A LOAD OF BS ON SPORT

Join us as we dive into the mind of Sir Andrew Strauss , one of England's greatest cricket captains. From leading his team to Ashes glory twice to navigating the highs and lows of elite sport, Strauss shares powerful insights on leadership, resilience, and life beyond the game. This is a conversation about more than runs and wickets—it's about legacy, culture, and what it truly means to...

In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport , we’re joined by rugby legend Bryan Habana . From his unforgettable debut with South Africa to winning the 2007 World Cup, Bryan opens up about the highs and lows of his storied career. We dive into the pressures of being a superstar, the mental battles behind the scenes, and what life looks like after rugby. This is an inspiring and candid conversation wi...

Ever wondered what it's really like to revive a football club from the brink? In this episode, we’re joined by Charlie Methven, football executive and co-owner of Charlton Athletic. Charlie shares his journey from the chaos at Sunderland to building stability, offering a rare insight into the cultural challenges, leadership struggles, and what it truly takes to turn a club around. Show Notes:...

In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport , we sit down with Shaun Edwards , the legendary defence coach of the French national rugby team and a former playing great who has shaped the careers of countless athletes, including our very own Dan Biggar. We dive deep into Shaun’s coaching philosophy, the cultural nuances of rugby and the secrets behind building a winning mentality. Show notes: Coaching...

In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport , Tour de France winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist Geraint Thomas joins Dan Ross and Dan Biggar for an in-depth conversation about the grueling demands of professional cycling, the mental toughness required to succeed, and the simple pleasures that keep him grounded. From training at altitude to navigating the pressures of racing, Geraint shares can...

This week, the two Dans welcome their Rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson to the pod. You will be hard pressed to find a more eloquent, thoughtful and deep thinking sportsman than Jonny. In this episode, we discuss: - Dan B's and Jonny's French grammar tips - Reputation from youngster to oldie - Jonny's bizarre sense of humour - Jonny's 3 personality archetypes: warrior, saviour & m...

Welcome to Series 3 of A Load of BS - very much on Sport now! I am thrilled to be sat alongside Welsh Rugby Union and British Lions star Dan Biggar as my new co-host. In this opening episode, as Dan and Dan get to know each other, we explore the mental aspects of top end sports performance, including handling pressure, technical soundness, and the evolution of Dan's mindset throughout his car...

This is the story of a decade long campaign to make contact sport safe. In this episode, we welcome award winning author and journalist Sam Peters alongside Rugby Union World Cup winner Lewis Moody. Sam has just won The Sports Writing Award at the Charles Tyrwhitt Book Awards for Concussed: Sport's Uncomfortable Truth , not only a fine piece of writing, but moreover a recognition for an ongoi...

This week, we are joined by ex All Black Rugby Union legend Sean Fitzpatrick . Sean was part of the team which won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, and then captained the team subsequently. He is now Chairman at Laureus World Sports Academy. Sean is an all round lovely guy! It was a huge pleasure talking to him. Show notes Sean’s rugby background and story His on and off the field style Imposter s...

Two old friends reunite for an unique conversation as we kick off a new mini-series for BS on Sport today exploring partnerships and what makes them great.  Today is a pretty damn good opener as yin and yang partnerships go. We have a huge treat as we are talking to 2 icons of British sport, certainly of the cricket world; Mike Brearley and Lord Botham of Ravensworth, otherwise known as Ian Botham...

This week, we are joined by Caspar Berry . Caspar started out in acting aged 16 actor in BBC show Byker Grove with “Ant and Dec”. At Cambridge he had commercial success directing award-winning short films and TV commercials, then went on to write two feature films which were produced by Film Four and Columbia Tri Star before he had graduated.  Aged 26, he decided to take a risk and move to Las Veg...

This week, we are joined by esteemed sports psychologist Andrea Furst . With a career that spans continents and disciplines, Andrea is an extremely well respected, established figure in the realm of sports psychology, known for her work with elite athletes across a wide spectrum of sports—from golf and sailing to tennis, hockey, rugby, cricket and beyond. Indeed, among other, she is currently the...

