Podium Podcast

Welcome to the season 3 review of Podium Podcast! An opportunity to look back over season highlights; for regular host Simon Hartley to ably pick out the most valuable performance lessons and insights, and for stand-in host, BWC Media Director, Justin Perkins, not to venture off on some unrelated tangent! From David Campese’s quest for creativity to Paula Dunn seizing the moment, it’s a bumper 20 minutes showcasing some of season 3’s best bits. Enjoy!

If you could bottle determination you’d want whatever Chemmy Crawford-Alcott (née Alcott) takes, such is her drive and ambition to achieve her objectives. The mum of 2 retired from Alpine ski racing almost a decade ago, but not before competing in 3 Olympics and 6 World Championships, bagging herself a bunch of broken bones along the way. Chemmy opens up to Tom and Simon about how she fought her way to the slopes to become Great Britain’s most successful female ski racer.

Paula Dunn is from arguably the last golden era of world athletics; when digital media wasn’t really a thing and football not so dominant. In the 1980s and early 90s, athletics was the sport that offered us the heroes and household names. The Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Champs dominated TV screens, providing incredible moments from perhaps the purest form of physical competition. Paula was in that mix, competing at the big championships from where she would collect a medal haul that included five medals at the Commonwealth Games. Sport psychologist, Simon Hartley, picks up the conversation with the former GB 100m, 200m and sprint relay Olympian.

You sometimes forget what a damn fine footballer this week’s Podium Podcast guest was, such is the skill with which Dion Dublin handles his current TV presenting and media pundit duties. But before Match of the Day & Homes Under the Hammer there was Aston Villa, Man Utd, Celtic and several other top-flight clubs. Tom May meets the former centre-forward that has made the transition to TV work look like a walk in the park.

You’d be forgiven for thinking this week’s Podium Podcast guest might have a somewhat inflated ego about them. A former commercial jet pilot – a Captain, no less - with some of the world’s biggest airlines and the recipient of more than a few international rugby union caps, a certain self-assuredness might even be understandable. But as Tony Underwood sits down with Tom and Simon, he shows nothing but modestly and humility. A warm and inviting character, he speaks openly and honestly, offering a fascinating insight into the experience that perhaps defines his (rugby) career more than any other: that 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, where a rampant Jonah Lomu got busy etching his name into rugby folklore.  

The Leeds Rhino rugby league team of which Jamie was a key part was not short of talent. Rob Burrow, Jamie Peacock, to name but a few. But at the heart of the  team; the architect of its fortunes was Jamie's old friend and best man, Kevin Sinfield. In part 2 of this Podium Podcast, Jamie sheds some light on the inner mechanics of one of sport's most inspiring individuals.

There’s not much this week’s guest has not achieved on the rugby league field. With more than 400 appearances for his hometown club, Leeds Rhinos, he was an integral part of an iconic team that won multiple Super League Grand Finals, World Club Challenges and plenty of other silverware along the way. Meet Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

From Norwich to Charlton, Leeds to Manchester City, Danny Mills has plied his trade across the English football map, clocking up close to 350 professional appearances for club and country in the process. Danny finally hung up his boots in 2009 at the age of 32, due to an ongoing knee injury. But that hasn’t stopped him from indulging his love for long-distance running. Tom and Simon sat down with Danny just before the 2023 London Marathon to discuss life after football.

Imagine being the best in the world at what you do. You hear ‘world no. 1’ references in commentary and I often wonder if the scale of that achievement sometimes gets lost in the moment. But just pause for a second and consider it. THE WORLD NUMBER ONE. Our guest this week was just that – the best in the world at a sport beloved by millions across the world, but one that often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves: squash. Laura Massaro MBE is the first Englishwoman to hold both the British Open Championship and the World Championship at the same time, representing a pinnacle in a career that raked in a solid haul of medals across World Champs, Commonwealth Games & various other global tournaments. Tom May and Simon Hartley join Laura to discuss her time at the T and what life looks like now following her retirement in 2019.

Capped 101 times by the Wallabies, David Campese – Campo - is one of the world’s greatest ever attacking rugby players. With a lethal step and dogged self-belief, the 1991 World Cup winner left defences in tatters the world over, before retiring in 1996. Tom and Simon find out what he’s been up to since hanging up the boots, and find an opinion - or two - about the state of the modern game.  

Ed says: I was never a great follower of field hockey. As both spectator and participant my attention was taken by other sports: rugby, athletics and, somewhat left of field, gymnastics. But I am a huge fan of the Olympics. So every four years, hockey would find a place in my viewing schedule. Sean Kerly and his gold medal run at the 1998 Seoul Olympics opened the door, but it was the women’s team and their exploits at the 2016 Rio games that smashed the doors down. I cry very rarely, especially at sport. But I’ll admit to a tear escaping when the team took that epic gold. So we’re delighted to welcome the captain of that team, Kate Richardson Walsh, to this week’s Podium Podcast, with a story worthy of Hollywood, culminating in one final golden moment. Enjoy!   SUBSCRIBE for FREE from wherever you get your podcasts: https://linktr.ee/bwcmedia ---------------------------------- Thanks to our partners - True Potential LLP - for helping make Podium Podcast happen!

