That Lionesses Podcast - Clinton & Park: Sauna Laughs, 3 AM Ice Baths & Semi-Finals! | That Lionesses Podcast Connected by EE

Episode Date: July 21, 2025

Joining Harriet to look ahead to the semi-final match against Italy is Grace Clinton and Jess Park! The pair discuss the focuses in training and what getting to the final would mean to them both personally.  Plus they share some iconic stories from their trip to the sauna, getting caught in a storm and who got in the ice bath at 3am. Follow @lionesses on Instagram, WhatsApp and X, plus @england on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube so you don’t miss a thing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Well, we were thinking that me and Hempie could be like the camp like hairdressers if anybody needs a quick trim But we can only do straight cuts, but I don't think I want you to right well I can I feel like it's time for you to set the record straight because it sounds like you lie I'm glad that I can now get my side of the story across We also had like an experience in the spa but that's for another time No no it's for now. now. Are we doing this? Tell me what happened. No, we can't.

No, no, go on. Yes, your energy is so gorgeous to be around. I mean, to be fair, both of you. If you let me, you'll be in my centre. Hello and welcome to That Lioness' podcast, Connected by EE. I'm Harriet Rose and today we are counting down the hours until England face Italy in the semi-final. I can't wait. Coming up we're going to be hearing about how training has been going plus a little bit about some extracurricular

activities the girls have been enjoying and who are they I hear you ask? It's Jess Park and Grace Clinton. Hello, how are you both? Really good, thanks. Sorry, that was a pause there. You weren't sure? No, I thought Jess was going to answer. This is going to happen a lot, isn't it? We're very polite to each other, me and Jess. Why? Because we're best friends. Besties. Do you have a do-little, do you have a handshake or anything?

No. Oh, no we do, yeah we do. Wait, it's this. Well that's a bit of an ick. Is it? Missing a high five. It's the joke isn't it? You meant to do it.

No, I, basically I sort of do it to annoy people. So people like Esme, it really annoys. But then I realised that she was doing it so then I did it. So then. I think it annoys me because I do it, like, not deliberately. When I high five someone, I always miss and I'm really bad at clapping. So I think that's why it's like jarring for people

because it makes you feel like you've let everyone down. It is really annoying. Yeah, but you give good hugs, so the yin and the yang. Jess, when we had Esme on recently, she said, you and Lauren cut her hair. Yes. At St. George's Park, which again, something that really stressed me out. But that you slightly hyped up your abilities.

I feel like it's time for you to set the record straight because it sounds like you lied. I'm glad that I can now get my side of the story across because it does sound like I've lied and I did. Technically I did. It does sound like I lied because I lied. So my mum, when I grew up, she used to say, oh, I used to work as a hairdresser. So in my opinion, my mum was a hairdresser.

So I said to Esme, oh, my mum's a hairdresser. I know what I'm doing. And then it turns out my mum used to sweep the floors of a hairdresser's salon. So she didn't actually... She touched the hair, but just when it was already off her head. Yeah. So she had no qualifications to cut hair. Right. So how long have you been living a lie is what I really want to know. Oh, years. She used to cut my hair when I was younger and she still says it now.

I'll cut it for you. I used to be a hairdresser. So then when Esme's mum said, oh, Jess and Lauren cut Esme's hair because you used to be a hairdresser, my mum was like, I was never a hairdresser. So then it looks like I lied. So I was like, mum, you've really lied me out there. Like really.

I did not know any of this happened. Sorry, this is incredible that your mum mugged you off in such a way. Like denied any wrongdoing for a whole life. She's like, I've never said that. I literally, when she told me that she said that, I said, mum, now it looks like I've lied to everyone. But I mean, I think we did a brilliant job, so never mind. You did do a brilliant job. And can I just say, I will actually back you on this. You

haven't lied. Your mum lied. Yeah. No offence to your mum. No offence to your mum. It was false information that, yeah. No offense to your mum, but I mean, our parents do tell us lies to get us. White lies. Yeah. My parents told me they met in the circus, and I believed that till I was about 18.

As they told me that my dad was a knife, this is not a joke. Would make sense. Why would it make sense? Why would that make sense? Like that's offensive and I don't even understand why. Like I don't understand why. Because you're funny.

