Happiness Is with Bruce Aitchison

GRAV was a bit before my time, but his legend is alive and well. Folk from all nations talk so fondly of him and I know he had a story to tell. When I saw the GRAV show was coming to the Edinburgh Festival (on my doorstep), I wanted to know more and ordered my ticket.  I also contacted the man himself of the one man show, Gareth J Bale to talk about the show, the story and GRAV. I loved it. I...

I've watched Jamie Coffey at work as a physio for Edinburgh Rugby, totally oblivious to what he was dealing with.  His wife, Emma, gave birth to their twin sons, Hamish and Campbell, 10 weeks early.  The twins were cared for in the Simpsons Baby Unit in Edinburgh and that inspired them to tell their story, and the rest of the Coffey Clan joined in a crazy challenge to raise funds and awa...

Dallen Stanford is a magnificent human, full of positivity, he brings sunshine and warmth to all he meets and to those who listen to him talk rugby. I have admired him from afar for a long time on social media and we shared a similar story of travelling to the US to play rugby, he stuck around longer than me and made it home.  I was delighted he found time in his busy schedule to come on the...

I watched No Woman No Try and loved it. I cried too. The game has come so far but has a lot further to go. With GAME CHANGERS like Victoria Rush, the future is bright, but still with challenges. I was delighted Victoria made some time in her incredibly busy schedule to have chat. Motivational, humble, inspirational and funny, I loved it, I hope you enjoy listening.  Happiness is Egg Shaped If...

When I saw that #TheatreLand was to use #ClubLand as the setting for a play on Mental Health I had to know more. Having played a 4 night run in Peckham, I caught up with Director Daniel Blake to hear how it went and the plans for taking the show on the road. I got to see a recorded show, I can't wait to see it live. I loved the chat. I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shaped Support our...

Anna Caplice is a force of nature. Uncompromising on and off the field. Anna speaks for the 1st time since her retirement from international rugby with Ireland and she is determined to use her platform to make the game better those who come after her. She should be listened to, she is passionate and informed and willing to work hard. We talk Rugby, life, travel, music, Riverdance and more. I absol...

I've known Andy Muir for a long time and have watched and admired his journey. Making his passion his job, alongside his best mate fills with pride and wee bit of jealously. I've been with Coach Logic from the early days, and still use it now. It's a powerful tool and Muiro and Cairnsy are doing great things. I loved chatting to Andy. I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shaped Support our...

At the start there was list. Damian Hughes was on the list, I thought it was a long shot, but definitely worth a shot.  I have read his books, followed him on social media, listened to his podcasts & observed him from afar and absolutely love his work. After a false start (because I can't read a timetable), I managed to find a very small window of time in his incredibly busy calendar to r...

Nathan Hines arrived in Scotland from Australia to go walkabout. He always seems relaxed about life & rugby and he was blissfully unaware that his 6 months travelling would turn into years spent as a professional player in Scotland, England, Ireland, France & representing Scotland & the British & Irish Lions amd starting his family so far from home. I always love talking to him and...

The 40 year anniversary of the first ever women's Rugby international in Utrecht is this year. There is a lot going on to mark the occasion.  Annelies Acda is a former Dutch international, passionate about the growth of the game and her country. She is right at the heart of the planning and her enthusiasm is inspiring. I loved chatting to her, I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shap...

40 years ago the first ever women's Rugby International took place in Utrecht, the Netherlands. This June, to mark that historic event, a weekend of activities is planned, including an international match between the Netherlands & Belgium. The trailblazers of that 1st fixture will also be in attendance. Brigette Johnston is a Kiwi ON TOUR, working tirelessly to raise the profile of Rugby and t...

The Women's 6 Nations has smashed glass ceilings all over Europe, the players are growing in status, coverage is improving & the following continues multiply. These players & teams stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before. 40 years ago, in the Dutch city of Utrecht, the very first Women's Rugby International took place between the Netherlands & France. I had the honour of s...

Russell Anderson has played at the highest level, winning trophies as captain and representing Scotland. He is passionate about making the world a better place & has created an amazing foundation to do just that for thousands of kids and families over the last 10years. Combined with the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, the golf event at Meldrum House will help to raise funds and awareness for both...

