prior to having her son, she used to teach herself languages during her shifts in a bar job to try to keep her mind active in quieter moments. Since having her son, she has felt the impact of ‘baby brain’ and wanted to see if Secret Genius could help give her a much-needed confidence boost.
“As a child, I was predicted straight A's, and I never lived up to those expectations. I would love for my son to see me as more than just his mum.”
What made you apply for Secret Genius?
A lack of impulse control, and thinking why not, I’d never be chosen anyway, so I have nothing to lose.
What part of the experience surprised you the most?
How close I got to the other contestants. It was such an intense experience, but having such lovely people around made it so much easier.
What did you learn about the way your own brain works, and did it change how you see your intelligence?
I’ve always known my brain is quite logical, albeit with the occasional brain fart moment, but this experience has just cemented that. Similarly, I knew I was above average intelligence, but I was shocked to find out my actual IQ. I was expecting far lower. I think I respect my brain more now, if that makes sense, and I have more faith in my intelligence now.
What was the moment you felt most proud of yourself during the competition?
Probably around the pyramid puzzle. I felt a lot of pressure being the first person to choose my partner for that game, because I really didn’t want to be the reason someone else went home. It went really well and I was so proud of us, myself and Rosie.
If someone watching at home doubts their own ability, what would you say to them?
You don’t know unless you try. Life is full of uncertainties, and it is easy to doubt yourself, sometimes you just must put yourself out there to get answers. If nothing else, you can end up with a fun anecdote.
Alex, Margate
Occupation: Assistant Headteacher
Age 33
Alex grew up in a large Greek Cypriot family and is the youngest of 5 siblings. In his role as Assistant Headteacher he loves supporting students who don’t fit into the ‘normal’ box, and encourages his kids to think about things and not to rely on ‘pre-taught’ ideas.
“When I went to secondary school, I absolutely fell out of love with education. I loved learning, but I didn't love the way that I was being taught. Countless times Mum and Dad were being called in, sent home often, head teacher's office often, and behaviour unit is where I ended up in year 9. And I kind of went down this road of OK, school isn't for me. This is a good opportunity to kind of show that intelligence can come out in many different ways.”
What made you apply for Secret Genius?
A colleague encouraged me to apply. I’ve always loved puzzles and problem-solving, and I use them regularly in my CPD sessions with staff and in activities with the children I teach. When I saw the promo puzzle, I solved it almost instantly and thought, why not give it a go? I wouldn’t describe myself as a “genius” — I just genuinely enjoy getting stuck into problems and figuring things out.
Was there a moment when you doubted yourself? If so, how did you push through it?
Honestly, almost every step of the way. From the Zoom interviews and tasks to the live audition in London, and then the actual show itself. My biggest challenge is overthinking. I tend to replay decisions in my head and question whether I’ve taken the right approach. What helped was not taking the games too seriously and focusing on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about speed or comparison. That mindset helped me relax and trust my thinking.
What did you learn about the way your own brain works, and did it change how you see your intelligence?
I’ve never identified as traditionally academic, and for a long time that influenced how I saw my intelligence. The experience helped me realise that my brain works best when it’s making patterns and connections rather than recalling facts. It shifted my perspective on what intelligence actually means.
What was the moment you felt most proud of yourself during the competition?
It was reaching a point where I felt completely content with how I’d approached the challenges. My original aim was simply to enjoy the experience and do myself justice. There was a moment when I realised, I’d accessed the games to the best of my ability and handled the pressure well. Competing on camera is very different from any other high-pressure situation I’ve been in, but I was proud that nerves didn’t stop me from showing what I could do. What people see on screen is genuinely who I am.
If someone watching at home doubts their own ability, what would you say to them?
No one will remember the times you got something wrong, made a mistake, or struggled to get it right. The only person who really holds onto that is you. So, give it a go. If you don’t succeed straight away, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it — it just means you can’t do it yet. You are your own biggest critic, but you can also be your biggest supporter.