Because I'm a clown? No, funny people in the circus. Grace you've dug a hole. That was a joke. No, Grace, I didn't like it and now I'm looking at it. No actually, tell me the biggest lie that your parents have ever told you. As penance for being so mean. the biggest lie that your parents have ever told you. As penance for being so mean. The biggest lie. Did you ever get a growing up lie, I'm thinking along the

lines of carrots seeing in the dark. Yeah but that's, everyone got that. Yeah. No you've got truthful parents? Yeah pretty much yeah. Good for you. Yeah. Good for you. Can you tell my mum to stop telling fibs? No, do you know what? Can we tell, actually, please, Jess's mum, keep lying. Keep creating the drama. I'm living for it. No, because I have to live through it and then I look like the lion.

Jess is like the least bad person ever as well. She would have been traumatised by that. I was actually like, as I am so sorry, I'm glad that we like bad person ever as well. She would have been traumatized by that. I wouldn't be bothered. I was actually like, as I am so sorry, I'm glad that we cut your hair straight. If it makes you feel better, I would let you cut my hair. Okay, we have done two other people since. Okay.

And they were happy with their hair too. You're gonna open up a salon? Well, we were thinking that me and Hempie could be like the camp like hairdressers if anybody needs a quick trim, but we can only do straight cuts. Right, it is literally, no check-bobs. It's proper straight.

It's not like layers, we're not doing that. We can do a little bit, you know, when you get the front bit in your, I can do that, but. I don't think I want you to. Right, well, I can. Just straight. I can.

If you would want that. Yeah, we'll see. Let's see how long we like, are here, and then maybe I will need it. Grace, now you would want that. Yeah, we'll see. Let's see how long we like are here and then maybe I will need it. Grace, now you're in the hot seat because I've heard that you like doing ASMR. You've seen how I've slightly changed my voice to match your level.

ASMR. ASMR, why is it you like ASMR so much? Because it's so satisfying. But is it satisfying for you to listen to or to just do it? I could fall asleep to ASMR. To yourself doing ASMR? No, it's not as effective.

I couldn't fall asleep talking. I probably could. Obviously you'd have to record yourself and not saying that you fall asleep to yourself giving yourself ASMR. Wait, hold on. So talk me through your favourite ASMRs because there's different ones there's eating there's like and then there's like speaking and then there's

popping things, tapping. Specifically eaten but also you like eating ASMR, interesting. But also, you know, like little... Sometimes people have these bottles and they like roll them down the stairs and that. Oh, I do like that. I do like that. The one that goes like... I mean, I suppose that's not very quiet, but specifically eating, I would say.

Okay, right. Do you want to give us a little example? Maybe we can... You want me to put it in the food? If we can... I know I haven't got food. What do you mean? You don a little example? Maybe we can, if we, we can... What do you mean? What do you mean? You don't have to, you can do this. Well, I'm not an actress as well, so I'm pretending to eat now.

No, or you can just give us a little bit of ASMR and we can then record it and give it to you to go to sleep with. Okay. Hi guys, it's Grace Clifton. I wish that I could do an ASMR mukbang. That was really good. What did you say? You wish you could do an ASMR mukbang. Have you ever seen them? Mukbang. Gosh, you really need to get with it. I do apparently. You do. So basically they'll be like whispering and then they'll like eat food and that. Have you ever seen like, especially crunchy things,

sounds really good. I would say crisps I will do. I will do, I'll listen to that. Should we do it together? Well eat some crisps on mic. Sure. We have to whisper. Yeah, I know how am ASMR.

Okay. So maybe we should talk to some people, get you an ASMR deal, then when we come out of this, you can just start eating crisps for a living. Yeah, maybe like protein shakes, you know, maybe I'll get some healthy ASMR videos on the go. Protein bar, I think that would be good because there's sometimes nuts in it. Yeah, crunchy. Crunchy.

Popcorn's not too bad for you. Popcorn would be a good one. Popcorn, have you seen popcorn AMR? AMR, ASMR? AMR? No. Well, we found a loophole. I actually do think.

A gap in the market. It's niche. Yeah. That do healthy food ASMR. Yeah, because then you're not encouraging people you know, to eat crisps all the time. Yeah. Not only professional footballer, but health-driven ASMR legend.

Wow. I can't wait for this new leg of your career. Well, you'll be doing it with me. Yes, it will be a double act. I'll be eating crisps. You can eat popcorn. So last time I had you both on the podcast, England hadn't played a game yet, and now you've only gone and got yourselves in the semi-final. Can you believe that's happened over the past few weeks?