My mate Bruce!  Many moons ago, I met Bruce Douglas as part of the Scottish Schools u18 team. Quiet, massive, likeable and a very good player. The only one of the group to go on to win a full cap. His journey is a great story, he's a smart guy, Rugby isn't his everything and he is now a successful businessman. I love speaking to him, I love listening to him and I was delighted when he agreed...

🙏PLEEEEEEEEEASE GET INVOLVED🙏 I caught up with my mate Gordy Reid about the Great Rugby Shirt Raffle. Gordy Reid, my mate Sean ( Fill Your Boots ) & me are trying to raise 💰💰💰 for a bunch of charities by raffling off signed rugby shirts. We don't want to auction them, we want them to be available to more people. Have a look at the Great Rugby Shirt Raffle page on Facebook, Instagram &...

From Teviothead to Tokyo... Louise Dalgliesh is coaching the Japanese national team, a looooong way from home! Her rugby journey started in Hawick, where her photograph hangs proudly in the Mansfield clubrooms with her fellow Internationals.  A PE teacher by trade, a player, a coach and a role model. I loved catching up with her, I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shaped Support our...

Stuart Thom has been very good to me. He gave me opportunities to host online quiz nights to raise funds & awareness for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, these gave me the confidence to host Doddie Live shows and eventually, this podcast series. He has been relentless in his fundraising for Doddie, his mate from his Melrose, having smashed the £200k barrier with his latest nonsense!  He r...

The TikTok Women's Six Nations is up and running after a fantastic 1st weekend of action. I was at the DAM Health Stadium to see Scotland v England in the Edinburgh sunshine, it was awesome.  Jenny Maxwell plays scrum-half for Scotland and I was delighted she took some time from her busy schedule in camp to chat to me.  Now one of the more experienced players, she's a leader on and off t...

John Hardie is back in Clubland, far from 'home', but using his experience and knowledge to support the development of younger players and developing his coaching skills. He's had an amazing, unique journey from the South Island of New Zealand to Scotland with lot of learning along the way. There is still a way to travel too. I loved speaking to him, I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness...

I've met some very impressive people while hosting this podcast, the chance to chat to Giselle Mather was too good to pass up. She is magnificent.  Vastly experienced, incredibly knowledgeable but above all, hugely enthusiastic about sport, coaching and creating the best possible environment to perform. I loved it, I hope you enjoy listening.  Happiness is Egg Shaped Support our show wit...

The Raeburn Shield goes back to the 1st International played in Edinburgh between Scotland & England. Dave (Mr Raeburn Shield) has tracked the winners throughout history till the present day, (where at the time of writing, the holders are England.)  The Utrecht Shield started in 1982 from the first Women's International, it currently belong to England, and could do for a loooooooooong tim...

I've got to know Alix Popham over the last few weeks and can say in absolute certainty, he is a good human who is inspiring people to make the world a better place. In this pod we talk about head trauma, the issues in Rugby and what Alix and his organisation https://headforchange.org.uk/ are doing about it. I love speaking to him. I hope you enjoy listening.   Happiness is Egg Shaped Pl...

Duncan Hodge was a hero of mine, not that much older than me, same position, but doing good things in the game at a young age.  He won a Calcutta Cup single handed(!) and went on to become a fantastic coach. I always enjoy speaking to Hodgey and very recently have been privileged to coach alongside him, learning a huge amount as I go. As he embarks on the next chapter of his life, I was delig...

Bryan Easson is the Head Coach of the Scottish Women's squad preparing to take on Colombia in Dubai in the last qualification game for the World Cup in New Zealand. I've known Bryan for a long time & loved catching up with him. I hope you enjoy listening.  Happiness is Egg Shaped Support our show with the Acast Supporter feature - https://supporter.acast.com/happiness-is-with-bruce-aitchi...

During lockdown, when we were relying on social media for communication and contacts, I got chatting to Matthew Mason-Hames who had started up Mindset Sport CIC. We were keen to see what we could do together to raise the profile of Mental Health in the club game and get more people trained as Mental Health 1st aiders. In that time, Matt has been busy! His work is making a positive impact on the wo...