"With the scale of the (golf) ecosystem we came up against, you can’t just dip your toe in the water.” Mark Foster discusses all things LIV Golf and explains how the organisation is aiming to disrupt the game of golf.

The former Gloucester, Exeter Chiefs, Jersey Reds & England rugby 7s player made what seemed like a seamless transition to the finance big leagues on his retirement from pro sport in 2015, taking in the likes of Deloitte before landing his current role as Senior Vice President of Finance with one of sport’s most talked about organisations: LIV Golf. In part one of this two-part episode, we discuss Mark’s professional rugby career and learn how the transition to life after pro sport was built on real purpose and preparation.

Simon and bwc media Director, Justin (stepping in temporarily for Tom), review season 2 highlights and look ahead to what's to come in season 3, including a guest with, according to Justin, world rugby's most iconic goose step. Any guesses?

When Michael Phelps won his record eighth gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in the 4 x 100 medley final, today’s guest on Podium Podcast was there. Not there as in watching from the stands. There as in, in the pool. Racing for the GB Olympic team! It’s an almost overwhelming moment to have in the life locker; to be actively involved in one of the most iconic events in the history of sport. But Chris Cook earned the right to be in an adjacent lane. Sheer hard work and determination resulted in several other accolades, including double Olympian status and multiple Commonwealth Gold medals. He clearly knows how to swim a length or two of a pool at speed. But perhaps what’s more intriguing is how he’s transitioned to life after sport. It’s a properly considered, soul-searching approach, with all the highs and lows – and essential life lessons - that invariably come with a significant step change. Simon, Tom & Chris discuss… - Finding the courage to start afresh. - The power of silencing your ego. - Chasing real purpose, not money or medals. - The importance of doing the hard yards. Podium Podcast is brought to you by True Potential Wealth Management. To find out more, visit: www.domorewithyourmoney.co.uk

FROM PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL TO FINE ART! It’s not a phrase you hear every day, unless of course we’re talking of players buying eye-wateringly priced pieces to hang on the walls of their cavernous homes. But today’s guest is more likely to be the artist than the buyer. After playing spells with various top-flight clubs, including Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jody Cradock embraced a passion he’d held for many years and turned art into his profession, selling original work and taking on commissions from clients across the world. Tom and Simon chat to the former Premier League defender about life at the easel. Podium Podcast is brought to you by True Potential Wealth Management. To find out more, visit: www.domorewithyourmoney.co.uk

Back in 1996, Matt Bullock was embarking on a dream career as a professional footballer with one of the world’s oldest football clubs: Stoke City FC.  Five years later, in his early twenties, he suffered an ACL injury and the football dream was over. But it was just the start of a flourishing career in an alternative discipline. In a classic tale of triumph over adversity, Matt has gone on to represent some of the world’s leading sports brands, with Nike in category management, New Balance as Global Head of Product and JD Group as Head of Commercial, to name but a few. Continuing the trend, Matt is currently Chief Commercial Officer of one of the UK’s most hip apparel brands: NICCE. Tom May is back in the co-host seat this week, alongside regular sidekick: Simon Hartley.

There are perhaps few better testaments to talent than having a nickname inspired by one of the greatest British movies of all time: 1981 Oscar winner, Chariots of Fire. It’s a well-deserved title for this week’s Podium Podcast guest: Martin Chariots Offiah; scorer of arguably the greatest rugby league try ever at Wembley and holder of multiple records, from a glittering playing career spanning three decades. It’s a great insight into Martin’s time on the pitch but also an important reminder for having a purpose and focus in life after the highs of pro sport.

Podium Podcast is about all manner of professional sports folk, but we hold a special place in our hearts for those who have taken the journeyman approach, working across their sport's leagues, wherever their expertise is valued. Ryan Vesce, this week's guest on Podium Podcast, is in no way short of talent. He attended the prestigious Cornell University, before representing the San Jose Sharks in the NHL. But he was also a sporting nomad, playing in Russia, Finland, Switzerland and Croatia, before returning to his native North America to set up in business, including his current focus: Matterhorn Fit. It's a fascinating journey and a cracking listen!

Pro sport is a brutal recruitment environment. A tiny percentage of athletes ever get there. When the sport of choice is American Football and the budding pro athlete is an Englishman, the prospects are especially bleak!  So to find a spot with one of the sport’s leading teams, NFL’s San Diego Chargers (now called Los Angeles Chargers), before carving out a playing and coaching career with professional clubs across Europe, is no small feat. That’s a small insight into the CV of this week’s Podium Podcast guest, Jason Brisbane! Jason’s transition to the white collar world is no less impressive, with roles as Head of Community and Grassroots Development for NFL International in London, before his current tenure as CEO of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR). It’s a fascinating career journey for a man who is now heading up GB’s charge in one of the most exhilarating and under-appreciated sports on the planet. If you haven’t tried wheelchair rugby, change that in 2023! Prefer to watch? Follow Podium Podcast on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oL3GgzhCCqWnXJQ6En40g -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Podium Podcast is brought to you by True Potential LLP To find out more, please visit: www.domorewithyourmoney.co.uk