I think like for us especially being our first tournament like it's like a feeling that you kind of dreamed of like you could never quite tell like what that feeling is it's just pure like Like, how's this gonna go? We're ready. I don't know how to explain it. It's one of the best feelings. I hear that a lot and I can completely understand. I'm sure you can't name the feeling,

but it's just extremely fab. What about you, Grace? Yeah, I'm the same. It's like a lot of firsts. So you don't really know what to expect. I think that's the most exciting thing. It's also been nice that we've got to do it together because we've like a lot of firsts. So you don't really know what to expect. I think that's the most exciting thing. It's also been nice that we've got to do it together because we've done a lot of things together.

We've got each other through moments and stuff, but it's been very surreal and a once in a lifetime experience. And I think sometimes you have to just pinch yourself and be like, we're here and we're doing it. It's gone so quick. I can't believe it's the semis next i can't no and i really felt like at the last game i was like oh no i i'd sort of like forgotten that we might have to go home after yeah that's literally i literally said

this just before the game like oh my god like we could we never thought we would, but we could have to like leave tonight and none of us wanted that at all. It was crazy. We hadn't packed, we hadn't like, I was like, oh my God, we're not gonna do another podcast again. And you were devastated. I was devastated.

So were you saying that you pushed as hard as you did because you wanted to come back on the podcast? Yeah. I knew it. No, honestly. the podcast is what's driving me. It really is. No, but I actually always had the feeling at the game that I just that wasn't going to be just I don't know. I think that was all around the squad, like everybody.

I think we always had this feeling that we weren't going home that night and it wasn't going to happen. No matter what the score got to, whatever, we just had this feeling that we weren't going home that night and it wasn't gonna happen no matter what the score got to whatever we just had this feeling that we still weren't going home. And please keep that. Yeah. Thank you. As it's your first tournament I'm interested to know what has surprised you the most about the Euros. I mean I said on the first podcast like I didn't quite believe how great this place would be, how amazing it was when we got here,

the rooms that we have. And I think as it's gone on, it has got longer, it's harder to be away in things, but the team connection is something you can't really explain. It's so close-knitted. You have your close friends, but you could sit with anyone

and you can have good conversations and just be there for each other and just all be like in the same bubble and got the same goal. And it's quite nice. Like, I didn't really expect that. To have that support when you are obviously gonna get homesick.

It's obviously, it's a long period of time away from home, but it's almost like creating that home away from home is what makes it all worth it, right? Yeah, 100%. And I think doing it with the people that you care about, like your friends and your family being here and things, it's just an incredible feeling. Oh, I love that. We're going to talk about how training's been going shortly, but first, I think you had some downtime yesterday. What did you get up to? Oh, well, actually...

Oh, gosh. We had a bit of a mare, but actually, it depends how you look at it, because I really enjoyed that, don't know about you. I did, got dragged through it. Wait, what? I'm desperate to know what it was now. So we, you know, we went to the, like,

we done all of our things, recovery, blah blah, we went to a coffee shop, and it was right by the lake, gorgeous weather, everything was beautiful, wasn't it? Next minute, it started raining. Oh, I was out also, yeah. And then we was with Anna, and she was like, right, I'm gonna have to book an Uber,

and I was like, what, an Uber? Come on, let's just buy home. And then Jess was like, oh, I don't know what to do, and I was like, come on, Jess, and she was like, oh, okay. And it was, it was like we decided to fully clove, jump in the lake, get out and cycle home. And actually, I felt like I was in a movie. It did feel a little bit like one of them movie scenes

in the rain where you're just like. Was it a horror movie? Because it sounds like it. It was one of them where it wasn't like freezing cold rain. It was quite warm. Yes, it is hot rain here. So it was quite like, it was refreshing. And it was cleansing us.