This week, we are joined by former England international cricketer Nick Compton. Nick is the grandson of the great Dennis, but a very fine 1st class cricketer in his own right playing for Middlesex, Somerset and 16 tests for England scoring 2 centuries in that time. Nick wrote his memoir 'Legacy' just last year and it is a moving, poignant, searingly honest, at times harrowing story of s...

This week, we are joined by Ben Stookesberry , legendary white water expedition kayaker whose death defying exploits on some of the most extreme rapids in the world are nothing short of awe inspiring. “In the last 4 years alone I’ve made dozens of first descents on six continents from the tropics to the Arctic with long time kayaking partners Chris Korbulic and Pedro Oliva,” says Ben. “In total I...

This week, we are joined by former professional footballer, now broadcaster and author Pat Nevin . Pat had a long and successful career on the pitch, but his hinterland is arguably richer. He was a darting winger for Chelsea, Everton, Tranmere Rovers and Scotland, but also chairman of the Professional Footballers Association, player/CEO at Motherwell, an ardent anti-racism campaigner as well as lo...

This week, we are joined by Mo Bobat , until recently Performance Director at the English Cricket Board, now fulfilling the same role with IPL team the Royal Challengers Bangalore. We discuss how elite athletes and teams harness mental strength and innovative strategies to achieve greatness. From the art of managing maverick talents to the science behind creating cohesive, high-performing teams, M...

In this first in a new series, we talk to former England international, Kent and Middlesex cricketer Ed Smith . Ed is also a prolific writer and broadcaster, past England national selector and now founder of the Institute of Sports Humanities which teaches a unique degree in sports leadership. We talk about: What sport and cricket mean to Ed What the study of history has taught Ed about sport The...

Dr Grace Lordan is an Associate Professor at the London School of Economics in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science. She is also Founding Director there of The Inclusion Initiative which focuses on bringing together teaching, research and practice to build more inclusive work environments. She has also written a book which I personally took huge value from, 'Think Big: Take...

I welcome this week the behavioural scientist Patrick Fagan, described by comedian David Mitchell as a "Mother Superior in nipple tassels". He's also a former Cambridge Analytica man, if your minds can take you back to that scandal and time in history. Patrick is the author of Hooked whose by-line is 'Why cute sells and other marketing magic we just can't resist. And by th...

We're back and firing with the final part in my mini-series with the wonderful Dave Blakely, Executive VP at venture builder Mach49, talking innovation, design and creativity in organisations. In this episode, we talk about risk taking, storytelling, how we live in partnership with AI and the invention of Scrabble. And plenty more. Show notes Do corporations take enough risk? What do we mean...

Today is the second in my A Load of BS on Best Behaviour with Dave Blakely, Executive VP at venture builder and super growth builder Mach49 , who I continue to be delighted to collaborate with on this mini-series of conversations on innovation, design and creativity in organisations; answering questions on how we move leaders and teams to change their behaviour, to lose their conservatism and scep...

Today is the first in a 3-part series with Dave Blakely, an extraordinarily talented, sharp-witted and humble man whom I’m so happy to be collaborating with and indeed his company Mach49 where he is Executive Vice President. We talk innovation, creativity, design and the vagaries of the human condition. Check out some of the amazing work Mach49 does driving growth and building new ventures with so...

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I welcome Nate Barr and Shannon O’Malley to wrap up my series with the BEworks team. We share our highlights of the series and what the future holds for BS and BEworks. Show notes Surprises and learning: what does it really mean to be a behavioural scientist practitioner? Issues at the centre of our zeitgeist: our money, healthcare, sustainability Meeting the drop in the bucket challenge Understan...

I welcome David Thomson , VP and Head of the Sustainability Practice at BEworks. Dave is a cognitive experimental psychologist working with large multinational corporations and governments on behaviour change challenges such as electricity consumption reduction, adoption of energy efficient technology and food waste reduction; all of which we touch on in the podcast. Show notes How do we bridge th...