And it was like, yeah, it was very nice. It was cleansing us. That's what it was doing. I'm proud of you for getting out there and really embracing Switzerland for what it is. Gorgeous bike rides in the freezing cold rain. Well actually, no hot rain. Very unpredictable weather, don't you think? Yes and in five seconds it'll be boiling hot and then it's literally like a thunderstorm. It really is. We also had like an experience

in the spa but that's for another time. No no it's for now. Are we doing this? Tell me what happened. No we can't. No no go on. Go on you tell the story. I'm not telling the story, you came up with, you've come up with this now. Basically, me and Jessie were just in the sauna ready to like cleanse ourselves and then we go and get a shower and had to go out and then next minute, this woman's walking around

and then like bang, drops a gown. I knew this was gonna happen. Walks into the sauna and she's naked and me and Jess are like don't look don't look We're in the sauna like don't look but don't make her feel uncomfortable because wear clothes like obviously Hey anyone would be, it's a funny thing isn't it because it's like I am just going to give the most eye contact I've ever given.

Because I'm not... But she kept on talking to us in the sauna. So I was like, I was pretending I was sweating so much. I was like, yeah. And at one point, it got to a point where we were all just sat looking straight like this, but having a conversation down the line because... She got the memo. We, she got the memo.

We didn't know we were like this. Don't look, don't look, don't look. And shout out to her, don't look. And shout out to her, the naked lady. We send you our best wishes. She's probably gonna see this. No, she's not gonna see this. She's not.

She's not. And it turns out I was the naked woman. Oh, Chris. Imagine. That would be so funny. Right, let's compose ourselves. I don't know if I can. No, let's compose. I'll give you a sec. Okay, thank you. I've gone here.

Do you want another story while she has? Yes! Yes, please. So, I was getting, taking ages to get ready and I couldn't put my necklace on for ages. Oh, this is funny. Yeah. And then I walked out of my room and I said, oh, sorry, Jessie, I couldn't put my necklace on.

And she just based out laughing at me. And I was like, oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm on for ages. And then I walked out of my room and I said, oh sorry Jessie, I couldn't put my necklace on.

And she just based out laughing at me. And I was like, okay, that's funny. And she was like, why couldn't you put your knickers on? It's her accent. Knickers and necklace sound really similar to you. So in my head I'm thinking what's she doing? What have you done? Hey, no judgment here.

Five minutes to put your knickers on. I was like, what's the problem? But I looked at her with such confusion, and then I could not stop laughing. And you were looking at me like, what the hell are you laughing at? What is wrong with you? Come on, let's go now.

But I like the fact that you were kind of just like, I'll just let her laugh at my face. Also, if she genuinely did take five minutes to put her knickers on, you should probably have been more sympathetic. Well, this is why my face was like concerned. I said, I've been insinuating this. But laughing. Well, I'm glad you are fine with your knickers and maybe you can get someone to help you

with your necklaces for future. I've seen her in the bathroom tripping over my head. That's what I was thinking to myself. As soon as she said that, she's imagining me putting my knickers on now. Well, I think everyone is, so. Right, let's move on. Right, stop it now, Jessie.

We need to get to the point. We need to get to the point. We're never getting anywhere now. No, honestly. But it is lovely to see what a gorgeous friendship you two have. Thank you. Because if you can't get confused that your friend said Nick is, in fact they said necklace and you can't laugh and almost wear yourself, then what is the point in friendship?

Interaction. Right, we're going to talk about training. So, you've been hard at work preparing for the semi-final against Italy, guys. I'm so excited. What have been the main focuses ahead of the next match? Well, obviously, we had quite an intense game the other day. Just a little? Yeah, so we needed to do quite a bit of recovery time. But obviously, we're back on the grass today.

And it was mainly focuses on ourselves. Again, I feel like I always say this to you, but it genuinely is like focusing on our super strengths and getting back into the rhythm of being on the pitch and getting connected again. But yeah, I think for the Italy game, I think we just need to be our best and not underestimate them as a team because they've got so far in the competition, they've done so well against the other team. So I think, yeah, the main focus is don't underestimate them, they're a really good side and stick to doing our strams well. Yeah, I mean, it's a nerve-racking kind of thing for the fans, but also to see how calm you guys are.

And like you say, you're just focused getting into the place that you need to be ahead of the game. It's been really nice hearing some of the more experienced players like Lucy saying how much they appreciate everyone has a role to play in this team even if they aren't in the starting 11. Tell us about this from the other side, do you guys learn a lot from seeing how the likes of Lucy, Alessia, Alex train and respond during the tournament? Yeah, definitely. I think I've always been a player

that does like to look at the older players and see what they do and if I could use it and how I can become better. And I think it's like really good to like see that fight and desire and they literally never gave up on the pitch that day. And I think that was like really, really like for me, like, wow. Yeah. That's amazing. like to watch plays that you know do that I

think I went around everyone at the end and said like that was incredible stepping up to take a penalty you as well I said to you like that's such a that's such a proud moment regardless of the outcome that you should be so proud of yourself that you actually stood up and took one I said the same thing to less same thing to Alex like it's so hard actually stood up and took one. I said the same thing to Les, same thing to Alex. It's so hard to stand up and take a penalty, so to do that, that's so brave, and I think you have to take a little.

And it's your first tournament. Yeah, no, that was me first, pen in a pen, shoot out and stuff, and to be honest, it just motivated me to wanna do it again now. Yeah, it's really, really good for me to learn from and stuff, but people like Lucy, when you just look at her, she's just the ultimate professional. Actually, another story, God, I got low today.

We were watching Lovand on catch up after the game, as you do. Sorry, after that game? Yeah, because none of us were sleeping. No, it's just quite funny. I was sat like this in my bed. Just like Dracula. But that would have been a cop in. If this in my bed. Just like Dracula. Oh my God.

You know, coughing. But that would have been a, if we went to bed. So we were like, no. No one can sleep after games, never mind games like that. Especially me, gosh. Man in the races. And then next minute, the adverts come on and we see Lucy, I've literally got a picture of her

in the ice bath at 3 a.m. in the morning just while the Leand adverts are on Wait on telly wait She went during the adverts outside Because we have an ice bath outside. I've got a picture of her on my phone. She was in an ice bath during the Lovand adverts Like she is inspiring. Yeah 3 a.m. Ice bath is something that None of us could conceive as a viable option, I don't think. Crazy.

Like they're the people that we're surrounded by and that we get to laying off every day. Which I really- And they push you to do things better yourself, like you look at that and you think, oh, maybe next time I'll get in. You know what I mean, so. I won't be.

Maybe that's how you feel. No, but like you say, you need that. You need that kind of, you need to see that resilience. You need to see that strength. And, you know, as you said, it's incredible to get up and do that in your first tournament. Like, and to learn and to grow and to move on is exactly what you're here to do.

Yeah, I am doing like 10,000 pens after every session now. Just like now. Listen, I could never. And like the skill and the intensity and the energy that you guys have is unbelievable. I haven't got a word to say. Like I think you guys are incredible. What would it mean to you both to win this next game

and make it to the final of the Euros 2025? Crazy. Yeah. I don't think there's words like... Yeah. I think it's just like, the only thing you can think is like... Speechless. Gosh.

Don't know what I was going to say then. You go... You're allowed to be speechless and she's having a laughing fit again. No, I'm back. It's fine. You're allowed to be speechless and she's having a laughing fit again. No, I'm back, it's fine. Yes, your energy is so gorgeous to be around. I mean, to be fair, both of you. Excuse me.

If you let me be in my sentence. I know. Both of you. You're not joining my ASMR. No, we've got a joint venture, you can't back out now. Both of you, it's just so lovely and I can't imagine how it feels. But have you got any closing words for that potential that's coming up? No, I think it would be such an amazing experience for both of us. But as a team, I think the ups and downs that we've been through throughout the tournament already, I think it just feels

like I just believe in every single person and I believe in us as a team And I think if we keep on focusing on ourselves and really play to our strengths I don't doubt that we can you know get there and go all the way because we have got such an amazing squad and Like squads like these don't last forever. So I really sort of want to Take it with what's the word two hands? Take it take the opportunity take it with, what's the word, two hands? Take it, take the opportunity. Take it with two hands. You heard it in the first.

Idiot. What is the quote? Grace Clinton, 2025. Take it with both hands. Grab it with both hands. There we go, you were close to them. I think take it with both hands is fine. Take it with both hands,

because yeah, we've got such a special group. Yes, you have and it's wonderful to see. Jess and Grace, thank you so much for being amazing guests on that Lionesses podcast. Connected by EE, wishing you all the best of luck for the semi-final. All the fans here in Switzerland and back home

are behind you. We've got your backs, we cannot wait to be there cheering you on. If you haven't already, clear your diaries for Tuesday at 8pm BST because it is going to be one hell of a semi-final and I'm so excited. We need to hear you loud and proud. Let me see how my nerves do this time around. Right, okay, thank you so much guys. Bye!